Sunday 18 May 2014

useful sites to use for revision

This is an interesting revision aide for the film industry unit especially the media language




or this one

Wednesday 7 May 2014

media ownership







either of these  is a good starter to introduce the idea of media ownership if you are stuck.

activity
Today
1. hand in the essay you were set last week
2. research media ownership and produce your own slideshare complete with examples/case studies to include - this can be a revision guide
3. write essay number 2 - choose another from the 4 we mindmapped last week.
4. hand both essays to me at the end of the day - i will be in WG11 - one person to bring them to me please - NO EXCUSES

Sunday 13 April 2014

CRITICAL THEORIES

FOR THOSE OF YOU WORRYING ABOUT THIS
A REMINDER
the term 'critical theory' simply means all the academic theories, arguments and hypothesis we have considered...such as
users and gratification theory -
representation theories such as gender, mis-en-scene, OTS conventions such as having enigma/hook/exposition/...
narrative theories - genre, ... todorov, propp....etc
audience theory - audience pleasures, the pete buckingham article, ways of identifying audience,

the aim of this part of the evaluation is to show how you have studied media theory then used it to apply to/influence/inform  your own work and production

thing how can i show off that i get the theory and arguments/discussions as much as i get the production practical element 

IF YOU ARE STILL STUCK - take a look at the four posts earlier in this blog - all about critical theory
x

Friday 11 April 2014

deadlines

2 days to go - midnight this Sunday

Cal - I cannot add comments to your blog - there is no comment tab when I look at the posts - can you check your permissions please - Blog is looking good btw

I am impressed by the clear range of hard work i am seeing on most blogs/websites. Keep it up - you should be excellent as you all have that potential.

remember -
 the blog is research & planning - showing off all research, organisation and planning to make the construction happen
the evaluation is looking back and summarising - what you did / why you did it / how/when/where/who & how - ALL DECISIONS, AESTHETICS / TECHNIQUES / PROCESSES  all linked to the critical narrative/representation and audience theory plus distribution/exhibition ideas and decisions

no continuity task = 15 marks off the 60 for construction

more marks for interactivity - so make the posts/pages full of hyperlinks, videos, stills, photographs. graphs, tables etc - all designed to show off your evidence

only 2 people have emailed me - so i guess all of the others are confident - I look forward to seeing the final work

E S Humpleby

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Presentation for assessment requirements


Deadline Date SUNDAY 13TH APRIL AT MIDNIGHT
We will then add a post indicating the last entry on your blog. We will print out the final blog and website as a hard copy to send to the examiner. There is no extension to this deadline. 
You MUST submit:
  1. Your blog - this is the evidence of all your research and planning. This is worth  up to 30 marks
  2.  Your final construction (OTS) and the preliminary set task (continuity task). Each should be embedded in a titled post and. This is worth up to 60 marks
  3.  Your Evaluation including answers to all 7 questions.Tthis should take the form of a separate Blog or Website which is interactive and demonstrates a range of digital instruments. This is worth up to 30 marks
The last entries on your Blog should be (n this order):
  • Your Evaluation Website or Blog embedded in a titled post
  • The Final OTS
  • The Preliminary Set Continuity Task.
Your Blog and Evaluation must have your name and candidate number in the title. 

Although we can burn copies of films onto hard disc (DVD) after Easter you must have the final film uploaded or embedded into your blog by the deadline.

HY/MO

Emily Smith/Sophie Mace - your blogs do not work through these links - see me urgently please

Monday 10 February 2014

the 7 evaluation questions

The questions that must be addressed in the evaluation are:
• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? this must be done as a pechakucha presentation
• How does your media product represent particular social groups? or this must be done as a pachakucha presentation
• What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
• Who would be the audience for your media product?
• How did you attract/address your audience?
• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

• Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Level 3 12–15 marks
There is proficient understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
There is proficient understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
There is proficient understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
There is proficient understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
There is proficient skill in choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
There is proficient ability to communicate.
There is proficient use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
Level 4 16–20 marks
There is excellent understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
There is excellent understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
There is excellent understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
There is excellent understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
There is excellent skill in choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
There is excellent ability to communicate.
There is excellent use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.2nced

