media studies
Thursday 15 December 2016
Friday 2 December 2016
Feedback on mock paper
Here is the PP from the last lesson looking at feedback from your first section A practice paper.
If you would like to come and collect your papers from me to use for revision purposes, pop along to my classroom, office or email me.
If you would like to come and collect your papers from me to use for revision purposes, pop along to my classroom, office or email me.
Wednesday 30 November 2016
AQA exam tips - section A
SECTION A – FOCUS OF THE QUESTIONS AND TIPS
FOCUS OF THE QUESTIONS
The focus of the 3 questions are:
1. Media concepts
Use the unseen products to answer a question on forms, representations,
institutions, audiences or values. This paper and the sample papers have been
on representation as a gentle introduction to the new paper, but question 1. can
be on any of the concepts.
2. Media issues and debates
Use the unseen products to answer a question on media issues and debates.
You may refer to other media products to support your answer.
The ‘may’ is intended to encourage candidates to move beyond the two unseen
exam products, they will get more marks if they do, but they can still get a pass
level if they don’t.
3. Wider contexts
Use the unseen products to answer a question on wider contexts.
You should move beyond the texts, referring to other media products to support
your answer.
The ‘should’ is intended to tell candidates they will be expected to move beyond
the two unseen products and include other examples.
For question 2 and 3 candidates can include examples from either of their
individual case studies, class work they have done and from their own media
use.
TIPS FOR ACHIEVING A GOOD MARK
1. Use the marks awarded to questions as a guide to how long to spend on each
answer - Q1 8 marks, Q2 12 marks and Q3 12 marks.
2. Answer the particular question.
3. Make detailed references to the two media products, especially in question 1
to illustrate the points made.
4. Higher level answers include a range of points, not just repeated explanation
of one or two points.
5. Higher level answers include candidates own opinions explained and justified,
especially for question 2 and 3. They take a standpoint and back it up with wider
contexts and examples from other media products. Also if it is relevant to the
question higher level answers discuss the different sides of the argument and
show a sense of debate.
Wednesday 23 November 2016
Glamour magazine
Thursday 17 November 2016
Wednesday 9 November 2016
Intro to Identity
Here are the resources from our introductory lesson on Identity.
Don't forget to look out for 'Peter York's Hipster Handbook' on iplayer - it could be a really relevant resource when looking at youth tribes and young female identity.
Below you will find a copy of the article outlining Eric Schmitt's predictions over youth identity and how their use of social media may impact on their identity in the future. You will also find the article about Digital natives and digital immigrants
Don't forget to look out for 'Peter York's Hipster Handbook' on iplayer - it could be a really relevant resource when looking at youth tribes and young female identity.
Below you will find a copy of the article outlining Eric Schmitt's predictions over youth identity and how their use of social media may impact on their identity in the future. You will also find the article about Digital natives and digital immigrants
Wednesday 2 November 2016
Friday 28 October 2016
Music video innovation
There is a chance that you may be reading this blog post on your phone.
Despite film and media snobs suggesting otherwise, marketers and social media institutions are recognising that audiences often consume video in portrait mode rather than turning their phones to a landscape position, and a number of videos are now being produced in this way.
Read about it here.
You may have also noticed that video content on social media often uses subtitles?
The nature with which we consume social media and video content is often when we are bored and seeking entertainment in a public space, often alone and when sound is unnecessary, embarrassing (!) or annoying. When video content unexpectedly includes sound, we often skip or close it. Media producers have realised that this is potentially detrimental as you will avoid consuming their video content. As a result, many include subtitles so that you can engage in the dialogue of the video content without skipping it. Look out for this particularly on facebook and instagram.
Read about it here.
Going back to music video developments, Chance the Rapper's latest music video was shot on his iphone. Do watch the video on your phone with the screen rotation locked and look at how the video encourages you to physically engage. What does it make you do?
Finally, consider how this demonstrates technological convergence. Phones are increasingly complex and enable use to produce, consume and access media with ease.
