MS2 guidance 2014
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The document provides guidance for students on completing the pre-production and production phases of a media coursework project. It outlines requirements such as conducting research on target audiences and similar existing media, developing initial planning materials, and producing pre-production and production artifacts. Students must also write a production report analyzing their process, research, audience targeting, and evaluating their work. Key terms related to media fields are defined to help students communicate knowledge and understanding.
MS2 guidance 2014
- 1. MS2 Media Production Processes Guidance on completing your coursework module Part 1
- 2. MS2 Pre-Production Research • Pre-production represents the research and planning phase of the coursework production. • Once a brief has been chosen by the candidate, a proposal form should be completed, and agreed by their teacher. The candidate should research into similar media forms which exist in the market.
- 3. MS2 Pre-Production Research • Research could include: • Semiotic analysis of two/three examples of real media forms comparable to that chosen for the candidates production, identifying primary and technical codes and conventions. • Identification and exploration of target audience and audience issues relevant to the candidates production. These include social class (ABCs), age ranges, gender/sexuality & VALS.
- 4. MS2 Pre-Production Research • Notes on the role of representation in the media form being researched should also form part of the comparative research process – noting use of such devices such as stereotypes or archetypes and their construction. • Some reference to the media institutions that produce these products or regulate them. e.g. the advertising industry and ASA, cinema & the BBFC. Major publishers or film/game studios or niche indie producers?
- 5. MS2 Pre-Production Planning • Candidates should refer to the mini-deadlines sheet as a guide to time management. • Once the research phase is well advanced candidates should produce evidence of planning for the production artefacts which could include: • Treatment – a single A4 précis or synopsis of the product concept and audience (see ilearn) • Page Plans – dummy layouts and designs • Contact Sheets – initial selection of photos (see iLearn for examples or search the net)
- 6. MS2 Media Production Processes Guidance on completing your coursework module Part 2
- 7. MS2 Media Production Processes • Pre-Production artefact (20%) 2 A4 pages which represents a ‘best quality’ draft or version of your production. For example, variations of; a front cover & contents page or DPS. Or teaser or character based posters. • Production (40%) 2-3 A4 pages which represents variation or development on the pre-production artefact.
- 8. MS2 Media Production Processes Production Report (40%) The report should be between 1200-1600 words in length. It can be essay style or illustrated with thumbnails, images, diagrams, etc. It should include a section on each of the following:
- 9. MS2 Media Production Processes 1) Brief outline of the task explaining the aims and objectives that you hoped to achieve and how you went about doing it. My task for the pre production and production work was to create a DVD cover and teaser film poster for a horror film. In order to accomplish this I had to engage in research of the horror genre.
- 10. 2) Research: The first part of the report must include a summary of the pre-production research and how it was used to develop the project. Don’t be vague, aim to demonstrate that your research enabled you to discover key codes and conventions of your chosen genre which you replicated in your own work. 3) Audience: You must discuss the intended target audience and explain how they have been targeted through the construction of the project. 4) Evaluation: You should seek audience feedback on the finished ‘product’ where possible and honestly evaluate the strengths & weaknesses of their work via comparison/evaluation with similar existing media products. Report should be cross-referenced with the appendix.
- 11. Evidence of research & planning • Candidates should create an appendix in a separate folder for all evidence of research and planning for the pre-production phase. • This evidence could include: planning – notes, meetings, timescale, decisions & revisions; research - both primary & secondary (questionnaires, focus grp); draft designs e.g. drawings, charts, diagrams, page lay-outs; research on target audiences; contact sheet/cropped or manipulated photos
- 12. Use of media terms • In your project as a whole but especially in the Production Report candidates should show understanding & knowledge by using appropriate media terms: • Use of appropriate semiotics terms – signs (symbolic, indexical & iconic) and codes (primary & secondary). Concepts like preferred meaning, polysemy, and anchorage all useful and if used appropriately show intellectual grasp & rigour. • Use of medium specific terms – Terms relating to the specific medium or professional terms to describe layout and design (e.g. for magazines - masthead, pull quotes, white space, etc., or in film marketing terms like, teaser, mark of quality, copy, brand identity, pull quotes, etc.
- 13. Use of media terms • Use of terms relating to representation – terms relating to the use of stereotypes, archetypes and so forth. It is vital you understand the extent to which your project set out to/is reinforcing or challenging such media-created constructs as femininity or masculinity, consumerism/materialism, individualism etc. These can also be connected to generic or narrative conventions associated with the medium. • Use of theoretical concepts - terms associated with narrative, genre or other useful theoretical ideas you have been introduced to or researched.
- 14. Recap: Key terms • Pull quote - a brief, attention-catching quotation taken from the main text of an article and used as a subheading or graphic feature. • Mark of Quality – this is usually the film logo, the directors name or references to the other successful films made by the director. These are included to convince the audience that this new film is a quality product
- 15. Recap: Key terms • White space -Is the portion of a page left unmarked: margins, gutters, and space between columns, lines of type, graphics, figures, or objects drawn or depicted