January assessment: learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential).

WWW:

·         Great analytical writing ability – some great topic sentences and vocabulary which relates to the statement.

·         Added some media terminology – ‘consumer, digital media and binge-watching’

·         Balanced arguments which you have provided sufficient advantages and disadvantages for each industry.

EBI:

·         Add more examples for the newspaper industry

·         Pay more attention to spelling, grammar and word choice. Consider copying your essay into Microsoft Word and correct any words/sentences with red and blue lines

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the mark you achieved for each question:

Q1) 0/1
Q2)0/1
Q3)3/8
Q4)4/20

Where you didn't achieve full marks, write WHY you think you missed out on the extra marks. Use the indicative content suggestions in the mark scheme to help with this.

I think I didn't do my best on question 3 and 4 as i lost marks for not writing accurate and clear explanations about the question.I definitely struggled to co-op with the time that was given to me.But most importantly next time i need to include outstanding knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media and use media terminology more often.

3) Did you get any media terminology wrong in the assessment? Make a note of it here for future revision:

No i didn't get any media terminology wrong in the assessment.

4) Look specifically at question 3 - did you successfully write about both the preferred and oppositional readings? Did your answers match any in the mark scheme?

Yes, if i added more detail about the theoretical i would've potentially gained full marks.

5) Re-draft your answer to Q3. Use the indicative content suggestions in the mark scheme to write a top-level answer on your blog.

The preferred reading of the women's war time job poster is that the producers want to show that women aren't inferior to men and can take part anything that men take part in.Also the quote "we can do it!" connotes that women can take a place in the war by doing something that will support the men in the battlefield.Also the rolling up of sleeves denotes stuck in , ready for hard work and action.The overall message is equality even if they're both not doing the same thing.

 Note: If you already achieved 6+ marks for Q3 then write an additional paragraph exploring the negotiated reading for this advertisement. 

The negotiated reading of the advertisement is that the producers want to show that women don't have to fight to be equal as men but they can actually take part in the war by producing resources for the fighting men.The producers also want to show that women aren't inferior to men as the women is flexing her biceps showing are women and men are equal only different genders and body parts.

Representation:Blog task

 
1) List the people, places and groups represented in the poster.

The cast has many characters such as Noel Clarke,Adam Deacon,Aml Ameen,Red Madrell and Femi Oyeniran. These characters vary in different ethnic groups such as black/white.The place the movie is set in is a infamous place known for gang culture and gang violence.The place where the characters are presented could be on top of a estate building roof.

2) Are there any stereotypes you can identify?

One stereotype i can identify is the baseball bat the character on the furthest right is holding simply because of his skin colour.This connotes that the skin colour hes representing is most likely to be violent.Another stereotype i can identify is the outfits all the male characters are wearing which are tracksuits.This could be seen as a stereotype that the characters have most likely come from a poor background which also connotes they could be associated with gang culture.Also the location where they are connotes that they live in a urban area which might contain gangs and high level of crime.

3) What is the preferred reading of this poster?

The preferred reading of this poster is that they are teenagers who are going to become adults but they experience some rather unpleasant events and experiences throughout their life.Also the movie might be showing what is going on in our current society.

4) What is the oppositional reading of this poster?

The oppositional reading of this poster might be the stereotype of the black male holding the baseball bat which can used a stereotype to present black people as a violent portion of people.This also could dig into today's society which is the stereotype that black people are reliant on crime to survive.Another might be judgemental to those who live in council estates to show that any black male who lives in a council estate is violent which is not true.

Industry and Audience essay Learner Response

Audience essay feedback:

WWW:

·         Great analytical writing ability – some great topic sentences and vocabulary which relates to the statement.

·         Added some media terminology – ‘consumer, digital media and binge-watching’

·         Balanced arguments which you have provided sufficient advantages and disadvantages for each industry.

