Everything is a Remix - Remastered (2015)

Kirby Ferguson has remastered his seminal series 'Everything is a Remix' as one single video. This continues to be the starting point for our study into Postmodern Media.

Please watch and make detailed notes. We will begin our study of Postmodern Media on Thursday 1st October.

A2 Easter Homework

Respond to the following #pomo question

• Explain why the idea of ‘postmodern media’ might be considered controversial

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Delve into the resources related to Q1a and Q1b.

Work on your evaluation.

You know where I am if you need me! :-)

AS Easter Homework

Please respond to the following exam question:

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts.

Additional resources:

Mind Map

Pete Fraser (Chief Examiner) Advice

Audiences & Institutions: The Magazine Industry [Mind Map]

Here is a PDF of the mind map (as far as w got in the lesson). Your HOMEWORK is to complete the mind map adding more info to the various sections; in particular: Challenges, NMT and Synergy. 

I have added a few extra bits of info already so do look at the document carefully. I really want to see you add features from your case studies and also quotations from your wider reading on the topic. 

You need to be prepared to share and feedback what you have added in our first lesson after half term.

From Structuralism to Postmodernism

As promised here is your homework... it is in many parts...

First, I want to discuss audience theory in more detail next week. Please read through and make notes on the audience theories covered in the 'Audience' presentation in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-series-of-student-made-presentations.html

Then read the section on audience in the document, embedded in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-more-media-theory-courtesy-latymer.html

Second, read through this quotation from Jameson again, and respond to the questions that follow:

"Jameson characterizes postmodern society with four elements: (1) superficiality and lack of depth; (2) the waning of emotion or affect; (3) a loss of historicity; and (4) new technologies. A consequence of this is that people are unable to make sense of an increasingly complex society."

• What are the implications of this?

• How does this support/develop the arguments and ideas that we have encountered with Strinati and Baudrillard?

Third, consider the following statements. Do they accurately reflect the ideas we encountered within each paradigm?

• Structuralism: The 'Media' has the power to control

• Post-structuralism: The 'Media' does not have control

• Postmodernism: The 'Media' is control

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.

Semiotics (Homework)

Just a reminder for AS students to work through the pages of this resource on Semiotics:

• Semiotics: "The Science of Signs"

Make notes as you go and come to tomorrow's lessons with any questions that you might have.

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If you want to push yourself, you could also begin reading through this resource:

• 'Semiotics for Beginners' by David Chandler

It is a degree level text covering the basics of semiotics and beyond, including 'Encoding/Decoding' and 'Intertextuality'.

See you tomorrow...

Mr. M.

A2: Easter Homework and Deadlines

1. Coursework Evaluation - First Draft to be completed and handed in by Tuesday, 17 April.

2. Practice essays - Q1a and Q1b to be completed and handed in by Thursday, 19 April.

3. Update and prepare presentations on Audience, Representation, Genre and Narrative - Due to be presented on Tuesday, 24 April.

Useful Links:

• Media Theory
• Sample Questions (1a & 1b)
• Student presentations

A2: Postmodern Media Wiki

In order to help you revise I want you to collaboratively edit a wiki covering the entire unit. The exercise will force you to truncate the masses of notes, quotes and information that you have accumulated in to a manageable resource that can be used for revision.

The wiki is available here: http://learning.chalfonts.bucks.sch.uk/mod/wiki/view.php?id=22954

The enrolment key is: fargo

AS: Half-Term Homework - TV Drama Revision

Read through and make notes from the following slides:

View more presentations from petefrasers

They are from Pete Fraser. He is the chief examiner for A-Level Media Studies.

Also, complete your audience survey analysis and finish reading the various articles you were given on Wednesday.

A2: Coen Brothers, Postmodernism, Fargo

Please complete the following reading:

Coughlin, Paul., 2003, Joel and Ethan Coen, Senses of Cinema, Issue 26: http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/coens/

Sharrett, Christopher., 2004, Chapter 4: Fargo, or the Blank Frontier, The Coen Brothers' Fargo, Cambridge University Press:

A2: 2011 UK Riots: A Hyperreal Event?

Christmas Homework: Part 1:

Based on your understanding of Baudrillard's theory of Hyperreality, complete the following essay. You must refer to the David Buckingham article: "There's a riot going on" featured in Media Magazine - December 2011. However, you may also wish to refer to the 9/11 and Saddam Statue examples as well as 'The Matrix' and 'Blade Runner' to support your arguments.

"The 2011 UK Riots can only be understood as a hyperreal event." To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The word count is 800. Please read over your targets from your previous assessment before completing this one.

Christmas Homework: Part 2:

Complete the following research (you might want to do this before you write the essay):

• What is the 'effects model'?
• What is the agenda setting model'?
• What is the 'uses and gratifications' theory?
• What is 'selective exposure'?
• What is 'selective perception'?

Bonus Material: Here are David Buckingham' slides that accompanied a presentation he gave at the Media Magazine conference. They make a useful accompaniment to the article.

Bricolage and Self-reference in the Matrix

Please remember to watch the rest of this video and makes notes as your homework. Will be discussed in Tuesday's lesson.

Have a good weekend.
Mr. M.

AS Media Studies - Y12 Homework Link & QR Code

Year 12. This is a permanent link for your homework. You can scan the code with your phone or simply click on the link.

Remember, you can also subscribe to the Twitter feed to keep up to date with the course. See the link in the sidebar on the right.

Homework Link: http://delivr.com/18tq0

Homework QR Code:

GCSE Media Studies - Y11 Homework Link & QR Code

Year 11 Media Studies students. Scan the code or click the link to see your homework.

New homework will be set each week but the link / QR Code will remain the same.

Link: http://delivr.com/18tom

QR Code:

A2: The Breakfast Club

Below are the questions you need to complete for Tuesday's lesson, based on your viewing of The Breakfast Club:

1. How do the characters deviate from their normal roles during the detention session? 

2. What is the status of each character prior to the detention session? How does this change during their detention session?

3. Who exhibits power, and how is it conveyed in the movie? 

4. What factors contribute to the group's cohesiveness? 

5. Discuss the role that stereotyping plays in this movie.

Extension: Consider what you learned about audience theories and how you might apply those apposing ideas to this film. For example how might an analysis of the film based on 'Reception Theory' differ from a 'Structuralist' analysis?

GCSE Media Studies Homework

Great to see the effort some students put into their homework in the run up to exams: