Print coursework

Paper 2 PPE learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to).

WWW-Reached target grade and showed good understanding of media terminology and CSP's

2) Did you succeed in meeting or exceeding your target grade for A Level Media in this paper? If not, how many additional marks do you need to achieve your target grade in Paper 2?
I am currently 9 marks away from where I should be which is definitely achievable if I sharpen up in key areas for the essay questions.

These are the grade boundaries we've used, based on last year's A Level exam but raised slightly to account for the fact they will probably move up slightly (out of 84):  

A* = 75; A = 66; B = 54; C = 44; D = 32; E = 20.

Now read through the AQA mark scheme for Paper 2 - you'll already have looked at this in class when marking the exam booklet of other students' responses. The original Paper 2 question paper is here if that is helpful too.

3) Write a question-by-question analysis of your performance. For each question, write how many marks you got from the number available and identify any points that you missed by carefully studying the AQA indicative content in the mark scheme:

Q1) 5/9-the visual codes and composition of the image including framing. The construction of myth through the use of signs – the lone, charismatic
American hero, violent but thoughtful and reflective. These are simple points I can make for easy marks, going into detail about the use of different aspects on the image such as the character himself.

Q2) 15/25-the key aspects of the relevant theories, including uses and gratifications,
hypodermic needle model, moral panic, cultivation, Bandura’s social
learning theory. Additionally, the coverage of effects theory in the media can lead to moral panics, affecting much wider areas of society than the individual user

Q3) 15/25-the contexts of production are relatively insignificant in creating meanings
(reception theory); meanings derive from the interaction between the
audience and the product. All media production is conditioned by the dominant ideology, the value system and perceptions of reality

Q4) 10/25- ensuring that the content is relevant and interesting for a range of
audiences across national borders (for example by addressing global
themes and issues as well as culturally specific topics). using a variety of platforms that includes: free-to-air television, the internet (including subscription services such as Netflix), web apps, subscription services such as Sky

4) Look at question 4 - the synoptic question on TV. Write a full, new essay plan for this question using the indicative content in the mark scheme (focus particularly on distribution) and taking care to include at least one paragraph that addresses the synoptic element. You can use bullet points but make sure you offer enough content to meet the criteria for Level 4 (top level). This will be somewhere between 4-6 well-developed paragraphs planned in some detail.

Introduction: State my main argument between the CSP's I'll be using throughout my essay

Paragraph 1: Make points on Capital and the ways in which it was originally broadcasted, promoted etc. 'State of the nation' event series. Mention how themes and settings are constructed to appeal to an international audience, London iconography. Ensure to go into detail about what theorists make links to Capital and how Capital reinforces their ideologies throughout the show.

Paragraph 2: Make links between Capital and digital or physical media such as magazines and general news in order to show my understanding and go into the question with detail. Distribution deals such as Freemantle and Pivot TV which I need to remember to utilise. 

Paragraph 3: Start to bring in Deutschland 83 and make a link to it too being distributed by the British distribution company, Freemantle. Themes and setting are constructed to appeal to an international audience through the familiar narrative tropes of an ‘innocent abroad' and the “Romeo and Juliet” romance. The series is visually stylish using a familiar postmodern style which exploits the current popularity
of retro styles in fashion and music

Paragraph 4: Make sure to talk about Walter presents (easy marks), which is a subsidiary of C4, exploiting broadcast.and digital opportunities co-production of AMC Networks, SundanceTV (US) and RTL Television (German and American), positioning it to exploit the national and global market AMC and RTL were able to develop the series in the context of new opportunities for distribution and exhibition

Conclusion: Conclude my argument and make my final points about both Capital and Deutschland 83.

5) Based on the whole of your Paper 2 learner response, plan FIVE topics / concepts / CSPs / theories that you will prioritise in your Easter Media revision timetable.

1. Revise Denotation, Connotation and Myth more
2. Capital and Deutschland 83 and everything behind them, production, distribution, promotion.
3. Go over the magazines more and find ways to link theory (Oh Comely and Men's Health)
4. Tomb Raider and Metroid as I didn't go as in depth or into detail as I should have
5. Range of theory 

