1. Hints and tips for getting started- Including moderated Examiner feedback on coursework

2.  Pick groups  Get everyone’s mobile numbers  Set up a twitter/group WatsApp etc.  Choose a song as soon as possible Keep it short (3 mins 30 secs, maximum)

3.  Choose a track which stimulates some visuals as it may be easier to storyboard if the song has elements of narrative  Watch some music videos in the same genre as the one you are going to film and take notes on props, camera angles, locations etc

4.  Watch LOTS of other videos from this genre and research code and conventions of your chosen genre in detail “ensure research on real media is reflected in the plannning and construction of candidates own work”  Consider research and planning as part of a whole process and apply your findings effectively to your media product

5.  Produce a strong and simple idea  Have a clear concept which is workable  Be realistic  Be original  Compromise

6.  Start thinkin about your blog NOW  This year more than ever it is important to be‘media rich’  Spend some time researching new apps/technology which you can use- see list  Be origional and creative- innovative even!  Make full use of technology such as Prezi- explore multimedia possibilities of the format

7.  Work as a team  Share responsibility rather than passing blame  Quality control expert- appoint a member of the group to make sure ALL posts meet a high standard from the outset  Coursework is key to achieving a good overall grade- so help each other!

8.  Start thinking about people, places, props, costumes  Planning and forward thinking are key- locations (find out early if they are available), costume, props, actors etc. Plan to shoot more than you think you will need

9.  Should demonstrate the journey  Not to be completed in retrospect after filming is complete as examiners picked up on this  Full text production- detailed planning before filming

10.  The video lasts at least as long as the track (can be longer if you have an intro or outro or both)  The video features the artist/band quite prominently  The video features some element of performance- singing and playing instruments (usually miming) and often dancing or acting too  The video has some kind of concept along with the track  The video does not feature a complete narrative but the concept may involve fragments of narrative  Different genres of music produce slightly different visual conventions in music videos

11.  Wide range of shots and effective editing which was “imaginative and challenging”  Convincing use of generic conventions/music  Effort and attention to mise en scene  Candidate engagement was evident in final product

12.  Blogs must be organised and clearly accessible for the examiner  Complete in-depth consideration of audience  Research into similar products- VERY important- needs to be detailed to achieve top grades

13.  Director commentary- analyse choices rather than explaining the process  Important- new role of technology in the production process  Through consideration of gender representation needed (if relevant)  Experiment with quality of fonts, credits when producing titles for your video

14. “It was obvious from the blogs that the candidates were well supported by their teachers in the structuring of their coursework….this resulted in high standard, creative texts of which they should be proud” Coursework Moderator