Gcse media studies revision november mock1
- 1. GCSE MEDIA STUDIES Revision for November Mock Exam
- 2. Component Exam1 Overview ■ Length: 1hour 30 mins ■ Component 1: Exploring the media ■ Section A: Exploring media language and representation – You should aim to spend 55 mins out of the 1hour 30mins on this section – There are two questions – Question 1 on media language: image, layout & design, language (15 marks) – Question 2 on representation: ■ 2a Explaining the social context of a set text (5 marks), ■ 2b Comparing the representations in one of the set text to an unseen text (25 marks)
- 3. Component Exam1 Overview cont. ■ Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences – Two questions – Question 3 Media Industries: Broken up into 4 smaller questions a – d focusing on issues such as regulation and ownership of media. Questions a- c (1-2 marks), Question d (12 marks) – Question 4: Audiences: Broken up into 4 smaller questions a –d focusing on target audiences and how media products appeal to their audiences – normally includes references to uses and gratifications theory. Questions a-c (1-4 marks),Question d (12 marks)
- 4. SectionA: Exploring media language and representation – Question 1 ■ Question 1: Media language asks you to analyse three areas: ■ image, layout & design, language – Each part is worth 5 marks out of a total of 15 marks. – To achieve all 15 marks you much remember to use Denotation and Connotation when analysing the text. – For every denotation write the connotation. Aim to write 3 denotations/connotations for each area.
- 5. Section A: Exploring media language and representation - Question 2a ■ Question 2 a: representation asks you to explain how the social context of one of the set text affects the representations present. – You will need to consider how the representation in the set text has been constructed and what social influences will have affected the representation created – so how did the time in which it was made and societies views on gender or immigrants for example affect how they are represented in the text. You must make explicit reference to the text to support your explanation to achieve full marks.
- 6. Section A: Exploring media language and representation - Question 2b ■ Question 2b: representation asks you to compare one of the set text to an unseen text. – This is worth 25 marks so requires a detailed and extended (long) response – You should aim to spend around 30 mins of the exam on this question. – When writing your comparison you will be asked to consider the choices the producers have made about how to represent the people on the texts and also to compare the similarities and differences of the representations in the two texts. – Remember you should structure your response as follows: ■ Start your paragraph with a topic sentence ■ Provide evidence/examples from the text (image, camera framing, text) at least 3 of these. ■ Link to wider context
- 7. Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences ■ Question 3 & 4 have simple questions such as ‘which company owns…’, ‘name the organisation that regulates…’, ‘name an audience for…’, these are the 1-4 mark questions. ■ The higher mark questions ask you to explain points such as ‘how does (text) appeal to its audience?’This question often asks you to refer to the ‘uses and gratifications theory’. This has four parts which are: identification, education, social interaction and entertainment. To achieve the full 12 marks for this question you will need to refer to all 4 parts and apply them to the text you are questioned on.
- 8. Revision Section A: Exploring Media language and representation
- 9. The GQ masthead stands for ‘Gentleman’s Quarterly’ but was rebranded in 1967. The house style (theme) of the magazine links to the traditional branding and masculinity of the magazine. This suggests the selection process has deliberately focused on physical strength. The strapline shows a special issue which makes the magazine more desirable. There is a close up of Dwayne Johnson (the cover star) focusing with an extreme close up of his bicep. The red, black and white colour palette is a symbol of power. Johnson uses direct mode of address which is a common convention of magazines and creates a relationship with the demographic. However he is serious and unsmiling. This could suggest how seriously he wants the demographic to take themselves and their bodies. The pseudonym ‘The Rock’ also has connotations of strength and stability. His actual name is smaller suggesting his persona is more important. Indicates that the primary demographic are A-C1 on the ACORN system. The cover line suggests a focus on aesthetics and body image. It also reinforces consumerist ideology. The magazine is represented as a ‘how to’ guide A more newsworthy topic is included at the bottom creating a broader demographic. The cover lines are designed to create enigma (Barthes’ codes) The rock represents a role model for the demographic to relate to and subverts the stereotype of a black male actor as he is now part of mainstream culture. Johnson’s bicep includes a Brahma bull tattoo linking to the typography embellishment and supporting the hyper masculine representation. ‘Bankable star’ reinforces a capitalist ideology where to be successful as a man you must be wealthy. Implies he is a role model to the demographic.