Statement of Intent

For my project I will be making a 90 second to 2 minute trailer and 4 pages of a culture media magazine for my show ‘Incognito’ relating to life in London for young people. I intend to have my trailer released on YouTube as it is such a massive platform where people of many different ages especially younger people who I want to appeal with, making it much more easier to get my show out there and talked about before it is released as a word of mouth is always essential when trying to promote a show. I’m planning to release the trailer on Sky 1 due to it being one of the biggest television companies throughout the whole of the UK. For the trailer itself my plan is to use key conventions of any other TV crime drama trailer, therefore I'd be needing text on screen as it is also a way to explain what is occurring and information such as the release date title and so on. Throughout the trailer low-key lighting is something I’m going to utilise to as it is a crime drama and one of the main aspects of that is secrecy and a sense of mystery also giving that tense feel. Suspenseful music, dialogue and action & enigma codes (Roland Barthes) are also key conventions. A method that I'll utilise in order to make sure the audience will watch my TV show is by not revealing numerous plot points so that they will finally get the satisfaction of having their questions and thoughts answered upon watching the show. The trailer will focus on various scenes from across the series so that the audience can get a general grasp as to what it is about and all the different characters.

My narrative focuses on my main character called ‘Isaiah’ who is trying to figure out the culprit(s) as to who killed his best friend. He is forced to go through many trials and tribulations in order to figure out this information in a city full of hatred and crime. The narrative could be said to be quite similar to that of Luther and True Detective as they are both crime dramas, however one major difference is mine has a more rural feel to it with the protagonist not being a big crime detective as you generally see in crime dramas. In terms of digital convergence I will be utilising hashtags such as #Incognito on twitter in order to create more hype around my drama as well as it being a way to interact with the fans online. Additionally I hope to be able to promote the show more through an official website and twitter that was I will be able to directly interact with my audience as they can ask questions which I will be able to reply to. On the website I’ll have things like character profiles, interviews etc so the audience can connect with the show more efficiently.

Similarly, I will also be making a cultural magazine that will also be digitally distributed in order to connect with modern day audiences. In the magazine I will offer a wide range of things going from interviews, plot summaries and more. In the double page spread I will have an exclusive interview with myself, I will be telling the audience what my character will be doing in the show and offer a deeper insight into not only his personality but mine in real life so the audience can grasp a better understanding of who I am and what I am aiming to create. 

The target audience I'm aiming for is 17-30. The way I'll draw in this age range is by having a fairly young cast as the audience will be able to identify with the cast and relate with them so that they will be able to enjoy the show even more as they'll feel more comfortable. Additionally I believe audiences will feel a strong sense of identity when realise how similar some of these characters lives in London are to their own. I also think there will most definitely be a sense of personal relationship (blumer and katz) as the viewer will form a connection to characters they enjoy watching or maybe even dislike. The show will air each Sunday at 7pm as it is prime time television which’ll increase the viewership numbers. I think some of my characters reinforce and others challenge stereotypes (Andy Medhurst), for instance the male character being a male and also working as a detective is something that is regularly seen in TV and film as they are seen as more dominant etc. However it is different in a way because he’ll be young and black which are normally shown more negatively.

print

Print brief research and planning

Research and planning blog tasks

Create a blogpost called 'Print brief research and planning' and complete the following tasks to plan and prepare your print work:

1) Research magazine cover key conventions. Look over the magazine cover key conventions notes sheet and write which of these you will use for your magazine cover.

1. Title of publication 
2. Slogan
3. Central image
4. Bar code, Date and Price
5. ‘Flash’ / Cover Line / Sell Line

2) Find at least five culture magazine front covers (either current or former magazines) aimed at a similar target audience to your project (adults interested in popular culture). For each one, pick out one design idea that you could use in your own print work. Some examples you may wish to look at include the Guardian Guide, Sunday Times Culture magazine, Time Out, The Face, the Radio Times, Aesthetica, the move and Paper:

I picked this cover from the 'Culture magazine' because it has a colour scheme which I really like as it suits the feel of my crime drama. The colour scheme also looks to be aimed towards a more mature audience as it isn't bright or flashy just something that people of an older and more sophisticated demographic will prefer. In addition the colour scheme is very aesthetically pleasing which is  a key feature when making a magazine.


This cover is from the 'Time Out' magazine and the reason I picked it is because of how focused it is on the central image having barely any cover lines, going for the more minimalist look which I could implement in my own magazine but for me, I would definitely use more magazine conventions like cover lines, barcode and so on. This design is very effective as it allows the audiences main focus to straight away go to the central image. I'm not that much of a fan of the colour scheme though.



This magazine cover from Aesthetica is very aesthetically pleasing to look at as it is extremely unique and takes away from the generic magazine look. It also uses a long shot which you don't usually see in a magazine as the shot usually ranges from a close up to a medium. The use of a barcode in the bottom left adds a sense of professionalism to the magazine, additionally, a date of publication is used at the top made very small so that it doesn't 'compromise the integrity of their compositional work'.



