QE Media

This year is split 50/50:

• MS3 Coursework (100 marks)

• MS4 Exam (90 marks = 100 UMS)

 

MS3 : Media Investigation and Production and Evaluation

MS4 : Media: Text, Industry and Audience 

 

 

MS3: MEDIA INVESTIGATION AND PRODUCTION

Click here for MS3 booklet

 

Introduction

This unit develops the knowledge and skills acquired at AS and as such contributes to synoptic assessment. In particular, it is designed to demonstrate the importance of research in informing media production and to develop the skills acquired in MS2.

 

Assessment Objectives:

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes, and when evaluating your own practical work, to show how meanings and responses are created
AO3: Demonstrate your ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills
AO4: Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research

 

Content

You are required to produce three pieces of linked work:

• a research investigation (1400 – 1800 words): 45 marks

• a production (informed by the investigation): 45 marks

• a brief evaluation (500 – 750 words): 10 marks

 

Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve 

a total mark for the unit.

(a) Research Investigation

Candidates are required to undertake an individual investigation into a specific area of 

study focused on one of the following concepts: genre, narrative or representation. 

Their research should draw on a range of both primary and secondary sources. It should 

enable candidates to reach conclusions that will inform their production.

Examples of investigations include:

• the representation of teenagers in two/three British films

• the generic similarities between Dr Who and Stargate

• the representation of women in women's lifestyle magazines

• the narrative structures of The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

(b) Production

Candidates are required to submit a production which should develop from and be informed

by the candidate's research investigation. This production must be in a different form from 

the AS production.

Audio-visual productions should be up to 4 minutes in length (depending on the nature of the production).

Print-based productions (or their digital equivalent) should be a minimum of 3 pages.

Digital media (other than audio-visual productions) and print-based productions must be individual. 

Audio-visual productions can be produced either individually or in groups (maximum 4). 

Group tasks must offer appropriate opportunities for each candidate to demonstrate an individual contribution.

(c) Evaluation

The production must be accompanied by an individual evaluation which explores how the production has been informed by the research undertaken into the relevant media concept.

Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve a total mark for the unit (out of 100).

 

Guidance

 

Titles

Coming up with a good title for your investigation is crucial. This will be negotiated with your teacher. 

 

A good title:

• needs to be focused (can be based on one, two or three texts)

• must include the concept being investigated (genre, narrative or representation)

Research
You will need to develop your research skills to equip you to work independently.
You need to undertake a range of research, including:

 

• primary research (such as textual analysis, content analysis, questionnaires, focus groups etc), and

• secondary research (books, magazines, internet relevant to the investigation).

 

A ‘bibliography’ or list of sources referred to must be included. 

 

Clarity and accuracy is more important than the style of referencing.

 

THE EXAM

MS4: MEDIA – TEXT, INDUSTRY AND AUDIENCE

 

Introduction

This unit is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the relationship between media texts, their audiences and the industries which produce and distribute them.

 

Progression from AS is demonstrated through this emphasis on the relationship between text, audience and industry and the debates surrounding the nature of that relationship. 

 

Your understanding of the media will also be more informed by appropriate theoretical perspectives.

 

Content - click here for more detail on each industry

We will look at the following industries:

• Television 

• Film 

• Computer Games

 

For each industry, three main texts should provide the focus for your study. At least two of the chosen texts must be contemporary and one must be British. 

For each text selected, you should consider the following as appropriate:

 

Text

• genre
• narrative
• representation

 

Industry

• production
• distribution (and exhibition where relevant)
• marketing and promotion
• regulation issues
• global implications
• relevant historical background

 

Audience

• audience/user targeting
• audience/user positioning
• audience responses and user interaction
• debates about the relationship between audiences/users and text.

Assessment:

A written examination of two and a half hours 
The paper will consist of two sections: 

• Section A will offer two questions based on media texts; 

• Section B will offer four questions based on industry and audience issues.

 

You will be required to answer one question from Section A and two questions from Section B, using a different media industry for each answer. Each question will require you to make reference to the three main texts you have studied for each media industry.