- 10. Logo’s for the two supporting charities included in the top left frame - provides synergy between causes. Indirect mode of address makes raises enigma for the audience. Selective focus makes the central woman more important but others are identifiable which anchors the image in a fitness class. The typography provides contrast – serif usually connotes formality. The language used is colloquial and uses similes and satire to emphasise female empowerment by subverting the idea that it is un-ladylike to sweat (historical context). Logo acts as brand recognition but is simple which is unusual for advertisements. The female in takes up the majority of the foreground and is placed on crash points to draw attention. She is also the protagonist of the advert and could be considered the hero (Propp). The overlapping of the text removes any sexualised representation. Large image of female model identifies the primary demographic as females aged 25-40 who are likely to be C1-D on the ACORN system and the aspirers category of the 4Cs theory. Hashtag provides convergent media and suggests this is part of a larger campaign across TV, YouTube and other media platforms. Language, logo and image all connote determination and a shift in society to be healthier and for women to succeed. The purpose of the advert is to provide social cohesion – for women to come together. The ideology is to challenge stereotypes by including all ‘girls’ to get involved and become more powerful. High key lighting and colours match the facial expression of the woman signifying she is having fun through the campaign.
- 11. Revision Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences
- 12. BBFC Report on Spectre VIOLENCE There is a scene of torture, although there is only limited detail and the character in question is not seriously harmed. There is also a brief moment of eye-gouging, with limited detail, and a scene in which a man shoots himself in the head, although the bullet impact is not shown on screen. There are a number of scenes of moderate action violence, including crunchy blows and shootings, but these lack any focus on detail. There is occasional sight of injuries resulting from violence, including cuts and grazes, as well as sight of blood on faces, hands and clothing. THREAT There are a number of scenes in which characters are threatened or in danger, including some sustained chase sequences. The film also contains scenes in which couples embrace, kiss and begin to undress, although these scenes cut away before any sex is shown. There are verbal references to various criminal activities, including the trafficking of women, and some mild bad language ('bloody', 'bastard', 'shit', 'moron', 'asshole', 'Jesus', 'Christ', 'hell'). Originally this film was set to be classified as a 15 rating.The film was re- edited to make it fit the 12A category. This was so the film would reach a much wider audience as it could been seen by younger viewers too. The change in age classification enabled the film to be seen by a much larger audience and so increase its box office revenue. Bond is also a British brand and household name so it was essential that in its home market of the UK it could be seen by as many people as possible.This would then enable the Bond franchise to grow its future audience. Click on the link below to revise the difference between a 12 and 12A certificates: http://www.cbbfc.co.uk/12 British Board of Film Classification
- 13. ■ British newspaper ■ Tabloid – more sensational and celebrity stories ■ Owned by Rupert Murdoch under his News Corp company ■ Biased towards the Conservative Party ■ Aimed at a working class audience ■ 54% male readers ■ Two thirds of readers are over 35 years old ■ Brexit voters ■ Social classes (C2,D,E
- 14. Keywords ■ Political bias ■ ( when a newspaper shows support for a political party through its choice of stories). ■ Convergence ■ (the coming together of different media platforms or industries e.g. the smartphone allows the user to download and listen to music, access the internet, play videos, play games etc) ■ Interactivity ■ (the ways in which audiences can become actively involved with a media text). ■ Social class ■ (The way in which the audience is categorised in terms of education, occupation, income and wealth)
- 15. What techniques does the Sun use to appeal to readers with low literacy skills? ■ Use of words in bold ■ More Images than text to give a visual representation of the news stories ■ Simplistic language ■ Short paragraphs of text
- 16. Uses and Gratifications Key Area Explanation Identification • Being able to recognise parts of yourself in what you are seeing. • Role models. • Seeing others who reflect your values Education • Being given information and knowledge. Entertainment • We use media as a distraction from our daily lives • We enjoy escapism to alternative ‘worlds’ or ‘stories’. Social Interaction • Media can provide a spark for discussion. • The media encourages the audience to get involved with each other. Consider whatThe Sun includes on its cover, online and the contents that covers all 4 aspects of the ‘uses and gratifications theory’.