WHAT'S ON?! - Weekly lesson content & resource links

TERM ONE

WEEK 8

MONDAY 27/10/08
Recap on dominant ideologies and gender expectations
Previous class notes, print adverts and youtube examples
Class discussion and notes

(7) Prep Set Due: FRIDAY 31/10/08 (Before 10am please)
Use your knowledge of CAMPS (camera angles, movement, position & shots), Editing, Sound and Mise-en-scene to analyse the representation of characters on offer in the opening of “Skins”. Pay close attention to the representation of GENDER & AGE in this sequence. (800 words) Please deliver to the blue box in N03!

SUGGESTED ESSAY INTRODUCTION
This opening sequence from the British T.V. Drama series, “Skins”, focuses on the lives of several teenagers and their families in a modern day context. It successfully engages its youthful target audience by representing life as it is, or life as the audience might like it to become. Some characters conform to traditional gender roles gender, whilst other more *transgressive characters exaggerate and/or subvert stereotypes to create humour.

* transgressive – means to sin, offend or violate laws and commands

* Use the structured essay plan provided!

TUESDAY
T.V. Drama Essay classwork
How to analyse a sequence using Mise-en-scene, Sound, Camerawork and Editing terms.
Structured examples
Group notes and discussion

WEDNESDAY
T.V. Drama Essay classwork
How to analyse a sequence using Mise-en-scene, Sound, Camerawork and Editing terms.
Structured examples
Group notes and discussion

THURSDAY
T.V. Drama Essay classwork
How to analyse a sequence using Mise-en-scene, Sound, Camerawork and Editing terms.
Structured examples
Group notes and discussion

(8) Prep Set Due: 4/11/08
Revise terms and definitions in preparation for a timed essay (in class) concerning the representation of RACE in a T.V. Drama sequence.
You will need to be sure of at least 4 terms from CAMPS (camera angles, movement, position & shots), Editing, Sound and Mise-en-scene to analyse the representation on offer.

FRIDAY
BLOG posting on practical work using guidance handout and resources from the mediaserver

Screening of T.V. Drama sequence focusing on Race as an area of representation
Class discussion and notes


HALF TERM FROM 17/10/08 UNTIL SUNDAY 26/10/08

WEEK 7
MONDAY 13/10/08

Students present their research into similar media texts and own ideas for Thriller films with powerpoint presentations (x 2 pairs to present)
Brief written evaluation task at end

TUESDAY
SKINS as a T.V. Drama
Recap on Stereotypes as narrowly defined social groups and ways of defining target audiences/demographics
How to analyse a sequence using Mise-en-scene, Sound, Camerawork and Editing terms.
Click here for a brief notes on material covered
Group notes and discussion

WEDNESDAY

BLOG posting on practical work using guidance handout and resources from the mediaserver

THURSDAY
Editing of Preliminary Filming tasks in the Editing Suite with Matt and Vicky
If finished, sequences will be compressed to MPEG1 files and made available on the mediaserver. Students may then upload work onto individual blogs.

FRIDAY
Blogging tasks
Screening of opening sequence from “Skins” 6mins 45secs
Class discussion and notes

WEEK 6
MONDAY 6/10/08
Students reflected on Week 5’s activities and discussed the PRELIMINARY FILMING TASK.
Click here for the REVISION / EVALUATION HANDOUT
Students filled out Evaluation Sheets and rated their individual contributions to the PRELIM TASK. Students also wrote about their team’s efforts.
Strengths / Weaknesses / Things to improve next time
Everyone labeled the screen shot of the SONY PD 170 camera (e.g. circled O db and gave short definition of GAIN and why it would only be used if say you saw Madonna vomiting outside a nightclub.)

TUESDAY
T.V. Drama and dominant ideologies
Stereotypes as narrowly defined social groups and ways of defining target audiences/demographics.
Costs of producing British T.V. Drama (compared to those in U.S.A.)
Click here for a brief notes on material covered
Group notes and discussion
Research task
Students to research characters in T.V. Drama “SKINS”.
Consider target audiences. Who identifies with or relates to any of the characters in “SKINS”
Are any of the characters marginalized?
Comment on the representation of Age and Gender on offer
e.g. http://www.e4.com/skins/profile-cassie.html


WEDNESDAY
Students made own blogs using www.athenadobson2008@blogspot.com format

Started posting on Media experiences thus far.
POST 1 - Students introduce themselves in a paragraph. Could have the title "WHY I CHOSE MEDIA STUDIES"
POST 2 - Using Digital Still Cameras - Lesson 1
etc

THURSDAY
Introduction to editing and Final Cut Pro with Matt and Vicky
Students to take notes on exercises, then to try their hands at cutting Preliminary Filming tasks.
* There will only be 2 periods over the next 2 weeks to complete this task.

