13C1 Cover Work Miss Holliday P5 & 6 Fri 24th April

1. Sign a paper register and leave it on my desk so that I can mark your attendance into SIMS when I return on Monday.
2. Period 5 - You need to complete the revision quiz which covers key theories, issues and debates which you need to know. These are relevant not only for the MED 4 exam questions but also for your MED 6 and your MED 5 Independent Studies. Think about how these theories etc can be applied to your own work. Leave the revision quizzes, with your name on them on my desk please. (You must not leave the room during P5).
3. Period 6 - you may go the LRA to do independent work on your MED 5 final versions.

Homework: MED 5 Independent Study & review your Genre packs focusing on conventions & theories, debates etc. ready for a timed essay on Tuesday's lesson.

Summer Exam Important Announcment

Your MED 6 comparative critical analysis has been confirmed by the exam board to be a moving image analysis. We obviously do not know the format so you must make sure you understand fully all the codes and conventions of the different types of moving image media.

13D1 Presentation cover work Thurs 2nd April p3 & P5

Please all sign a paper register one for each period and remain in DF05 throughout the duration of your lessons and complete the following work:

P3 – Present your individual comparative critical analysis of a magazine front cover and an online version of a magazine to the rest of the group. Students to make notes on presentations and feedback to the presenter.

P5 – Write up a summary of the feedback you received for your presentation onto your blog and set yourself targets for how you aim to improve in this unit . Then write up a comparative essay (min 1,000 words) for this which you MUST bring to the next lesson straight after Easter. This work will form the basis of your next interim which is due at the end of the first week back. Failure to complete work WILL be followed up.

13C1 Easter Homework

Write an esssay response to the following June 08 exam question (must be typed and 1,000 words min to 1,500 words max). Due Tuesday 21st April 2009

“It is essential for contemporary genre texts to show innovation.” Discuss.

Remember to use your handouts, include relevant textual examples using media language, theories and wider contexts. Also refer to the mark scheme on the AQA website for the June 08 paper to assess how well you are meeting the criteria for the top bands.

http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/qp-ms/AQA-MED4-W-MS-JUN08.PDF

13C2 Tuesday 31.03.09

13C2 (p3)
'Scary Movie'

List of as many references to other horror films that are made in the film. Write this list on your Med 5 blogs.

Research project. Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia are good for this) to find out about the 'Scary Movie' franchise. Look at how the different films have been received, in particular looking for references to how they are considered post-modern. Also, look for references to pastiche, parody, spoof, irony and intertextuality. Find definitions for each of these key terms, post them up on your Med 5 blogs, and say how they are relevant when discussing 'Scary Movie'.

13C2 (p4)
'Texas Chainsaw (2003)'

Draw up a chart outlining the similarities and differences with the original film from 1974. Post this chart on your Med 5 blogs.

Individual essay. "Compare the two versions of TCM. HOW and WHY are they similar or different, paying close attention to ideas/theories about the ways genres repeat themselves and the wider contextual factors that have influenced any changes." Minimum 750 words...post up on blogs when finished.

All this has to be completed by Friday 03.04.09. ALL 13C2 STUDENTS must report to DF07 at 8.45am with all blog work, repertoire of elements sheets, slasher pack work, peer assessment blog targets, independent study second draft completed...check previous postings carefully for full details. This includes those who didn't attend today!

Cover Work Fri 27.03.09

A reminder that you must MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of your lesson, signing in on a sheet of A4.
• Finish reading the slasher pack highlighting key points (by Tue 31.03).
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 31.03). 
• Make sure ALL repertoire of elements sheets are filled in COMPLETELY for ALL FILMS that we've shown at slasher genre film club. These will all be checked on Tuesday 31.03.  Make sure you bring them in! If you didn't get to see any of the films you MUST see Mr Babu either today or Monday to watch them in the media suite.
• Complete ALL the blog work that has been set since Tue 17.03...all the 13C2 class activities for all the films, etc.  This will be checked when I return next week!! In particular, the blog work on 'Halloween' and 'Friday 13th'.
• Crucially, make sure you have emailed me - at my school account - your second draft of coursework and that you've posted it up on your blog. (Anyone failing to do this will be reported to PSWs).

13C2 (p5)

• Class discussion of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' led by Ajitpal and one other.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia is good for this) to find out about the 'Elm Street' horror franchise. Look at how it has developed since the 1980s, in particular looking in detail at the Freddie Krueger spin-off film...'Wes Craven's New Nightmare' (1994).  Paste a Youtube clip from this text on your Med 5 blog and explain how this film could be considered a forerunner to Craven's more successful 'Scream' films a few years later.  Write a full summary of all your research on your Med 5 blogs.

