What will I study?

GCSE Media Studies explores how the Media operates and considers their massive impact on all of our lives, in the past and today.  You will investigate a variety of Media: Television, Film, Newspapers, Websites, Magazines and Radio.

• Representation:  How different Groups of people are represented in the Media:  Youth Culture, Men, Women, and Ethnic Groups etc.
• Audience:  How does the Media target different audiences and why?
• Industry:  How do different Media Industries work and make money? E.g. the Film Industry.  How was ‘Harry Potter’ made to be so popular and successful?
• Media Language:  This will help you to write concisely and will help to improve your literacy skills.

What Skills Will I Need?

To achieve GCSE Media Studies you will need:

• Good reading and writing skills.
• The ability to explain your ideas clearly and concisely using different mediums – blogs, powerpoint presentations etc..
• Problem solving skills – researching information, working as part of a team and making decisions about layout and presentation.
• Some ICT skills are helpful, but you will be taught anything you do not know.
• A willingness to learn how to use new technologies.

What will I do in Lessons?

GCSE Media Studies lessons are varied.  You may:

• Analyse clips of film such as ‘Interstella’ and explore Magazine front covers, to see how Media Forms are put together.
• Work in a group to create a new advertising campaign and to analyse advertising techniques on television
• Use cameras to explore how the media construct messages.
• Use secondary sources such as video and textbooks to help you understand how the media communicate.
• Pitch a new product to an advertising company
• Research audiences by designing questionnaires and interviewing focus groups.

Contact Ms G Hale, L Barnett or A Willert in FM1 for more details.

Why Study Media Studies?

GCSE Media Studies will help you to develop many useful skills such as:

Analysis – You’ll never be able to watch a film or an advert again without analysing it.

Communication and practical skills. You will work in groups and make ‘real’ products for ‘real’ audiences, e.g. a film trailer or a brand new magazine.

How will I Be Assessed?

GCSE Media Studies involves coursework and a final examination:

60% coursework written in controlled conditions – 3 written pieces about different Media, but you also get to do lots of practical activities, storyboarding, web design, and poster work.

A practical (make your own Film Trailer) and write a commentary on how you made it.

40% Examination (2 hours). You will know the subject area you are going to be tested on.  Past examples include: Action Film, Newspapers, Science Fiction, Local Radio, TV Advertising, TV Sitcom and The Quiz Show, Crime Drama, Music Press

THE TOPIC AREA FOR 2017 IS Television Gameshows.