I highly commend the web page 'Nine top tips for Media students'. From the people behind theory.org.uk, its worth a read!

Monday 12 November 2018

BLOG links lists

TBC - i'm editing from an AS template...
KEY:
LL = links list
RSS = RSS feed!
OG = other gadget
You should have a top (horizontal) links list, with:

  • Group partner/s blogs
  • your YouTube
  • their YouTube/s
  • any group YouTube
  • the track
  • track lyrics
  • why this track (link to blog post)
  • pitch
  • audience summary
  • industry summary
  • social media1 [make context, eg as artist or as record label or manager or design agency]
  • social media2
  • social media3 (if in a group of 3)
  • final cut
  • digipak
  • website
  • EvalQ1 Conventions/representations
  • EvalQ2 Promo package branding
  • EvalQ3 Aud engagement/distribution
  • EvalQ4 Technologies

In the right-hand column, your lists/gadgets should have

OG pageviews
OG blog archive
OG followers 
OG About me (optional, feel free to remove)




You need to add these links lists/gadgets, + edit each as you blog
LL Eval Qs
Obviously no posts in this until January! Make sure the links are clearly described; DON'T just use Q1, Q2: 
  • Q1 Conventions/representations
  • Q2 Promo package branding
  • Q3 Aud engagement/distribution
  • Q4 Technologies
LLVodcasts (all) 
You'll have separate, shorter lists for topics like General Conventions, but this helps highlight the range of your vodcasting.
LLKey websites I've used
eg Guardian Music, Blabbermouth, VideoStatic, PromoNews, artist Wikis, NME, try this google ... Any further suggestions (great sites for music industry/vid-related research), please pass on as a comment to this post
LL: Blogs I've used
That includes individual past student blogs you've looked at; musividz; prodeval; mediareg; A2 blog
RSSThis only works for some sites; see the 3 examples I've added to MusiVidz, but add whichever you'll find useful - including artist/genre sites or site sections/pages. See this post for instructions/examples.
     - Music Guardian (+ possible additional Indie micro-site)
     - Video Static
     - Promo News
OG our Twitter feed see links at the bottom of this post
OG our Insta feed
These require some HTML tweaks - see the links at the bottom of this post.

LLMedia theories I've tackled
As you encounter theories, you should add individual posts on each, eg THEORY1 auteur. Other examples: Stuart Hall's readings, Proppian archetypes, narrative enigma, binary opposites, Todorov, Butler/queer theory, Baudrillard's simulacrum + postmodernism... Avoid copy/pasting from me or websites; explain in your own words (adding detail with hyperlinked/sourced quotes if you like). Give an example of how YOU would APPLY this (eg detail Proppian archetypes seen in 1 or more music videos), even if you simply copy/paste from 1 of your own posts. This will help hugely with exam prep!
LL: General Conventions research
LLGeneral Music Videos I've Analysed
General is simply defined as openings explored before research switched to genre examples. Don't just rely on playlists; this immediately shows how wide or narrow your research has been. 

LLYouTube playlists of films I've analysed + other resources
Build playlists as you go, using shared or individual YT channel. These can overlap (1 film in multiple playlists) + would include: Past coursework film openings; General film openings [break this + others down into topics if you wish]; Genre film openings; Key influences. Other resources might be themed by director/s, SFX, company/ies, age rating; any area you think useful. You'll also embed these eventually into a single post.
LL: Podcasts
These should be posted weekly, with brief textual summary of contents, eg PODCAST1 Introducing the group/idea
LL: Genre Videos I've Analysed
Probably not links to posts, the YT link instead. 
Once you've finished this you should add an updated, comprehensive VIDEO: KEY INFLUENCES SUMMARY post/vodcast.
LL: Genre: Additional research
A sense of historical context/knowledge: key bands (eg Pixies), key videos and/or singles/albums, key directors, key record labels (eg Mute, Beggars, 4AD, Creation), impact on pop charts over time. Include key contemporary examples. 

LL: Ideas: the evolution
You should have (usually short but ...) clear posts on every idea thats been considered. Once the final idea has been detailed in a post, further changes would be noted in posts entitled IDEA UPDATE1 etc, not just IDEA. That include posts like IDEA UPDATE3 romantic scenes long list or IDEA UPDATE4 final list of domestic vignettes.