13C2 (p6)

• Class discussion of 'Scream'. Whole class takes notes and fills in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible. Also, make a list of as many references to other horror films that are made in the film.  Write this list on your Med 5 blogs.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia is good for this) to find out about the 'Scream' horror franchise. Look at how the three films were received, in particular looking for references to how they are considered post-modern.  Also, look for references to pastiche, irony and intertextuality. Find definitions for each of these key terms, post them up on your Med 5 blogs, and say how they are relevant when discussing 'Scream'. 

Complete all these tasks for homework.  I WILL be in on Tuesday...make sure you are and that EVERYTHING listed here is done!!

Cover Work Thurs 26.03.09

A reminder that you must MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of your lesson, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Go to Film Club today (26.03...'Switchblade Romance').
• Finish reading the slasher pack highlighting key points (by Tue 31.03).
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 31.03). (These will all be checked when I return - EVERY sheet MUST be filled in completely!!)
• Decide which two students are responsible for leading the discussion about Thursday's film (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).
• Complete ALL the blog work that has been set since Tue 17.03...all the 13D1 class activities for all the films, etc.  This will be checked when I return next week!!
• Crucially, make sure you have emailed me - at my school account - your second draft of coursework and that you've posted it up on your blog. (Anyone failing to do this will be reported to PSWs)
  

13D1 (p6)

• Group project: begin work on a slasher genre timeline display that will be put up in DF07.  
• Plan it as a group, deciding what you'll include and who is going to be responsible for each aspect...summaries, stills (print these off with the help of Mr Babu), repertoire of elements...iconography, narratives, characters, style, audience pleasures etc., how the development of the genre can be linked to wider contexts at each stage.
• Make sure you complete your part for homework - we'll be putting the display up next week.

Cover Work Weds 25.03.09

A reminder that you must MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of your lesson, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Complete all of yesterday's tasks if you haven't already done them (see posting below). In particular...
• Email me - at my school account - your second draft of coursework today and post it up on your blog. (Anyone failing to do this will be reported to PSWs)
• Go to Film Club on Thursday (36.03...'Switchblade Romance').
• Finish reading the slasher pack highlighting key points (by Tue 31.03).
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 31.03). (These will all be checked when I return - EVERY sheet MUST be filled in completely!!)
• Decide which two students are responsible for leading the discussion about Thursday's film (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).
• Complete ALL the blog work that has been set since Tue 17.03...all the 13D1 class activities for all the films, etc.  This will be checked when I return next week!!

13D1 (p1)

• Class discussion of 'Scary Movie'. Whole class takes notes and fills in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible. Also, make a list of as many references to other horror films that are made in the film.  Write this list on your Med 5 blogs.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia are good for this) to find out about the 'Scary Movie' franchise. Look at how the different films have been received, in particular looking for references to how they are considered post-modern.  Also, look for references to pastiche, parody, spoof, irony and intertextuality. Find definitions for each of these key terms, post them up on your Med 5 blogs, and say how they are releveant when discussing 'Scary Movie'. 

13D1 (p1)

• Class discussion of 'Texas Chainsaw (2003)'. Whole class takes notes and fills in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible. Also, draw up a chart outlining the similarities and differences with the original film from 1974.  Post this chart on your Med 5 blogs.
  
• Individual essay.  "Compare the two versions of TCM.  HOW and WHY are they similar or different, paying close attention to ideas/theories about the ways genres repeat themselves and the wider contextual factors that have influenced any changes." Minimum 750 words...post up on blogs when finished (by Tue 31.03).

Cover Work Tues 24.03.09

Both Year 13 classes MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of their lessons, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Email me - at my school account - their second draft of coursework today (Tue 24.03) and post it up on their blog. (Anyone failing to do this will be reported to PSWs)
  
• Go to Film Club today (24.03...'Texas Chainsaw, 2003') and Thursday (26.03...'Switchblade Romance').
  
• Finish reading the slasher pack highlighting key points (by Tue 31.03).
  
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 31.03). (These will all be checked when I return - EVERY sheet MUST be filled in completely!!)
  
• Decide which two students are responsible for leading the discussions about this week's films (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).

13D1 (p2)

• Class discussion of 'Scream'. Whole class takes notes and fills in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible. Also, make a list of as many references to other horror films that are made in the film.  Write this list on your Med 5 blogs.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia is good for this) to find out about the 'Scream' horror franchise. Look at how the three films were received, in particular looking for references to how they are considered post-modern.  Also, look for references to pastiche, irony and intertextuality. Find definitions for each of these key terms, post them up on your Med 5 blogs, and say how they are releveant when discussing 'Scream'. 
  

