Audiences and Institutions Research Questions

Hi

Here are your research focus points for the next 2 lessons.

You are going to need to research and formulate answers to these topics with direct relation to your 4 film case studies.

Create a slide show that you can present to the class with your findings.

QUESTIONS

1. Provide case study examples for all your 4 films as to how cross-media convergence and synergy have been used specifically in distribution and marketing and contrast success rates, based on Box Office success and overall success

2. How has technological convergence been used to increase awareness of case study films in marketing campaigns and exhibition?

2. What new technologies are being introduced to movies and what were contributing factors that increased success rate in your case studies? (think about green screens, 3D, digital print, digital projection, new cameras etc (Side by Side notes)

3. How did your case study movie producers target specific audiences in the decisions they made? (In relation to marketing, distribution and consumption)

4. What type of release strategies were employed in your case studies and how did that impact positively/ negatively on the overall success of them?

5. Compare and contrast your blockbuster to your NZ film case study. How do population size differences in USA vs. NZ, impact all stages of production?

6. List NZ's main Arthouse film theatres and NZ's mainstream cinema chains. How do the amount of cinemas in each category relate to audience consumption trends? Where was your Indi movie shown? Where was your NZ movie shown? Where was your Blockbuster movie shown? How well did each do and how much of that was related to exhibition choice of establishment.

DISTRIBUTION

Hi guys

Today's task is to research the DISTRIBUTION PROCESS using the following link;

CLICK HERE

Outline the main phases in a slideshow to present to the class. Make sure you have used and understand the meaning of the key phrases and terminology, such as 'Green Light', 'Ancillary' etc.

You will have until halfway through tomorrow's class lesson to complete this 4 - 5 slide presentation and will need to demonstrate your knowledge of Distribution in your essay you are completing for homework.

Looking forward to seeing what you do!
T-Bianca

Homework Essay A & I's

Hi team!

This is essentially your LAST MEDIA STUDIES ESSAY FOR HOMEWORK!! Let's make it your best one yet!

I want you to go ALL OUT on this one:

 - Include ALL 4 case studies in preparation for your end of year exam - if you don't have info on this, RESEARCH! Now's the time to get everything you need to pass this end of year exam, well.

- Include a quote or some theory we have covered in relation to the question

- Include a broader context and understanding of the question, including your own experiences and survey results too.

- Aim for AT LEAST 4 paragraphs with solid points backing up your main argument

- Exhaust your glossary for any possible terminology to can use and explain


I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
T-Bianca


QUESTION

“The online age has totally destroyed traditional media distribution methods.” How far do you agree
with this statement?

BLOG Work

Hi team

Let's fix your blogs up, ready for submission!

Please make sure you read the following instructions and tick them off one by one...

• Make sure you have your labels are - Foundation Portfolio // Preliminary Task 2 // Preminary Task 1 // Research 
• Make sure your research homework assignments (Codes & Conventions/ Logo symbolism etc) are all under research.
• Delete any other research you did for A & I's
• Email any A & I's essays to the teachers email address and delete them off the Blog (include any comments and marks at the bottom of the essay in the email)
• Make sure your Blog is presented clearly, in big enough font, in colours that are easy to read
• Blog tools need to be EMBEDDED into your blog (check link on how to do that), no links to Blog tools. All CCR's need to be in Blog Tool format.

This is due after this lesson, so please work steadily on getting these up to scratch.

T-Bianca

Exemplar for Cambridge Grading

Hi guys

Here is an interesting read. It's an exemplar for a past exam with how they graded different papers, all with notes so you can see where they lost notes and where they gained notes.

Have a read and get a good understanding of what you need to do for Question 1 in your final exam.

Take a look!

Also take a look at THIS, a website with a great summary of all the aspects of the exam that you will need to be ready to write about.

T- Bianca

Homework

Homework Question

2. "How far does your own experience of media consumption reflect wider patterns of audience behaviour? "
   

Exam Revision Exercises

Hi class,

Below are some parachute questions you can attempt in practise for the prelim exams.

