We have confirmed dates for Year 13 A Level Media Easter coursework sessions.
The sessions will take place on:
Thursday 29 March 8.30am - 3pm (Raising Achievement Day)
Tuesday 3 April 9am - 3pm (Mr Halsey)
Wednesday 4 April 9am - 3pm (Mr Bush)
We are VERY lucky to be able to open up the Media department for two days in the holidays so make the most of it. Media computers and guidance will be available on both days but if you want specific feedback and an idea of what grade you're working at you will need to see your coursework teacher on the relevant day or email them.
If you need equipment, this will be dependent on availability and we STRONGLY recommend getting everything filmed before Easter so you can focus on editing during these sessions.
The LRA (and, for that matter, the BFI Library) will be open for most days over the Easter holidays (aside from the Easter bank holidays) so final changes or additions to your Critical Investigation can be done in the second week.
Good luck with the coursework and keep working to those phenomenal professional standards we know you are capable of!
Monday, March 26, 2018
Sunday, March 25, 2018
MEST3 exam prep - PPE guidance
Your upcoming MEST3 Media PPE will be the first time you have attempted Section A for this crucial exam.
Although it shares some similarities, it is noticeably different to Section A in MEST1 and therefore requires a different set of strategies and revision.
The key difference is that you will be presented with TWO unseen media texts. These can be in the form of a video clip or printed on paper (print or e-media platform). Alternative, you may get one of each. You then have THREE questions to answer in 45 minutes. The marks and timing is as follows:
Question 1 Media forms - 8 marks - 10 minutes
Question 2 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes
Question 3 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes
The critical element of Section A is that questions 2 and 3 require a wide variety of examples from across the media - in effect, this is a mini essay. To reach the top level, you must discuss media texts that are NOT the unseen texts in the exam. This is where your case studies, NDM story index and Year 12 work need to come to the fore.
MEST3 Section A: blog tasks
Question 1 preparation: Media forms
1) Revise your key media terminology and theory from Year 12: Film Language & MIGRAIN.
2) Watch a series of media texts on YouTube (TV programme openings, trailers, adverts, music videos etc.) and write notes on the use of media language to communicate a message to the audience. Try and apply key media terminology such as narrative or ideology to the text.
Question 2 preparation: Identities and the Media
(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)
1) Revise your case studies from Year 12 with a particular focus on identity: Ill Manors (e.g. youth, politics, ideology), British film industry (e.g heritage cinema, national identity), your independent case study etc.
2) Revise our Year 13 Identities and the Media unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.
3) Use these potential Identities and the Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.
Question 3 preparation: New/Digital Media
(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)
1) Revise any new/digital media aspects to your case studies from Year 12: e.g. Ill Manors Tag London campaign, A Field In England distribution strategy, your independent case study etc.
2) Revise our Year 13 New/Digital Media and News unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.
3) Revise your index of NDM stories - updated to at least 40 this week. It is advisable to go through the stories and perhaps pick 10-15 particularly relevant, memorable or controversial stories that could add real depth and discussion to a mini-essay response. Learn the key statistics or quotes that you will need to apply them in the exam.
4) Use these potential New/Digital Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.
Ultimately, the number of marks you receive will depend on how well you engage with and answer the questions. Always use the key words in the question and stay focused on what AQA are asking you. The reason you need to revise lots of examples is so you can choose the most relevant to whatever question comes up in the exam.
Your MEST3 Media PPE exam is on the first day back after Easter - Monday 16 April at 1pm. Good luck!
Although it shares some similarities, it is noticeably different to Section A in MEST1 and therefore requires a different set of strategies and revision.
The key difference is that you will be presented with TWO unseen media texts. These can be in the form of a video clip or printed on paper (print or e-media platform). Alternative, you may get one of each. You then have THREE questions to answer in 45 minutes. The marks and timing is as follows:
Question 1 Media forms - 8 marks - 10 minutes
Question 2 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes
Question 3 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes
The critical element of Section A is that questions 2 and 3 require a wide variety of examples from across the media - in effect, this is a mini essay. To reach the top level, you must discuss media texts that are NOT the unseen texts in the exam. This is where your case studies, NDM story index and Year 12 work need to come to the fore.