EBI:

·         Add more examples for the newspaper industry

·         Pay more attention to spelling, grammar and word choice. Consider copying your essay into Microsoft Word and correct any words/sentences with red and blue lines

LR:

1. Develop newspaper industry paragraph – adding more examples of ‘citizen journalism’ examples and how the industry has changed due to the rise of the internet

2. Add key media terminology look back at your notes, blog and GLoW

3. Check SPaG throughout essay


LR:With the rise of the internet citizen journalism is on the rise as well for anyone can just simply take out their phone and record a situation and then turn it into news.This endangers newspapers like the daily mirror but empowers papers like the guardian.This is because the rise of the internet increases the amount of people that look for online news which the guardian provides however the daily mirror doesn't provide that , this will decrease the profit the daily mirror makes.

Industries:Film Industry CSP introduction

in the poster you can see a superhero coming out of a circle with a yellowish light around it as well as images of the city. This connotes to something magical and inhumane also different images of cities could mean the movie has something to do with travelling or time. The ring he steps out of could show his power over everything. Costume; He is wearing an outfit that most superheroes typically wear such as a cape, leather boots and his own fictional object "The Eye of Agamotto" which overall shows he's protected giving him a sense of dominance. Lighting: The main area that involves lighting would be the centre of the poster- behind and around the ring. The colour of the light (orange/yellow) are classic sci-fi colours and could connote to something magical or even an opening to something as there is white light behind him as he exits from inside. Apart from this, the small, faint green light that's glowing from his necklace could've been used in order to show the power that's contained within it. The audience might be attracted to this poster due to the range of bright colours and how the light shines through behind the main character in order to make him the superior object. The title is also another attraction as the colour is in gold which could connote to richness and something powerful therefore making the audience intrigued to watch the film as well as this, the use of the actors names at the top will lure in any fans bases who will be eager to watch.

Ownership and control blog task

1) Why did Facebook buy Instagram for $1bn in 2012?

As Facebook wanted to cancel out competition with Instagram and make money from both media products.

2) What are the benefits for media companies of vertical integration?

 Some benefits are that they make all the money as it all goes back to them also they have complete control over every stage of the production process.

3) What are the benefits for media companies of horizontal integration?

Benefits are that it prevents companies from getting out of business also it allows them to widen their audience and find other ways to make money.

4) What is a subsidiary?

A subsidiary is a small, independent company that is brought by a conglomerate.

5) Give three examples of media companies that have used synergy to maximise the profit from a brand (there is one above to help you).

-Disney

-Lego

-Polaroid 

6) Read this BBC article on Disney buying 21st Century Fox. List 10 companies that are part of the Disney media empire.

-Star Wars.com                     -Marvel Press

-Marvel Studios                     -The Muppets Studio

-ABC Entertainment              -ESPN Books

-HULU                                   -Vice

-Dreamworks                        -Viceland

7) Why did Disney buy Fox - what are the benefits?

In order to have more global entertainment businesses and they will widen their audience. It will also protect them from powerful technical companies.

essay blog task

“The internet has given audiences much more power than ever before.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Introduction:
I agree with the statement ''The internet has given audiences much more power than ever before."The internet has changed drastically over the years,it has revolutionised communications, to the extent that it is now our preferred method of everyday communication.The consumer receives daily information or product to consume.The producer only has to post the product once for the consumer to see.I also agree that the internet gives the audience much more power than ever before.This is because the internet allows the audience to present their opinions and comments anonymously without the producer knowing who it is,the internet also provides a loud voice for the audience to protest against something.In this is essay i will be using 3 concepts within the internet to portray my views.

music industry:
The music industry has changed dramatically over the years with the rise of the new subscription apps such as spotify , soundcloud and apple music.For example spotify has many advantages one of them is its available on many platforms such as iPhone , and even play-station!.This is one of the many advantages of using music apps on the internet.The advantages of spotify are artists and producers could potentially make less money,also artists cant see if the consumers like their product or not.If the audience don't enjoy a artists music and decide not to purchase it the artist might go bankrupt.Musical content doesn't always go as planned.For example some artists may display a lot of content which might either bore the audiences (consumer) or might decrease the chance of the artist creating new and better content as they've already displayed all their ideas out.Another issue is advertising the content to the audience (consumer) in a appealing way.Many artists might use social media or even use leaflets to advertise their content.YouTube is one of the most efficient ways to advertise your content but you have to provide a fee for YouTube in order for them to do that.