Email me your question / what clip you analysed and I can mark it for you. This will give you a good indication as to how well you'll do in these exams. Try and memorise all your case studies and examples so you can do it like you would in the exam.

Also, time yourselves! 45 minutes of actual essay writing is your time allocation for each question.

Question 1

"Analyse how the 4 technical areas create meaning in the following extract;"

1. Watch this Episode of Doc Martin (season 1, episode 1; 0 seconds to 3.31mins)

2. Pilot Episode of Gilmore Girls (Season 1)

Questions

Question 1:

Evaluate the impact of media ownership on the media texts you have studied.


Question 2:

"Technology is always advancing" Evaluate the extent to which this is true in your chosen media area and what impact you have observed.

Question 3:

"It's all about money". How is this true in the media are you have studied?

Week 4 Homework Essay - Audiences

Hi,

Here's your question for this week's essay. 

"Analyse how media institutions are using different platforms to engage with their audiences."


Remember to work with your checklist to ensure you practising best essay-crafting techniques. 

All the best!

T-Bianca

Week 3 Homework - Media Ownership

Hi,

Here's your essay question for the week...

QUESTION

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practise within a media industry (Hollywood), that you have studied. 




Remember your checklist

- Have you got a strong argument articulated in your introduction?
- Have you got 4 - 5 points to back up your argument?
- Have you included AT LEAST 1 example / case study in each point? 
- Have you used and explained all your terms and definitions from your glossary that are relevant to this topic? 

The Interview - Case Study (and Release Studies)

Write a short definition for each of these and then make notes of what type of releases your case studies had.

Also make notes on how this is related to audience trends, what positives or negatives you foresee in any of them and how they relate at all to audience trends.

Limited Release
Wide Release
Delayed or Late Release
Simultaneous Release
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/day-and-date-release-strategy-making-best-window-roshan-dwivedi/

Have a look at the following articles and make notes on the following;

The Interview Controversy/

The Interview Wiki link

1. Why is this a good example of a movie that didn't do as well as expected?

2. Where was this film released and why? 

3. What were initial release plans and why were they cancelled?

4. How well did the movie do in the end? 

NZFC Research

Today we are looking at the NZFC.




Firstly, look up - who are the NZFC and what is their aim?

Secondly, look at the following link and answer these questions (page numbers for relevant information follow the question).

ENGAGING A GENERATION
NZFC Youth Audiences Research

QUESTIONS

1. What is one of the challenges the exhibition industry around the world is facing and what has NZFC sought to do about it? (p2)

2. Who are the i-gens and what characteristics typically sum up who they are and how they do life? (p3).

3. How do i-gens view social issues, what kind of social issues are important to them and what role does the media play in this? (p5)

4. What has the NZFC discovered is a crucial understanding in how to market to i-gens and what are the preferences for i-gens in marketing to them? (p7)

5. What are the 6 core motivations and reasons why i-gens would go to a cinema?  (p8)

6. What are some of the i-gens pros and cons for attending a cinema VS. watching at home that ould be important in learning consumption & marketing trends in this generation? (p9, 10 & 11))

7. What are some of the ways i-gens consumption will put pressure on exhibition establishments to be changing to suit their needs in an ever-evolving high tech, high convenience world?  (p12 - 19)

8. Have a look at the following link of the NZFC Audience insights ...

NZFC Youth Trends

 - What are the top 3 ways in which the latest generations are consuming media?
- What are the two least popular trends?
- How does this research line up with your own research on peer consumption?

A & I Essay - Week 2

Hi team

Here's your essay question for the week!

Remember, you will be awarded marks for examples! Your argument needs to be backed up with

- statistics
- facts and figures
- quotes
- examples from research
- case study material
- your own personal findings

ALSO...

You need to include somehow, the following words and definitions;

1. Synergy
2. Convergence
3. Conglomerate
4. subsidiary
5. Vertical Integration
6. Marketing strategy


Here's your question to tackle for this week. Your response should be in essay format, contain at least 1 quote and be at 2- 3 full A4 pages long.