13C2 (p3)

• Class discussion of 'Halloween' led by Avneet and Maninder.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Small group project (threes).  You have to update the Halloween franchise for a 2010 remake with the working title 'Halloween:UK'.  Decide which elements you'll repeat and which you'll vary, being clear about your reasons why and linking them, particularly, to the wider contexts.  How can your film better reflect the current zeitgeist and match audience expectations?  Write a summary of your ideas on your Med 5 blogs.

13C2 (p4)

• Class discussion of 'Friday 13th' led by Ajitpal and one other.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com is a good place to start) to find out about the 'Friday 13th' horror franchise.  Look at how it has developed since 1980, paying particular attention to the contemporary, post-2000 examples, and especially the hybrid cases (when Jason is matched with Freddy; when the genre combines with sc-fi, etc.).  Write a summary of your research on your Med 5 blogs. 

MED 6 comparative texts 13D1

Cover Work Thurs 19.03.09

A reminder that you must MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of your lesson, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Complete all of Tuesday's and Wednesday's tasks if you haven't already done them (see postings below).  A lot of you haven't got your homework (Med 5 targets); or Tuesday's work (Halloween: UK ideas); or yesterday's work (Friday 13th research and pitch) on your blogs yet. Ms Holliday will be reporting any of you who haven't completed this at Parents' Evening tonight! You know how vital it is to take responsibility for your learning when I'm away...anyone who has still failed to get everything done by next Tuesday will autmatically get a 'cause for concern'.
• Complete second draft of coursework by next week...Tue 24.03.
  
• Go to Film Club today (19.03...'Scary Movie').
  
• Read the slasher pack about this week's two films, highlighting key points (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Make sure you've decided which two students are responsible for leading the discussions about this week's films (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).

13D1 (p6)

• Class discussion of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' led by Madenah and Natasha.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com again, and Wikipedia is good for this) to find out about the 'Elm Street' horror franchise. Look at how it has developed since the 1980s, in particular looking in detail at the Freddie Krueger spin-off film...'Wes Craven's New Nightmare' (1994).  Paste a Youtube clip from this text on your Med 5 blog and explain how this film could be considered a forerunner to Craven's more successful 'Scream' films a few years later.  Write a full summary of all your research on your Med 5 blogs.  

Cover Work Weds 18.03.09

A reminder that you must MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of your lesson, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Complete all of yesterday's tasks if you haven't already done them (see posting below).  A lot of you haven't got your homework (Med 5 targets) or yesterday's work (Halloween: UK ideas) on your blogs yet.
• Complete second draft of coursework by next week...Tue 24.03.
  
• Go to Film Club on Thursday (19.03...'Scary Movie').
  
• Read the slasher pack about this week's two films, highlighting key points (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Make sure you've decided which two students are responsible for leading the discussions about this week's films (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).

13D1 (p1 & 2)

• Class discussion of 'Friday 13th' led by two students who haven't led a discussion before.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Research project (pairs).  Go online (imdb.com is a good place to start) to find out about the 'Friday 13th' horror franchise.  Look at how it has developed since 1980, paying particular attention to the contemporary, post-2000 examples, and especially the hybrid cases (when Jason is matched with Freddy; when the genre combines with sc-fi, etc.).  Write a summary of your research on your Med 5 blogs.  
• Then create a studio pitch for your own 'Friday 13th' hybrid movie. Decide which elements you'll repeat and which you'll vary, being clear about your reasons why and linking them, particularly, to the wider contexts.  How will your film reflect the current zeitgeist and match audience expectations and industry developments?  Write a summary of your ideas on your Med 5 blogs.

Remember - Parents' Evening on Thursday...make sure we can feed back positive comments!!

Cover Work Tues 17.03.09

Both Year 13 classes MUST...

• Stay in DF07 throughout the duration of their lessons, signing in on a sheet of A4.
  
• Complete second draft of coursework by this time next week (Tue 24.03).
  
• Go to Film Club today (17.03...'Scream') and Thursday (19.03...'Scary Movie').
  
• Read the slasher pack about this week's two films, highlighting key points (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Fill in 'repertoire of elements sheets' for this week's two films (by Tue 24.03).
  
• Decide which two students are responsible for leading the discussions about this week's films (say who's doing what as a comment on this posting).
  

13D1 (p2)

• Class discussion of 'Halloween' led by Lanzel and Hardeep.  Rest of class take notes and fill in 'repertoire of elements' sheets with as much detail as possible.
  