Despite film and media snobs suggesting otherwise, marketers and social media institutions are recognising that audiences often consume video in portrait mode rather than turning their phones to a landscape position, and a number of videos are now being produced in this way.
Read about it here.
You may have also noticed that video content on social media often uses subtitles?
The nature with which we consume social media and video content is often when we are bored and seeking entertainment in a public space, often alone and when sound is unnecessary, embarrassing (!) or annoying. When video content unexpectedly includes sound, we often skip or close it. Media producers have realised that this is potentially detrimental as you will avoid consuming their video content. As a result, many include subtitles so that you can engage in the dialogue of the video content without skipping it. Look out for this particularly on facebook and instagram.
Read about it here.
Going back to music video developments, Chance the Rapper's latest music video was shot on his iphone. Do watch the video on your phone with the screen rotation locked and look at how the video encourages you to physically engage. What does it make you do?
Finally, consider how this demonstrates technological convergence. Phones are increasingly complex and enable use to produce, consume and access media with ease.
Gender identity?
Well done Covergirl! In an unprecedented move, they have cast beauty blogger James Charles as a model in their latest marketing campaign.
Read about it here
This could be used when exploring gender identity.
Do some research into the 'Queer theory'.
Is this an example of it in action? Can you find any other examples from media texts that may support or challenge the Queer theory?
Does this conform or challenge dominant ideologies about gender identity?
Virtual Reality and film
If you haven't heard about the developments in VR, where have you been?!
In this article, 'Fifty Shades Darker' director, James Foley, talks about how he used the new technology in their marketing.
Read about it here
Keep an eye out for how this new technology is used by institutions and consumed by audiences over the next few months. What are the positives and negatives of this new development?
In this article, 'Fifty Shades Darker' director, James Foley, talks about how he used the new technology in their marketing.
Read about it here
Keep an eye out for how this new technology is used by institutions and consumed by audiences over the next few months. What are the positives and negatives of this new development?
Facebook Workplace and the death of Vine
What do you think about 'work place'? Who is the target audience for this? How might audiences use this (uses and grats)?
Read more about it here
And in other news this week, Twitter has announced that it will be axing its 6 second video sharing format - Vine. The video sharing format that brought us such classics as 'Ryan Gosling won't eat his cereal' did not adapt in the same way as Snapchat and Facebook. Is this the reason for its downfall?
Read more about it here
All female film remakes
Following on from the all female Ghostbusters, Warner Bros have confirmed an all female cast for an 'Oceans 8' in 2018.
Read about it here
What do you think about this current trend for all female remakes? Is it necessary? What are the positive and negative implications of this on the institutions and audiences
Read about it here
What do you think about this current trend for all female remakes? Is it necessary? What are the positive and negative implications of this on the institutions and audiences
Identity
If you wanted to explore the identity of young, black Americans in more detail, you could certainly look at how social media has (in some cases) empowered them. Supported them. Provided them with a voice against the bourgeoisie (Marxism anyone?) It can be used as a tool for citizen journalism (see my previous post on this here)
I'm curious to see how this film does at the American box office given the very sensitive nature of the topic. It feels a bit too raw and real in this current climate.
Read about 'Get Out' here
Using social media for good?
Social Media is such an intrinsic part of our lives now. It is all encompassing.
It is interesting to see how some companies, charities and organisations are using it in innovative ways to draw our attention to contemporary issues. Have a look at this French campaign highlighting alcoholism in young women here
It is interesting to see how some companies, charities and organisations are using it in innovative ways to draw our attention to contemporary issues. Have a look at this French campaign highlighting alcoholism in young women here
Thursday 20 October 2016
Friday 14 October 2016
Wednesday 12 October 2016
Advertising and female identity? I'll just leave this here....
Thoughts?
Can you apply dominant ideologies, personal ideologies, audience theory or hyperrealism to this advert?
Hyperrealism
Homework:
Find an example of a music video that creates hyperrealism and post it in the comments section below this post. Include your initials but NOT your name please.
Due Tuesday 18th of October
Find an example of a music video that creates hyperrealism and post it in the comments section below this post. Include your initials but NOT your name please.
