Media mock discussion
- 1. Media mock discussion Digital technologyand creativity: AS level course work: When looking back at the digital technology and creativity of my work from AS level – I will speak highly of my progression through the use of different technological mediums that we had at our disposal in year 12. Below are a list of different mediums that I used to create my music magazine, and the ways that I was able to develop my skills: The use of Adobe InDesign. I had never used this software prior to my A levels, so using it was a massive struggle for me on a personal level. It took me a lot of time to be master even the simplest of tasks on this software, which was apparent in my preliminary task. Conducting research into other music magazines. Because magazines are texts that can be very similar, even when they are designed to be completely different, the amount of research I conducted really wasn’t to the same standard as my current coursework (A2). This is because magazines follow a very basic structure and theory (the uses and gratifications theory is one example). This meant that the creative side of the AS work was not as difficult as this year’s work, because we didn’t have to be completely original. I also had to research how different magazines are distributed by the production companies to reach their intended target audience. This research was used to determine how other magazine companies act – to make my coursework seem more realistic (For example, the use of internet links through cross media convergence). I can also speak of how I used many tutorial videos on the Haydon Media website to develop my skills and become better at using the software given to us. It is safe to say that I needed to use a lot more back in AS, than I do now. Terminology: Cross media convergence – The use of different media formats. Conglomerate – A big and powerful business, team etc. Distribution – The process of delivering something to someone.
- 2. A2 coursework: When looking back at the digital technology and creativity of my work from A2 – I will speak highly of my progression through the use of different technological mediums that we had at our disposal. Below are a list of different mediums that I used to create my short film, and the ways that I was able to develop my skills: The clear gulf in knowledge and experience with ancillary/preliminary tasks. In year 12, I was not fully aware of the importance of ancillary and preliminary tasks that our teachers set us. It would be fair to say that I underestimated their importance to the progression and success of our coursework. This year however, whenever we have been set a task, I have put the necessary effort in to be able to complete them effectively. Learning to use Adobe Premiere effectively. When making our short films, we are required to make them on Adobe Premiere, which has proved to be quite difficult for me because I have never used it before this academic year. I didn’t struggle as much with Premiere as I did with InDesign, but I still needed to use the tutorials that had been created by the school to help us use the software. This really helped in my progression and helped me to become more creative, because it allowed me to access new features and effects that the software has on offer. Conducting deeper research. Evaluating and analysing different pieces of previous coursework has been influential to my overall creativity during this task. As already mentioned, I was not required to put as much time or effort into the research at AS compared to A2. Being able to talk about other people’s work and see the ways that they have filmed have been instrumental to how I have created my piece of work. Terminology: Camwow – A piece of software that I used to evaluate a person’s work. Conventions – The common features of something that are typical to the way is made and/or perceived/used. Theorists that I can apply to my work: When looking at two theorists to apply to my work, I have chosen the two below: Vladimir Propp (Narrative) - He speaks of how the narrative of a media text is based and influenced on the characters in the text. All characters are followed by the text and a lot of stories are followed through their lives. For example, a film about the Invasion of Poland will have its story line, but the characters will still lead the way that it is developed.
- 3. Hall – the uses and gratifications theory that suggests audiences use the text, and are not used by it. This follows my coursework because there are lots of different ways that it can be perceived.