Resources for OCR A Level Media Studies on MediaEdu

This page should provide you with an index to the information we have on MediaEdu which relates directly to OCR A Level Media Studies.

This page also contains external links to support materials on the OCR site.

AS Scheme

Latest Scheme

2011-2014 OCR AS Media Studies Scheme of Work

Other Schemes

AS G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media

AS G322: Key Media Concepts (TV Drama)

AS G323: Key Media...

The catch word for the digital world of new media is convergence. Convergence is the coming together of everything digital.

Definition

Any digital media can be transmitted by any suitable digital medium, such as a wifi broadband connection or mobile phone, so that all communications, text, audio, graphics, video, and broadcasting can be accessed instantly.

The iPhone, Blackberry or computer becomes a two-way communications module with access...

An Overview - Unit G322 Key Media Concepts

As this is a new course it is important to have an overview so that you know what you have let yourself in for.

OCR suggest that theory and coursework support each other and develop along side each other. The suggested learning time is that students receive 180 ‘guided learning hours’ per year. You could divide this half and half between class work and homework.

I think you have more control over...

An Overview - Unit G322 Key Media Concepts

As this is a new course it is important to have an overview so that you know what you have let yourself in for.

OCR suggest that theory and coursework support each other and develop along side each other. The suggested learning time is that students receive 180 ‘guided learning hours’ per year. You could divide this half and half between class work and homework.

I think you have more control over...

We Study Media by Rob McMinn

The Student Room & Media Studies

Setting up a Radio Station on Mediaed.org.uk

Modern Mechanix: examples of vintage advertising

Technorati on Ideology

Ideology for Kids: Decoding the Kremlin’s Website

The End of Cyberspace

Kinoeye on Media Studies

Bluegrass Film Society

Kids Gobble Up Interactive Junk Food Marketing

Continental Philosophy: Key Notes on Theorists

Dr. Mabuse’s Kaledio-scope: Four Models of...

Television and film crime/cop drama is very popular with a wide audience. Crime dramas seek to anchor the representations of all types of police officers, criminals and victims as ‘believable’ characters, with ‘realistic’ plot lines, set in urban locations.The genre has been taken up in the US under the heading of American Quality Televsion (AQT) - see under heading AQT.

Codes and conventions

Crime dramas:

• are constructed realities
...

H140

• G321 Foundation Portfolio in Media (50%) and G322 Key Media Concepts (50%)
• G322 Section A: TV Drama (52%) and Section B: Film Industry (50%) - 32 Week Scheme of Work

Overview

• OCR A Level Media Studies Overview

Scheme

• OCR AS Media Studies SOW 2011-2014.doc

Concepts

• Media Language, Forms and Conventions (Media Language, Representation, Genre, Narrative)
• Film Industry Institution
• TV Drama and Representation
• Research, Planning and...

Denotation and Connotation

These are two important words concerned with the way an audience understands the meaning of a media text. These can also be called the signs and signified meaning, or the micro and macro features.

Denotation / sign / micro feature is the basic, literal meaning of what is in the picture or scene.

Connotation / signified meaning / macro feature means different interpretations suggested by the text, often associated...

Institutional Factors | Production and Historical Context

The Tudors is a critically and commercially successful Period Drama, (a sub genre of TV Drama), produced by an Independent Production Company, commissioned by the BBC and screened on BBC2 in October 2007 but originally shown on the American cable channel, Showtime. It ran for four seasons until 2010. Screenwriter Michael Hurst created the series, he had previously written Elizabeth,...

The term ‘EXCHANGE’ in the spec has worried students and teachers. Here is some help.

The spec says:

‘The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange’

The word exchange was used in the January exam 2011.

Here are some views on what it means from people who know on the OCR forum.

Brief Definition

Exchange:

The way in which texts are not only consumed by media...

Associated Resources

• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-production-film-industr/
• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-industry-revision-ppt/

Key Principles

1. Have you got contrasting films you can use as case studies e.g. big budget Hollywood v low budget British indie which allow full range of issues to be discussed?

2....