This cover is from 'Paper magazine' and one thing I'd pick out is the minimalist look to the whole thing as all it's only a central image and title which somehow makes the audience want to know more as they are kind of drawing you in/teasing you to actually read the magazine. The camera shot is good as it is only from the shoulders, something I might implement in my own. 



This magazine is the 'Guardian Guide' and features J-Money on the cover. The way the title is assorted on the cover really gains the audience's attention as it very unique in comparison to the way  other magazines are designed. They also don't mind having it behind the central image by a bit as they know people are able to recognise their magazine very easily, due to the fact it's so popular.

3) Find at least three contents pages from culture, lifestyle or music magazines on Google images. How are contents pages designed? How do they use a combination of text and images to create an effective design?

These content pages blend together both pictures and textual information to give off an effective design to the audience that will supply them with knowledge of what they are being shown. We see how in the first content page there are multiple pictures used which is something I want to implement into my own contents page considering the fact that I need to have at least 7 pictures throughout my culture magazine. The text in these content pages pretty much sums up what the different pages are going to be about which allows you to recognise whether you'll be able to enjoy it or if you're interested in what it has to offer. They also make sure that they re aesthetically pleasing to the eye as it draws in the readers even more.


4) Find at least three double-page spread features from culture, lifestyle or music magazines on Google images. How are they designed? How are text and images displayed? What design tricks can you borrow from your examples?

I believe that these double page spread features  are very effective as they easily communicate the message they are trying to convey to the audience. I like the idea of having one big image that also crosses onto both pages as it adds professionalism to the magazine, therefore it may be something I end up implementing in my own double page spread. The minimalist look is also very aesthetically pleasing but it doesn't fit what I'm trying to go for, as I want to include a lot more text, for example maybe a slight synopsis or a little interview with one or two of the cast members.

Guardian review of The Morning Show - new Apple TV drama (500 words)

Time Out - The 10 Best TV shows of the week (1,500 words)

Benedict Cumberbatch hints at female future (250 words)

Planning, sketching and writing

1) Plan a title and slogan for your new, original culture magazine. Sketch out possible designs for the masthead - font, style, colour etc.
'The Phenom' is the title. The colour scheme I'm going for will be white and black as it adds a sense of professionalism and fits the detective theme as it adds enigma to the magazine. 

2) Plan the content for your magazine front cover. Your double-page spread will be the main story but what other cover lines, images and more will you include on the cover?
For my front cover I intend to use 4 cover lines that will range from things in the magazine itself to aspects of the TV drama. I am only going to use one image on the cover which'll of course be the central image, which I want everyone to focus on straight away.
 
3) Write a list of the all the features, regular sections and more that will appear on your contents page. If you've chosen to produce a different internal page, plan that here instead.

• Interviews
• Reviews
• Editors letter
• Culture
• Events
• Competition
• Quiz
• Q&A

4) Create a spider diagram or bullet point list of all the issues or topics your TV drama addresses. How can you use this information to create a main feature for your culture magazine about your TV drama that will appeal to your target audience?

• Challenging stereotypes
• Violence in London
• Youth Culture
• Race

I will address this by using a 'Question and Answer' section in my magazine so that I can explain all these different issues/topics to the reader

5) Write the text for your double-page spread feature. This needs to be a minimum of 400 words and be completely original and feature an aspect of your TV drama. Make sure you include a headline, subheading and any pullout quotes or sidebar contents. 

Today we bring to you an exclusive interview with cast member Kyle McLeod who plays the protagonist Isaiah in the TV drama Incognito which'll be airing on popular channel Sky 1. He is an upcoming young actor rising up the ranks hoping to make his name across the the country. 

So to start off I wanted to ask you what was your main motivation for getting into the acting industry?
"For me the the main thing that inspired me was watching a lot of movies as a child with actors like Leonardo DiCaprio etc who starred in many movies producing top performances. Straight away I knew 'yeah this is the lifestyle for me' and so from then I worked as hard as possible to get into the position I am, I'm eternally grateful to the director for choosing me out of the many other options and I hope I can repay him with an oscar winning performance hahaha"

What was your family's reaction to you getting the role?
"They were absolutely thrilled, the first thing my mother did was come and give me a big hug and a day after she invited the whole family over and we threw a huge party to celebrate my success, I felt over the moon to have everyone there for me. I think it was definitely one of my proudest moments.