Due Tuesday 18th of October
Tuesday 11 October 2016
Monday 10 October 2016
Homework - podcast
A reminder that you are expected to listen to the 'Media podcast', episode #60 for tomorrows lesson. http://themediapodcast.com/
Some things to consider:
- How is new and digital media currently impacting on radio and podcasts, and is there an assertion from the guest speakers as to how it will continue to impact on the radio industry in the future?
- who are the guest speakers and what is their experience?
- what does it suggest about different audiences? How do they consume radio and podcasts?
Wednesday 5 October 2016
Silver screeners saving cinema?
Another interesting (in my opinion) article about the current state of cinema. It seems that your Grandparent's generation is currently keeping it afloat. Who knew?
A relevant read, particularly if your coursework relates to cinema in any way.
read it here
Brexit bias?
Some early stats prior to the conclusion of the Brexit vote over the summer holidays but interesting to see how the established print institutions were biased in the Brexit debate:
And if you are interested in exploring Political identity and how Politicians use media and are used by the media to create an identity, you could of course explore Boris Johnson. Some interesting headlines and images used in the article here.
Some very interesting points about how journalists cover Political issues in the Radio 4 media show from this week too. Hear it here .
And if you are interested in exploring Political identity and how Politicians use media and are used by the media to create an identity, you could of course explore Boris Johnson. Some interesting headlines and images used in the article here.
Some very interesting points about how journalists cover Political issues in the Radio 4 media show from this week too. Hear it here .
Tuesday 27 September 2016
Monday 26 September 2016
Concentration span - we're doomed
Can you concentrate on a tv show? A film? an article? this post?
Microsoft doesn't think so. Their recent research appears to suggest that a goldfish has a greater attention span than we do. This is having a distinct impact on media and how audiences consume it. Film marketing is having to think about the audiences needs and how they engage with new and digital media in order to accommodate this.
Have a read of the article that I have copied below:
Look also at an example of film marketing that is adopting this short, teaser method in my previous post here.
It may prove useful if you are exploring film promotion as part of your coursework, but will also benefit all in preparation for your wider understanding of contemporary media issues in the exam.
Microsoft doesn't think so. Their recent research appears to suggest that a goldfish has a greater attention span than we do. This is having a distinct impact on media and how audiences consume it. Film marketing is having to think about the audiences needs and how they engage with new and digital media in order to accommodate this.
Have a read of the article that I have copied below:
Look also at an example of film marketing that is adopting this short, teaser method in my previous post here.
It may prove useful if you are exploring film promotion as part of your coursework, but will also benefit all in preparation for your wider understanding of contemporary media issues in the exam.
Saturday 24 September 2016
Identity - disability
In preparation for section B of the exam which we will cover later in the year, keep a look out for examples of how minority groups are represented. How do they construct their own identity and how is it reinforced by the established media?
Here are a selection of adverts that I have noticed over the last couple of months. Do note in particular, how Channel 4 have created a series of (in my opinion, excellent) adverts to promote the Rio Olympic games. They have designed variations for hearing and visually impaired viewers that are incredibly creative.
Have a look below:
Here are a selection of adverts that I have noticed over the last couple of months. Do note in particular, how Channel 4 have created a series of (in my opinion, excellent) adverts to promote the Rio Olympic games. They have designed variations for hearing and visually impaired viewers that are incredibly creative.
Have a look below:
Identity - minority groups
I came across this quote today from Director, Jill Golloway.
Its an interesting point of view to consider when we look at identity and minority groups.
Teaser trailers
Audiences can have a short attention span and this is facilitated by the immediacy of social media. Think of how social media captures our attention in short bursts -
- twitter caps the amount of characters that you can write in one tweet
- snap chat videos expire
-vine videos are 6 seconds long.
facebook live and periscope allow for instant messaging during live feeds
Is this making it difficult for younger audiences to concentrate on anything longer?