(6) Prep Set Due: THURSDAY 16/10/08
• Read through powerpoint on REPRESENTATION IN T.V. DRAMA
• Highlight keywords and definitions. Circle any words that are unfamiliar or confusing to you.
• Make a 2 page summary of class notes on the
Representation of dominant ideologies in Media.
Summarise key points from the first few pages of your powerpoint
and your class notes.
Make specific references to points about dominant ideologies (e.g. capitalism, patriarchy) and gender expectations in British society.

FRIDAY
Students present their research into existing media texts and own ideas for Thriller films with powerpoint presentations (x 2 pairs to present)
Also… screening of “American Psycho” opening
Group notes and discussion on construction of this opening sequence


WEEK 5
MONDAY
29/9/08
Worked through ideas and exercises in
Special FX in T.V. & FILM Ppt
Group notes and discussion
Youtube sequences included MATRIX – Wirework and CGI, HOT CHIP – Over and Over music video (Green screen and wirework), RADIOHEAD – Bodysnatchers music video (made in Moviestorm), CREATURE COMFORTS Stop animation by Nick Park

TUESDAY
Pairwork on THRILLER RESEARCH TASK POWERPOINT whilst Bex introduced Jason’s group to BLOGGING
Thriller Research Task Sheet available here (also emailed to students)

WEDNESDAY
Preparing for the PRELIM task in WEEK 5 (next week!)
Recap on Media Terminology, distribution of Storyboards for task.
Storyboard available here
Discussion of Storyboards, scripts and exercise on possible interpretations of script and storyboard provided.

THURSDAY
SOUND in T.V. and FILMS
Ideas and exercises in
Technical Areas of T.V. and Film Analysis Ppt
Exercise using sound from the opening of “GLADIATOR”
Group notes and discussion

* Revise notes on PD170 camera set up before your Prelim task.

(5) Prep Set Due: THURSDAY 9/10/08
THRILLER FILM RESEARCH POWERPOINT
Create a powerpoint presentation on Thriller films with a partner using the handout provided. (Maximum 5 minutes long)
This info will be added to blogs later!

FRIDAY
Matt and Vicky practicals
PRELIMINARY FILMING TASK
Group split into 3 or 4 students, each assigned role of either
Director / Continuity Person / Cameraperson / Actor
Filming simple sequence using storyboard and script provided
Brief written evaluation task at end. (Handout Q’s provided)


WEEK 4
MONDAY 22/9/08
Practical Lesson 1
Introduction to SONY PD170 Video Cameras and Tripods with Matt, Vicky and Bex in the Editing suite
Setting up the camera and tripod
The importance of the camera display
Some specific terms to discuss in blogs include:
Battery and tape indicators
Shutter speed
Exposure
White balance
Gain
Zoom and focus
Shooting process

TUESDAY
Intro to Editing Terms using “Demolition Man” sequence
Ideas and exercises in
Technical Areas of T.V. and Film Analysis Ppt
Group notes and discussion

WEDNESDAY
Continued Textual Analysis of “Demolition Man” sequence
Group notes and discussion

THURSDAY
Practical lesson 2
Filming a simple Western Storyboard called “GUN FIGHT” in groups of 3.

(4) Prep Set Due: THURSDAY 2/10/08
* Complete Horror poster work in Photoshop. Hand in to blue box or email teacher a hyperlink to your final piece.
* Complete diagram or mind map notes on set up of SONY PD170 lesson and briefly evaluate your performance in this week’s group filming task.
Strengths? Weaknesses? Any things you’d do differently next time?
(This info will be added to blogs later!)

FRIDAY
* Review of Essay writing skills and Key terms
* Finishing off Horror posters in Photoshop

WEEK 3
MONDAY
Students discussed PHOBIAS/IRRATIONAL FEARS – their informal research gathered from friends, family and internet on weekend. Talked through ideas for Thriller/Horror films.

Started working through ideas and exercises in
Technical Areas of T.V. and Film Analysis
Group notes and discussion

TUESDAY
Technical Areas of T.V. and Film Analysis
CAMERA ANGLES. MOVEMENT SHOTS & POSITION
Drawing exercise - simple storyboard activity
Class discussion, examples and notes from board. Model answers provided + student contributions invited.