Film & TV industry:
There is no denying the film and TV industry has changed drastically with the rise of digital media.For example Netflix is a streaming service that allows consumers to watch a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices. With Netflix, you can enjoy unlimited viewing of our content without having to watch a single commercial.This service makes it easy for consumers to consume what they want to watch easier without having the troubles of being disturbed by commercials.However there is a disadvantage to this service for you need to be connected to Wi-Fi in-order for it to work.On the other hand there is a piracy app called Show-box which takes movie streaming to another level,while this app is illegal to support it contains every movie your mind comes across it even has movies that are still in the cinema! This wildly popular Android app works similarly to the Popcorn Time, allowing users to stream free movies and TV shows to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.There’s even a PC version!.The potential problem with binge watching is consumers might finish the whole series and wait on the streaming service to post new episodes but the app might not do that.This might make the consumers unsubscribe from that service and subscribe to another service which will affect the apps profit.Watching whatever you want to watch on the phone can disadvantage you from using a high resolution such has 3D,4D,iMax.

Newspaper industry:
The development of the News Industry has changed a lot due to the power of the audience as things like Journalism and live streaming has become very popular over the past few years. However- of course- there are many disadvantages of this including: newspaper sales will begin to fall, a small minority of people will be willing to pay for news, we aren't sure who to believe as Journalists could make up their own stories in order to gain fame and profit and many companies will eventually fall out of business. Although, advantages include how quickly the audience receive news due to Journalists and how convenient it is to access for the general public.

Conclusion:
Overall,I think that the internet has only given the audience power in terms of the news but not other things such as music and film & the TV industry.I also think the rise of the internet is making it easier for people to access things to they want to consume.

Audience theory:Blog tasks

1)This is the view that audience take in information from the media that has the effect on everyone.

2)This is the more modern and generally accepted view that audiences interact with the media they consume.

3)This is the suggestion that audiences are always passive and therefore take the intended message from the producer as if it was injected into their minds.

4)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKlml2Bf97M

This show provides information/surveillance pleasure about how and drugs are being smuggled into the U.S.This shown in the show when there's an old man being interviewed about his opinion and information on the Donald Trump wall.

This show provides identity pleasures because it shows how drugs from mexico getting smuggled into the U.S effects everyone.This is shown in the show when a man explains how the wall is effecting his trade with the U.S.

This show provides division/entertainment pleasures because it entertains you from your normal life.This is because the show shows you how and why drugs are being smuggled into the U.S.

This show provides relationship pleasures because you start to build a relationship with the man that trades with the U.S but is being obstructed by the Donald Trump wall.

Reception theory: blog task

1)Preferred or dominant reading:This is the message or ideology/belief the producers want you to take from the product.

2)Oppositional or counter reading:This is when the consumer takes away an opposite message or ideology/belief than the producers are trying to communicate.

3)The oppositional reading for the Harry Brown trailer is that young people are not always violent and unsociable.As the trailer reinforces the stereotype of young people across the UK who live in estates and council housing because the trailer is viewing young people as dangerous and chaotic.

4)Young people might reject this trailer reading because its very stereotypical towards young people who live on estates as they're being seen as violent and chaotic.Young people might construct an oppositional reading because there's areas in the UK which have estates that contain sociable non-violent young people.

5)The preferred reading of the big mac mcdonalds advert is mcdonalds want you to interpret that the burger is a delicious , good quality burger because the different components of the burger are described with such detail.