Based on a manga and anime of the same name, Scarlet Johansson's latest movie 'Ghost in the shell' has a series of teaser trailers that are 5-10 seconds long.
Read about it and watch the trailers here
Two step flow - American register to vote
After our discussion this week about two step flow, i came across this example created by Joss Whedon.
Also an example of post modernism?
Also an example of post modernism?
Wednesday 21 September 2016
Friday 16 September 2016
Thursday 15 September 2016
Wednesday 14 September 2016
Two step flow
This video clearly explains the two step flow theory.
Things to consider:
-Can you think of any examples of opinion leaders?
-Which audience groups do they influence and where can you see this influence?
Things to consider:
-Can you think of any examples of opinion leaders?
-Which audience groups do they influence and where can you see this influence?
Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratification theory
A reminder of the different categories as part of the Uses and Gratification theory
Consider:
What media texts do you consume and for what purpose?
Do different audiences utilise and consume media for different purposes?
The Great British Bake Off
Many a Grandma has shed a tear in to their cup of tea this week as it was announced that the BBC can no longer afford The Great British Bake Off. Love Productions has sold the rights to the series to Channel 4. This is a huge blow for the BBC as Bake Off was one of their most successful programmes.
Read more about it and the departure of the hosts - Mel and Sue here
Things to consider:
What does this suggest about funding and the BBC?
Saturday 3 September 2016
advertising - challenging or reinforcing gender stereotypes?
Car advertising is predictable.
Black and white filter? Check
List of performance specs from a male narrator? Check
Shots of car driving at speed along a windy road. In the countryside. In the rain? Check
So far, so boring. Typically, this is geared to a male audience, or one that is concerned with the performance stats of the model. However, cars with 'quirkier' designs tend to use a different advertising strategy that appeals to a broader (and more female?) audience. Think of Mini Cooper for example.
(The ad here is a short version. Watch the one in the link below to see the bloggers review)
DS automobiles have released a new car design in partnership with the fashion house Givenchy and their make up range.
This internet based advert employs a model/beauty blogger/business woman to 'review' the car and the free Givenchy make up.
See the ad here
Things to think about:
- What do YOU think of the advert? Would this encourage you to buy the car?
- How are women represented in this advert?
- Does this reinforce or challenge stereotypes?
identity - sportsmen and women
This video popped up a few weeks ago at the height of the Olympics, so you may be familiar with it already.
What is interesting is how the established media are constructing identities of the sportsmen and women at the Rio Olympics that reinforce the stereotypes and dominant ideologies that surround both genders.
Look at how audiences are empowered by social media, using it to 'call out' and challenge these ideologies perpetuated by the Media. This would make an interesting case study, looking at how athletes construct their own identity in comparison to the identity constructed for them by the media.
Things to think about:
What is interesting is how the established media are constructing identities of the sportsmen and women at the Rio Olympics that reinforce the stereotypes and dominant ideologies that surround both genders.
Look at how audiences are empowered by social media, using it to 'call out' and challenge these ideologies perpetuated by the Media. This would make an interesting case study, looking at how athletes construct their own identity in comparison to the identity constructed for them by the media.
Things to think about:
- How can this be used to explore Hegemony?
- What does this say about the power of the established media and their influence over audiences?
- What does this say about audiences and their influence on established media?
- Does this challenge the hyperdermic needle theory?
- How has new and digital media influenced audiences and institutions and perhaps changed their relationship?
- How is new and digital media used to construct identity and is there any negative implications to this?
Friday 2 September 2016
The BBC Licence fee
The BBC is funded by the licence fee, however this only covers access via a traditional household TV and has enabled audiences to watch BBC programming online through i-player and live streaming through the internet for free.
This obviously has serious financial implications for the BBC - if people are not paying the licence fee because of this loop hole then cuts are necessary and this puts the future of the BBC in to question.
As of yesterday (September 1st 2016) The BBC have now made changes to cover this loop hole meaning that anyone streaming or downloading BBC content must now have a licence fee. See what the BBC have to say about this here
This is particularly relevant for the new and digital technology question in the exam. Think about some of the following:
This obviously has serious financial implications for the BBC - if people are not paying the licence fee because of this loop hole then cuts are necessary and this puts the future of the BBC in to question.