Wednesday 8 January 2014

time - management

you have 6 weeks left for productions
you need to plan time carefully:
complete a detailed timeline to ensure you meet the deadline - here is an example; 

Week beginning 6th January -  filming / Planning shoots / capture of photo images for phot storyboards / Uploads of footage / evidence of this added to blog

Week beginning 13th January - final week for getting all footage shot and uploaded / editing and creation of raw footage / editing to complete the first' Cut'/ creating studio & production idents/screens

Week beginning 20th January - editing images - to produce first cuts ready for feedback

Week beginning 27th January -first  focus group work (collect feedback from within the group & HY/MO) / re-editing / planning and completion of any reshoots / planning construction of sound

Week beginning 3rd February - construction of sound / titles / final edits of film OTS

Week beginning 10th February - exhibition and distribution of 'first cut' of final films shared on digital/social networks for the purpose of focus group feedback - use surveys/ questionnaires and allow time for feedback / work on Blogs to ensure all the above is evidenced: talking head, reflective note, production plans, slideshares.....

Week beginning 17th February = Half term - complete focus group research / complete Blogs / plan final improvements to productions in response to the feedback

Deadline for completed Research & Planning Blogs and First Drafts of Productions is the 28th February (Friday after half term)

Please copy and paste this structure into your own blog and then edit it to make it personal and relevant to you

what do i need to hand in / how do you know what is good work?


You can see exam board examples of opening sequences here together with the marks (it is marked out of 60) - less than 20 is not confirmed as a a pass mark so that is an the example of a low grade candidate attainment

you need to be engaging actively in reflective research and looking at examples to put your own work in context.
OCR provide lots of examples: - take the time to look at the models of good practice: these show the standards expected. Look at our previous students work. Then look at the examples provided by OCR - READ THE CONTENTS

http://examplesofwork13.weebly.com/as.html

there are others to be viewed here
http://ocrmediastudies.weebly.com/coursework-with-levels.html


here are examples from the board of final blogs together with the marks
http://examplesofwork13.weebly.com/moderation-activities.html

you have to hand in:

  • a completed Blog showing all research, organisation, planning, drafts and focus group evidence. It must also include your continuity task AND your final OTS
  • a DVD copy of both the continuity task and the OTS you make
  • the detailed and interactive evaluation produced as a Web-Site
Use my posts and the FRP checklist to help you add work
Upload detail of all processes and work you do. 

DEADLINE FOR ALL FILM PRODUCTION IS FEBRUARY HALF TERM.

THE WEBSITE EVALUATION IS COMPLETED AFTER HALF TERM




Sunday 1 December 2013

research and planning - sound: the art of foleying



http://artinspired.pbworks.com Soundtracks


http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6525516/toy-warfare-music-video


a source for copyright free sounds http://www.findsounds.com/types.html

REMEMBER: YOU CAN ONLY USE ORIGINAL OR COPYRIGHT FREE SOUND OF ANY TYPE

planning my film: lighting

this is a good clear video about lighting for film noir - we will look at it  and gain some ideas on how - you need to capture still shots that illustrate the ideas you want to emulate

The Basics of Lighting for Film Noir from FilmmakerIQ.com on Vimeo.

research and planning - joining the dots

The driving question this week is:
What is my narrative & how to what extent do i want to make it meet, amplify and challenge the codes and conventions of the Film Noir Genre.

On Monday we will discuss the difference between the Narrative STORY and the narrative PLOT. and why this is important to consider


We will also view The Procrastinators continuity task and give feedback

On Wednesday  we need to start to create your OTS plan = this means deciding on final groups ( I have an idea who would work best together) and the maximum size should be 4

  • we will begin initial ideas for your film and start to storyboard
  • we will also explore job roles and who will be doing what
  • finally  We will also discuss the blogs you are producing and where there are weak
Y13 need to book parents evening appointments













The ten basic rules of film noir from Gonzalo Cordero de Ciria on Vimeo.