MEST3 Section A: blog tasks
Question 1 preparation: Media forms
1) Revise your key media terminology and theory from Year 12: Film Language & MIGRAIN.
2) Watch a series of media texts on YouTube (TV programme openings, trailers, adverts, music videos etc.) and write notes on the use of media language to communicate a message to the audience. Try and apply key media terminology such as narrative or ideology to the text.
Question 2 preparation: Identities and the Media
(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)
1) Revise your case studies from Year 12 with a particular focus on identity: Ill Manors (e.g. youth, politics, ideology), British film industry (e.g heritage cinema, national identity), your independent case study etc.
2) Revise our Year 13 Identities and the Media unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.
3) Use these potential Identities and the Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.
Question 3 preparation: New/Digital Media
(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)
1) Revise any new/digital media aspects to your case studies from Year 12: e.g. Ill Manors Tag London campaign, A Field In England distribution strategy, your independent case study etc.
2) Revise our Year 13 New/Digital Media and News unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.
3) Revise your index of NDM stories - updated to at least 40 this week. It is advisable to go through the stories and perhaps pick 10-15 particularly relevant, memorable or controversial stories that could add real depth and discussion to a mini-essay response. Learn the key statistics or quotes that you will need to apply them in the exam.
4) Use these potential New/Digital Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.
Ultimately, the number of marks you receive will depend on how well you engage with and answer the questions. Always use the key words in the question and stay focused on what AQA are asking you. The reason you need to revise lots of examples is so you can choose the most relevant to whatever question comes up in the exam.
Your MEST3 Media PPE exam is on the first day back after Easter - Monday 16 April at 1pm. Good luck!
MEST3 Identities/NDM stories: updated indexes
Now that we've finished our work on Identities and the Media, you need to put together an index so you can easily access your work for revision.
Your Identities and Media index should include the following:
New/digital media story index
You also need to update your index of new/digital media stories that you have been posting each week.
Your TOTAL number of stories should reach AT LEAST 40 (if you're up to date you'll have more than this.)
You can add to a previous index if you wish but need to update the posting date to bring it to the top of your blog.
If you don't finish any of these tasks in the lesson you must finish for homework - due next lesson without fail.
Your Identities and Media index should include the following:
3) Post-colonialism: Orientalism theory and Yasmin clip task
4) Post-colonialism: Bonus Media Magazine articles and questions
4) Post-colonialism: Bonus Media Magazine articles and questions
5) Feminism: Introduction to feminism and Everyday Sexism
6) Feminism: Feminist and gender theory / music video analysis
6) Feminism: Feminist and gender theory / music video analysis
7) Feminism: Applying feminism - Media Factsheet
9) Identity and Film - Media Factsheet
10) Identity and the wider media - Factsheet
9) Identity and Film - Media Factsheet
10) Identity and the wider media - Factsheet
Remember, your index should link to YOUR blogpost for each of these tasks.
This is a significant amount of work and should prepare you well both for the MEST3 exam and potentially help with your Critical Investigation final draft too.
Next we will be returning to New/Digital Media and developing our independent case study for MEST3 Section B.
New/digital media story index
You also need to update your index of new/digital media stories that you have been posting each week.
Your TOTAL number of stories should reach AT LEAST 40 (if you're up to date you'll have more than this.)
You can add to a previous index if you wish but need to update the posting date to bring it to the top of your blog.
If you don't finish any of these tasks in the lesson you must finish for homework - due next lesson without fail.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
MEST3 Independent case study: New/Digital Media
You've studied your main New/Digital Media case study, the news industry, in great detail and have also covered the second exam topic: Identities and the Media.