As of yesterday (September 1st 2016) The BBC have now made changes to cover this loop hole meaning that anyone streaming or downloading BBC content must now have a licence fee. See what the BBC have to say about this here
This is particularly relevant for the new and digital technology question in the exam. Think about some of the following:
- How has technological convergence impacted on audiences and institutions in this instance?
- How has cross media convergence impacted on audiences and institutions in this instance?
Saturday 20 August 2016
The rise of Podcasts
Do you listen to Podcasts? (I am presuming that the answer is 'yes' as I have recommended some very useful podcasts in the links column on the right) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What is the benefit of podcasts? Scroobious Pip mentions two very good reasons below but can you think of any others?
Consider:
-Why are podcasts popular?
-How are they accessed and consumed by audiences?
-Who are the Producers of podcasts (audiences, established media or both?)
-How has new and digital technology impacted on the production, distribution and consumption of podcasts?
-What content is released and how is this regulated?
Read the Guardian article below -
‘It can get incredibly heavy, but there’s also a lot of silly nonsense’: Scroobius Pip. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/Observer
What is the benefit of podcasts? Scroobious Pip mentions two very good reasons below but can you think of any others?
Consider:
-Why are podcasts popular?
-How are they accessed and consumed by audiences?
-Who are the Producers of podcasts (audiences, established media or both?)
-How has new and digital technology impacted on the production, distribution and consumption of podcasts?
-What content is released and how is this regulated?
Read the Guardian article below -
Afixture on the UK spoken-word scene, Scroobius Pip (aka David Meads) got his break in 2007 with Thou Shalt Always Kill, the first release in an eight-year collaboration with hip-hop producer Dan le Sac. In 2014, he quit his award-winning show on Xfm (now Radio X), The Beatdown, to start a podcast, Distraction Pieces. A book of the same name, gathering conversations from the podcast, is published by Cassell on 15 August.
How would you describe the podcast?
It’s interesting conversations with interesting people. Obviously it’s important to have some big names in there, such as Simon Pegg, Alan Moore and Billy Bragg, but we’ve also had people such as Dr Suzi Gage, who studies recreational drugs and their potential benefits and negatives, and the mortician Carla Valentinetalking about the taboo of death. It can get incredibly heavy – we’ve had debates about race and mental health – but there’s also a lot of silly nonsense.
It’s interesting conversations with interesting people. Obviously it’s important to have some big names in there, such as Simon Pegg, Alan Moore and Billy Bragg, but we’ve also had people such as Dr Suzi Gage, who studies recreational drugs and their potential benefits and negatives, and the mortician Carla Valentinetalking about the taboo of death. It can get incredibly heavy – we’ve had debates about race and mental health – but there’s also a lot of silly nonsense.
How did it start?
I went on an American podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience in 2013. At the time, I had a radio show on Xfm, which went on to win two Sony awards. Joe asked: “Why do you work for someone else?” I said, “Well, they’re on FM.” He pointed out that most of my listeners were listening online and said: “I don’t know why, in this modern age, you’d work for someone else.” So I left Xfm in 2014 and started Distraction Pieces. Now I couldn’t do it any other way.
I went on an American podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience in 2013. At the time, I had a radio show on Xfm, which went on to win two Sony awards. Joe asked: “Why do you work for someone else?” I said, “Well, they’re on FM.” He pointed out that most of my listeners were listening online and said: “I don’t know why, in this modern age, you’d work for someone else.” So I left Xfm in 2014 and started Distraction Pieces. Now I couldn’t do it any other way.
Why not? Because the podcast gives you more freedom?
Completely. You can give a platform to unexpected people and talk about really challenging things. Also, there’s no time limit. My first guest was Russell Brand. At the time, he was everywhere in the press, but it was always 30-second soundbites. My podcast is 60 to 90 minutes long and not even Russell could maintain a front for that long. After 20 minutes it turned into a conversation between two blokes and he started to open up.
