WJEC Media Studies - Specification MS2
- 1. GCE AS/A MEDIA STUDIES 12 MS2: MEDIA PRODUCTION PROCESSES Introduction: This unit is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in media production processes through research, planning, production and evaluation. Content Candidates will be required to produce three pieces of linked work. These will comprise: a pre-production reflecting research and demonstrating planning techniques a production which has developed out of the pre-production a report of 1200 - 1600 words. It is anticipated that one brief will be set outlining pre-production and production tasks. Although there must be a link between pre-production and production, there is some flexibility in the nature of the tasks which can be set for pre-production and production. Examples of linked pre-production and production tasks include: A storyboard of the trailer for a new BBC1 television crime drama (pre- production) and the trailer for that drama (production) A script or shooting script for the opening sequence of a teen horror film (pre- production) and a marketing campaign for a new teen horror film, to include at least the dvd cover and one poster (production) Draft designs for two magazine front covers (pre-production) and a double page spread for one of those magazines (production) Prototype design for a new website (pre-production) and the completed website consisting of a home page and at least two associated web pages (production). The production tasks must enable candidates to demonstrate competent technical skills. It is essential they have access to appropriate technical equipment and that they have been taught how to use it prior to undertaking their productions. (a) Pre-production Pre-production tasks must be undertaken individually but may be set on a whole class basis. Pre-production work will focus on the research and planning skills needed to create media productions. Pre-productions may, for example, involve research into comparable products, key aspects of the appropriate industry relevant to the pre-production as well as research into the target audience.
- 2. GCE AS/A MEDIA STUDIES 13 (b) Production The production must develop out of the pre-production planning. Audio-visual productions can be produced individually or by a group (maximum of four). For group tasks the candidates will need to select one of their pre-productions to develop into a production. There must be appropriate opportunities for a significant and definable contribution to be made by each candidate. Audio-visual productions should be up to 3 minutes in length, depending on the nature of the production and the number of candidates. Interactive media (other than audio-visual productions) and print-based productions must be produced individually and must contain at least two pages of original material. The majority of the images within the production should be originated by the candidate. (c) Report The pre-production and production must be accompanied by a report of 1200 – 1600 words. This report must be completed individually and will include: a discussion of the most significant research findings which informed the pre-production a brief justification of the target audience for the production an evaluation of the production which highlights its strengths and weaknesses through, for example, a comparison with existing media products. The report may be submitted in one of the following formats: an illustrated report an essay a suitably edited blog. Assessment: This unit will be internally assessed and externally moderated, assessing A02, A03 and A04, with the following mark allocations: Pre-production (20) Production (40) Report of 1200-1600 words (40) Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve a total mark. For further supporting information and examples, see the Notes for Guidance.