Prelim Exam Prep

Hi guys,

Here are a few essay questions that you can practise answering. Please choose one or two AT LEAST to attempt in your study prep and submit these via email. I am happy to meet with you during our usual Media class to discuss your grading.

Have a go at answering these questions WITHOUT referring to study notes and see how you go.

Remember, in the exam you will not have any case study material with you.


QUESTION 1:

How important are cross-media convergence and synergy in the media areas you have studied?


QUESTION 2

How do media institutions target national and local audiences in the media you have studied?

QUESTION 3

Evaluate the marketing techniques used in the media area you have studied?

QUESTION 4

"Digital technologies have transformed Media production." Discus with reference to the media area you have studied.


All the best! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with :)

-T.Bianca

Institutions and Audiences Essay Question #3

Hi,

Here is your essay for the week;

"Evaluate the significance of changes in production technologies in the media area you have studied"

REMEMBER
- use examples from ALL of your case studies
- use relevant terminlogy
- bring in your rough draft for checking on Monday

Have fun!
- T-Bianca

Case Studies

Hi guys!


As we gear up for the Pre-lims, here are a few things you should be tracking in your notes.  Make sure to learn these facts as close to "number perfect" as possible.

Your case studies should include NZFC as an institution, at least one local / arthouse film as denoted earlier in the term, and at least one blockbuster film (theoretically a product of one or more of the Big 6) to compare and contrast against.

For both films, you should know-

• Production / Pre / Post
•    Including any impacting plans (i.e. 3D exhibition, etc)
• USP's
• budget and profit, specifically as related to the production phase
• budget and profit, specifically as related to the distribution phase
• budget and profit, specifically as related to and specific campaigns (typically marketing)
• Production company of origin, and its ownership
• Related ownership where applicable
• Distribution (cinemas: local / global, festivals)
• Marketing campaign (strategy, vehicle / rationale, results)
• Media platforms
•    Including ownership & viewing (i.e. personalised digital experience vs cinema, etc)
•    Media fragmentation
• Audience
•    Reception of film / response
•    Ticket sales
•    NZFC stats

And of course, we will be adding to this list!

T-Bianca

Institutions and Audiences Essay #2

Hello everyone,


This one is from the end of 2016.  Enjoy:

“Production decisions are always driven by money.” Evaluate the extent to which this is true in the media area you have studied. 

You can look at the following areas to help you with your essay;

1. What processes are involved in production?
2. What production decisions were made in your case studies and what were the results? 
 - did they shoot on film or digitally?
 - did they hire well known actors for hype and appeal or did they experiment with new talent?
 - did they have a big budget? Were they funded by one of the Big 6 or Indie/arthouse or crowd funded? If they were funded by a spcific company, did this affect HOW they made the movie and the decisions they made?
- what technology has been used in the film and why did they make those decisions? (e.g Avatar - Jungle entirely created virtually with Special FX, never set foot in a jungle. Cost involved in taking a crew to a tropical jungle, camera and gear to survive in hot weather etc. VS. all done virtually by some graphics artist in a studio). Stunt man VS. Special FX?
- did the production process involve teaser trailers that were released? How would that decision be driven by money? 
- What were the outcomes of the production decisions in the finished product? Did the films do well? What was opening weekend gross earnings? What did the critics say? How were the films received and how did that translate into money based on audience reception?


REMEMBER!!!
- use examples from YOUR CASE STUDY FILMS
- Make a point CLEARLY, back it up with examples from case studies CLEARLY linking back how the info is relevant.
- Make a strong conclusion based on all your evidence.
- Aim for 600 words or more.

- T. Bianca