• Small group project (threes).  You have to update the Halloween franchise for a 2010 remake with the working title 'Halloween:UK'.  Decide which elements you'll repeat and which you'll vary, being clear about your reasons why and linking them, particularly, to the wider contexts.  How can your film better reflect the current zeitgeist and match audience expectations?  Write a summary of your ideas on your Med 5 blogs.
  

13C2 (p2&3)

• Finish peer marking activities from last lesson.  You will need to work in pairs.
  
• Firstly, download the presentation from last week's lesson, available here. Just click on the 'Med 5 Peer Marking' file.
  
• Then, do Pair Task 3 (p.15, WCs), Task 4 (p.16, research techniques), Task 5 (p.17, synoptic ability).
  
• Finally, get started on the Homework activities on p.19 (complete for Friday 20.03).
  

13D1 & 13C2 Cover Work: Wed 10.03

Read the Film Genre pack (Unit 1, Unit 2...and so on...ALL THE UNITS) and highlight key ideas as you go along.

Complete all of this reading before your next lesson (you should also read through each activity but you do not need to do them).

Summarise each unit on your Med 5 blog - just bullet points.  Three key things you've learnt from each unit is fine.

Job Opportunities - Media Mentors

• Do you want valuable and rewarding paid work?

• Are you responsible, mature and capable of being a positive role model?

• Have you got excellent video editing skills?

We invite Year 13 students to apply for the post(s) of Media Studies Student Mentors. The appointment(s) are intended to improve the provision of video editing support for Year 12s undertaking their production coursework.

The successful A2 students - to be selected at formal interview - will work different shifts in the video editing suite on Mondays to Fridays (exact times to be negotiated; a combination of 8am to 8.45am, lunchtimes, and 3.30pm to 5.30pm) starting on 09-03-09 for a total of 9 weeks at a rate of £7.50/hour for each student.

The students will only work (and be paid) when necessary as there are likely to be some occasions when they are not needed. They will report directly to Ms. Holliday, Mr Bush, Mr Shelley or Mr. Babu, one of whom will be on call every day to direct them, help out with any problems and lock up at the end of the sessions.

Tasks will include...

• Providing induction and ongoing support to AS students with the use of Adobe Premiere Pro
  
• Offering feedback to students about the quality of their practical work (both verbally and in daily blog postings)

• Giving support and advice on the use of camera equipment
• Starting up and shutting down PCs
• Maintaining order in the edit suites & limiting access to Media students
• Troubleshooting minor software issues
• Reporting larger problems to Mr Babu
• Keeping the edit suites tidy & the equipment in good working order
• Helping students to source archived music & video clips
• Producing tip sheets and displays to help students use the equipment
• Making DVD copies of productions for the exam board

If you wish to apply for these posts you must write a letter outlining your reasons for wanting to take up the position and the qualities and experience that you think make you suitable for the role. You may also wish to comment on how this will help you in your future studies/career. This must be emailed to Macguffin before Monday 02-03-09.

You will be informed by email if you have been shortlisted and those selected will be called for interview (before a panel to include Ms Holliday, Mr Bush, Mr Babu and a Year 12 student) next week on Tuesday 03-03-09, lunch & period 5.

Good luck!

Slasher Genre Film Club

We will be running a compulsory Genre Film Club (for your Module 4 exam) over the next half term. It is vital that you attend the or twice weekly film showings (on  Tuesday and Thursday!) as without doing this you will not be able to follow what happens in the lessons each week or contribute to the discussions. Also, it's far less scary watching with friends!

Please don't say: "I've seen it already" because we've heard it already. Each performance will be in DF05 and will start at 3.30pm promptly. Registers will be taken and you will be expected to take notes so bring pen and paper. You'll be expected to fill in the 'repertoires of elements' sheets after each screening and a different pairing will be leading the discussion about the film in the next lesson.

Make sure you put all the following dates in your diaries and seek to cancel and re-arrange any prior appointments you may already have…your A Levels must be your priority!!

• Thur 26-02

Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock, 109 mins.)

• Tue 03-03

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, Tobe Hooper, 83mins.)

• Thur 05-03

Halloween (1978, John Carpenter, 91 mins.)

• Tue 10-03

Friday the 13^th (Sean S. Cunningham, 1980, 95 mins.)

• Thur 12-03

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Wes Craven, 1984, 91 mins.)

• Tue 17-03

Scream (Wes Craven, 1996, 111 mins.)

• Thur 19-03

Scary Movie (Keenen Ivory Wayans, 2000, 88 mins.)

• Tue 24-03

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003, Marcus Nispel, 98 mins.)

• Thur 26-03

Switchblade Romance(aka Haute Tension) (Alexandre Aja, 2003, 91 mins)