WEDNESDAY
Recap on Media Terminology so far
Technical Areas of T.V. and Film Analysis
CAMERA ANGLES. MOVEMENT SHOTS & POSITION
Class discussion, examples and notes from board. Model answers provided + student contributions invited.

ROLE PLAY ACTIVITY – Students pretend to be Protagonist, Antagonist, Camerapeople, Director, Continuity Person, Reflector board operators… etc to demonstrate SHOT / REVERSE SHOT and other camera work.

Began analysis of Demolition Man sequence, using tick chart.
Identifying Camera Angles, Shots, Movement and Position and discussing individual functions

THURSDAY
Practical work with Matt and Vicky
Using the Digital Still Cameras - C.U. M.S. L.S. + 6 shots on a theme - trying to get one or more with intent to use on own Thriller/Horror posters + Photoshop skills

(3) Prep Set Due: THURSDAY 25/9/08
* Analyse the opening of the “Demolition Man” sequence in terms of MISE-EN-SCENE, CAMERAWORK and EDITING.
(750-800 words)

* Make brief notes from textbook P.38-41 on Video Production

FRIDAY
Practical work with Vicky and Matt
PHOTOSHOP TOOLS and making own Thriller/Horror Film Posters



WEEK 2
MONDAY
Students put final touches on Shield tasks whilst I.T. dept.was consulted for some outstanding user areas and passwords.
Students then discussed their shields in pairs, then explained their partner’s shield and its symbolism to the group.

Started working through ideas and exercises in
Mise-en-scene and Gatekeeping Powerpoint
Group notes and discussion

TUESDAY
Mise-en-scene and Gatekeeping Powerpoint
Class discussion, examples and notes from board. Model answers provided + student contributions invited.

WEDNESDAY
Recap on Media Terminology so far
Notes and discussion on BOYZ IN DA HOOD moving image sequence

THURSDAY
Continued notes and discussion on BOYZ IN DA HOOD moving image sequence
Brainstorm on PHOBIAS/ IRRATIONAL FEARS in preparation for practical Thriller/Horror work

2) Prep set Due: Thursday 18/9
* Revise for verbal mini tests on keywords and definitions

* Students must read through Student handbooks (provided by the Media Department) and consider what strategies suit their specific learning styles. (To discuss with teacher if uncertain of text)

* Use some of the strategies mentioned in the Student handbook to make notes on OCR Media Studies textbook P.1-9
Remember to use specific Media terminology.
(500-700 words)

FRIDAY
Practical work with Vicky and Matt
PHOTOSHOP TOOLS and merging Thriller/Horror Film Posters

WEEK 1
MONDAY Sept 1 2008
Welcome & Course Outline
Distributed Study Skills booklets, textbooks and Student Profile Sheet (to be completed and returned this week)
Worked through first part of Media Studies: A beginner's Guide Ppt.

TUESDAY
Media Studies: A beginner's Guide Ppt.
Class discussion, examples and notes from board. Model answers provided + student contributions invited.
Concepts of anchorage and other semiotic terms to use in critical analysis.

WEDNESDAY
Using Media terminology
Print Advert Analysis - Class worked in pairs, then altogether on example provided. Notes and discussion.

THURSDAY
Mise en scene & Gatekeeping
Talked through "A grade response to Print advert" handout and distributed copy of this + helper questions for Prep task.

Prep set - Due: Thursday 11/9
Critically analyse a full page print advert in the style of this week's model answer "An A grade response to Print advert" Remember to use specific Media terminology.
500-700 words.
Full colour Print advert examples are available from Bex if you are unable to find an advert yourself.

FRIDAY
Introduction to the Hurtwood network
User names + passwords. Brief Q&A.

If students have access to their area, they will create new folders MEDIA, then SEMIOLOGY, then PRACTICAL NOTES.

2 SIMPLE I.T. TASKS TO COMPLETE on computers in N03.
SHIELD TASK
Create a personal shield or crest using either MS Word and google images or Photoshop if you feel daring!
Shield shape can be found on internet or drawn, page must be A4. Shield should bear your name and a range of images that symbolise your background, personality and interests. This visual representation of you will be printed at the end of the period, and explained briefly at the start of next lesson.

MS WORD TASK
Open new document.
We will format this page as if it was an essay, so everyone knows how PREP work should be presented.

Insert a header that says student name, boarding house and date.
Type title, Week 1 at Hurtwood (or similar)
Make title BOLD, UNDERLINE, JUSTIFIED in centre
12 pt in either Times new Roman or arial font (Point out the difference between serif and sans serif again)
Write lighthearted paragraph on good/bad/ugly of first week at Hurtwood.
Double space main body of text.
Print out and hand in.