Life On Mars (Paper 2)

 

LIFE ON MARS

                                                               LIFE ON MARS

                                                       Full revision pack (all sections)



                                                      Large visual handout 1 Media language and text

                                                      Large visual handout 2 Representation Industry and Audience

                                             

                                                     Eduqas Student Notes: Industry and Marketing Life on Mars

LINK TO EPISODE 1

70s cop shows    INFORMATION

Summarise the key points about  S1 ep 1 of Life on Mars in the following areas

Genre (Life on Mars is a hybrid genre text)

Use of conventions in crime and scifi genre  (  characters, settings, narrative, iconography etc.)  and how they are followed or subverted . Link to Neale's genre theory and how the text is a combination of  familiar and different genre elements .

Narrative

Barthes enigma codes :  what enigmas ( mysteries ) remain unsolved by the end of the episode ? Are any solved ?

Is the episode a restricted or unrestricted narrative ?

 Representations

How are gender, ethnicity, the police and wider society represented in both the 1970s and modern day narratives of the episode ? Look at career and job roles, attitudes towards opposite genders , attitudes towards the law, use of technology , crime detection methods  etc. 

You should focus on these characters in particular :

Sam Tyler

Gene Hunt

Annie Cartwright

Nelson

BLOG ON REPRESENTATION

Today you will begin to prepare 2 questions to complete when we are back

All questions 30 marks ( 50 minutes) if both texts or 15 marks (25 minutes) if one text only. 

1. To what extent can Neale’s Genre Theory be applied to the set episode of Life on Mars?

2. How far are representations in the set episode of Life on Mars stereotypical? Explore at least four different sequences in your answer

3. To what extent do you agree that female characters in both Life on Mars and The Bridge go against stereotypes? Apply the theories of hooks and Van Zoonen to your points.

Statement of Aims (Draft) - 29th September 2022

 

COMPONENT 3 PRODUCTION

DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS ( for the cross-media production )  ( 450-550 words )

You will be required to complete a brief outline of your aims and intentions for your media production.

 This will enable you to explain the ways in which you will apply knowledge and
understanding of  key terminology and technical codes  to the production and target the intended
audience in specific ways.  For example :

Choice of main image on cover/poster

Title of products 

Layout and colour choices

Choice of cover lines and written content on cover

Layout/formatting  and image selection in magazine article/DVD cover

Selection about language and content of article/blurb 

Reason for narrative/setting   of music video e.g connetion to song lyrics, artist profile

How music video will use performance

Ideas for technical choices in music video e.g  closeups , colour ,editing

 

You can also demonstrate how you have considered the relevant producer and genre of your products.



DEADLINE : September 29th 2022 - Please submit into your media ONE DRIVE folders that Robert sent



Example of a statement of aims

Example 1 of a good statement of aims ( band 5 )

Example 2 of a good  statement of aims ( band 5)

Example SOA 3

Example SOA 4

SOA- MARK SCHEME - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mdLrey8y6wS8a7-Ejg9T9WdYPEodTGp_/view?usp=sharing

Production Schedule 

Task - Research into a similar product

Your coursework production is an individual  cross-media production of two linked media products             ( Print and Audiovisual) and a statement of aims that explains your intentions and ideas. 

Briefs

Link to Production assignment briefs

Link to shot list templates

Simple storyboard template

SUMMER EXAM

 Media Exam on Thursday 23rd June 2022

Please note we have a media exam on Thursday which will serve as a end of year test. 

You will be tested on 2 aspects

1. Media Language (TV ADVERT)

2. Narrative (Todorov)

Please come and see Robert if you have any questions about this or summer task. 

Summer Task 2022

 Summer Task 2022

Contact robert.agyeman@coulsdon.ac.uk if any issues

 

Lower 6^th to Upper 6^th

Media @Coulsdon

Summer Holiday work 2022

A Level Media Studies

 

Congratulations on finishing your first year A Level Media! The following three tasks will help prepare you for some of the units that you will be studying next year. Please complete on Google Docs, Google Slides or save to Google Drive and be prepared to submit in your first media lesson in September.