QUESTION

“Cross-media convergence and synergy are vital processes in the successful marketing of media products to audiences.” To what extent do you agree with this statement in relation to your chosen media area?

Week 1 Homework - Case Study Research

Hi guys

This week's focus are your case studies. You need to bring in 4 A4 pieces of refill with research for your chosen case studies.

x1 Hollywood Blockbuster

x1 NZ Film

x1 Arthouse/ Indi film

x1 film that didn't do as well as expected (The Interview)

Here's the information you need to collate:

1. Title of your chosen films

2. Who produced & directed them

3. A-list / drawcard cast or not

Exhibition-

·      Consider type of release, release date and season

·      Was it independent or mainstream?  Who was the target audience?

·      If applicable - how long did the film remain on cinema release?

Consumption-

·      How was the film consumed in NZ?

·      Find out opening weekend box office in NZ – check IMDB and Box Office Mojo.

·      Check sales rank – Google!

·      Research and quote film reviews – what aspects of the film’s production are liked / disliked?

·      Is the film likely to have a sequel?  If so, is it following the mega-franchise model or not?

·      If not, will it potentially be the platform for another in the same genre?

Exchange-

·      Social networking messages / posts

·      Reviews (ie. Amazon)

·      YouTube videos

·      YouTube parodies / spoofs

·      Fan-sites (quantity, quality, extended marketing application ie. Fanmade products)

How to answer AS Media Question on Representation

Study Break

Study Break Tasks

Representation Essay 

• Using the blog post from earlier this week, construct a Representation Essay, showing your planning, as practised, on a separate piece of paper.
• Remember to cover ALL 4 technical areas and to use specific examples to back up your 3 main points/ arguments.

Group blog -

• Should have ALL entries for Preliminary Tasks 1 and 2, including planning (but not CCR's; these ONLY show up on your personal blogs).
• Each person's edit should be included at the top of page for that task.
• This blog should be presented neatly.
• Remember, titles for entries should include names of people who worked on them (i.e., if you wrote the script, the title should be 'Script - Your Name, Co-Writer's Name, Etc'
• Entries should have an appropriate label.  (Research, Preliminary Task, etc)
• There should be a label menu in the sidebar, to make the information on these tasks easily accessible.
• Planning for Foundation Portfolio should also be neatly presented.

The Survey-
   Conduct a survey, with the goal of ascertaining film consumption patterns

• Survey should involve at least 30 randomly selected people 
• Make it easy on yourself!  Construct a chart that allows you to poll a small group simultaneously rather than one individual at a time!
• Taking the survey should take between 2-5mins at most.  Let people know that.

Data for each person polled should include, but are not solely restricted to:

• Age
• Preferred genre
• Estimated number of movies watched per year
• Estimated number of times they watch those films at a cinema
• Names of top three most frequented cinema establishments
• Most recent movie seen

If film-watching normally takes place at home, do they generally:

• Watch film from start to finish, no breaks
• Watch film with short breaks (get water, answer door, etc)
• Watch film with longer breaks (please specify break length and reason)

It could also be a good idea to find out about people's use of LightBox / Netflix / DVD / other forms of home-viewing, including illegal download.

Make sure you collate your findings in some sort of graph / presentation all together so that we can compare it and analyse when Term 3 starts again.

Have a great study break! Please get some rest but make sure you set aside some good study time. 

All homework will be due Tuesday in class, in the first week of Term 3.

Sing out if you need any help!

T-Bianca

Audiences research - Platforms

Hi class

Here are some articles I'd like you to read over the next 2 class lessons. We will discuss your findings on Friday 5th July.

https://d3r9t6niqlb7tz.cloudfront.net/media/documents/NZONAIR-_2018_WHERE_ARE_THE_AUDIENCES_Draft_Report_-_Low_Socio.pdf

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12101514

https://www.flicks.co.nz/news/a-year-on-from-netflix-how-has-vod-changed-in-new-zealand/

https://www.thebigq.org/2018/06/06/is-netflix-killing-the-cinema/

Make some notes of important, relevant and useful information. Then complete the following task...

