Media Studies

You are here: Home > About Us > Media Studies

Media Studies

Head of Department: Mr D Powell

Overview

The Media Studies Department. is changing and developing to offer new and exciting curriculum opportunities as well as extra curricular learning. Media Studies at A Level is well established and produces good results and next year an additional course in Film Studies will be offered. This can be taken as an addition to Media Studies or studied separately.

There are also new clubs being offered with Warlingham Film Club a new and exciting chance to develop an interest in film.

The department currently housed in two rooms, one of which has a suite of PCs which include the latest industry software such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro. The other room contains a suite of Apple Mac computers, lighting equipment and the latest digital cameras.

The department aims to provide the students with learning which is relevant to living in the modern world, to make them aware of industry influence on student’s everyday lives. We also aim to engender an appreciation of creative opportunities within the media and to help students develop high level skills.

Expectations for students are high and media students are expected to be both responsible and professional. Our methods of working allow for opportunities for independent learning and for students to take responsibility for their learning, combining theory with practical skills while always remembering to have fun.

Film Studies Course Overview

This specification is divided into a total of 4 units, two AS units and two A2 units. Weigh noted below are expressed in terms of the full A level qualification (AS in brackets).

The AS/A specification in Film Studies is designed to deepen students' understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of film, the major art form of the twentieth century, and one developing new modes of expression and exhibition in the first decades of the twenty-first century. The specification builds on the cineliteracy learners have developed informally since childhood. They will study film deriving

from a variety of production contexts and experienced in a variety of viewing situations. They will also engage with a wide range of different kinds of films,developing skills of observation, critical analysis and personal reflection, as well as developing their creativity and practical skills, either in audio-visual or written form. A variety of forms of assessment are used, with the intention of producing imaginative, active learners. In particular, the specification explores the relationship between the film and the individual by exploring how films create meanings and produce both intellectual and

emotional responses. Additionally, the aesthetic and sensory qualities of film are emphasised as integral to a study of the interaction between films and spectators.

Analysis is enabled by the application of critical approaches appropriate to this level, as well as through creative project work. The study of film producers and audiences explores issues of production and consumption: the supply of and demand for films. Some of the recurring debates within film culture will be explored. These include the global dominance of Hollywood, strategies for supporting indigenous film and the significance of fandom. The specification introduces students to the diverse range of film forms and film styles developed in different places throughout the history of cinema. In giving students the opportunity to study significant film movements and aspects of national cinemas, it is intended that an interest in film culture will be fostered which can be taken forward in lifelong learning.

As the only dedicated Level 3 specification in Film Studies, this contributes to the quality and coherence of provision nationally. With its emphases on visual storytelling and aesthetics, it extends areas of experience covered by literature and art history specifications. With its emphases on contexts of production and reception, and on cultural politics, it has close affinities with courses in Media and Cultural Studies. With its options in creative work, it opens up the study of film aesthetics and film form, as well as broader political and ethical issues through experiential learning.

AS Level Film Studies Course Overview

Unit 1: FM1 20 % (40%) Internal Assessment

Exploring Film Form

One analysis of how the micro aspects of a chosen extract from a film of candidate's choice produce meanings and responses (1500 words) (30).
One creative project based on a film sequence or short film (50: sequence or short film [40]/reflective analysis [10]).

Paper raw mark total: 80

Paper UMS total: 80

Unit 2: FM2 30% (60%) External Assessment

2½ hours Written Paper

British and American Film

Three questions, one from each section:

Section A: Response to stimulus material set by Awarding Body based on producers and audiences of film (40)

Section B: Topics in British Film (40)

Section C: US Film - Comparative study of two films (40)

Paper raw mark total: 120

Paper UMS total: 120

A2 Level Film Studies Course Overview (the above plus a further 2 units)

Unit 3: FM3 25 % Internal Assessment

Film Research and Creative Projects

a small-scale research project (40)
creative project (60 - 45 product/15 reflective analysis)

Paper raw mark total: 100

Paper UMS total: 100

Unit 4: FM4 25 % External Assessment:

2 ¾ hour Written Paper

Varieties of Film Experience: Issues and Debates

Three questions, one from each section:

Section A: World Cinema topics (35)

Section B: Spectatorship topics (35)

Section C: Single Film - Critical Study (30)

Paper raw mark total: 100

Paper UMS total: 100

Media Studies Course Overview

WJEC Media Studies specification is designed to allow media students to draw on their existing experience of the media and to develop their abilities to respond critically to the media. It enables students to explore a wide variety of media, including digital media technologies, drawing on the fundamental concepts informing the study of the media: texts, industry and audiences.

The specification also encourages creative work to enable students to gain a greater appreciation of the media through their own production work and to develop their own production skills. At A2 in particular, students are given the opportunity to research a topic which will then form the basis for their production, thus encouraging them to create productions informed by an awareness of contemporary media issues.

AS Level Media Studies Course Overview (2 units)

Unit 1: MS1 25 % (50%) External Assessment: 2½ hour Written Paper

Media Representations and Responses

Three compulsory questions, including one question on unseen audio-visual or print-

based material (interactive media will be presented as print-based) (40, 30 & 30).

Paper raw mark total: 100

Paper UMS total: 100

Unit 2: MS2 25% (50%) Internal Assessment

Media Production Processes

Three components: one pre-production (20); one production which develops from the pre-production (40); and one report on the production process (40)
(Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only.)

Paper raw mark total: 100

Paper UMS total: 100

A2 Level Media Studies Course Overview (the above plus a further 2 units)

Unit 3: MS3 25% Internal Assessment

Media Investigation & Production

Three components: a written investigation into media text(s) based on one or more of the key media concepts – genre, narrative and/or representation (45); a media production (45); and an evaluation of how the production is informed by the investigative research (10).
(Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only.)

Paper raw mark total: 100

Paper UMS total: 100

Unit 4: MS4 25% External Assessment: 2½ hour Written Paper

Media – Text, Industry and Audience

Three questions (30 marks per question).

Section A: one question from a choice of two.
Section B: two questions from a choice of four. Candidates must answer each question on a different media industry.

Paper raw mark total: 90

Paper UMS total: 100

A Level Exam Boards Used

WJEC