 

Task 1 – Film and Audio

1) watch and take notes ready to submit in September 2022:

Choose of the following:

- Any Music Video

- Any advert

-or any TV/film trailer

Please write 2 essays on the following (Max 700 Words)

1.    Explore how media language is used in the product to attract audiences. (15 Marks)

 

2.    Explain how representations in the Product reflect the genre in which the

show is categorized? (15 Marks)

 

 

 

2) Audio/Filming and Editing:

Record audio/Film any remaining content of your Component 3 A/V Production.

You will be submitting the draft of your podcast/music video when you arrive back. You will be submitting this in your onedrive folders. Please use the blog for coursework details.

 

COULSDON A LEVEL MEDIA 2021-23 (coulsdonalevelmediay1new.blogspot.com)

Task 2 – Theories

Write a 600 word minimum essay selecting and analysing Media theories.  How can they be applied to any media products that you have studied. Please click this link to look at the media theories.

Your essay should cover the following for each film:

-Information about the product

- Analysis of genre and characters

- Analysis of story

- Analysis of theme

- Application of the theory

Remember to include visual examples to back up your analysis.

Task 3 – Magazine

Planning your two-page spread

Create the text you will include (Minimum of 200 words)

Explain briefly the 5 original images you will include

Consider other features for your audience

Add all your plans to one drive or Google drive ready to start creating when we are back in September. 

GOOD EXAMPLES : STUDENT MAGAZINE FRONT COVERS

 

COMPONENT 3 PRODUCTION 2022-23 : Print Product : CREATING YOUR MAGAZINE FRONT PAGE

 Your first main task will be to create a suitable title and  plan, design and produce your front cover for your  original magazine. 

Your magazine cover must include the following :

Option 1 (Magazine /podcast)

• Original title and masthead for the magazine • Strapline • Cover price and barcode • 

Original main cover image appropriate to the genre; additional original images may be included if appropriate; the front cover should include an image of at least one person

 • A lead cover line relating to the main image 

• At least three additional cover lines

OR

Option 2  (Music magazine /music video) 

Original title and masthead for the magazine •Strapline • Cover price and barcode 

• Main cover image of the band or artist to establish their identity (original and different from the images on the double page article); 

• Main cover line relating to the artist or band plus at least 2 further cover lines

Your magazine must clearly be designed to appeal to its target audience and follow conventions of its genre , so read the information in the previous blog  for your chosen option carefully. Look at a range of existing magazine covers in your chosen genre for ideas about image selection, layout and content.

Here is a an example of a magazine front cover with the relevant  layout technical codes 

COMPONENT 3 PRODUCTION 2022-23

 The INDIVIDUAL coursework production is 30% of your full A level and you start planning it this      term 

Link to the brief : https://drive.google.com/file/d/13xppyOXBEbLRFaFaDKqZF9YEixXCsDTX/view?usp=sharing

The first step is to select one of the two brief options  ( 1 Magazines or 2 Music Marketing ) from the information below.

 Based on your areas of interest and media skills, carefully look at the details below about the products you will be expected to make , the specific target audience you are creating these products for and  which companies are the producers you would be working for.  Then complete the following :

Which option have you selected ? 

What specific producers ( publishing company, record label , BBC channel ) will you be working for ?

Give a summary of the producer(s) ( ownership, products they own , national/global status etc )

Initial ideas for your two  related cross-media products ( name , content, themes, participants/actors, narrative/structure)

Links to target audience : briefly summarise how and why your products would appeal to your specific target audience and the producer

Examples of  magazine 2 page spreads 

OPTION 1 Magazines

A cross-media production for a new original magazine in a specific genre (or sub-genre) of your  choice 

Audience : a mainstream audience of 18-35 year olds

Producer : an existing major publishing organisation ( such as Bauer Media, Conde Naste etc.)