QUESTION:

How are the audience trends of media consumption being affected by the changing technology in society? How would this information affect marketing,  distribution and exhibition for a film you were making? Give examples and statistics to back up your answer. 

Representation Essay Practise

Hi guys

Below is an extract, similar to what you can expect for your exam.

Watch it through 3 times and write down the following on a piece of paper laid out how you have been guided to plan for your essay:

1. Who is represented out of the 7 main representation areas?
2. What messages are we given about these groups?

Combine these by summing up your 3 main ideas into statement sentences that will form the basis for your argument and analysis in an essay.

3. Write down evidence in the form of examples in the 4 technical areas that supports your argument statements.

Week 9: Blog Homework

Hi everyone!

This week we are focusing on our blogs! These are an essential element in your final grading and will be assessed by Cambridge at the end of the year.

Here is what needs to be done:

Set your Blog to preview and scroll through each post. Make notes for each post and what you need to 'fix' for it to be submission-ready.

1. Labels

- everything needs to go into either PT 1, PT2, Foundation Portfolio or Research

2. Presentation

- view your Blogs in preview and see what the font size, font colour and overall presentation looks like. Fix anything that detracts from your content.

3. Links embedded

- Any Youtube clips, Prezi presentations or other links need to be embedded, not just cut and pasted.

4. Headings

- Check all posts are correctly labelled with task / assignment name. Don't use abbreviations. For example Q2 in your CCR, Label it Question 2, have the whole question written out and after you've referred to Creatie Critical reflection, you are OK to say CCR.

5. Add photos

- You want your blog to be colourful, interactive and visual! Add photos to things like CCR's and planning where possible.

Overall, you want to make your blog easy to mark. Don't make your examiner work hard. Keep it simple, make it nicely set and spaced out, make it pleasant to read. The content is done, that's the hard part. Now you're wanting to pretty it up!

Please work on this each day and set goals to be able to show me daily what you've accomplished.

T-Bianca

CCR Homework - Week 8

Hi guys,

This week you are working on your CCR's.

Each day you will be required to bring in progress on your CCR questions for feedback and guidance. Remember these need to be put into Blog Tool presentation format and really need to be thoroughly answered.


Start with Question 1 and work your way through. You have already completed question 2 so you only have the other 3 to do.

Here is the official CCR Brief from the syllabus.

"On completion of your media product, the candidates must reflect upon their work, using digital formats such as director commentaries, slideshow with voiceover, podcasts, prezis or screencasts. The emphasis should be on creative use of such tools to CRITICALLY reflect on the production, guided by the following compulsory questions:

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?
2. How does your product engage with the audience and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
3. How did your production skills develop over this project?
4. How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online, into this project?

Remember you are not just doing a running commentary on what you did. This needs to be a critical evaluation. What did you learn? How well did you plan work? What did you change, why? What did you learn through the process of pre-production, production and post-production?

Don't assume we know anything because of PT 1 & 2. Work as though we know nothing of your filmmaking journey.

Please ask lots of questions, refer to previous years and let's nail this CCR third time around!

T-Bianca

Week 7 Homework

Hi guys

This week we are going to have another crack at REPRESENTATION!

Using the knowledge we gained in the last class on the way to approach this question, give this a go!

Remember, do the rough work / note taking in preparation for your exam.

Question:

How does the following clip create meaning and represent certain sectors of society?

(remember to first work out WHAT ARE THE BIG IDEAS, WHO ARE BEING REPRESENTED? Then find evidence to support this within the 4 technical areas).

Week 6 Homework

Hi class

Please can you work on your CCR Question for homework this week. I need a lengthy, well researched answer that incorporates your audience research from a couple of weeks back. I want you to answer the question:

How does your film engage with your audience? How will you distribute your film as a real media txt?