You now need an independent New/Digital Media case study for your Section B exam essay. This should be on an aspect of the media YOU are particularly interested in. Choose an industry - it could be film, television, music, gaming - it's up to you. You then have to choose a case study within that industry - it could be a particular text (e.g. film, game etc.) or an institution (e.g. Rockstar Games, Netflix). Once you have selected your case study you need to get it approved by your teacher - and then embark on the tasks below.
You will have lesson time to complete this case study and regular deadlines to complete for each section.
First deadline: establish the basics for approval by your teacher - due Monday 26 March.
Case study research tasks
The basics
Your chosen industry:
Your chosen case study (i.e. text/institution etc.):
Have you received approval for this case study from your teacher? Yes/No
Research and answer the following tasks on your MEST3 exam blog:
Audience
1) How has new and digital media changed the audience experience in your chosen industry?
2) Has new and digital media changed the way the audience consume your chosen product?
3) Has the size of the audience changed as a result of new and digital media?
4) What are the positive changes new and digital media have brought to the audience of your case study? (E.g. greater choice, easier access etc.)
5) What are the negative changes new and digital media have had on your chosen audience? (E.g. quality of product etc.)
6) What about audience pleasures - have these changed as a result of new and digital media?
7) What is the target audience for your chosen case study? Write a demographic/psychographic profile.
Institution
1) How has new and digital media had an impact on ownership or control in your chosen industry?
2) What impact has new and digital media had on ownership in your chosen case study?
3) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions produce texts?
4) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions distribute their product?
5) How might new and digital media threaten your chosen industry?
6) How has new and digital media changed the way your chosen industry is regulated?
UGC
1) What examples of user-generated content can you find in your case study?
2) How has UGC changed things for audiences or institutions in your chosen case study?
Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony
1) What would be a Marxist perspective of the impact of new and digital media on your chosen case study?
2) How would a pluralist view the impact of new and digital media in your chosen industry?
3) Are there any examples of hegemony in your chosen industry or case study?
Globalisation
1) How has globalisation impacted on your chosen industry or case study?
2) In your opinion, has globalisation had a positive or negative impact on your chosen industry and case study? Why?
3) Can you find examples of cultural imperialism in your case study or industry? (The 'Americanisation' of the world)
Social media
1) How has your industry or case study used social media to promote its products?
2) Provide examples of how your case study has used social media and explain the impact this would have on audiences.
3) Is social media an opportunity or a threat to your industry and case study?
Statistics
1) What statistics can you find to illustrate the impact new and digital media has had on your industry or case study? For example, in news, the UK newspaper industry sold more than 12m copies a day in 2001 but in 2014 it was below 7m.
2) Looking at these statistics, what impact has new/digital media had on institutions in your chosen industry?
3) What has the impact been for audiences? These may be positive and negative.
Theories
1) What media theories can you apply to your chosen industry and case study? Select THREE media theories and explain how they are relevant to your case study. Note: these can be ANY of the theories we have learned over the whole of Year 12 and 13.
Issues/debates
1) What media issues and debates can you apply to your chosen industry and case study? Select THREE media issues/debates and explain how they are relevant to your case study.
Wider examples and secondary texts
1) What other texts or institutions are also relevant to your case study? What would be good secondary texts or examples to use to support the findings of your independent case study?
Ignite presentation
When you have completed your independent case study research, prepare a 20-slide, 5 minute Ignite presentation on your chosen industry and case study. You will present this in class to widen our overall knowledge of the impact of new and digital media on a variety of industries, examples and texts. Remember the Ignite rules:
You now need an independent New/Digital Media case study for your Section B exam essay. This should be on an aspect of the media YOU are particularly interested in. Choose an industry - it could be film, television, music, gaming - it's up to you. You then have to choose a case study within that industry - it could be a particular text (e.g. film, game etc.) or an institution (e.g. Rockstar Games, Netflix). Once you have selected your case study you need to get it approved by your teacher - and then embark on the tasks below.
You will have lesson time to complete this case study and regular deadlines to complete for each section.