Associated Resources

• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-production-film-industr/
• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-industry-revision-advic/

AS OCR A&I - Film Industry Revision.ppt

Associated Resources

• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-industry-revision-advic/
• http://media.edusites.co.uk/index.php/article/as-ocr-media-studies-audience-and-institutions-film-industry-revision-ppt/

TOP TIP: Consider the issues for the studios and audiences at every stage.

When writing the exam essay - you should look for modern examples in the industry and be able to write a...

• We can organise half-day or full day courses on any aspect of Media Studies at your school or college.

• We can also provide keynote speakers for conferences and training events.

Contact MediaEdu

Programme Details

• We come to you.

• Where possible assessors from leading awarding bodies lead our courses.

• Each revision course is 3 hours in length and is delivered in both whole group and seminar-style workshops. We can run a full-day course, if...

OCR G322 AS Level Media Studies Exam Questions

January 2011

Q1

Extract

Hustle, Series 1 Episode 4 (Written by Tony Jordan, dir. Minkie Spiro)

Extract location: Episode 4

In point: 19.50
Out point: 25.01

Representation: Gender [50]

Q2

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts in your chosen media area. [50]

OCR G325 A2 Media Studies Questions

January 2011 - Section A

Question 1(a)

Describe...

Introduction

All three A Level Media Studies exam specifications emphasise the study of the representation of difference.

AQA suggests:

A case study of refugees in British newspapers for example, would involve research into, and documentation of, the treatment of refugees in a variety of British newspapers (or possibly just one) to pinpoint the political and social reasons for the construction of such media representations and the possible...

There are a few scenarios under which you may find yourself using the film Tsotsi in an examination or assessment. You, or your teacher may perhaps choose the film when given an open ended assignment in a GCSE film assignment for media studies but the most likely circumstance under which you will be using the film is for the WJEC GCSE Film Studies Paper 2, titled ‘Films From Outside Hollywood’ where the film is currently one of the focus...

Functions of the Title Sequence

The functions of the title sequence in a film may seem to be fairly obvious. They are designed to tell the audience the names of the people and organisations involved with the making of the film and in this respect they do the job well.

Irrespective of the genre, there is a conventional way of presenting this information in the credit sequence. This information and the order in which it is presented follows a...

Click on the link below to download a PDF booklet you can print out.

Film Genre - Thrillers.pdf

Download a PowerPoint version of this resource.

OCR_AS_G322_Section_B_Games_Case_Study_Call_of_Duty_Modern_Warfare_2.ppt

What the spec requires:

“A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming platforms, along with its reception by a variety of (British) audiences.”

Robert Kotick (CEO, Activision Blizzard – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s publisher)

“In just five...

Download a Word version of this resource.

OCR_AS_G322_Section_B_Games_Industry_Exam_Practice_Questions.doc

1. Explain how the industry you have studied is exploiting new technology in the areas of production, marketing and exchange

2. Account for recent changes in consumption and production in the industry you have studied.

3. To what extent are media audiences the agents, beneficiaries or victims of change?

4. Explain the significance...

Download a Word version of this resource.

OCR_AS_G322_Section_B_Student_Research_Questions_Games_Case_Study.doc

What is the best selling game ever in the UK?

Why do you think it has sold more than action adventure games such as Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2?

Why did the BBFC give Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 its 18 rating?

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

How much does it cost to produce a typical Hollywood blockbuster?

For which films has Hans...

Download a Word version of this resource.

OCR AS G322 Section B The Games Industry Teacher Notes and Revision Handout.doc

What the spec says:

Section B: Institutions and Audiences

A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming platforms, along with its reception by a variety of (British) audiences.

This should be accompanied by study of the impact of next generation capabilities...

Click on the link below to download a frame for analysing the opening of the film ‘Children of Men’.

Film-Opening-Children-Of-Men.doc

‘It’s just an idea for group work deconstructing an interesting text (especially because, unusually, this one starts in the middle of the disequilibrium, rather than establishing an equilibrium first of all, so is good for narrative theory.  Also, our “hero” is rather unheroic (he doesn’t return to the...

Units: G322 and G325 

G322 January 2010

Q1 The extract was Hotel Babylon and the representation was ethnicity.

Q2 “Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and services to national audiences”.  To what extent do you agree with this statement?