You can use a hypothetical situation here. This is your Foundation Portfolio, so all you research and findings need to be evidenced in your CCR for this project. If you would enter it into a film festival, which one? Research a good film festival for NZ and abroad for amateur filmmakers and tell us why you would enter it there. How would you target your audience? Be specific! Talk about the different generations and how you would target them knowing what you know about their media use. What sort of social media campaign could you use to get the word out about your movie? How would you create hype for your film?

You can use a lot of your answer from your recent Blog research assignment. Make sure it's presented in the CCR section of your Foundation Portfolio and label it correctly. Use blog tools to make it interactive. We will complete more of this as we progress towards the end of the term.

T- Bianca

Homework for week 6 - Representation practise

Hi

This week we are revisiting and refreshing our Representation studies with some practise.

You will have been given a handout that goes in-depth with some analysis and explanation of the representation areas. Use this as the basis for explaining, analysing and discussing representation in the question below.

Watch the clip embedded below and discuss the following;

What sectors of society are RE-presented to us? How is meaning created using the 4 technical elements and what messages are we being fed?

Remember, in your essays you get marks alloacated as follows;

Terminology: /10
(Get out your glossary! Don't waffle about 'good camera angles' but identify actual technical elements used, name them, explain their effectiveness to DEMONSTRATE that you understand film language)

Analysis, Argument and Explanation: /20
(Don't just make statements and observations like, "The camera pointed up at the main character." What does this mean? A low-angle shot would insinuate power and authority. It makes the audience be lead to believe that person is dominant, in charge or somehow holds power over the other character. If we are getting a point of view shot this could also be to help us to identify with the character... Also think about whether these views presented to us are dominant readings in society already or whether they challenge stereotypes that society has created. What do our theorists say about this?)

Examples: /20
(Here you need to provide examples from the txt of ALL FOUR technical areas. These examples need to be relevant to the question and need to LINK to having use of correct terminology, need to be explained and analysed and have your point of view argued as to why you take the position you do).

Audience Research Homework

Hi guys

This week we are starting to look into audience studies. 

I want you to read the research material given to you and write up an insightful paragraph of your findings to answer each of the questions below. Make sure your label this entry under research in your Foundation Portfolio.

QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH –  INTRODUCTION TO AUDIENCE 

 1. a) Define the terms target audience, niche audience and mass audiences

      b) Give an example of films that were made for each of those audiences

2.   Name and define the generations for audience study (Gen Y, Millennials etc)

3.  Think about the culture and world each generation is growing up in and analyse how you think technological developments may impact on their viewing habits and how they consume media (provide example 

4.  Think about Question 2 of your CCR for your Foundation Portfolio. Given the information that you've just learnt, how would this affect your decisions in how you would distribute your film as a real media txt? (Who are your target audience? How would be the most effective way of reaching them? How do you know (back this up with research).

Have fun and yell out if you have any questions.

T-Bianca

Logo Investigation

Time for the next blog task, everyone!

Let's have a look at this peer exemplar!

We need to research film company logos.  Look up images and the history of their creation, and make observations on what seems to be involved in creating a company logo.

Provide example images and a strong paragraph describing your findings.

Apply this information to the design of your company's logo.  Again, provide example images and a strong paragraph. You should have at least 5 and maximum 8 logos investigated on your blog and then additionally, your film production company logo too.

I suggest you start the logo investigation links in the research section of our class blog for some ideas.


Have fun!

T-Bianca

How to Embed Prezi

Hi guys
Here are the steps to embedding a Prezi presentation into your blog.

- Create a share-view link link

- cut and paste this code into a new Blog post in the HTML format

<iframe src="your_view_link/embed" width="550" height="400">   </iframe>

- Replace the red text with the URL of your Prezi presentation, and make sure you keep the /embed at the end of that embed code, or else it won’t work.

Here's a video link in case it isn't working (* note that the problem encountered in this video clip is that the lady had 2 slashes after embed txt so check that!)