Completely. You can give a platform to unexpected people and talk about really challenging things. Also, there’s no time limit. My first guest was Russell Brand. At the time, he was everywhere in the press, but it was always 30-second soundbites. My podcast is 60 to 90 minutes long and not even Russell could maintain a front for that long. After 20 minutes it turned into a conversation between two blokes and he started to open up.
You had a full-time music career before this. What’s happening with that?
I decided I was going to take a couple of years off music to do acting, different kinds of writing and this podcast. Now I get over 100,000 listeners a week and it’s one of the most successful things I’ve ever done. That’s bittersweet at points, because I’ve worked very hard as a musician, but at least people are finding out about my music through the podcast.
I decided I was going to take a couple of years off music to do acting, different kinds of writing and this podcast. Now I get over 100,000 listeners a week and it’s one of the most successful things I’ve ever done. That’s bittersweet at points, because I’ve worked very hard as a musician, but at least people are finding out about my music through the podcast.
Was it a longstanding ambition to be a broadcaster?
Not at all. I’ve got a stutter – so it wasn’t an obvious career choice. I had to have my arm twisted to start doing my show on Xfm. Within a week or two I fell in love with it. It made me remember how good it felt when I got my first bit of music played on the station. All of a sudden I was giving other acts their first bit of airplay and it felt amazing to get that out there and push things.
Not at all. I’ve got a stutter – so it wasn’t an obvious career choice. I had to have my arm twisted to start doing my show on Xfm. Within a week or two I fell in love with it. It made me remember how good it felt when I got my first bit of music played on the station. All of a sudden I was giving other acts their first bit of airplay and it felt amazing to get that out there and push things.
What does the book do that isn’t already being done on the podcast?
I didn’t want to just publish the highlights, so we decided to break it up into categories. Different people give their opinions on subjects such as mental health, race and politics – also lighter subjects like comedy and the movies, or the creative process. When we were putting it together, I was blown away by the amazing bits of knowledge my guests have shared.
I didn’t want to just publish the highlights, so we decided to break it up into categories. Different people give their opinions on subjects such as mental health, race and politics – also lighter subjects like comedy and the movies, or the creative process. When we were putting it together, I was blown away by the amazing bits of knowledge my guests have shared.
How’s the acting going?
The first film I got was Guy Ritchie’s Knights of the Roundtable [now retitled King Arthur: Legend of the Sword], which is out next year. And I recently did a series for the BBC called Taboo with Tom Hardy and Stephen Graham. I play a smuggler called French Bill. It’s a small role but I was very honoured to have it develop as the series went on. I’ve no idea where all this is leading, but it’s a great start.
The first film I got was Guy Ritchie’s Knights of the Roundtable [now retitled King Arthur: Legend of the Sword], which is out next year. And I recently did a series for the BBC called Taboo with Tom Hardy and Stephen Graham. I play a smuggler called French Bill. It’s a small role but I was very honoured to have it develop as the series went on. I’ve no idea where all this is leading, but it’s a great start.
ITV to switch off its seven channels for an hour for Olympics event
Have you been watching the Olympics?
Has it inspired you to pursue any sport over the holidays? Would ITV's move of switching off all of its channels for one hour encourage you to go out and be active rather than sitting and watching TV?
This is an interesting move by ITV and provokes some questions that we can explore in media studies:
-Does this demonstrate the power and influence of TV?
-Does it conform to the hyperdermic needle theory (Are we passive audiences that will do as we have been instructed?)
-Given the number and variety of TV channels available, vide on demand and online content - is this ever going to work?
-How will auidences respond to this and how will they use media formats to express their opinions on this?
-Is this reinforcing dominant ideologies about health?
-How has the media constructed representations of the British athletes and what impact has this had on audiences?
-Is this an example of Hegemony?
It is due to go ahead for an hour starting at 9.30am on the 27th of August. Keep an eye out on live TV and social media in the run up and during this time to gauge different audiences and their reactions
Read about it here
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