A2 Coursework: B324 Deadlines (2017-18)

28th August: x30 research tasks:

• 10 short films
• 10 posters
• 10 film reviews

Or the equivalent texts, dependent on your chosen brief. 

25th September: All research tasks completed:

• 30 set
• 10 independent
• Target audience research

16th October: All Planning documents:

• Script
• Storyboard
• Animatic

11th December: First complete draft:

• Main video
• Ancillary 1
• Ancillary 2

5th February: Final drafts:

• Main video
• Ancillary 1
• Ancillary 2

5th March: Evaluation & Blog complete

AS/A2 Snow Day Work!

School is closed on Monday 21st January.

Please work on the following tasks...

Year 12

1. Continue working on your research/prep for your Magazine Industry presentations.

2. Take the opportunity to update your coursework blog.

Year 13

1. Read this article about the Coen Brothers: Coughlin, P., 2003, Joel and Ethan Coen, Senses of Cinema, Issue 26: http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/coens/

2. Take the opportunity to update your coursework blog.

The Web is REAL!

Blogging and Research

Melissa emailed me and asked if she was on the right track with her blog. I was happy to oblige and found that she was making good progress. I felt that it was also an opportunity to impart some advice and guidance about what she should do next, particularly in relation to the research she is doing into the Thriller Genre.  As I was finishing up the comment I realised that this was useful advice for everybody, so here it is...

"Some advice... 

The post above looks like the result of 'Secondary Research', e.g. you looked things up on the web? Am I right? If so, then you should reference the websites that you drew the information from. 

This research is a great start. Now, I would recommend that you watch some openings and analyse them technically: camera, editing, sound, mise-en-scene. This is another area where the two sides of the course cross-over. :-) 

Also, aim to be 'completist'. I liked that you posted about camera techniques, including examples. You could tie this into the task above. Watch 4 clips. For each one, analyse one area. E.g. watch the opening sequence of 'Lost Highway' by David Lynch and analyse the use of camera work. Then watch the opening of 'Se7en' and analyse the mise-en-scene. And so on. It will help you develop both an understanding of the technical codes and conventions of thrillers while also helping you to develop your skills of analysing specific features."

To summarise:

• Reference sources
• Complete textual analysis of thriller openings
• Break that analysis up into specific areas to focus your learning/understanding

Further notes on blogging...

First, make sure that you have read this post...

I have seen some excellent work on your blogs so far, but there is always room for improvement, particularly when you are developing new practices.

Here are a few additional bits of advice, based on what I have seen so far.

• Don't copy up (or worse - copy & paste) your notes verbatim on to your blog. There is no point to this. Instead, do one or a combination of the following:
• Summarise what you have learned in to short, precise, manageable chunks;
• Use key terms but also write in your own voice;
• Apply what you have learned to new examples to check/demonstrate your understanding;
• Make links between work with Mr. Ford and I (This is really important as it will help you to develop a more cogent understanding of the key concepts);
• Reflect on what, how and why you learned something? How has it helped you to better understand a particular concept or idea?

• Don't write everything up. If you are set an essay, there is no need to write your notes up. Instead, complete the essay and publish it on your blog.

• With regards to homework... please publish it on your blog. While we will discuss it in class, it allows us to assess your progress individually.

• You need to log into your blog regularly to check for comments. If Mr Ford or I comment and ask you to do something, then please do it. Do not view this as extra work! This is us, doing our job, helping you to improve your skills and understanding.

If you have any further questions about your blog, please come and talk to me or send me a tweet.

A note on blogging...

A brief guide for AS student's who have begun blogging...

1. Check out previous students blogs to develop an understanding of what to include/write about; expectations in terms of post length/quality; and how to use/embed media including video, audio and documents.

The following blogs are a good place to start...

• Serena Moriarty
• Heather Casey
• Lucy Taylor
• Joshua Gray

2. Blog regularly - a minimum of once a week.

3. Your blog is your 'Foundation Portfolio in Media'. It is a record of the stages of your coursework: Research, Planning, (Post)Production, Evaluation. Therefore, it needs to be detailed and well written. Proof read your posts. Your blog will be marked and will be sent for moderation.

4. All of your posts should demonstrate learning and understanding. And where appropriate, given the purpose of the post, include evidence of analysis, reflection and evaluation. This may also include work done with me as there are direct links between the two sides of the course.