G325 Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

In question 1(a) you need to write about your work for the Foundation Portfolio and Advanced Portfolio units...

MediaEdu provides access to the following resources:

A Level Media Studies

• Schemes of work for AS and A2
• Topic Information
• Interactive Quizzes
• Image Gallery

Nationals

• Schemes of work + Supporting resources

GCSE Media Studies

• Schemes of work for GCSE
• Mock Exams
• Topic Information
• Interactive Quizzes
• Image Gallery

Key Concepts & Skills

• Skills Tutorials
• Production Zone
• Key Concept Guides
• Media Language Glossary

Other Resources

• YouTube...

Click here to download as a PDF

Joe McElderry and Rage Against the Machine: a most unlikely chart battle!

In this scheme of work Stephen Hill compares the campaign for Joe McElderry’s ‘The Climb’ (UK number two, Christmas 2009) and Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name’ (UK number one, Christmas 2009). He considers the ways in which the marketing of the two songs reflects very different strategies for the promotion of...

Discuss the issues raised by an institution’s need to target specific audiences within a media industry that you have studied.

Introduction

The need to target a ‘specific audience’ is a key issue for the ‘magazine industry’. Magazines are heavily ‘subsidized by advertising’ and the key to attracting a sustainable ‘portfolio of advertisers’ is the creation of a product that is desirable to their ‘target market’.

As a...

Getting Started on TV Drama

A Suggested Scheme of Work

In this section:

• Getting started with unit G322 – TV drama
• What do students need to be able to do?
• TV drama background
• Activity – quick textual analysis
• Some theory
• Shot analysis
• Shot size
• Camera angles
• Framing
• Mise-en-scène
• Soundtrack
• Postproduction
• Activities

As a teacher you will be thinking about the structure of this two year course- see Course Structure. It’s a good idea to...

Getting Started on Radio Drama

A Suggested Scheme of Work

AS G323: Key Media Concepts (Radio Drama)

This unit is an alternative to studying G322 Television Drama. For some students and centres it will be more attractive than TV Drama especially for students interested in audio technology, music and music production.

Resources

The technical resources for this unit are very modest – all radio can now be accessed on the internet, although a...

A Suggested Scheme of Work

It is suggested that you SELECT ONE BRIEF FOR THE WHOLE CLASS.

You’ll find it’s a nightmare if you have several specs running at the same time. Select your brief according to the technology you have available.

OCR SPEC: Print Brief

Preliminary Exercise

Using DTP and an image manipulation programme, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up...

Have a look at the following resources on MediaEdu:

Sue Crawte’s Web Design Tutorials

Rod Munday’s ‘The Internet and World Wide Web’

‘Studying The Internet’ and

‘History of The Internet’.

A typical A Level exam production task is to create a trailer for a film.

This is the type of task you will be asked to do:

Make a 3 minute trailer for a 15 rated film in a genre of your choice suitable for a teenage audience with a budget of about £10 million (the approximate budget for Slumdog Millionaire).

Before making your trailer you need to fully understand what a film trailer is, how it works and what it aims to do.

Definition

A...

• We can organise half-day or full day courses on any aspect of Media Studies at your school or college.

• We can also provide keynote speakers for conferences and training events.

Contact MediaEdu

Programme Details

• We come to you.

• Where possible assessors from leading awarding bodies lead our courses.

• Each revision course is 3 hours in length and is delivered in both whole group and seminar-style...

Click on the link below to download a frame for analysing the opening of the film ‘Children of Men’.

Film-Opening-Children-Of-Men.doc

‘It’s just an idea for group work deconstructing an interesting text (especially because, unusually, this one starts in the middle of the disequilibrium, rather than establishing an equilibrium first of all, so is good for narrative theory.  Also, our “hero” is rather...

MediaEdu provides access to the following resources:

A Level Media Studies

• Schemes of work for AS and A2
• Topic Information
• Interactive Quizzes
• Image Gallery

Nationals

• Schemes of work + Supporting resources

GCSE Media Studies

• Schemes of work for GCSE
• Mock Exams
• Topic Information
• Interactive Quizzes
• Image Gallery

Key Concepts & Skills

• Skills Tutorials
• Production Zone
• Key Concept Guides
• Media Language...