Media Studies

A-level Media Studies is offered in the Sixth Form

In contemporary times, the question really should be why are we not studying media already? Media is everywhere. Our lives are saturated with TV, games, cinema, websites, adverts, everywhere we look. It is fundamental that we have a clear understanding of these products and how they are created in order to fully understand the world in which we live. In addition, for young men in London, there are thousands of career opportunities in Media. We live in one of the leading global media centres and the hub for the biggest and still fastest growing worldwide industry – you are in prime position to be a part of that industry and forge a career in what is a vibrant, ever-changing world.

Media Studies A-level covers all forms of media; digital, print or broadcast. We look at everything from computer games to movies to magazines and adverts, examining what makes them successful and creating our own media texts as well.

You will research and analyse a variety of media products before using that knowledge to create an effective and influential product of your own. You will have the opportunity to design and create your own magazine, music video or TV show intro, along with a matching website, using industry standard editing software and camera equipment.

You will analyse and deconstruct a range of media texts including print adverts, music videos, newspapers, video games, TV shows and more, looking at both their physical construction and their influence on the world.

The course covers all areas of the media theoretical framework; Language, Representation, Industry and Audience. Within these areas are a wide range of specific media platforms studied, with particular focus on the highly influential, political or economically powerful industries of news and long-form TV drama. This is supplemented with a case-study approach to the other areas of media, including film, video games, advertising and marketing, radio, music videos and magazines. Students will also cover 19 separate critical theories and be able to apply them to existing products, giving them the tools to thoroughly understand construction, purpose and effect.

YEAR 12

Autumn

Introduction to Course
Key Concepts
Theoretical Studies
Newspapers

Spring

Newspapers (contd.)
Radio
Video Games
Film Industry

Summer

Coursework Project (brief will change each year)
Mock Exams

Assessment

Ernest Bevin College students study the OCR Specification Media Studies H409.

There will be two external examinations at the end of Year 13, each worth 35% of the A-Level. The remaining 30% is assessed through a cross-media coursework project.

Exams

Component 01, Media Messages

This exam covers the study of news, media language and representation. The news studies will cover a selection of print and online content from the Guardian and the Daily Mail. This will be analysed from the perspective of how the industry is keeping up with technological advancements. Students will also explore language and representation through an analysis of magazines, advertising and music videos.

Component 02, Evolving Media

The second exam explores the relationship between audiences and institutions through the study of radio, video games and the film industry. There is no analysis of film content in this specification. This will come alongside an in-depth study of the evolving, global nature of television through an analysis of contemporary English language and non-English language long form TV drama.

Coursework

Component 03, Making Media

A cross-media project focussed on either magazines or music videos. Students will undertake research into both the print or moving image content of their chosen area, along with any online or social media content. They will then plan and create their own music video or magazine front cover and feature article, alongside a working website with clear branding across the two platforms. This project will then be reviewed in a personal evaluation.

How can I support my son/daughter with Media Studies?

You should encourage your son or daughter to consume a wide variety of media content throughout the first term, actively engaging them in discussions about the recent developments in the TV industry, including streaming services, box sets etc., and their effect on audiences and society as a whole.
Students will need to have a good grasp of all aspects of media, including radio, music videos, magazines, adverts and TV dramas. This can be supported by parents in watching, reading or listening to content together and discussing the content afterwards.
You can also encourage your child to visit the major cultural institutions which London offers; of particular value for this course is the BFI (www.bfi.org.uk).

YEAR 13