INFORMATION ON CURRENT COURSES (2007/2008)

AS Media

Students do an induction to the equipment and programs with a series of activities, including making an animation, a horror sequence and filming a phone call. They are introduced to the analysis of media texts through a unit on action films. For the rest of the autumn term, they do a coursework project making the title sequence of a new Kids Tv programme and a unit analysing video games. Our approach involves lots of activities, lots of group work and lots of reflection by students on everything they do. The course is very ‘hands-on’.

In the spring, everyone is taught to use Final Cut, a semi-professional edit program, and then in groups they undertake the second coursework project, making the opening sequence of a thriller, including titles and music (on Garageband). The better of the two coursework projects is submitted as part of the AS level and is worth 40% of the assessment. In both cases (kids Tv and Thriller) students have to write 2000 words analysing the process and the product, and for the thriller they record their planning on a group blog. The final unit is on new media, looking at social networking, the impact on the music industry of MP3 and online video.

The two exams, worth 60% between them, involve analysing a sequence from an action film, shown in the exam itself, a comparative essay about two video games of the student’s choice, looking at competition and conflict, and the new media exam which contains a comprehension and an essay.

A2 Media

Students make a music video in a group, using music from new artists, planning on a blog and writing a 3000 word analysis of their work. The project involves music video directors coming in to talk about their work and to give ideas to help students improve their video part way through the unit.

In January, they sit the Critical research exam, which involves an independent research project written up under exam conditions. This is worth 30% and in June the final exam, equally weighted, involves two essays, one each about British Cinema and Music on TV.