Foundation Portfolio Brief

Hi

Welcome back to school!

This term our focus is the Foundation Portfolio. Here is the brief;

• Create an opening scene for any Thriller sub-genre of your choice.  The opening sequence needs to set up a Thriller movie, introducing key characters and hinting at the storyline ahead, setting up the plot that will unfold. It needs to have the following technical requirements;

1. It needs to follow the 180' Rule
2. Include shot-reverse-shot
3. Match on Action
4. Logo conceptualised and created by one of your group members
5. At least 2 Special FX from After Effects 
6. 2 - 2.5 mins long
7. Credits and title of the movie

Have fun and remember to think smart, write down all your planning and log ALL changes, problems encountered and things learnt along the way for your CCR.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

T-Bianca 

Term Break Essay - Opening Sequence Pt. 2

Hello everyone,

Next blog task for you to think about and work on during your study break and please note the due date is the first  Tuesday we are back at school (30th April).

1. Opening Sequences, pt2-
Find the opening sequences to THREE Thriller movies. (You may use the films that we have viewed in class)  Analyse them to answer the following question for each:

How is the sequence engaging and how does it conform to traditional Thriller codes and conventions?

Embed relevant screenshots or sequences into your post as evidence.

2.PT. 2 
Remember to keep in mind that the final edit as well as amended planning and CCR's need to be ready on your blogs for marking by Tuesday week 2 of Term 2, so plan in now when you will get these done. This includes your GROUP BLOG entries.

All the best for a productive study break!

T-Bianca

Representation Essay

Hi guys

Here is your representation essay for the week. remember to read and re-read feedback from your last essay to make sure you are on track with what is required.

I want you to watch the following extract from a TV Drama series, a few times.

Watch this extract from Downtown Abbey from 1.05seconds to 5.43 seconds.

The first time, just watch it. The second time, take some notes. The third time, take some more notes as you actively look for representational codes, stereotypes and messages that are presented to us about any of the 7 core media representations that you can identify or recognise in this clip.

Keep the following questions in mind;

1. What groups are being represented to us?
2. Are the messages challenging or conforming to what the media usually portrays in relation to this specific group?
3. How are the 4 technical elements used to send a message about the characters and who they represent in society?
4. How do the 4 technical elements work together to create meaning?

This needs to reflect not just surface observations but a deeper analysis of the way different societal groups are represented and how that impacts the viewer and ultimately society on a broader scale.

T-Bianca

Planning Homework

Hi team

This coming Tues 2nd April, all your PT 2 Planning will be due up on your blog. Please use the checklist below to make sure you have everything you need.

• All work in Blogtools format
• Treatment
• Initial brainstorm 
• Storyboard/ Script/ Lighting Plan / Costume, Location and Prop plan / call sheet / film schedule and shot list (whatever you were personally responsible for. Include a paragraph on how you found your role in planning and what you learnt in the process 
• Photos and mood-board pictures included in your treatment for the film opening

This planning needs to be a step up from your PT 1 planning, showing a really thorough demonstration of your understanding of the thriller genre and your chosen sub-genre. Remember, your brief was to increase tension and suspense, show us in detail how you plan to make that happen.

All the best! 

T-Bianca

Hi

We are straight into Prelim Task 2 - exciting!

1. We're being more intentional about the creation of suspense / tension through use of specific filming techniques and conventions.

2. It's a good idea to get them to choose a specific thriller sub-genre you want to try to reproduce. You can reference your recent blog assignments on that to decide which conventions you want to use.  PT#2's mark will also take into account how good a job you did at making an accurate representation of this sub-genre.

3. We're switching up roles! Whatever job you had for PT #1

Second filming task brief-

• Two characters
• Both walk to a meeting place (together or separately is fine)
• An object is given to or taken from one of the characters
• Short chase sequence - resolved one way or the other!
• Two lines of dialogue
• A "discovery" or "revelation" moment
• 1 - 2 mins maximum length

Technical elements required:

• Use at least one extreme-wide / establishing shot, one close-up (CU) andone extreme close-up (ECU).
• Use 180-degree rule
• Use shot-reverse-shot
• Use match on action
• Use Thriller conventions

• Consider the Critical Reflection questions as you prepare for the main task!
• After Effects! Explore this technology to decide what you will add into your version of the edit..