What was your favourite scene to film?
"Well unfortunately I can't directly answer that question because of spoilers and I know the director won't like that but one thing I must say is that there are a lot of enjoyable moments and scenes that I am certain the whole audience will be awestruck by. Everyone involved put in 100% effort so that the audience has something to fully enjoy."

How was the chemistry between the cast members?
"Because we are such a young cast and all around the same age range we linked up really well. The chemistry between all of us was really powerful and by the end of filming we all really felt like a family because of all the memories and moments we shared. I've known Aran and Andi since High School so to be able to wok on such a project with life long friends is an experience that I couldn't be happier to be involved in, it's not everyday you get to act in a television drama with your boys you know what I mean."


6) Produce an A4 sketch of your front cover including the key conventions and design tricks you have studied in existing magazines and then planned in planning task 1 above.




7) Produce an A4 sketch of your contents page. This can be a single page of A4 or alternatively a double-page spread (A3).

8) Produce an A4 landscape sketch of your double page spread design now you have chosen the subject matter.

Photoshoot

1) Which of your main characters will appear on the front cove r of your magazine?
-Kyle
-Aran
-Hanad
-Andi
-George
-Hassan

2) What image or images do you need for the contents page?
I'm going to be using images of most of my cast members so that the audience can get to know and understand their roles and who they are exactly. 

3) What image or images will you use for the double-page spread? Remember, you need seven different original images across the print brief.
I am going to use one big central image on the left of my double page spread and hope to use a couple on the right side that has the text on it but smaller images.

4) Write a shot list for the photoshoot. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

Shot No.	Shot	Taken?
1	Close up of Kyle face	No
2	Close up on Aran	No
3	Long shot of Kyle	No
4	Medium shot of Andi	No
5	Close up of Andi	No
6	Long shot of Kyle, Andi and Aran	No
7	Medium shot of Kyle	No

5) What costume, props or make-up will you require for the photoshoot?
For costume I am just going to have my characters wearing jackets, jeans, tracksuit top and a turtle neck.

Coursework: Pre-production - Shot list

Shot No.	Shot		Filmed?
1	Establishing shot of a Coffee shop		TBC
2	Close up on Kyle looking dazed		TBC
3	POV shot of him looking over to Hassan		TBC
4	Over the shoulder of H talking to K		TBC
5	Over the shoulder of K replying to H		TBC
6	Medium shot of the table as they both talk to each other		TBC
7	Wide shot  of them as they begin to pack up their stuff		TBC
8	POV shot  of Kyle getting up		TBC
9	Tracking shot K walking out		TBC
10	Medium shot H watching him		TBC
11	Tracking shot H getting up		TBC
12	Match on action K opening door		TBC
13	Medium shot both walking in		TBC
14	Panning shot of the room		TBC
15	Over the shoulder shot of K talking to H		TBC
16	Over the shoulder shot H talking to K		TBC
17	POV shot K looking at files		TBC
18	Extreme close up		TBC
19	Overhead shot		TBC
20	Close up on phone ringing		TBC
21	Wide shot of the two looking at each other		TBC
22	Close up on the other caller		TBC
23	Medium close up camera begins to go out		TBC
24	Panning shot of the room of the people in the room		TBC
25	Shot alternates between the two on the phone		TBC
26	Camera follows hand as phone is put to down		TBC
27	Over the shoulder between Hassan and Kyle		TBC
28	Camera follows Kyle as he gets up to leave		TBC
29	Match on action of door opening		TBC
30	Tracking of them running out		TBC
31		Medium shot of them hopping into car		TBC
32		Screen fades to black		TBC
33		Medium shot of H and K walking towards location		TBC
34		Medium close up K and H turning to look at each other		TBC
35		POV of K opening door		TBC
36		Long shot of them steadily walking in		TBC
37		Low angle shot of them walking in the darkness		TBC
38		Quick panning of figure running		TBC
39		Tracking of the figure running out the door		TBC
40		K and H chase him down in a alternating shot		TBC
41		Camera switches to a medium shot of man ready to take down K and H		TBC
42		Close up of K's face looking alarmed		TBC
43		Overhead of H still chasing down figure (chase scene continues)		TBC
44		Long shot of K and A in a physical altercation		TBC
45		After a while camera focus switches back to H running out of breath abandoning the chase (medium shot)		TBC
46		POV of H looking down at phone ringing K		TBC
47		Close up as he panicks when the phone answers but it's a voice he doesn't recognise		TBC
48		Camera focus of man having knocked out K (camera panning down)		TBC
49		Extreme close up on K's face		TBC
50		Fade to black and Scene ends		TBC