LL: Industry research
Some of this is directly linked to genre research, but its worth highlighting your attention to all of CIA. See this post for lots of pointers. You can blog on this theme at any time.
Big themes include:
DISRUPTION/MONETISATION: data + analysis on how digitisation has impacted the music industry. How have labels/bands responded to the decline in direct revenue from recorded music?
STREAMING: be very clear on how YT + Spotify especially have been forces of disruption. Give some idea of possible future directions.
DISTRIBUTION: try the tag for posts like this on Indies + disruption/self-distribution, Vevo, and try this case of Bicep and their blend of labels and self-distribution. This will accelerate your evaluation too.

LL: Initial audience research
There is a top link for audience in which you'll find a simple Word guide on what to research, and lots of posts with the audience tag for secondary research
Primary: audience survey to establish suitability (if the numbers aren't encouraging, respond: what will you do to boost hopes of successfully appealing to this aud?) - familiarity with artist, genre; their ideas of what you'd expect to see in vids of this genre; their initial response to your idea.
Moodboard of male + female aud members.
Secondary: quotes from articles, books etc on that genre's audience or challenges it faces. You'll find for all genres some analysis/discussion of typical age range and gender for example. Address/consider the BBFC issue: age ratings 
typical BBFC, MPAA + any other national ratings (its useful to note the huge differences across countries); typical box office to establish appeal (there are outliers like Secrets and Lies, Slumdog Millionaire, Billy Elliot that break the trend); 
LL: Pre-production planning docs
This is where marks are often lost - many of these are specifically in the markscheme: script/screenplay; storyboards; shotlists/call sheets; animatic; moodboards; pitch.
LL: Pre-production organisation
Casting, rehearsals; costume, props, make-up; location scouting. Its a good idea to add a post, IDEA: summary of how it evolved, to link here.
LL: Practice exercises
Prelim; Tyrannosaur swede; microdrama if there's time
LL: Production schedule and updates
The pitch should include an early draft plan to get done by Xmas, regularly updated with a SCHEDULE UPDATE1 post whenever required (eg for re-shoot or a shoot is cancelled)


A google calendar (from the combined group account) is a smart tool to use, + screenshot in schedule posts. It could be usefully embedded at the bottom of the blog (not the side) - google to see how (I've blogged on this in mediatechtips too)

LL: Sample scenes, rough cuts, final cut
The sooner you start sample scenes - these would boost any pitch - the better. Never film without blogging - if it looks awful upon review, fine - blog it, explain why, and detail what you'll change to get better results. Such material is important to evidence "THE JOURNEY", a key phrase in the markscheme.
LL: Audience feedback
As much as possible, try to blog some audience feedback on every sample or rough cut, no matter how minimal, + post a clear response to this (which could be disagreeing with sample audience views sometimes). Include within a single post with the footage or split as you prefer. If in a single post, then add + AUDIENCE FEEDBACK to the links list title for sample scenes etc 
LL: Shoots
Best to keep a single post for every shoot, in which you post (updating the post as you go): PLANNING (shotlists etc; script updates; location scouting; set dressing/costuming/mise-en-scene plans); RUSHES (a few clips before you've had time to actually edit; any edited behind-the-scenes which evidences set-dressing, production [using call sheets], directing, cinematography setup etc - such material is key for the social media); REFLECTION (how did the shoot go? Anything unplanned added? Re-shoot or follow-up shoot needed? Sound issues to note and tackle in post as Foley sound? Logistical issues with transport, catering, lighting etc?)
LL: Uses of technology
You can set up single posts to add to, and later tidy up, or multiple posts (in which case, multiple links lists). Topics include: Final Cut Pro X, Blogger, online research, sharing documents, group comms + communicating with cast, AV kit, social media, etc
LL: Misc
The brief, assessment criteria etc - anything that doesn't fit in with another links list. If you spot a useful theme, then give it its own links list.
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t
LL: t
t


LL: t
t

Friday 21 September 2018

Useful reading, viewing and links

DVD sets of autuer's work are useful
Using Amazon.co.uk links, here are some suggestions for books, DVDs, sites/blogs and playlists that will help with your A2 Media work.