All the best! Remember to plan thoroughly, record all your decisions and changes. Work with the end in mind. Lastly, get creative!

T-Bianca

Representation Codes and Conventions

Hi,


Your new blog assignment is as follows; 

This will need to be completed on your blogs by Tuesday 2nd April


Representation codes & conventions-

List the seven core Representation topics.  Give examples of how the 4 TECHNICAL ELEMENTS (not storyline / plot!) communicate these social groups / issues in a meaningful way.  The easiest way to do this is:

• Choose a Representation topic
• Find a screenshot / clip of a TV drama that best exemplifies what you're discussing (embed it into the blog entry)
• Observe the effects of the combined technical elements being used
• Reflect on the message that these effects ultimately send to the wider viewing public
• Rinse and repeat 

Remember - the conventions can either support or subvert generally accepted interpretations of a given area of representation.  Think about how shows you have watched (in your own time or, for example, Vertigo) have conformed to some representation codes and undermined / swapped others.  What were the messages available for viewer decoding?

Any questions, ask away!


- T. Bianca

CCR Homework

Hi guys

This homework is due Tues 19th March.

Your focus for this week is very much the Preliminary Task #1 which should have a COMPLETED rough edit as soon as possible.  I'm projecting that this will be late this week or early next week.   Editing can be done in breaks and study periods, but prioritise homework or studying for tests.

We will begin designing our responses to the CCR questions during the wrap-up phase of editing, but RIGHT NOW you should write down things that went wrong or you had to change or things you've already noticed or learned.  Keep a notepad next to you while you edit; you'll keep noticing and changing things!  Log it all.  It's fantastic for your CCR's.

Remember to start using blog tools to make your blogs more visually interesting!

Question 1
How does your product USE or CHALLENGE conventions?
(Think sound, lighting, narrative structure, editing, camera work, symbolism and iconography)

Question 2
How does your product engage with audiences?
(What effect does it have on audiences? What emotions do you evoke in audience members?)

Question 3
How have your PRODUCTION skills developed throughout the project? (pre-production, production and post-production. What have you learnt to do?

Question 4
How did you integrate technologies into this project?
(Software, hardware and online)

Have fun.

T-Bianca

Thriller sub-genre homework

Hi everyone-

Now that your filming is done, we'll mostly be into editing during class time.  That being the case, you need something to do at home.  Perfect timing, really, considering what's coming.

Your next blog assignment:

Thriller sub-genres-

• Research 6-10 thriller sub-genres.
• You will define the core content, themes, techniques and conventions that are characteristic to each sub-genre.
• You will also give examples of common methods used to achieve the desired effects.
• List 1-5 appropriate movies that land in the category of the sub-genre you are discussing.

This is due Thursday 7th March.  Take note, because after this we'll be doing an essay on an extract from The Bourne Identity relating to and demonstrating your understanding of the thriller genre.

Enjoy!

T-Bianca

Week 3's homework - PT1 P{lanning

Hi everyone

This week's homework is a BLOG ASSIGNMENT for Preliminary Task 1 Planning.

Here's what you need to use as a checklist:

TASK PLANNING:
For now you should have started completing the following and have a list of these incorporated into your planning entry on your blog.

• Brainstorm
• Storyboard
• Script
• Location
• Props & Costumes - list them, source them, bring them in
• Possible Talent - choose and approach for willingness and availability on the day
• Filming day options - finalise and CONFIRM WITH TALENT
• Conventions you intend to employ, and rationale
• Callsheet for talent - make it simple for them so they know what they need to bring
• Shot list for yourselves - this helps you plan out how you will manage your time
• Group roles - who will do what on the day?  Who will act as timekeeper?  Director?  Cam-op?
• Equipment list - plan NOW what you'll need; don't be scrambling on the day
• Principles of continuity plan (180' Rule/ match on action and shot-reverse-shot) (p.33 coursebook)

GROUP BLOG

Everyone needs to upload their delegated tasks to a post on the Group Blog. Work out who is responsible for what and this needs to be completed for Tuesday, too.