First deadline: establish the basics for approval by your teacher - due Monday 26 March.
Case study research tasks
The basics
Your chosen industry:
Your chosen case study (i.e. text/institution etc.):
Have you received approval for this case study from your teacher? Yes/No
Research and answer the following tasks on your MEST3 exam blog:
Audience
1) How has new and digital media changed the audience experience in your chosen industry?
2) Has new and digital media changed the way the audience consume your chosen product?
3) Has the size of the audience changed as a result of new and digital media?
4) What are the positive changes new and digital media have brought to the audience of your case study? (E.g. greater choice, easier access etc.)
5) What are the negative changes new and digital media have had on your chosen audience? (E.g. quality of product etc.)
6) What about audience pleasures - have these changed as a result of new and digital media?
7) What is the target audience for your chosen case study? Write a demographic/psychographic profile.
Institution
1) How has new and digital media had an impact on ownership or control in your chosen industry?
2) What impact has new and digital media had on ownership in your chosen case study?
3) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions produce texts?
4) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions distribute their product?
5) How might new and digital media threaten your chosen industry?
6) How has new and digital media changed the way your chosen industry is regulated?
UGC
1) What examples of user-generated content can you find in your case study?
2) How has UGC changed things for audiences or institutions in your chosen case study?
Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony
1) What would be a Marxist perspective of the impact of new and digital media on your chosen case study?
2) How would a pluralist view the impact of new and digital media in your chosen industry?
3) Are there any examples of hegemony in your chosen industry or case study?
Globalisation
1) How has globalisation impacted on your chosen industry or case study?
2) In your opinion, has globalisation had a positive or negative impact on your chosen industry and case study? Why?
3) Can you find examples of cultural imperialism in your case study or industry? (The 'Americanisation' of the world)
Social media
1) How has your industry or case study used social media to promote its products?
2) Provide examples of how your case study has used social media and explain the impact this would have on audiences.
3) Is social media an opportunity or a threat to your industry and case study?
Statistics
1) What statistics can you find to illustrate the impact new and digital media has had on your industry or case study? For example, in news, the UK newspaper industry sold more than 12m copies a day in 2001 but in 2014 it was below 7m.
2) Looking at these statistics, what impact has new/digital media had on institutions in your chosen industry?
3) What has the impact been for audiences? These may be positive and negative.
Theories
1) What media theories can you apply to your chosen industry and case study? Select THREE media theories and explain how they are relevant to your case study. Note: these can be ANY of the theories we have learned over the whole of Year 12 and 13.
Issues/debates
1) What media issues and debates can you apply to your chosen industry and case study? Select THREE media issues/debates and explain how they are relevant to your case study.
Wider examples and secondary texts
1) What other texts or institutions are also relevant to your case study? What would be good secondary texts or examples to use to support the findings of your independent case study?
Ignite presentation
When you have completed your independent case study research, prepare a 20-slide, 5 minute Ignite presentation on your chosen industry and case study. You will present this in class to widen our overall knowledge of the impact of new and digital media on a variety of industries, examples and texts. Remember the Ignite rules:
- 20 slides
- 15-second auto-advance
- No more than 20 words on each slide
Monday, March 19, 2018
Identities: Collective identity in the online age
Our final topic for the Identities and the Media unit is collective identity: the sense of belonging to a group.
This is something the media has a huge influence over - everything from advertising to social media profiles can affect our sense of identity and where we fit in. Indeed, the representations we see in the media can have a huge impact on how we fit into society and the world around us. We need to learn some key theories and also consider the impact of new and digital technology on issues of collective identity and representation.
Notes and key theories
Collective identity
Collective identity is the shared sense of belonging to a group. In Media Studies, we need to consider the influence media has over a person’s sense of identity.
This is closely linked to representation as the way groups are portrayed in the media can influence our sense of identity and belonging.