MY/STUDENT BLOGS + PLAYLISTS

  • MusiVidz is the main one, linking coursework and exam
  • MediaReg for the regulation exam topic we start after Xmas
  • ProdEval for tie-in material with the 1st half of the exam (though more is linked into MusiVidz posts)
  • Past student blogs - as the OCR (UK) is what CIE based their syllabus on, the Ilkley examples remain useful
  • Playlists - I've directly linked these in this post, or you can just browse the YouTube channel (and you can search for others beyond IGS/StG yourself).



MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTORS DVDs
Producer PalmPictures.com's website. A google.
Just 4 of the many video directors who have developed a distinctive individual style, leading some to label them as auteurs. The latter 3 have all directed successful feature films too - its a common route into the film business (remember that both Warp and WT emerged from music video producers deciding to take it a step on). You can find DVD sets with great extras compiling some of their work.

You will find I namecheck Corbijn especially often - there are also collections of U2 and particularly Depeche Mode music videos that he has (mostly!) directed. Depeche Mode and the Pixies' work is especially recommended if you're after inspiration to try something a little strange or different.

Recording an hour or so of music videos on any channel and making brief notes as you then watch multiple videos is another great way to quickly build up a wider range of specific examples - you may have nothing to note on some, and only 1 or 2 points on some, but the wider your range of references the better your own work will be - and the easier you will find both the Evaluation and first half of the exam.


MUSIC VIDEO COURSEWORK (+ EXAM)

Keith Negus' Popular Music in Theory: incredibly useful for both coursework and exam, this gives you a summary of media theories applied to music. Great for the Evaluation, but also blogging about audience; brilliant for both Q1 and Q1b of the exam. It is quite old, but still useful.

Not particularly academic but very useful for the history of music vids, + refs/analysis to/of many vids and directors you won't have heard of (but which could give you ideas), is Austerlitz' Money For Nothing: A History of the Music Video From The Beatles to The White Stripes. You can of course try a general music video (book) search, and you'll come up the likes of this. Austerlitz provides a history of the music video and how it developed over time, and mentions (details) lots of examples you won't have come across - but which might help for ideas. Such examples may also end up being used in your exam too.


Tuesday 18 September 2018

DEADLINES SEPT-OCT

These reflect a much slower pace than planned, reflective of the lack of detailed video research over the summer and slow initial pace of completing general conventions research. Be mindful that Xmas will remain your productionS deadline (3, not 1: website + digipak too), and any courework overrun impacts exam preparation. Here's a summary (list not completed yet; I'll do this as a Word doc to tick off once finalised) of what should be on your blog for half-term, with deadlines highlighted:

GENERAL POINTS:
  • All comments must be replied to - once actioned (ie, you've done something to improve a post)
  • You must include an absolute minimum of 3 gifs each (3 you have generated) in your general conventions posts (combined), including at least 1 in GC5 cinematography.
  • All posts must be well presented, with sub-headings where useful; specific pics/gifs (fine to use Ppts for multi-pics); tagging; clear + numbered post titles, added to links lists as you post; initials to denote any work which isn't done by you
  • Most posts should a short, clear SUMMARY and/or 'POSSIBLE INFLUENCES' (or equivalent wording you prefer) at the top of the post, using a consistent font/size/colour
  • By the 1st of each month you should post a to-do list, eg OCTOBER TO-DO LIST, listing blogging tasks to do this month (and update throughout the month, before doing a fresh post for Nov 1st and so on). I would encourage you to explore the options for a shared google calendar (which can be embedded on your blogs)
  • Add ALL vids you look at to 1 or more individual playlists (ie, each of you have this playlist linked to your YouTube). All playlists should be featured in a links list
  • Podcasts must be uploaded to Soundcloud weekly in time for playback at the start of lesson Mon P5, starting Mon 1st October, and links lists updated. If you want to vodcast/vlog, ie use multiple images, use YouTube, eg PODCAST1 Initial research, group + ideas.
  • You must endeavour to use specific media language, including precise denotation, semiotic terms etc
  • Post separately on EVERY theory you apply - such posts might be short, but make sure they're clear, and provide a relevant example (fine to copy/paste from whatever post you mention it in): eg THEORY1: BUTLER'S queer theory.
  • Bear in mind you're blogging on your journey, and evidencing research on 3 broad themes - CIA: Conventions, Industry, Audience - so blog on anything you feel is useful at any time. If you flick through my blog you'll see it reflects I read all the time on the music biz, you could look at some of the sources that spark my posts (and others that catch your eye)
  • social media: each pick ONE social media you'll update as you go (minimum 1 post a week). Mostly just use blog material, but worded to be appropriate for social media, including # where relevant. At least 1 should be as the artist and at least 1 as the video (or other) production company. Social media posts will be short!!!