Thursday 28 November 2013

Wednesday 20 November 2013

cover for 20th november

sorry guys I have  a horrid cold/flu thing and so no voice, disgusting cough, aches etc - you do not wanna be in a room with me

I have emailed the technician asking him to have all video cameras moved up to CM21 with Ms Moore so you can collect them from there - please continue as planned: filming the continuity task - capture a range of shot types but include the core/complulsory match on action & shot/reverse shot plus the set action

Sam/sam/chris/gerogia/max - i realise you may be prop building etc rather than filming BUT you need to be editing by next lesson so get it done in your own time please

Some blogs are looking excellent - others less os - please do not forget to add evidence of planning and capturing this activity - upload the homework, upload storyboards, upload photographs of you filming etc

Elliot - the link to your blog does not work - please add the url to a comment on this blog

Sunday 10 November 2013

expected A level approach

I have just assessed everyone's posts/blogs - some of you have less than 6 posts. And some of those are unfinished. If it is not made 'live' i cannot mark it - we have covered the following since the course started - (so you should have at least 16 posts):
Expected posts

1.    Summer task: Research into sweded films
2.    The definition of sweded films
3.    Examples of sweded films with comments/analysis/deconstructions
4.    Examples of animatics and or storyboards with analysis
5.    Management of your blog – permissions and settings – 25 posts please / no word verification  invite me
6.    Research and planning: codes and conventions of a film OTS: se7en activities 1-3 & tasks 1-3 – review others powerpoints / deconstruct & micro-essay on Se7en / ditto film of your choice
7.    R&P – codes and conventions:  - look at other students work – set 18th sept
8.    Planning for a sweded film of your own / make a sweded film and upload it / analyse the result
9.    identifying the conventions of an OTS
10. identifying the conventions of film noir
11. analysing OTS : Double Indemnity / Sin City / Psycho / other of your own choice – after watching the films’ OTS identify & provide a detailed analysis showing understanding of how they meet/break:
a.    The conventions of a film noir
b.    The conventions of OTS
c.    Representations of character
d.    Editing techniques
12. Research: creating representations create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noir style
13. Genre theory classwork:  mindmaps into genre / hybrid genre / examples of different genres especially linking to film noir – upload photos of sheets OR rewrite in an interactive way – upload examples of different genres – still/clips/films
14. Genre theory: defined the Film Noir Genre on your blog
15. Understanding audience – active / passive / traditionalist / hedonist / post-modern /preferred / oppositional linked to audience / industry . institution – extension ABC1C2DE criterion
16.  understanding narrative theory:  Todorov / propp / levi-strauss / branigan / Cameron… explore the narrative concepts and write what they are in your own words together with examples of films that best represent them, extend with those that break it.
17.  Defining audience: the Buckingham activities and essay.

18. Audience: planning your own – next step

The exam board states that: just writing is not enough - this is an interactive A level: every post should contain academic analysis, illustrations and visual links or examples. A greater variety gains a higher grade. Just text can only gain an E or D grade.

Challenge - you need to catch up - review your own blog and look at those of three others. You have until the end of the week to complete - Mondays lesson will be blogging and Q&A. Wednesday we will do the work in the post below... we are one third through the time allocated for the practical element of the course

research and planning: Audience

Challenge: you need to present a structured 'picture' of your target audience using recognised / valid ways of measuring and defining an audience.

The audience grouping that you choose must be a recognised media audience
The exhibition and distribution method you choose must be a real one and you must state your intended method / instrument for exhibition (DVD, cinema, streaming etc....)

choose one or more of the following methods as a start point: you will get more marks if you are creative and interactive in how you present your decision:

  1. powerpoint
  2. a video
  3. voice thread  - see an example of a sprowston student work  here http://lukeandersona2media2012-13.blogspot.co.uk/ the site introduction is available here  https://voicethread.com/media/misc/IntroductionToVoiceThread.mov4. it is free to use log-in and choose a free account here is a good place to start https://voicethread.com/support/howto/Account_Types/Free/
  4. a prezi
  5. a web page - wix.com is easy to use and free - find it here: http://www.wix.com/
Try to have fun as this will come across to your audience
try to link it to your own genre / style and intended film

we will begin todays lesson in discussions about the task - this is homework - in the lesson on Wednesday we will begin filming the continuity task so prepare to dress up

Wednesday 6 November 2013

research: audience theory

you need to be able to show both knowledge and understanding:

KNOWLEDGE
means knowing about  facts, terms and concepts
UNDERSTANDING
means being able to use them in discussion, essays or planning - owning the knowledge and being able to re-use it in your own words and  use it to influence your own production.

Build your understanding of the work in the last lessons by: initially Deconstructing the Pete Buckingham paper Audiences: Trends, Profiles and Patterns: What People Go to See, Why and How to Reach Them

then

complete tasks 1-3 on the sheet:
Task 1
Read the article and make notes on the following points

Q1- page 1 – read and consider – what does he suggest influences audience patterns – is he correct in your opinion?
Q2 page 2 – what kind of audience are you  - what are your own viewing habits – how do audiences behave in the cinema
Q2b: what instruments could you use to find out about viewing habits / successful genres and narratives?
Task 2
Read pages 3-4 and think about how he explains WHY people go to the cinema; what do they want from a cinema experience and a film; what blocks them from getting involved.  Then make notes to answer Q3 & 4 reflecting on yourself as a consumer:
Q3 – motivation & behaviour
a.       Why do you watch films?


b.      What qualities attract you ( you could consider  film / actor/company/innovation / reputation etc)


c.       How do you consume films (exhibition: how it is shown – cinema/dvd/streamed/downloaded/tv as well as who with or where)
Q4. Driver and barriers – annotate his list and then create your own. – what dissuades or persuades YOU.
Task 3
Produce a report exploring the following points:
·         The different ways in which film industries and institutions categorise audiences (companies that make films and those who distribute or exhibit them)
·         The reasons they do so
·         The ways in which producers and film writers can consider audiences
·         The reasons why they do so.
·         What affects you as an audience member
You can use any method to present it – essay / prezi / powerpoint etc But you must include more than just words – links / diagrams / photos etc.
Deadline – First lesson next week

Hy 3rd Nov 2013

Sunday 20 October 2013

research and critical theory: media Audiences

date 23rd Oct 2013
Challenge:  understanding audience theory
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: starter challenge: explain these audience terms
Active
Passive
Traditional
Hedonist
Post-modernist

Main lesson focus:
defining audience – starting with  Pete Buckingham article/ new audience groupings
Activities
1.    Analyse the following terms and discuss until there is genuine understanding
a.    Preferred
b.    Oppositional
c.    Negotiated
d.    Two-step flow
e.    Distribution processes  & exhibition
 (audience powerpoint/theory powerpoint)

Extension/ Improving grade
Try to explore audience  other theories / theorists such as the hypodermic syringe effect

Homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title
Add links that are relevant

Assessment & understanding focus covered:
  • Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
  • Media Institutions Introduction
  •  Media audiences
  • Media representations


research and critical theory: understanding narrative theory

Media Studies AS                          date 21st Oct 2013
Challengeunderstanding narrative theory as linked to genre
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: 10 minutes - what is the difference between niche and mainstream – define / example / discuss – add comment onto blog

Main lesson focus:  challenge: understanding narrative theory as linked to genre

Activities
1.    Starter challenge
For each of the next activities we will read the outline of their critical theories and try to apply to specific films
2.    Introducing Propp: characters as function / actions as function
3.    Introducin Todorov – Equilibrium & disequilibrium
4.    Introducin Levi Strauss
5.    poweroint and media codes pp

HOMEWORK: present research and findings as a powerpoint.  – link to  specific media texts


Extension/ Improving grade
Try to explore narrative other theories / theorists such as Branigan or Cameron 

homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title

Assessment & understanding focus covered:
   Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
   Media Institutions Introduction
    Media audiences