Later, iPhone adverts subtly suggested a certain lifestyle that has become synonymous with Apple products. Everything suggests creative possibility and individual opportunity but Marxists would argue this merely hides the fact we are being manipulated by a faceless corporation into handing Apple huge amounts of money (why is an iPhone so much more expensive than an Android phone for example?)
What is the representation of an iPhone user presented in the iPhone 6s 'Onions' advert?
Daniel Chandler: CAGE
Constructing our own identities
Shared identity online
New technology has created the opportunity for people to form groups online that represent their shared identity.
Think about the work we have done recently on feminism and online activism - blogs, forums, social media accounts and whole campaigns and movements (#everydaysexism) have given audiences a new sense of collective identity. In America, #blacklivesmatter is doing this with racism and police brutality.
Collective identity in the 21st Century
So, collective identity doesn’t just refer to representations in mainstream media.
It also refers to self-constructed identity by users of social media and communities formed online of shared identity (e.g. Feminism).
Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.
Complete the following tasks on your blog:
1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'
2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.
3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?
This is something the media has a huge influence over - everything from advertising to social media profiles can affect our sense of identity and where we fit in. Indeed, the representations we see in the media can have a huge impact on how we fit into society and the world around us. We need to learn some key theories and also consider the impact of new and digital technology on issues of collective identity and representation.
Notes and key theories
Collective identity
Collective identity is the shared sense of belonging to a group. In Media Studies, we need to consider the influence media has over a person’s sense of identity.
This is closely linked to representation as the way groups are portrayed in the media can influence our sense of identity and belonging.
Collective identity: theories
Marxism and the Frankfurt School
Marxists believe identity is constructed through hegemony imposed by the ruling elite. A sense of individual identity is a myth that prevents people challenging powerful groups.
This links to the Frankfurt School, a group of influential Marxists who viewed media audiences as passive vessels. They believe the media is used to control and manipulate people.
Example: Apple branding
Apple’s early branding suggested individuality and creative freedom... But in fact it was always a massive profit-seeking corporation looking to sell as widely as possible.
Example: Apple branding
Apple’s early branding suggested individuality and creative freedom... But in fact it was always a massive profit-seeking corporation looking to sell as widely as possible.
Later, iPhone adverts subtly suggested a certain lifestyle that has become synonymous with Apple products. Everything suggests creative possibility and individual opportunity but Marxists would argue this merely hides the fact we are being manipulated by a faceless corporation into handing Apple huge amounts of money (why is an iPhone so much more expensive than an Android phone for example?)
What is the representation of an iPhone user presented in the iPhone 6s 'Onions' advert?
Daniel Chandler: CAGE
Daniel Chandler suggested the acronym CAGE, stating our identity is constructed through class, age, gender and ethnicity.
Does this still apply in the 21st century? Do we construct our own identities along these lines? Is representation in the media still dominated by these classifications? Think about your own presence on social media.
Does this still apply in the 21st century? Do we construct our own identities along these lines? Is representation in the media still dominated by these classifications? Think about your own presence on social media.
Stuart Hall: media construction
Stuart Hall suggests the media actively constructs our society rather than reflecting it back.
Our identity is part of this and therefore any sense of individuality we may feel is actually constructed through the media we engage with.
Constructing our own identities
New technology has changed the way we see ourselves and others. Through social media we can construct representations of ourselves.
Example: Instagram/Snapchat
- How did you choose your profile pic?
- What does your profile say?
- Who do you follow?
- How much do you consider what others will think of you when posting/liking/sharing?
Does social media have a positive influence over our identity? Or is it corrosive? Simon Sinek's view on the millennial generation went viral a few months ago and is worth watching again for the section on social media, technology and how it influences our sense of identity:
Shared identity online
New technology has created the opportunity for people to form groups online that represent their shared identity.
Think about the work we have done recently on feminism and online activism - blogs, forums, social media accounts and whole campaigns and movements (#everydaysexism) have given audiences a new sense of collective identity. In America, #blacklivesmatter is doing this with racism and police brutality.
Social media can empower individuals and create a strong sense of belonging – media theorist Sherry Turkle famously described the internet as a place to be "alone together".
