PAPER 1 SECTION B COMPUTER GAMES Initial research

Feature length documentary  about the history of computer games ( presented by Charlie Brooker)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wN4IIDW1o 

Another history of games 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuxoThzFPPw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoyGlyrYb9c

History of consoles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ROTfHOvNI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWmdxeAFS-I

Research the history of video games and answer the questions below.

1 How have video games and consoles  changed through history? 

Create an illustrated  timeline document ( in blogger , word or other format )  highlighting major changes of each  decade from 1970s-2020 s ( or before if you wish )

Consider:

•  which consoles/devices were available and the most popular ( and why )

•  the important and influential games of the time

•  the advances in technology and playability ( including the creation of the internet and online play

 •  main audiences ( age , gender etc. mainstream or niche , fans of other media products e.g films, TV  )

2. List and summarise the various audience pleasures and experiences that computer games can provide  ( e.g completing levels , making  money , competition with others , forming communities , achieving goals , improving skills etc. swapping tips and watching other gamers etc. )  Give examples to support your points from the videos above and your own gaming.

How did the creation of the internet and online play affect these pleasures ?

3  Summarise the ways producers of modern consoles and games maximise their income. List the ways in which they can make money from their audiences .

4. What moral or social issues  have been raised by games ?  ( e.g violence, representation and attitudes to women etc   )  Give examples.

EXAM QUESTION : Paper 1 Section A

 Explore the representations and use of media language in the unseen audiovisual text and compare it to the music video for either Formation ( Beyonce ) or Dream ( Dizzee Rascal )   

   30 marks 1hour

( 1500 words minimum ) 

Please write in Word and  submit on moodle (   moodle / my courses /  Media Studies A Ll L6 )

by Thursday November 25th 

In your answer you must:
 consider how the representations construct versions of reality ( using technical codes)
 consider the similarities and differences in how audiences are positioned ( encouraged and 
     guided  to respond ) by the representations
 make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the representations relate to relevant    
     media contexts

POINTS ( several relevant effective and detailed points )

e.g The main ways the videos represent gender /social issue etc.

Use and subversion of sterotypes

Challenging or following audience expectations about genre, the artist's profile  , narrative etc.

EVIDENCE

Specific and relevant examples from the videos , focusing on technical codes such as camera shots, lighting and colour ,costume and body language , conventions of music video such as artist performance and the  artist's star profile or persona  

EXPLAIN

Develop your point , contrast to other video or other points you've made, link to theory, link to genre/audience, make further related points about technical codes 

 

THEORY 

link to and use   relevant theory ( representation and media language )  e.g binary opposites, Hall's stereotypes.

Band	AO2 1 and 3   Apply knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media to: ·         analyse media products, including in relation to their contexts ·         make judgements and draw conclusions
5	25-30 marks ·         Excellent, consistent and accurate application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework to analyse the unseen and set videos ·         Analysis of how representations in the videos construct versions of reality is perceptive, detailed and may be informed by relevant theories ·         Detailed and appropriate comparisons of audience positioning by the videos ·         Judgements and conclusions regarding how the videos relate to relevant media contexts are perceptive, insightful and fully supported with detailed reference to specific aspects of the texts
4	19-24 marks ·         Good, accurate application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework to analyse the unseen and set videos ·         Analysis of how representations in the videos construct versions of reality is logical and may be informed by relevant theories ·         Reasonably detailed, appropriate comparisons of audience positioning by the videos ·         Judgements and conclusions regarding how the videos relate to relevant media contexts are logical and are supported with appropriate reference to relevant aspects of the vidoes
3	13-18 marks ·         Satisfactory, generally accurate application of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework to analyse the unseen and set videos ·         Analysis of how representations in the videos construct versions of reality is reasonable and straightforward ·         Satisfactory comparisons of audience positioning by the videos, although there may be more focus on one of the artists ·         Judgements and conclusions regarding how the videos relate to relevant media contexts are straightforward and supported with some reference to relevant aspects of the videos

KEY TEXT Paper 1 Section A : DREAM Music Video ( an alternative to FORMATION)

VIDEO



Analyse  the content of the music video for Dream , using the technical codes ( use of camera, lighting, props , costume, iconography etc ) to focus on the following areas :


Narrative

What is the main narrative and message  of the song  , and how is this   added to or altered by the visual elements of  the video and the techniques used ? Does the video   subvert or confirm the messages and content of the song ?


Representation 

How is ethnicity, age , gender and class represented in the video ? What binary oppositions are created or shown in the video between different stereotypes? What stereotypes are used to represent different social groups ?

How is the concept of inequality or social power demonstrated  in the technical codes or narrative of the video ?



Intertextuality : What cultural or media references does the video and song make and why ?

This could include social or news events such as......https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2016/mar/22/good-in-the-hood-fall-and-rise-hoodie-us-society-prince-harry-rihanna-haute

or specific media texts  such as this one


or other cultural references

THEORY  



Barthes  : Semiotics 

Identify objects, characters or props/costumes that connote a deeper layer of meaning about the messages and themes in the video ( e.g hoodie +youth rebellion)

Levi-Strauss  Binary Oppositions

Identify a rage of binary oppoisites in the video and how they add meaning to  the narrative and themes of the video




Postcolonialism( Gilroy) : Does the video refer to "traditional white " UK culture and create a binary opposition with modern multicultural Britain ? How ?

KEY TEXT MUSIC VIDEO : Formation by Beyonce

 VIDEO 

INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN ANALYSIS: complete by Friday 

Contexts :    

Summarise the social , political and historical  events and issues  that are directly  referenced  in the video. 

Star persona : 

How does Beyonce represent herself in this video ? Personality, use of sexuality and sex appeal , ethnicity and background , perspective on social and historical events ? Is she just a glamorous pop star dressing up  or expressing something more profound ? Is she representing something beyond herself ? 

Representation :  

Find some examples from the video of the different ways social issues , people,  America ,ethnicity, gender and any other factors  are represented in the video , focusing on social status and power as well as any use or subversion of stereotypes. Look at relevant technical codes like iconography and costume, framing, camera angles and lighting/colour. What are the messages in the video ?

These resources may help :  

Rebecca Fisher excellent video essay

KEY ARTIST RESEARCH : Beyonce

 

Extension  task

Please choose  two other  official  music videos  by Beyonce ( not Formation ) from throughout her career and summarise how  the following are used in different ways.

You can work individually or in pairs and please publish on the blog by Friday

Style of video  Is the video primarily focused on the artist's performance or a storytelling narrative ?

 Star Persona 

 Which elements of Beyonce's personality and persona does the video focus on and highlight ? Romantic partner, independent woman , social activist ,  sex object , glamorous and aspirational role model ?

Themes  and issues  explored in the song and video  e.g politics, relationships , ambition , love and  commitment 

Representation of gender and ethnicity in the video e.g stereotypes, contrasts, social status etc.

Technical codes to support your points e.g costume, performance, body language, lighting and colour, camera angles and shot types, pace of editing  etc.