EXPECTED POSTS

Welcome to my blog!
Reflections on my AS coursework
What I did well; my strengths
What I know I need to do better; my weaknesses
Key skills I hope to develop
Learning from past A2 coursework
Be specific!!! You can note great things you see - and not so great/things to avoid. Include blogs and eval answers in your response: Sophie and Evie's are very good examples. Richard's is poorly organised, has many incomplete posts - BUT has lots of great resources for anyone looking into Indie, and is just a great example of how free and creative you can be with your ideas... Molly's was based around that Sly Antics vid (warehouse, oldies in coffee shop etc)
GENERAL CONVENTIONS 10 vids I'll analyse
Playlist AND text list
GENERAL CONVENTIONS Thoughts on 10 sample vids
IDEAS 1 [+ useful key words]
There should be several of these; don't need much writing, but enough to be specific and clear. Just as important: use of specific images/gifs, not just full embedded vids. You should link + refer to lyrics.
GENERAL CONVENTIONS 1st 6 shots of 1D vid
Should be quite a lot of clear detail + terminology!!!
GENERAL CONVENTIONS Pace + shot variety in 3 vids
GEN Cs+Cs1: Lyrics/Visuals; narrative (etc)
use my numbering system for this 10 part research (+ summary + vodcast), effectively 'chapters' of your vodcast. If you want to split any of these topics into smaller posts, use (eg) 1a to keep the numbering system. Remember, you each need to individually blog on at least 1 clear, specific example for each topic before combining research; and adding multiple short but specific points on additional vids will clearly improve the quality of your research...and therefore knowledge + understanding. I've provided a lot of detail
PODCAST 1: Group, initial research + ideas
On blogs from soundcloud weekly before Monday lessons for playback. Vodcast/vlog from YouTube or Vimeo if you want to include useful illustrative images (slower to do but better). Typical length 60 secs. typical format: updates (since our last podcast we have...) + plans (coming up, with some clear dates, we will...). A jingle or other branding would be good (you could each have your own).
INITIAL PITCH
RE-PITCH
PRE-PROD: LOCATION SCOUTING1
(etc)
Next major step after general conventions are nailed. Basically you're summing up not just the idea, but pre-production/planning you've done/to do linked to casting, location scouting, costume/props/make-up etc. A re-pitch is updating on progress, and idea firming up.
To ensure you clearly evidence THE JOURNEY,  a key phrase which is repeated in the assessment criteria, you'd post on each pre-production 'event' like visiting possible locations. 
SOCIAL MEDIA my chosen platform
SOCIAL MEDIA my group's platforms
You'll each run 1 social media, including 1+ as the artist and 1+ as 'the' production co (often sep for vid/site/CD sleeve). A 3rd could be as artist manager or record label (each of those might post on other Indie artists on their label/management too). As always, you each need to evidence individual research into the format: what/how does actual examples post (design, language, hashtagging etc)
BLOGGER tools used
FCPX tools used
(etc)
Use a single post to update or numbered posts + log your uses of each technology. This can then be used to help 1 of your eval Qs, and will help too with exam Q1a preparation (CRUD - D for digital technologies).