It also refers to self-constructed identity by users of social media and communities formed online of shared identity (e.g. Feminism).
Representing ourselves: blog task
Complete the following tasks on your blog:
1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'
2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.
3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?
4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.
5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?
6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?
You will have lesson time to complete this but will need to finish for homework anything you do not cover in the lesson. Deadline: confirmed by your teacher.
5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?
6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?
You will have lesson time to complete this but will need to finish for homework anything you do not cover in the lesson. Deadline: confirmed by your teacher.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Identities: Identity and the wider media
We've focused on how film can influence our sense of identity and who we are - but how does the wider media influence this?
Our work on Feminism concluded with how Jean Killbourne documented the influence advertising can have on women's self-esteem and as part of our identities and the media unit we need to consider media effects and the impact on audiences. This will also allow us to bring in some of our work from Year 12 that may be useful in the MEST3 exam.
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 121: Identities and the Media. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
Read the Factsheet in full and then complete the following tasks:
1) The Factsheet discusses how identity is a complex subject. What does it suggest defines our identity?
2) Complete the task on page 2: suggest media texts that could reinforce that someone is non-mainstream; edgy; a pleasure seeker; fashionable; witty and fun; cutting-edge.
3) What examples are suggested for a case study on urban youth?
4) What does Hebdige argue with regards to youth culture?
5) What other theorists are referenced alongside Hebdige? How do they link to the issue of youth identity?
6) How can we link our Year 12 case study on Ill Manors to youth and identity? What specific examples from the case study could be used to discuss Hebdige’s theory that youth culture challenges mainstream culture and dominant ideologies?
7) What does theorist David Gauntlett suggest regarding the media’s influence over the construction of identities?
8) Do you agree that Hebdige’s view that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies?
Our work on Feminism concluded with how Jean Killbourne documented the influence advertising can have on women's self-esteem and as part of our identities and the media unit we need to consider media effects and the impact on audiences. This will also allow us to bring in some of our work from Year 12 that may be useful in the MEST3 exam.
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 121: Identities and the Media. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
Read the Factsheet in full and then complete the following tasks:
1) The Factsheet discusses how identity is a complex subject. What does it suggest defines our identity?
2) Complete the task on page 2: suggest media texts that could reinforce that someone is non-mainstream; edgy; a pleasure seeker; fashionable; witty and fun; cutting-edge.
3) What examples are suggested for a case study on urban youth?
4) What does Hebdige argue with regards to youth culture?
5) What other theorists are referenced alongside Hebdige? How do they link to the issue of youth identity?
6) How can we link our Year 12 case study on Ill Manors to youth and identity? What specific examples from the case study could be used to discuss Hebdige’s theory that youth culture challenges mainstream culture and dominant ideologies?
7) What does theorist David Gauntlett suggest regarding the media’s influence over the construction of identities?
8) Do you agree that Hebdige’s view that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies?
Complete for homework: due date set by your exam class teacher.
Monday, March 05, 2018
Identities: Identity & Film blog task
The media we choose to watch and engage with says a lot about us as people – it helps to construct our identity.
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 142: Identity and Film. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 142: Identity and Film. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
1) Complete the Twenty Statements Test yourself. This means answering the question ‘Who am I?’ 20 times with 20 different answers. What do they say about your identity? Write the 20 answers in full on your blog.
2) Classify your answers into the categories listed on the Factsheet: Social groups, ideological beliefs, interests etc.
3) Go back to your favourite film (as identified in the lesson or simply choose your favourite film if you weren't present). What does this choice of film say about your identity? Are there any identities within the film (e.g. certain characters) that particularly resonated with your values and beliefs?
4) Watch the trailers for the five films highlighted as examples of gay/lesbian representation in mainstream film:
5) How have representations of LGBT issues changed in recent years? What examples from across the media (not just film) can you provide to support this view?
