Media Studies
Head of Media Studies: Miss G Peacock
AS AND A2
What is A Level Media Studies About?
It is a course that allows students to understand the purposes of media and how we use media within society. It joins practical work and theoretical work together to allow students to engage with contemporary media. Students will produce and shoot films, explore film distributors, analyse TV genres and the effect of media on today’s society.
What career fields can I enter with this qualification?
With AS/A level Media students could go on to enter a variety of careers in: website production and design, advertising, film, public relations, press, reporting, editorial roles, film studies, directing, producing, computer game design, animation, advertising and theatre work to name a few. Media Studies A level students could go on to study the following in higher education: Film Studies, Journalism, Radio and TV Production, and Media Studies to name a few.
What Equipment will I have access to?
As a Media Student you will have access to a variety of camcorders, tripods and dollies. You will have full access to the internet and use state of the art AppleMacs and computer programs such as Final Cut Express, Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop. You will use DVD players and will have exclusive access to the schools Media Suite.
How is the course structured?
AS – Year 1:
G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Internal Assessment – which is moderated
AS – 50% and A Level – 25%
In this coursework unit learners engage with contemporary media technologies, producing two media products (in the form of a film). This process involves progression from pre-production, preliminary exercise to a fully realised piece.
G322: Key Media Concepts (TV Drama)
2 hour exam
AS – 50% and A Level – 25%
In this examination students will cover textual analysis and representation alongside institutions and audiences.
Section A: Learners answer questions on an unseen moving image extract that is linked to some representation within the sequence.
Section B: Learners study a specific film industry – British films and targeting British audiences
A2 – Year 2:
G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media
Internal Assessment – which is moderated
A2 – 50% and A Level – 25%
Learners engage with contemporary media technologies to produce a media portfolio through a combination of two or more media. Then they present their research, planning and evaluation in two or more forms.
G325: Critical Perspectives in Media
2 hour exam
A2 – 50% and A Level – 25%
In this examination students will cover theoretical evaluation of production alongside a study of contemporary media issues.
Section A: Learners evaluate and describe their skills development in their production work and select one production to evaluate in relation to a media concept.
Section B: Chose one topic and demonstrate their understanding of a contemporary issue through a range of texts, institutions, audiences and debates. This will be based on “We Media”.
Extra Curricular Opportunities?
In October 2011 Media Studies Students went to New York City for a week to study media and film in the city that never sleeps. Students took part in a Media Workshop at New York Film Academy, discovered new technologies at Sony Wonder Labs and watched a screening at the Paley Centre for Media to name a few activities!
Media Studies students also have opportunities to expand their filming expertise by filming other areas of the school, including school productions and concerts and entering film competitions! The Media Department have been working in conjunction with Essex Trading Standards to produce a number of films for local businesses.
Media Students go on visits to the British Film Institute and will attend cinema showings.