Wednesday 13 June 2018

Summer 2018 task + getting started

There will be 2 June sessions to get you started on A2 coursework tasks to finish off over the summer. (Key post 1: blogging on videos; post 2: DB examples/playlist)
Basic summary:
SESSION 1: Weds 13th June set up A2 blog; look at DB vid analysis examples; pick 10 initial vids to blog on 
SESSION 2: Review blogging on 10 vids (min. 1 in detail, min. 1 clear point on each, + summary organised by themes with clear examples for each); opportunity to discuss early ideas 
FOR SEPTEMBER: Initial summary of general music video conventions, based on 20+ examples, min. 2 detailed analyses and 1+ specific point/e.g. from each.  That requires a mix of posts (tagged, clear post names, links listed, good layout + use of multimedia/illustrations) AND a summary video (using freeware software if necessary, or iMovie which can be imported into FCPX for quick improvements). 
Any additional preparatory work on a pitch would be highly beneficial (genre research including history, conventions [characters, narrative, opening, history, 
box office/distribution, age rating etc]; location scouting; audience research; casting; costume; script/themes; sample rough footage ...).


SESSION 1:
(1) Set up blog, changing comment moderation/verification and widths, using a Simple template (further customise after the session).

(2) Post 1: Hopes for this blog
- what are your hopes/aims for this year?
- what skills do what you hope to develop?
- have you any early thoughts on genres or visual ideas/narrative themes you might to look at for your idea?

(3) Music video variety, and finding examples: use this post/vodcast for an immediate sense of the variety in media language of videos, and preview some of the forms/themes of analysis you could do.

(4) look further at the style + content of video analysis posts; preview the examples below. 2 basic approaches that can work for single video analysis posts or multiple video analysis posts:

  • neat formatting at the top of the post with some basic details (often hyperlinked): careful use of size, font, spacing and image positioning
  • SUMMARY! completed after initial analysis
  • 1 approach is to caption screenshots with specific detail, making clear the point (EX with denotation, but also clear EAA)
  • another is to make notes, identify themes from these and summarise the point/examples under each theme heading

Goodwin by himself isn't enough to cover conventions, but is a great starting point:


(5) Questions?

(6) Create a playlist of 10 vids from multiple genres and time periods, including at least 1 from this post. 1+ detailed video analysis and at least 1 point from the rest of your 10 for session 2 to discuss and review.
..

Thursday 17 May 2018

CIE Past exam papers

(I've changed post date to make sure you see this)
Your exam is similar to but not identical with the OCR (UK) syllabus it is based on, so there is value in also looking at those for further practice questions. You've only got 2015, 2016 and sample past papers so far from CIE as it is a new syllabus (the OCR started in 2008).

Below you can access these in two formats: first, the full past paper (sample, June 15, Nov 15, June 16) THEN screenshots of the questions only for Q1a+Q1b THEN for the Media regulation topic.


  CIE A2 past exam Qs by DB3@IGS on Scribd


FIRST: THE Q1A/1B TOPICS
2015 JUNE: 1A Use of conventions       1B Representation
         NOV:  1A Research + Planning     1B Genre
2016 JUNE: 1A R+P/Creativity             1B Narrative
         NOV:  1A Digital tech/creativity   1B Audience
2017 JUNE: Use of conventions + Media Lang the most likely?




Wednesday 10 January 2018

JOURNEY SUMMARY PODCAST

links list e.g. (Sophie, A2)
Throughout the year you have been urged to podcast and post (pre/post-)production schedule updates to help evidence "THE JOURNEY", a key phrase in the assessment criteria.

The links list on the left is an example of some of the work a previous high-achieving student did in this regard - just have a look at the links lists alone to get a good sense of the range of what she did to get (almost) 100%.

Today you will be creating a summary of this, which should also help you identify some key gaps, and along the way demonstrating to a visiting student what you have done throughout the year. You need to clearly demonstrate answers with blog and other relevant content, and should edit in clear screenshots/clips afterwards.
You can add to this before submitting your final blog to help secure high marks on this criteria. Providing clear summaries on your work in posts BEFORE the Evaluation answers (though you could create these at the same time) is very useful in helping secure marks - and for you to identify gaps.
Be clear and specific - but don't waffle!!!
Below is the list of questions you will answer.

You should film this - your interviewer could do this for you, so it is only the production team (and Mac screen/s (groups could flip between multiple screens) in shot.

Up next: for AS completing Eval Q2b, for A2 creating a sample digipak image using the chosen Photoshop SFX tutorial (and then Eval Q3b, which is also an opportunity to check on blogging research on industry).


...