AS Trip Update

Well done to all those who remembered to give their trip money. Waiting on four more. I can't book until you have all paid. First day back from half term please! Any issues or concerns, please e-mail me.

AS Half Term HW

All the work needs to be done prior to the start of your first lesson back. There will be phone calls home for groups who do not manage to do this. It is really important that we get a good start when you return to school. All the tasks on the link should also be visible on your group/individual blogs: BLOGS

Tasks

Group

•Synopsis for chosen pitch
•Script (following conventions)
•Institution – which one is likely to distribute your film? Explain.
•Ratings – who regulates film? What will your rating be? Explain.
•Target audience research – what are their expectations from your genre? Conduct via social network?

Individual
•Weekly log 2

Suggestions

•Divide the tasks equally between yourselves. Remember, you get an individual mark at the end so do not shy away from doing work or let others take over!
•Make sure you have the phone numbers for your whole group to stay in touch
•Perhaps set up a WhatsApp/Facebook group to communicate?

AS Trip

As discussed in Friday's lesson, I would like to arrange for us to go on a one day session on Film Openings. Although it is not for a few weeks, I need to book by the end of this week to guarantee our places. Details outlined below.

Making Film Openings: an AS Media Study Day

This one-day session for students will focus on the popular AS level coursework task. In the morning, Pete Fraser will show how to get the most out of researching, planning, shooting, editing and evaluating your film opening, illustrating his presentation with examples from a range of films, student work and student blogs. 

In the afternoon we will be joined by a film-maker to talk about how the professionals go about working on such tasks. 

Peter Fraser is the chief examining officer for OCR Media Studies, so I feel it is important to attend the session.

Date: Thursday 21st November
Time: 10.30-15.30
Cost: £10 - can you bring it in on Tuesday's lesson please.
Location: BFI South Bank - I will arrange free transportation with TfL

What do you think of this Buzz Feed post?

17 Simply Brilliant Movie Opening Credit Sequences

AS HW - Due Tuesday 22nd October (Elevator Pitch & Titles)

Task 1: Elevator Pitch

Individually, create...

• A 25 word pitch (logline) for your new fiction film (of your group's chosen genre)
• Give it a ‘working title’
• Design a mood board - setting, characters, colours, fonts

Examples

Everyone will pitch their idea to the class at the start of Tuesday's lesson. If members of your group were absent, please make sure they know to complete the task

Task 2: Order of Titles

What order do titles appear in the opening of a film? As a group, complete this activity for two films for your chosen genre. Decide how you would like to present this information.

Examples

Or use a timeline creator such as Time Toast.

Task 3: Weekly blog 2 - individual

AS HW - Due Friday 18th October (Research into film openings)

I know many of you were absent today due to Eid. However, the task below still needs to be completed. Come and see me if you are unsure of what to do or speak to group members who were in school today. This is an important aspect of your research.

1. Watch the opening for a real film and a student's film (of your chosen genre). Each member of the group will produce their own, but you can work collaboratively. Analyse them in terms of:

• Titles - font? where do they appear? Blank screen? Over the action?
• Sound - dialogue, music, sound effects
• Camera
• Mise-en-scene
• Editing

2. What has been done well? 
3. How could it be improved? 
4. How does it establish the genre, narrative, character, atmosphere and setting?
5. Reflect on this piece of research - what can you take away from it?

Class examples:

• 10 Things I Hate About You 
• Twilight - Breaking Dawn
• Catch Me If You Can
• Se7en

You can choose how you wish to present your work - be creative! It can be in the format of a video, 9 frame analysis, Prezi, Powtoon...Chance to practice your practical skills! 

Examples of how students have presented their work:
Goodfellas - video analysis 
The Blitz – YouTube annotations
True Blood - 9 frame analysis (see page 2)

Suggested resources:
http://www.artofthetitle.com/
YouTube - playlist
Movie Clips - remember it's just openings

Search for student openings on YouTube (G321) or the links for the schools below.
Latymer
Hurtwood House

A2 HW - Due Monday 14th October

Fish Tank (2009)

'Live, love and give as good as you get.'

Carry out some research into the film 'Fish Tank.'

Who made it?
What awards has it won?
How does it represent a certain aspect of society? Concentrate on youth.

What kind of reviews has it received? Can you find any opposing ones?
How can you link it to hegemony?

These notes will contribute to one of your case studies. Post them to Edmodo please.

AS HW - Due Tuesday 15th October

Well done to all for using your time wisely and catching up on all work. However, we need to ensure we keep on top of all tasks as it is easy to fall behind. You have a week to:

1) GROUP: Add your Preliminary task to the  blog

2) GROUP: Analyse your preliminary task and upload to blog

 - Be creative! Film, Prezi, PowToon, commentary… Do not just write a paragraph or use PowerPoint

3) INDIVIDUAL: Start looking at film openings for your chosen genre – what codes & conventions do they follow? 

I will be in SA2 after school today and Thursday if you need any help or to use the Macs.

AS: What should be on your blog so far...

Below is a list of all the things that should be on either your individual or group blog. They should also be in that order! If you have any questions, please do e-mail me. 

Our next lesson is Tuesday 8th October, so I expect to see it all by then.

Individual blog

Media identity collage

Film industry research task

Production name/logo ideas (x3)

Preliminary task analysis

Weekly Log 1

Group blog

Production logo

Preliminary: Synopsis

Preliminary: Script

Preliminary: Storyboard

Preliminary: Edit

Weekly log 

Post a brief account of what you have done this week as a group – include your individual contribution. Remember, you are marked on what YOU do.

Preliminary task analysis

Find a preliminary task on YouTube and embed onto your blog. State what they did well and how they could improve. Include camera shots and continuity editing.

Preliminary: Synopsis
Write a brief plot of how your preliminary task will flow from beginning to end.

–Include what camera shots, angles and movement you plan to use.

–Characters, setting and music.

A2 HW - Due Wednesday 9th October

TV Drama: Youth Representations

I suggest you do your case study homework on the computer so you can refer back to it easily when it comes to revision, and add to it when we learn new theories. Submit it to me via Edmodo. I have set up a class on there for you: https://edmodo.com/public/a2/group_id/6366605 

Research into how British teens are being represented in TV Drama and if they reflect true representations; do they reflect you? You need to personally relate to this topic area so you should take on a highly personal approach to this case study. When you make points about representations draw on media texts to support what you are saying. This will be built on later to allow you to then draw comparisons between media texts; are there any media theories that link/support/challenge what you are saying? 

1. Do you think teen dramas have unrealistic representations? Why do you think this is?
2. Can you find a teen drama that represents you? 
3. Do teen dramas effect identity? 
4. Compare older teen dramas contemporary ones. How do they differ, if at all? 
5. What is the difference between British teen dramas and American teen dramas? Which ones are more realistic and represent you more? 
6. Why do representations differ so much/why are they so similar? 
7. Are there any differences in the ways that gender/race is represented? 
8. Do contemporary media representations challenge the dominant values of society? 
9. What do you think is the impact of these kinds of representations of both British teens and society?

Suggestions

Present:

       •Waterloo Road

•Skins

•Misfits

•Youngers

•Top Boy

•My Mad Fat Diary

•Eastenders: E20

•Hollyoaks

Past:

•Byker Grove (1989-2006)

•Press Gang (1989-1993)

•Grange Hill (1978-2008)

•The Bill (1984-2010)

AS - Scripting

Use this link to show you the conventions of a script.

Example script.