5. Evaluation is one of the most important skills at AS Level. See this document for additional guidance on what 'evaluation' is.

6. Finally, post rather than draft. You can edit/add to posts, even if they have been published. Mr Ford and I can only help you if we can see where you are at on your blog. If you keep lots of drafts we can not help you and will likely draw the conclusion that you are behind with your work.

Remember, you can get in touch with us via email or Twitter. And don't forget to ask your A2 peers. Josh, Hannah, Lucy, Danni, Avvy, Alice & Alice will be more than happy to help you.

Happy blogging...

Mr. M.

The Machine is Us/ing Us

"Web 2.0" in just under 5 minutes.

 

Guest Blogger!

For the first time ever Media @ CCC is going to feature blog posts from a guest blogger. Having already shared some useful links, Sophie Lowden has signed on to add musings, ideas and links to the blog. 


I think this is going to be an exciting new feature and hope that you all enjoying discovering more about media, film and animation through Sophie's unique insight.


Welcome Sophie, the students and I look forward to your first post! :-)

This could be you! #2

Caroline Jackson graduated from CCC in 2008 having achieved a stunningly high A grade in Media Studies.

A thoroughly engaging young lady; she set off for Sheffield University to study Journalism and now finds herself a dissertation shy of graduation and the world of work.

I stumbled upon a blog she has been keeping; offering her musings on fashion, music, and anything else that takes her fancy. Her written word has a unique sense of irony and a deeply aesthetic vocabulary. 

Check it out here: Dressing up with Caroline Jane.

Media @ CCC Blog Update

Current AS and A2 coursework blogs can be found in the sidebar. Please scroll down to see this years' coursework in progress.

There is now a coursework archive with all students blogs created since the introduction of the new OCR 4-unit syllabus. This includes AS blogs from 2009 and 2010 and A2 blogs from 2010.

AS | A2: Snow, Xmas & Deadlines!

Dear all, due to the snow, school is closed today (Friday 18th December).  Due to this fact you will not be able to take equipment away to film during the Christmas break.  Because of this, coursework deadlines for both AS and A2 students will be pushed back by 2 weeks.

Please focus on your blog and your exam units!

A2: Click here for work on Regulation & Censorship.

AS: Please get your blogs sorted!  Also, please make sure that you practice your analysis and note making skills - watch at least 2 openings and make detailed notes focussing on Camera, Editing, Sound & Mise-en-scene.  Then complete the practice task set here on the Long Road Media Studies: TV Drama Blog!

AS: Coursework updates...

...please c vle course 4 updates 2 deadlines, reminders about blogging, evaluation questions & guidance on how the rough cut & final cuts of your films r 2 b submitted!

Remember, if u have any questions please c Mr. Michie...he is always happy 2 help!

AS/ A2: Useful Websites to support your learning!

Media Magazine - Physical copies can be found in the Media room and the LRC. For access to the online site please ask Mr Michie for the username and password.

MediaKnowall - A sound, reasonably detailed site; not a bad place to start at the beginning of the unit.

Theory.org.uk - Excellent site created by David Gauntlett - particularly useful for AS students studying Audiences and Institutions and A2 students developing their theoretical knowledge.

Media Studies Ringwood - An excellent blog; an excellent school - check out the resources here and also take the time to watch the excellent coursework produced by the students.

Long Road Media - One of the most successful Media college's in the country. Resources are of the highest order, as is the work produced by the students who attend.

Robert Smyth School - Excellent range of resources.

OCR Virtual Media Studies - Provides good information and some useful resources - definitely a case of pick and choose.

Y12 Cover Work from Mr Michie - Monday 30th November

Please make sure that your blog is up to date and has all sections completed to an excellent standard - use this as an opportunity to get this area of your coursework on track.  Don't forget: locations, props and costumes, actors / actresses should have been investigated, decisions made, photographed and blogged.

See these blogs as a guide to the standard you should be aiming for:

Clare's blog

Andrew's blog

I will see your presentations / animatics on Thursday!

Mr. M.

Y13 ILP Day 1 - Resources

Here are the PowerPoints used for sessions 2 and 3.

REFLECTION AND EVALUATION

View more presentations from jamesmichie.

A2 BLOGGING

View more presentations from jamesmichie.