Media Studies A2 unit G234 Advanced Portfolio
This is the coursework unit. You must produce:
· A media portfolio, comprising a main and ancillary tasks.
· A presentation of your research, planning and evaluation in electronic format.
The Brief:
A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or
animated or a combination of both, together with two of the following three options:- a poster for the film;
- a radio trailer for the film;
- a film magazine review page featuring the film.
OR
A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:
- a website homepage for the band;
- a Digipak for the albun's release;
- a magazine advertisement for the digipak.
OR
A promotion package for a new film, to include a trailer, together with two of the following
three options:
- a website homepage for the film;
- a film magazine front cover, featuring the film;
- a poster for the film.
How much of the material should be original?
There is an increased emphasis on original material, particularly as the digital age has made the
construction of print/photo/image and sound much easier to produce and manipulate. For video,
all video and audio material must be original, produced by the student, with the exception of
music or audio effects from a copyright-free source. Limited amounts of found video material
may be used as part of greenscreen projects or in instances where it would be unwise to shoot
original footage such as an explosion. In such cases the advice of the Subject Officer should be
sought in advance. For print, no found images are allowed. For audio, only copyright free effects
and music. For the website, only copyright free musical audio effects are allowed.
What is meant by ‘original material’?
Material created by the students from scratch. Photos you have taken for the project, video you have shot, audio you have recorded. The exception with found material is the soundrack for a music video, although you are encouraged to approach unsigned bands on MySpace etc and get permission to use their material, collaborate with music students, approach local bands and get permission to use their material or create your own music or sound track.
More information from OCR and links to copyright-free sources is here.
This may be individual or group work (maximum group size is 4) but you will be assessed individually.
The marks for this unit are: Planning and research: 20
Construction: 60
Evaluation: 20
making a total of 100 marks.
The Evaluation
You must answer the following questions:
- In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
- How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary task?
- What have you learned from your audience feedback?
- How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Formats:
The music video, film trailer, TV advertisements and sponsorship sequence must be in DVD format, playable on a standard domestic DVD player (PAL). The radio advertisement must be in CD format.
The evaluation may be presented as a blog, web page, podcast, slideshow or DVD extra. Blogs, web pages, podcasts and slideshows must be available online for the moderator and must also be burnt to CD.
Resources:
You may use your own camera. The school camera is also available for you to use but needs to be booked. Tripods are also available. Any equipment taken off the school premises must be signed for and a signed letter from a parent/guardian accepting liability for the equipment must be received before the equipment can be taken out of school. You may use the school hall or any other areas by prior arrangement with me.
You may invite ‘actors’ into school for filming but you must discuss this with me first and then follow the procedure for visitors i.e. they must sign in at the main office and wear a visitor’s badge. You are responsible for the safety of equipment and personnel and must follow Health and Safety guidelines. Tidy up afterwards and return anything you have borrowed.
The editing should be done on the Mac computer in room EN2 using your designated work station. Final Cut Express is the editing software for film. Adobe InDesign is for print coursework.
Ancillary Tasks
See the video below for examples of film magazine front covers, advertisements for music albums and film advertisements.
Deadlines
The final deadline for the completed portfolio including the evaluation is:
Friday 18th March
The interim deadlines are:
Main task: filming: 28th February
editing: 10th March
Ancillary tasks:15th March
Evaluation: Friday 18th March
H Williams
H Williams
A2 Advanced Portfolio Marking Sheet - Music Video Task -
A2 Advanced Portfolio Mark Sheet
1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:
- a website homepage for the band;
- a digipak for the album’s release;
- a magazine advertisement for the digipak.
2. A promotion package for a new film, to include a trailer, together with two of the following three options:
- a website homepage for the film;
- a film magazine front cover, featuring the film;
- a poster for the film.
