Where can I find Digipaks to analyse?

Answer: discogs.com.

Search an artist or album:

In the list presented, search for ‘gat' or ‘dig'.

Hopefully, you will find that the entire packaging has been scanned and added.

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

Steven Spielberg: Opening Shots 1971-1991

Interesting video collection of Steven Spielberg's opening shots from 1971-1991.

Useful for A2 Short Film and Trailer students and AS Opening students.

What should I be doing?

Music Video:

1. Research in to Music Video styles: Concept, Performance, Narrative, Hybrid.
2. Research into existing media: 10 x Music Videos; 10 x Digi Packs (4 and 6 panel); 10 x Adverts

Short Film:

1. Research into existing media: 10 x Short Films; 10 x Reviews; 10 Websites or Posters
2. Detailed research into Genre.

Trailer:

1. Research into existing media: 10 x Trailers; 10 x Film Posters; 10 x Film Magazine covers
2. Detailed research into Genre.

There should never be an idle moment.

Mr. M.

Under the Influence: Barry Jenkins on Wong Kar-Wai

It is always interesting to see how one director influences another...

In this video, Barry Jenkins discusses the influence that Wong Kar-Wai had on his work.

Here is a side by side comparison of shots from 'Moonlight' and various Wong Kar-Wai films.

Wong Kar-Wai is one of my favourite directors. Every film student must watch 'In the Mood for Love'. It is a masterpiece of cinematography, mise-en-scene, sound and editing working in unison to make a true work of art.

Both videos were found via: FilmSchoolRejects, which is a fantastic site that regularly shares interesting articles and videos about film. Consider following them on Twitter or Facebook.

Editing: The 'Match Cut'

A fantastic compilation of match cuts from various films... useful for editing revision and inspiration for your practical work. :)

Art of the Title: Stranger Things

Another fantastic breakdown and analysis from 'Art of the Title'; this time for 'Stranger Things' (my fave show of 2016).

As you continue your coursework research, you must make use of the site 'Art of the Title'. They have covered some of the most iconic title sequences in significant detail, including:

• Dial M for Murder
• Alien
• Twin Peaks
• Blade Runner
• Fargo
• Se7en
• Trainspotting
• This is England
• Moon
• Oblivion

Kubrick

A look at the cinematic experience of Stanley Kubrick. His work is a tour-de-force of symbolism, narrative exposition and cinematography. His attention to detail may only be matched by Wes Anderson and his editing is without a doubt meticulous.

Much can be learned here, both in terms of your own production work but also in terms of Postmodern Media. Enjoy!

Learn Cinematography and Composition by following @comp_cam

To learn more about cinematography and composition, follow Composition Cam on Twitter (@comp_cam) and Instagram.

You don't want to go down this hallway. #TheShining #StanleyKubrick pic.twitter.com/EXltbkP9gx

— Composition Cam (@comp_cam) June 1, 2016

Genre: Film Noir

Useful article looking at the use of low-key lighting and black and white in the Film Noir genre.

http://petapixel.com/2015/07/04/a-look-at-the-striking-low-key-black-and-white-style-of-film-noir-cinema/

The Great Gatsby - Green Screen and CGI.

The 30 Best Movie Posters of 2013

Flavorwire has published their list of thirty great movie posters from 2013. The selection demonstrates a diverse range of styles and genres. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you are working on the 'Short Film' brief.

Digipak Templates in Ps and Ai Formats

Templates for those of you doing the Music Promo Brief.

Link 1

Link 2

A Talk With Hitchcock

Whether you're an AS or A2 Media student, this interview with Alfred Hitchcock, in which he discusses his creative process, is really useful. It gives a detailed insight into how to tell stories on film. The section on 'cutting' is particularly insightful.

Part 1 and Part 2.

'Every Movie Poster that Saul Bass Ever Made'

For those of you who have chosen the short film brief. Here is an excellent place to start your analysis of film posters.

Saul Bass was one of the greatest designers of both title sequences and film posters. Here you can view all of his posters, including 'The Man Who Knew Too Much', 'Vertigo', 'The Shining' and 'Schindler's List'.

Remember in your analysis of print media to consider all aspects of the composition:

• Images*
• Fonts*
• Language*
• Colour*
• Layout^

*Don't forget that your understanding of semiotics should inform/be part of your analysis

^This includes the narrative structure of the poster. Yes! Print Media has a narrative structure.

(via Doug Belshaw)

[A2] Evolution of Advertising

This might be useful...

A2: G324 Evaluation & G325 1a / 1b

What follows is info and links to support you in writing your coursework evaluation and beginning your preparation for Section A of the exam.

G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media (Evaluation)

Your evaluation requires you to respond to the following questions:

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
2. How effective is the combination of your main and ancillary texts?
3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?
4. How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

This is to be presented electronically in one of the following forms:

• a presentation using slideshow software such as PowerPoint
• a blog or website
• a podcast
• a DVD with 'extras'

You may have noticed that there are less questions compared with your AS evaluation. However, the expected response to each of these questions should demonstrate a far more technical and detailed approach.

Useful Links:

What is evaluation?

An A* student's blog

Another A* student's blog

G325: Critical Perspectives in Media (1a / 1b)

Moreover, this is not your only chance to evaluate your coursework. You will also have a synoptic evaluation of your coursework in your final exam. This will be in essay format responding to two questions. You should spend 30 minutes on each one.

1a - You will be required to describe and evaluate your technical skills over the course of your production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus is for you to reflect on and evaluate the way your skills have developed. You will be required to adapt your response to two of the following production practices:

• Digital Technology
• Creativity
• Research and Planning
• Post-production
• Using conventions from real media texts

1b - You will be required to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept. The list of concepts are as follows:

• Genre
• Narrative
• Representation
• Audience
• Media Language

Useful Links:

Media Theory presentations 1, 2 and 3

Media Language - Huge Resource

More Media Theory

Approaching Question 1a

How to prepare for question 1b

How to do an exam answer

Responding to 1a

[AS] Useful Stuff!

We've been adding 'useful stuff' to this blog since 2006. I thought it might be pertinent to highlight some older posts that you might find useful as you add the finishing touches to your coursework, and begin your revision.

Semiotics - The Bad Colour

The use of colour in film

Anatomy of a Scene

Key Concepts and the Language of the Moving Image

Editing and Representation

TV Drama - Example Responses

A History of the Title Sequence

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Title Sequences

Long Road Media

Media Studies Ringwood

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.

Learn Adobe Premiere Pro

For those of you embarking on your first video-based editing project and for those of you who need a refresher, Adobe have put together a useful set of video's to help you learn to use Adobe Premiere Pro.

CS5.5 (Old Macs)

CS6 (New Macs)