- Wilde (1997, dir. Brian Gilbert)
- Philadelphia (1993, dir. Jonathan Demme)
- The Wedding Banquet (1993, dir. Ang Lee)
- The Kids are Alright (2010, dir. Lisa Cholodenko)
- Pride (2014, dir. Matthew Warchus)
5) How have representations of LGBT issues changed in recent years? What examples from across the media (not just film) can you provide to support this view?
Complete for homework - due date set by your exam class teacher.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Snow day - Year 13 Media work
It's been a remarkable week of weather - hopefully you've been following the media coverage!
Fortunately, there is plenty of media work for you to be getting on with at home. If you're not sure what needs doing, this should help.
Year 13 coursework
Make sure you've submitted your second draft of the critical investigation to your teacher - all improvements made, fully referenced and submitted both on paper and on the blog.
Then, make sure you have completed the research and planning tasks for the linked production. It's less than four weeks until Easter so we need to be filming and editing in the next 10-14 days.
Year 13 exam work
You should have completed or be working on a range of blog tasks for feminism including the Everyday Sexism TEDx talk and the Media Magazine article on the fourth wave of feminism and the most recent work on feminist and gender theorists such as McRobbie, Butler and Gauntlett.
There's now an additional piece of work to conclude feminism - a factsheet on applying feminism with a range of excellent theories and examples. You won't have any lesson time for this due to the snow days but it shouldn't take a huge amount of time as homework.
Don't forget the two weekly NDM stories are continuing too - we'll be back on new/digital media just before Easter so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest news in this area.
Good luck with this work and enjoy the snow!
Fortunately, there is plenty of media work for you to be getting on with at home. If you're not sure what needs doing, this should help.
Year 13 coursework
Make sure you've submitted your second draft of the critical investigation to your teacher - all improvements made, fully referenced and submitted both on paper and on the blog.
Then, make sure you have completed the research and planning tasks for the linked production. It's less than four weeks until Easter so we need to be filming and editing in the next 10-14 days.
Year 13 exam work
You should have completed or be working on a range of blog tasks for feminism including the Everyday Sexism TEDx talk and the Media Magazine article on the fourth wave of feminism and the most recent work on feminist and gender theorists such as McRobbie, Butler and Gauntlett.
There's now an additional piece of work to conclude feminism - a factsheet on applying feminism with a range of excellent theories and examples. You won't have any lesson time for this due to the snow days but it shouldn't take a huge amount of time as homework.
Don't forget the two weekly NDM stories are continuing too - we'll be back on new/digital media just before Easter so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest news in this area.
Good luck with this work and enjoy the snow!
Identities: Applying Feminism factsheet
We've had some brilliant discussions on feminism, masculinity and gender representations in class over the last couple of weeks.
You should have completed or be working on a range of blog tasks including the Everyday Sexism TEDx talk and the Media Magazine article on the fourth wave of feminism and the most recent work on feminist and gender theorists such as McRobbie, Butler and Gauntlett.
These tasks will give you an excellent introduction to feminism but it's a topic with such depth and range there are always more ways we could apply these ideas. There is an excellent Media factsheet on applying feminism - it introduces some additional theorists and also suggests other media texts theory can be used to analyse.
Complete the tasks below to finish your work on feminism.
Applying feminism: blog task
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet #86: Applying Feminism. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets - you'll need to save the factsheet to USB or email it to yourself in order to complete this at home. Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:
1) Briefly list or describe the different waves of feminism.
2) The factsheet doesn't mention a fourth wave of feminism. Do you think we are currently in a fourth wave of feminism due to digital media?
3) List the five different types of feminism with a one-sentence definition for each.
4) Summarise Laura Mulvey's analysis of Hollywood film.
5) What does Jean Kilbourne argue regarding advertising and the impact on women?
6) Summarise Naomi Wolf's theory of 'The Beauty Myth'.
7) List the texts discussed in the section 'feminism and music videos'. Do you believe that the representation of women in music videos can have an impact on how people behave in real life?
