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