Task 1 PRINT

Create a front cover, contents page and double page feature  article for your new magazine.

          Article is  on a topic or issue appropriate to the genre of magazine and target audience:        approximately 400 words in length and relating to a cover line on the front cover

Total: 4 pages

AND

Task 2 AUDIOVISUAL

Create a sequence from either a   BBC Sounds podcast for a new radio arts/ culture programme or             a BBC documentary discussing the launch of your magazine.

 Length: 2 minutes 30 seconds – 3 minutes

OR

OPTION 2 Music Marketing

A cross-media production for a new original  artist or band in a popular genre (or sub- genre/ hybrid) of your choice.

 Audience :  a specialised audience of  18-35 year olds who have a specific interest in your chosen genre of music.

Producer : an existing ndependent record label (such as Heavenly, Warp or Fader Label)

Task 1 PRINT

Create a front cover and double page feature article for an original specialist music magazine to promote your artist or band to the target audience.

Cover : must contain main image of your new artist/band

 Article : Details of the latest single release/ availability of the music video

          An interview with the artist or band discussing the ideas in the music and the process of       making  the music video

Total: 3 pages

AND

Task 2 AUDIOVISUAL

Create an original music video            to promote your artist or band.

You may use an existing song for  your music video (this does not need to be copyright free), but the song must not have an existing official music video.

 Length: 3 minutes – 3 minutes 30 seconds. Longer tracks may be edited or faded out to meet the required length.

The video MUST CONTAIN

 

Two or more filming locations appropriate to the chosen popular genre. These might include a studio, rehearsal or live performance setting, and other locations to establish the narrative 

• A wide range of camera shots, angles and movement 

• A range of shots of the artist or band to establish a clear image/ identity

 • Performance footage (rehearsal and/or live and/or lip synched appropriate to the chosen popular genre) 

• Clear structure with an element of narrative (such as conflict, resolution or character types) to visually interpret the lyrics

 • Editing of original footage to the music track 

• Graphics depicting the name of the fictional artist or band and title of the track

Statement of Aims

Example 1 of a good statement of aims ( band 5 )


Example 2 of a good  statement of aims ( band 5)

  

CREATING A PODCAST EPISODE

 In pairs or small groups, plan, record and edit an episode ( 5 minutes + )  for a new podcast /radio show for a named existing radio station and a specific target audience. 

The podcast can be in any genre  ( as long  as it spoken word ) and cover any relevant topics. You can create roles such as presenter/guests and their backgroundsies to help your podcast be more realistic.

Make sure you have completed the following :

1  Name of podcast episode and radio station it is produced for

2 Script some essential content ( key facts , structure of episode etc. )

3 Record spoken audio content using your phones ( in R 200/219/studio)

4 Download any other relevant sounds ( music stings , sound effects etc. )

5  Edit together podcast in Garageband , mix down to  mp3 and add link to one of your blogs

PAPER 1 Section B : KEY TEXT : LNWH

LATE NIGHT WOMAN'S HOUR  overview

Based on the overview and specific content from at least two contrasting  episodes  explain the following about Late Night Woman's Hour with examples from the program supporting your points

Format ( e.g broadcast/podcast) , weekly/daily/ 

Themes and subjects covered in Late Night Woman's Hour

Structure and content of typical episodes ( interviews, feature pieces, discussion , phone-in , etc.)


Presenters ( age, gender.background,broadcasting history, comparison with previous presenters )



Use of spoken language ( mode of address, formal/informal, emotional language)

Use of any other audio codes ( background ambience ,music, sting , theme  )

Opportunities for audience feedback

Any marketing /advertising  of  own program and other  BBC content. Listen to the episodes to check if they contain trailers/adverts, and list any advertising/links  on main LNWH page





Target audience of LNWH ( age,gender,class,interests,use of media etc.) Compare and contrast with the original Woman's Hour programme

The previous  elements should help you define and explain this

How does this fit with   Radio 4's overall target audience ?