8) To conclude feminism, do you believe than men and women are basically equal now or is there still a need for feminist movements?
You will need to complete this work for homework - due date set by your exam teacher.
Further reading: in-depth theory and wider examples of feminism in the Media
If you're interested in further theory and examples in terms of feminism and the media -or perhaps are currently redrafting a Critical Investigation on this topic - then the following Factsheets and links will be essential reading. Remember: if you want an A* in Media then you'll need a wide variety of theoretical perspectives to call on in the MEST3 exam.
Feminist theory: Factsheet research
Media Factsheet #125: Gender for A2 - Focus on Judith Butler
This Factsheet offers much more depth on Judith Butler and her work in Gender Trouble (1990) - the argument that gender is a process or performance and not biologically set. It explores how Butler fits into wider media theoretical perspectives (e.g. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism) and also criticisms of her approach. One key criticism is the difficulty in applying Butler's ideas to feminist campaigns in the real world - relevant to our recent work on the possibility of a fourth wave of feminism.
Media Factsheet #125: Gender: Beyond Butler
This Factsheet explores a wider interpretation of the representation of women in media and society. It offers a historical perspective, looking particularly at the 1970s and British television. It also builds on Factsheet #89 and Jean Kilbourne's work on advertising and the representation of women. Finally, the Factsheet addresses masculinity and the changing representations of men in the media over the last 30 years.
You should have completed or be working on a range of blog tasks including the Everyday Sexism TEDx talk and the Media Magazine article on the fourth wave of feminism and the most recent work on feminist and gender theorists such as McRobbie, Butler and Gauntlett.
These tasks will give you an excellent introduction to feminism but it's a topic with such depth and range there are always more ways we could apply these ideas. There is an excellent Media factsheet on applying feminism - it introduces some additional theorists and also suggests other media texts theory can be used to analyse.
Complete the tasks below to finish your work on feminism.
Applying feminism: blog task
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet #86: Applying Feminism. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets - you'll need to save the factsheet to USB or email it to yourself in order to complete this at home. Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:
1) Briefly list or describe the different waves of feminism.
2) The factsheet doesn't mention a fourth wave of feminism. Do you think we are currently in a fourth wave of feminism due to digital media?
3) List the five different types of feminism with a one-sentence definition for each.
4) Summarise Laura Mulvey's analysis of Hollywood film.
5) What does Jean Kilbourne argue regarding advertising and the impact on women?
6) Summarise Naomi Wolf's theory of 'The Beauty Myth'.
7) List the texts discussed in the section 'feminism and music videos'. Do you believe that the representation of women in music videos can have an impact on how people behave in real life?
8) To conclude feminism, do you believe than men and women are basically equal now or is there still a need for feminist movements?
You will need to complete this work for homework - due date set by your exam teacher.
Further reading: in-depth theory and wider examples of feminism in the Media
If you're interested in further theory and examples in terms of feminism and the media -or perhaps are currently redrafting a Critical Investigation on this topic - then the following Factsheets and links will be essential reading. Remember: if you want an A* in Media then you'll need a wide variety of theoretical perspectives to call on in the MEST3 exam.
Feminist theory: Factsheet research
Media Factsheet #125: Gender for A2 - Focus on Judith Butler
This Factsheet offers much more depth on Judith Butler and her work in Gender Trouble (1990) - the argument that gender is a process or performance and not biologically set. It explores how Butler fits into wider media theoretical perspectives (e.g. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism) and also criticisms of her approach. One key criticism is the difficulty in applying Butler's ideas to feminist campaigns in the real world - relevant to our recent work on the possibility of a fourth wave of feminism.
Media Factsheet #125: Gender: Beyond Butler
This Factsheet explores a wider interpretation of the representation of women in media and society. It offers a historical perspective, looking particularly at the 1970s and British television. It also builds on Factsheet #89 and Jean Kilbourne's work on advertising and the representation of women. Finally, the Factsheet addresses masculinity and the changing representations of men in the media over the last 30 years.
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