The oppositional reading of the big mac mcdonalds advert is that the burger is unhealthy and not worth the money being paid for.This is because the burger contains 257 calories which people might not be too keen on consuming.

The negotiated reading of the big mac is its delicious but unhealthy.This is because the big mac is made with a delicious recipe but does contain alot of calories.

6)

 The preferred reading of the oasis drink poster is that that lunch without the drink Oasis is boring.

The oppositional reading of the oasis drink poster is that the drink should be drank every lunch as its delicious.

The negotiated reading of the oasis drink poster is that the drink should be drank for lunch as an alternative than other drinks however this drink might not meet everyone's demand of a healthy drink to have with lunch.

Extension task:Yes i agree with plan b, because he presents a personal account of his own struggles and expriences as a young teenager.He also presents a positive view of young people because he provides numerous motives as to why teenager act the way they are.

November 2018 - exam learner response

1) I received 9/25 which got me a grade 2 in my exam.

2)
Q1:1 mark
Q2:1 mark
Q3:0 mark
Q4:1 mark
Q5:1 mark
Q6:1 mark
Q7:1 mark
Q8:1 mark
Q9:2 marks

3)No i did not get any media terminology wrong.

4)question 5 was one of my strongest questions because i explained my answer clearly and i used media terminology.

5)question 8 was one of my weakest questions because i didn't describe the boys facial expression and i didn't explain the effect of certain aspects in the advert.

6)RE-DRAFT Q9: Charities use children in their adverts for children are popularly seen as the future and they also look more appealing than adults.Also the consumer would most likely be an adult which means they're more likely to sympathise with the child.As an example figure 3 the denotation is a young black-African child wearing a blue top with the sun beaming down on his forehead,also there's a slogan stating "dig toilets not graves".The child's blue top connotes water and sorrow.Also the boy facial expression denotes him being upset and thirsty for his lips also look dry.The producer done all to maximise a look full of features so it looks appealing enough for the consumer to donate.

homework blog tasks

prison break camera shot analysis.

https://youtu.be/tQp1n28DoK8

Camera shots:
- The opening establishing shot at 0.01 clearly shows the prion which is the location that the characters are staying at. This both sets the scene for the following action and also confirms the characters are quite dangerous.

- The extreme close-up of the prison guards shoes/walking at 1.24 successfully communicates the intensity of the scene as it shows that they're constantly watched. This has the effect of causing the audience to sympathise with the prisoners and wonder what will happen throughout the episode.

- The over-the-shoulder shot at 0.16 shows one of the prisoners shirtless and on the other-side the main character Michael Scofield entering the prison. Like many over-the-shoulder shots, it is also a medium shot which allows the audience to see the expression on the main character's face as he enters the prison. 

Camera angles:
- The power of the main character is present. The low angle shot at 1.36 looking up at Scofield shows that he has a lot of power regardless of the fact that he is behind bars in a cell. He looks undefeated as the close-up shot emphasises his facial expressions which connotes to him knowing what he's doing.

- In contrast, another character (random prisoner) is shown in a high angle shot immediately afterwards (2.00) to show how he's selfless and has no protection in this prison. The camera is looking down at him from the perspective of the main character in his cell. This introduces a clear power relationship between the two characters - Scofield is more inferior and due to this he will be untouched in prison.

Camera movement:
The camera movement at the beginning of the scene is quick and fits the rowdy atmosphere as we get to see the prison. The zoom shot as the camera shows the inside of the prison(0.00 - 0.13) makes the audience feel as if they are inside the prison as the camera begins really far out and rapidly zooms into the prison.

This all changes in the scene where the main character has entered the prison and is in his cell. The camera movement is suddenly handheld, signalling the tension and danger to the audience. This adds realism and contrasts strongly with the hectic camera movement of the opening to the scene. The camera continues to move (handheld) throughout this scene as it's used as a way to make the audience feel like they're watching from the main characters perspective.