  Media representations






Tuesday 15 October 2013

research: introducing Genre theory

Media Studies AS                          date 16th Oct 2013
Challenge:  developing a high level UNDERSTANDING  of GENRE & HYBRID GENRES
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: define the term Genre and identify7 different film genres – make a list on paper

Main lesson focus: introducing audience / industry and institution linked to GENRE

Activities
1.    Starter challenge
2.    Whiteboard session / identify a number of genres: at least one per student
3.    Consider the impact of genre on
a.    Audience
b.    Industry
c.    institution
4.    Identify hybrid-genres – discuss why they evolve – make notes

Extension/ Improving grade
Try to present in an interactive way
Define genre as it applys to Film Noir

homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title – research Genre in Film.
Ensure that you have defined the Film Noir Genre on your blog
Assessment & understanding focus covered:
   Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
   Media Institutions Introduction
   Media audiences
Media representations



or this site is interesting


http://www.suspense-movies.com/

Sunday 13 October 2013

research and planning: understanding representation challenge 2 and challenge 3

Introducing: Challenge 2: creating still images using film noir styles
Use the Film Noire definition pages I gave you AND the images below as a start point
Quote: Film Noir is
 “a new cinematic technique that made use of dark or dim lighting effects, dreary settings, filtered lights and generally dark themes and characterizations. Noir scenes are made from interesting camera angles and with dramatic close-ups and shadowed lighting. Frequently the stories use of smoke-filled rooms, views of light filtered through venetian blinds, seedy downtown areas with neon lights, dark wet streets to heighten the noir effect. “
Sources
Q:\Art & Media Faculty\media\KS5\AS\MAIN PRODUCTION UNIT FILM NOIR\genre style and links\FilmNoirIllustrations_files
Q:\Art & Media Faculty\media\KS5\AS\MAIN PRODUCTION UNIT FILM NOIR\genre style and links

Activity:
Representation is about combining images, styles and symbols to creative meaning for an audience. Film makers do this through actors, lighting props, locations, pose and expression.

Your challenge is to stage, create and capture a variety of still images that evoke the Film Noir era.

The main task using cameras to create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noire style – you can work in the studio or around the school

Use the majority of this afternoon to experiment with lighting, pose and props.

P5 we are in WG11 where we have the studio and the darkroom as well as the main classroom

Try to capture at least 30 images (but the differences can be subtle – variations in expression / camera angles etc)

I will be there all p5

By 3.10 you need to be uploading your images into your file so that we can add them to a PowerPoint and into your blogs

Please remember that this is supposed to be a fun task: try to enjoy it

HY 08/10/13

Media Studies 12AS October 14th 2013
Introducing: Challenge 3: showing understanding of representation using comparing existing stills/ / photographs with created still images that use film noir styles

Activity:
Representation is about combining images, styles and symbols to creative meaning for an audience. Film makers do this through actors, lighting props, locations, pose and expression.
Your challenge was to stage, create and capture a variety of still images that evoke the Film Noir era.

Starter:  discussion and examples of editing techniques
Print contact sheets and choose the most suitable images – limit to 20
Find the support sheets in Q>arts and media>photography>technical support>photoshop

Main Task:  creating representations create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noire style
Upload images to photoshop
Edit simply – use adjustments such as saturation, exposure and curves plus simple crop methods
Try to create a range of images that are effective representations of
o  Male
Hero (Protagonist)
Villain (Antagonist)
Antihero (Transforms form the Antagonist to the Protagonist)
Sidekick (Police/ Moral Majority)
Extras (Side plots/Workers/Crowds)
Female
Femme Fatale - Sexuality, Danger, Risk, Antagonist, Forbidden.
Girl Next door (Redemptive Woman) - Salvation, Honour, Sacrifice, Courage, Redemption

Create a post in your blog where you effectively compare and contrast your own work against representations from existing Film Noir texts

Outcome and deadline

You must have the evidence added to a post by the next lesson on Wednesday this week.

Next session . The next lesson will be a theory lesson all about genre – please bring notebook and pen