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).

I was below my target grade.

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?

In this paper, unfortunately I did not meet my target grade. I needed an additional 28 marks if I wanted to meet my target grade in Paper 2. 
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: 4/9

In question 1, I lost out on easy marks by not fully analysing the product that was given to us. In addition to that, if I had consistent used consistent use of terminology, I could've gained easy marks as my answer would have been viewed as more sophisticated.

Q2: 6/25

In question 2, there was a lot more theories I could have used in my answer and I definitely could've read the question much more carefully. Furthermore, I could have deconstructed the text much more and talk about how it could have an effect on both males and females.

Q3: 10/25

In question 3,if I added a conclusion I could have easily gained much more marks.

Q4: 6/25

I could've made my answer much more better if I spoke about my case studies in depth.
Example: Q2: 13/25 marks
Additional points: I didn't mention media effects theories such as cultivation theory; I didn't focus on the question asking 'how valid' are media effects theories; I could have discussed the effect representations of women have on male gamers as suggested by Anita Sarkeesian; I could have discussed the ideological impact of The Sims on young gamers indoctrinated into the American capitalist dream...

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.

Essay Plan

Introduction - Discuss whether or not television producers attempt to target national and global audiences through subject matter and distribution 

Paragraph 1 - Capital CSP 

Talk about audience and industries 

Paragraph 2 - Capital CSP  

Media theorists I could link my case study with and use in my answer 

Paragraph 3- Deutschland 83 CSP 

Talk about audience and industries  

Paragraph 4 - Deutschland 83 CSP 

Media theorists I could link my case study with and use in my answer

Conclusion - summary of the introduction and come to a final conclusion.

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. Use consistent use of media terminology!

2. Learn CSPs for Videogames and TV

3. Learn media theorists that I can apply to on most questions or at least discuss

4. Structure my answer professionally

5. Make sure my arguments are balanced.

Print magazine research and planning

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.

Some of the key conventions of a magazine cover that I will include in my own magazine cover is having a dark colour scheme which will connote mystery along with violence and crime. Furthermore, I will have a barcode on the bottom right of my magazine.

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:

One design I would use from this magazine is the logo/title being on the top left along with text behind the central image's head.

 A particular key design I would take out from this magazine is the barcode on the bottom right of the magazine front cover.

A key design I might use from this magazine front cover is that the sunglasses are reflecting her which can be successfully done through editing on adobe photoshop.

A design I might use from this magazine front over is that the central image is exposed in the middle however, on the left and right there is a white layer with text on the top which gives a simple sharp touch to the magazine overall.

A design that I would use from this magazine front cover is using text on top of the main characters/central image.

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?

Content pages are designed like a index page on the book. It tells the reader what's going to be shown throughout the magazine as a whole. Content pages tend to have one main image.\

Other content pages such as this lifestyle magazine content page uses a variety of images throughout the content page along with a unique design on both right and left hand side of the pages.

This particular content page is a music magazine content page. The text is right next to the central image, its been positioned like this so the audience look at the central image first which is a well known artist (Kayne West) and then goes onto reading the text beside it.

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?

From this particular double page spread, Some of the tricks I can use on my own personal magazine is that on the left hand side of then page I can have my picture of my choice along with the text on the right.

From this double page spread, one trick I have already identified that I can use for my own personal magazine is that having one full page with a image and then in the following page with the title and text with what the picture represents.

From this double page spread, a trick that I could use is using a numerous amount of pictures within the double page and with a short description underneath it.

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 title for my are original culture magazine will be: Escape LDN

The slogan for my original culture magazine will be: Escape your reality.

I will be using a bold font with the colour black to keep it simple and sharp.

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?

The front cover of my magazine will be a picture of me with a gun on the table. I will be wearing dark clothing which will connote violence as the genre I have chosen is crime.

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.

A content page is a summary of what's going to be shown throughout the whole magazine. On my magazine, the sections that will appear on my contents page are things such as: What is knife crime? Why is it on the rise? Top 10 tips to stay out of knife crime.

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?

• My TV drama is very controversial.
• My TV drama touches on London's gang violence.
• Knife crime.

ESCAPE LDN

Escape your reality

Did you know that sixteen out of twenty serious knife crime offences that take place within England and Wales is in London. The area of Westminster has the highest rate in the country with 35.5 violent crimes per ten thousand residents. Ms Dick, working with the Met has said: "she hoped the Met would benefit from extra police officers as part of a national pledge by Prime Minister Boris Johnson."

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.

IMG_1817.HEIC

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

IMG_1818.HEIC

Photoshoot

1) Which of your main characters will appear on the front cover of your magazine?