Minority report shot-by-shot analysis;

 

The medium shot and level angle allows us to see all of the characters equally especially the man  in front. This is beneficial as the audience are able to see that he is probably a main character and they can understand how he is feeling at that specific moment. I think that this was shot handheld in order to give the audience a sense of realism.

This was an establishing shot and it enhances the entire scene of the place which will allow the audience to have a complete idea of the surroundings and where the action is going to take place therefore all costumes or props used will make sense to the audience since they'd have a a better understanding as to why the characters are dressed how they are.

This was a close up shot which really emphasises the characters emotions which will allow the audience to determine what he is feeling and whether this will end to more conflict. The use of this shot can help build up more action as he is having a conversation which the audience can see and it allows them to understand the plot. He seems as if he is confused or on the other hand ready to retaliate.The thing with his expression is it presents to the audience many different feelings therefore they have several opinions on what he's thinking at this specific part of the scene which creates suspense.       

analysing camera shots

Mise-En-Scene

Lighting: In the video we can see a variety of different lighting settings that are used to reach a specific feel/genre throughout it. We can infer that this was used in order to create a mysterious atmosphere especially when the lights flickered just as the boys left Mikes house. As an audience this makes us eager to watch the rest of the episode because we’d want to know what happens through out it. Another thing that was seen was the light bulbs and lights flickering in the house of Will. We can infer that this was done so that we are aware of an evil presence following or possibly about to attack this character. As an audience the use of really bright light and then suddenly really dark light may scare the watchers which will create suspense and will the audience eager watch on.


Costume:
In the clip you can see quite olden 80s costumes used on the characters. We can infer that this was used in order to make the modern show blend in with the setting the directors were trying to achieve —in this case the 80s. As an audience we are able to enjoy the show more because they might  like shows that relate to the 80s therefore including typical clothing from that era will emphasise the whole meaning of the show overall wanting fans to watch the series.

Props:
In the clip we can see props that are usually associated with the 80s for example the telephones, board games made from wood, the bicycles with lights and baskets etc.. We can infer that these were used in order to help enhance the setting of “the 80s” as you won’t really find any of the main props that were mentioned in our current century which overall develops the setting of the episode. As an audience this will excite them as seeing props from the 80s might trigger memories from that specific time which will want the audience to continue to watch the clip.

September 2018 - Blog feedback and Learner Response

Saamer GCSE Media blog feedback – September 2018

Year 9 Media – NEW SPEC

Work expected:

·         Introductory questions

·         LIAR film poster analysis

·         Denotation and connotation – advert analysis (WaterAid)

·         Fruit bowl task (Photoshop)

Post this in a new blogpost on your Media blog called ‘September 2018 - Blog feedback and Learner Response’ then complete the LR tasks/questions below.

WWW:

·         Fantastic start to the two-year GCSE Media course, really enthusiastic and always contributing to lessons. Keep this up!

·         Fairly detailed denotation and connotation analysis of the WaterAid advert

·         An impressive first attempt at analysing a film poster based on the LIAR key concepts

·         Well done for analysing another media advert using denotation and connotation

EBI:

·         Writing in formal English, you need to ensure you are writing in formal English (full sentences, checking your spelling, punctuation and grammar before your publish a piece of work

·         Begin to include media terminology in your writing analysis (GLoW) to show an understanding of subject terminology

·         If you do complete all the work, try and attempt the extensions tasks/questions as this was ensure you will achieve your aspirational target of a 6 (if not higher!)

LR:

Complete and improve the following work urgently. See below of what is missing:

1. Keep the font type and size the same for the introductory questions (first blog task)

2. Add specific media terminology to both LIAR film poster analysis and Denotation and Connotation (WaterAid) advert.

3. Complete and publish fruit bowl blog post (Photoshop)

4. Reflect on your first month of Media. What do you feel is your strongest piece of work so far? What is your weakest? What specific skills or knowledge do you need to develop over the rest of the course? How can you improve the depth and detail of your media analysis?