Media Paper 1: Learner Response :)

1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to).

WWW: Really good focus on Q2 representations of masculinity with social/historical contexts with references to both print adverts 

EBI: Develop industry section for Q6- not enough subject knowledge on how new technology influenced marketing/distribution of the film industry 

2) Read the mark scheme for this exam carefully, paying particular attention to the 'indicative content' for each question. This is some of the best analysis you can do as it gives you an idea of what the exam board is expecting. For your LR blogpost, identify ONE point you could have added for the first three questions in Section A:

• Q1 (unseen text) additional point/theory: The black and white colour scheme offers connotations of class, traditional and style with the limited use of red drawing attention to the brand logo 

• Q2 (unseen text and CSP) additional point/theory/CSP reference: Applying van Zoonen: building on Butler, van Zoonen argues sex role stereotypes are reinforced by the media and this advert emphasises male power, wealth and professional success 

• Q3 (Letter to the Free) additional point/theory/CSP reference: There is also a cinema verité aesthetic which constitutes a viewpoint (black and white film, realistic location, element of historical accuracy)

3) Now focus on Section B. Section B began with two questions testing your knowledge of industry terminology. Make sure you know the answers to these (get the answers from the mark scheme if you have to):

• Benefits of vertical integration: 

- Greater control of the production process 

- Lower costs and higher profits 

• Definition and benefits of diversification: Diversification is when a media company branches out into a different area of the media industries. For example, in the film and TV industries major companies such as Disney have diversified into streaming to remain market leaders (Disney+) and prevent newer companies such as Netflix overtaking their market share 

4) The Section B CSP focus was on Blinded By The Light. The impact of new technology on distribution was a weaker area in most answers. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you could have included in your answer here.

• Streaming has changed the way audiences watch films with audiences increasingly watching movies using streaming sites on smaller devices (such as phones and tablets) meaning cinema exhibition is struggling to retain its relevance and influence in the industry

• In many ways, Blinded By The Light is a very traditional film release – adapted from a book, directed by Gurinder Chadha who had previous success with Bend It Like Beckham and bought at auction by New Line Cinema for a traditional summer release 

• However, technology arguably has saved the film (and New Line Cinema who paid $15m for the rights to distribute) with deals to make Blinded By The Light available first on Amazon Prime and then on Netflix. This means the film will continue to generate income despite the initial disappointing box office figures 

5) Finally, identify three things you plan to revise before your next Media assessment or mock exam (e.g. terminology, particular theories or CSPs etc.)

• Revise different fonts so that I can refer to the typography in the unseen texts more confidently

• I also need to work on theories that relate to Common's Letter to the Free because I lost marks by not mentioning any theories 

• I need to revise Blinded by the Light in more detail because I need to ensure I use the names of the companies that bought the film and when 

Magazine Cover: Learner Response :)

1) Add your finished magazine cover as a JPEG image.

2) Type up your feedback from your teacher. You don't need to include a mark or grade if you don't want to.

WWW: This is a very good cover – there is a lot to credit here. The image is extremely convincing for Elle – particularly in terms of mise-en-scene and image focus. The cover lines are well written and capture the Elle style impressively. I also like your evaluation which is pretty much spot on. The fact that you are reflecting on your work and holding yourself to such high standards is a very good sign for the real coursework next year 

EBI: There are two factors that are keeping you out of the top level here. Firstly, the typography is very difficult to read – you needed a different font to fit the Elle house style. The three blocks of text are also compressed and make it slightly difficult to read so audiences they won’t take the full meaning of the cover such as the text ‘Mental Health’ has no space in between the words. In terms of hitting professional standards, we need to make sure everything is perfect. I have no doubt that this task was beneficial in you getting to grips with Photoshop and by the actual coursework you will be more confident with the software 

Mark: 12/15 

3) Consider your mark against the mark scheme. What are the strengths of your production based on the the mark scheme? Think about magazine cover conventions and the media language techniques you have used to communicate with your audience (e.g. mise-en-scene, camera shot etc.)

One strength of my magazine cover was that I upheld the Elle magazine convention of placing the model in front of the name of the magazine as well as the four-five cover lines which are typically about self-care about fashion. I have also strategically taken a picture of the model using a medium shot which is also another convention of Elle magazine in order to try replicate the Elle magazine cover to the best of my ability. I also tried to recreate the convention of a blank background as well as I could but struggled to make the lighting look natural 

4) Look at the mark scheme again. What can you do to move your mark higher and, if required, move up a level?

In order to move my mark higher, I could have ensured that the text for the cover lines was clearer to read by making it a colour that does not blend in with the background and spacing out the letters better. I also could worked on the lighting in order to make the image on the cover look clearer because the lack of naturalism likely made my mark lower 

5) What would be one piece of advice you would give a student about to start the same magazine cover project you have just completed?

I would give them the advice to familiarise themselves with Photoshop before they start so that they don't struggle while against a deadline