EXTENSION :  Next week  you will be planning , creating and editing  your own episode of  a                                       podcast/broadcast programme ( any genre/audience/subject/) in pairs/small groups

                            Come up with at least two ideas for a spoken word radio programme or podcast 

                            of 5 + minutes  ( produced by a specific  existing radio station  ) and start initial                                       planning of content

RADIO INDUSTRY : Intro research tasks

Use  resources such as this industry resource     and the BBC website complete the following initial written tasks

 1 Summarise the differences between broadcasting and podcasting  for the audience and how it may affect the content and structure of a programme.



2  Define and give an example of a commercial  and a public Service  radio broadcaster, explaining the key differences.



3  Explain the  identity, mission statement   and purpose of the BBC ( link ) and briefly summarise  how it is funded .

4  Find an example of each of the following types of radio programme broadcast on the BBC

local

national

global

5  Summarise the target audience ( age, class, interests etc. ) and content ( types of programme , genres , subjects ) of BBC Radio  4 

EXTENSION  : Study the overview of the key text below and listen to some of the content of the show

LATE NIGHT WOMAN'S HOUR

Consider and make notes about the range of subject matter and themes dealt with the programme and some detail about the presenters and the  target audience ( gender/age/class/other interests etc.) 

MARKETING ORIGINAL FILMS

 Individually or in pairs create a concept and a title for two new films ( one a mainstream film and one an independent film.   

You will the be creating  marketing campaigns for both films , domonstrating your understanding of how different types and genres of film try to appeal to their different target audiences and maximise their distribution to increase their potential financial success  

Original film concept ( 1 mainstream film and 1 independent film)

Title

Summary of film narrative 

Stars /actors

Producer / producers   (e.g  Disney, Paramount, small production company)

Production and marketing budget ( research how much the budgets are for similar films )

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Create a marketing campaign for both of your original  films, demonstrating your understanding of the range of techniques used to sell both mainstream and independent films of different genres  to their different audiences. Consider issues such as genre conventions, stars, links to existing franchise, reviews, tagline, choice of images , colour and layout 

This should include

1 Film poster 

2  Draft teaser trailer ( or storyboard for teaser trailer )

3  other marketing ideas e.g social media, sports events , celebrity endorsement, interviews, use of other media 

FILM MARKETING : Marketing and reception 1: I Daniel Blake

The marketing for I,Daniel Blake combined traditional marketing ( poster ,trailer wec. ) with a more innovative and creative marketing campaign which helped overcome budget limitations and contributed to the film's financial success



Using  the marketing campaign for I,Daniel Blake ( poster and trailer)  explain how they advertise and give clues to the following elements about the film.

                            

 Genre ,content of film film importance of director or producer/franchise, themes, ideologies and social messages of film, , representations, desired emotional response from audience, any critical response or awards

Who do you think is the ideal target audience for the film ? Consider age,location,gender , political beliefs,class,interests

How does this compare with the poster and trailer for Black Panther ?  See previous tasks

RECEPTION

Compare  these two  newspaper reviews of the film .

Guardian review

Mail online article

The political debate 

What type of audience could   have an oppositional reading of the film ? Consider the political views of the Guardian and The Mail.

How important would large profits be to the makers  of the film and why ?

EXTRA RESOURCES

I, Daniel Blake help sheet

Black Panther help sheet

INDEPENDENT FILM I.Daniel Blake

     
KEY TEXT :  I, Daniel Blake ( Loach 2016)                                 
                                   



Use this link  and this article as well as your own research and the trailer below to answer the following :




Who is the director of I, Daniel Blake ? Summarise what types of film he makes ( genre, narratives,locations, messages etc.) with other examples of his previous work.

Who are the stars of I,Daniel Blake ? Summarise any previous experience or jobs 

Is the film low budget or high budget ?  Summarise  the elements of the film that create costs and assess how expensive they could be compared to Black Panther  ( set design , effects, stars' salaries , marketing budget etc. )  

Summarise the key reasons that I, Daniel Blake can be described as an independent film


https://www.slideshare.net/Katrinabrookes/independent-versus-mainstream-film


Which companies produced and financed I, Daniel Blake ? Give information about the BBC and BFI in particular.

Why would the BBC and the BFI  be interested in funding and supporting a film like I,Daniel Blake? Consider the themes of the film ,the director, the cost, and the remit and purpose of the BBC and BFI 



  
                                                    

PAPER 1 SECTION B Film Marketing 1 : Mainstream film and Black Panther

 TASK 1 MAINSTREAM AND INDEPENDENT FILMS 

What are  the main differences between a mainstream and an independent film ? 

Use the following to help :

https://www.slideshare.net/Katrinabrookes/independent-versus-mainstream-film

TASK 2 :   MAINSTREAM FILM : BLACK PANTHER 

 INTRO TASK : Answer the following questions about Black Panther  

1 Why is Black Panther defined as a mainstream film ?  

Is the film in a popular and familiar genre ?

Is the film part of an ongoing franchise with links to other media products and therefore a large preexisting audience ?

Does the film use  genre conventions from other popular genres   to appeal to an even wider audience ? 

Narrative structure : is the film linear and have a clear and upbeat ending ? 

Any room for a sequel ? 

Popular emotional themes themes such as heroism ,freedom etc. that would appeal to the mainstream audience ?

Exciting  events such as action scenes ? 

Characters and representations ( gender/ethnicity etc. ) that a wide range of people would find appealing ?

Use of stars ?

High production values ? ( e.g  expensive to produce )  Look at settings , special effects , size of production , stars , other films in franchise , budget ?  

 

2  Franchise How does the film fit into the Marvel  franchise universe , and is it different or unique within the franchise in any way ? Consider content of film , type of audience , genre setting , characters and style of filmmaking .  Are there any plans for a sequel ?   

3 Industry and financial questions 

 Ownership : summarise who owns the Marvel franchise and what else they own that would help the film become successful in terms of marketing , media exposure and financial power.  What was the budget for production and what elements and stages of production did this include ?

How large-scale was the distribution ? Global, national or local ? Cinema/online /DVD ? LINK

4  Marketing  campaign

Summarise what the production company did in terms of marketing and advertising to get the film to its widest possible audience .  What  advantages do a global media company have to allow for successful marketing of a film ?

 

5 Reception How financially /critically successful was it ?   Find out the box office figures and any key awards or reviews

Why was it successful ? Consider the film itself, the star, the existing fanbase , the cultural contexts of its release e.g  BLM , oscars so white , the range of audiences. 

EXTENSION :   Research and summarise  key information about Ken Loach , the director of the independent film we will be watching  ( I, Daniel Blake )

nationality , ethnicity and political views

film genres they usually work in

key films ( first film , most recent work , most famous films )

 

SECTION 1B Film Marketing 1 Black Panther INTRO

  INTRO TASK : Answer the following questions about Black Panther  

1 Why is Black Panther defined as a mainstream film ?  

Is the film in a popular and familiar genre ?

Is the film part of an ongoing franchise with links to other media products and therefore a large preexisting audience ?

Does the film use  genre conventions from other popular genres   to appeal to an even wider audience ? 

Narrative structure : is the film linear and have a clear and upbeat ending ? 

Any room for a sequel ? 

Popular emotional themes themes such as heroism ,freedom etc. that would appeal to the mainstream audience ?

Exciting  events such as action scenes ? 

Characters and representations ( gender/ethnicity etc. ) that a wide range of people would find appealing ?

Use of stars ?

High production values ? ( e.g  expensive to produce )  Look at settings , special effects , size of production , stars , other films in franchise , budget ?