All of this will feed your Creative Critical Reflection, which we will discuss more fully at a later time.  For now, get your planning ready and get filming!  :)

Have fun and please ask questions as you go.


- T. Bianca

Opening Sequences Homework assignment

Hi everyone,


So here's the task for this week's homework!

•On your blog, explain the following: (create a post titled 'Opening Sequences')

–What is the purpose of Opening Sequences?

–What is the difference between Opening Credits and a Title Sequence?

–What techniques can be employed in an opening sequence?

–Research a modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film of your choice to use as examples.

(check out http://www.artofthetitle.com/ for research purposes)

–Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.

Here is an updated version of the PowerPoint we saw in class.  It has a few more leading questions to assist you in the assignment.

Let me know if you have any further questions!




- T. Bianca

Week 2's homework

Hi team

Here are the details for homework this week... also found on page 87 (Activity 2.7)

This work is to be done on your Blog. Create a 'research' tab and make this your first entry under that.

1.Read the 'Teen Drama' section of your coursebooks (p.81 - 86). Take note particularly of the txt box on page 84 for an example of how to produce a plot synopsis requires in point 3. 

2.  Choose an episode of a TV TEENAGE drama to analyse (preferably available on Youtube so you can cut and paste the episode with time-code to your blog for my reference)

Click here for a list of potential TV Dramas for your choice.

2. Produce a plot synopsis with key issues represented in BOLD (see page 84 for example).

3. Conduct a content analysis to calculate the percentage of the episode devoted to each of the 3 categories below.


- Serious Social Issues  (e.g. bullying/ domestic violence/ treatment of immigrants etc)

- Everyday aspects of teenage life (e.g. learning to drive etc.)

- Teenage relationships ( e.g. parental pressures, romance etc.)

4. When you have worked out percentages, write a paragraph on how relevant this episode is to your life right now. In what ways? Give examples and discuss the extent to which this is the case.



Yell out if you have any questions and please get your teen drama choice to me by the end of the week.

Have fun!

T-Bianca

Week 1 Homework

Hi,

We're kicking off with an analysis project, as follows below.

You may use the Sherlock clip in this post for our task.

Watch the extract several times and assess how the sequence manages the bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods.  (Focus particularly on finding the main / initial shift in tone)

By now we've produced a storyboard of the precise transition section - the last shot of the first sequence and the first shot of the second.  If we haven't already done so, finish your written notes on how the mood is set up in each case by the following micro elements:

• Camera: shots, angles, movement, composition.
• Editing: within each section and crucially, between them, to make the 'bridge'.
• Sound: dialogue, music, effects, atmospheric establishing sound, diegetic v non-diegetic contrasts.
• Mise-en-Scene: how is this different for the two contrasting storylines; how is mood and atmosphere created in each case through lighting, colour, performance and other aspects?

Remember that your notes need not be exhaustive; for example, you would only record types of camera shots and their resulting effects, rather than the number of times each shot type is used and their corresponding timecodes in the extract.

Finally, use your notes to write a short response about how the technical elements combine to construct mood and tone.  Responses should be one full side in length, so you will very likely not be able to cram in everything you've observed.  Select your best material for the task.

Let me know if you have any questions and have fun :)

- T Bianca

Welcome to 2019!

Hi Media Students of 2019

I am so excited to have you on board for what will be your favourite subject...I'm sure ;)

This is our CLASS BLOG! You will find everything you need for homework assignments, class work links and resources, somewhere on this blog page.

Have a look/ click around and make yourself familiar with the layout.

It's going to be a great year!
T- Bianca