The main character that will appear on the front cover of my magazine will be myself.

2) What image or images do you need for the contents page?

I will need a variety of images and I will also be using classmates/friends to be in my photoshoot.

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 will have images with props such as a gun to make it link to the genre I have chosen for trailer. Furthermore, I will have images of characters in dark clothing/tracksuits etc. 

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	Shot?
1	Medium shot of me on the phone.
2	Extreme close up looking into the camera.
3	Medium shot of me sitting down with the gun on the table.
4	Close up shot of Zayna.
5	Close up shot of Dalia.
6	Medium close up of me looking at myself in the mirror.
7	Medium close up of me looking out the window.

5) What costume, props or make-up will you require for the photoshoot?

The props that I will need for my photoshoot is a toy gun. The photoshoot will have to be taken on strictly private property to prevent any trouble being caused.

Preliminary Exercise Learner Response

1) Type up your teacher's feedback in full plus a summary of the comments you received from other students in the class.

WWW: 

Really good editing

Very professional 

Good crime elements

Good use of mise-en-scene

EBI:

Does not fully meet the brief

2) Using a combination of your own reflection on the preliminary exercise and the feedback you were given, write three WWW bullet points and three EBI bullet points for your TV drama scene.

WWW:

Really good voiceover.

Good use of mise-en-scene.

Effective editing.

EBI:

Use visual effects.

Use a variety of shots.

Make the trailer longer. 1:30 to 2:00 mins.

3) How effectively did you complete the objective you laid out in your mini preliminary exercise statement of intent?

I feel like I was successfully able to complete the objective however, if I had more time for the preliminary exercise, I know I could have made it longer and better.
4) What have you learned from the preliminary exercise that will help you in the actual coursework project?

The preliminary exercise has allowed me to receive feedback from my classmates and teacher to see how I can improve my trailer for my actual coursework project.
5) Now you have completed the preliminary exercise, will you change anything in your actual TV drama trailer? This could include narrative, character and script or technical elements such as mise-en-scene, camerawork and sound.

Overall, I don't think I will be making any significant changes to my trailer however, I know I need to make sure my trailer fits the brief therefore, I will make sure it sticks and fits the crime genre.

Coursework: Pre-production - Mise-en-scene

Coursework: Pre-production - Mise-en-scene

Create a Mise-en-scene blogpost planning everything that will appear in front of the camera in your two-minute film trailer. 

Remember CLAMPS: Costume, Lighting, Actors (cast, placement and movement), Make-up, Props, Setting.

Costume
My characters will be wearing tracksuits, hoodies, gloves. These are often what young teenagers who get into trouble are associated with wearing. Furthermore, the costumes will communicate to the audience that they are from a lower class family.

Lighting
In my trailer, I will be using lighting given from the school. Most of my trailer will be filmed during the night however, the street lights in the locations I'm filming at will support the lighting to give it a more natural look. The street lights will also help create a shadow.

Actors
Brandon – Brandon is the father of Ashley. He suffers from mental health issues and is currently relying on benefits to feed him and his son.

Omari – Omari is the boss. He’s the one who supplies the drugs in East London and has a numerous amount of teenagers working for him. He is someone you wouldn’t want to mess around with.

Brandon – Brandon is the father of Ashley. He suffers from mental health issues and is currently relying on benefits to feed him and his son.

Keisha – She is Ashely’s ex girlfriend. She cheats on Ashley and dates his boss as he offers her the luxury lifestyle. When Ashley finds out, things get nasty.

Make-up
Within my trailer, I will barely use make-up. I'll be only using make up on one of the characters, the make-up will be used on their face to look like they've been severely beaten up. There will also be fake blood on their knuckles to look like they've been fighting.

Props

The props that I will be using are weapons such as baseball bats, knives etc. These will be used to make my trailer seem very realistic and it'll communicate to the audience very well.
Setting
Setting: West Ealing Estate, Sainsbury's Car Park, Alexandra Palace,Primrose Hill. I will be using the following places as they have extraordinary views. Furthermore, the specific locations I will be using will reflect what sort of environment teenagers hang around/live in. This reflects the reality of London. 

Coursework: Shot List

Shot No.	Shot	Filmed?
1	Establishing shot of the estate (Fire)
2	Over the shoulder shot of me looking down at the sink, mirror in front of my head (camera moving back slowly)
3	Close-up of water on my face with my eyes closed at the sink
4	Long shot of two people at against the wall at the estate.
5	Medium close-up of them handing over a packet to the other person.
6	Medium shot of someone looking at the window and then looking left (Shot taken from indoors)
7	Tracking shots of 1 or 2 boys riding their bikes
8	Panning shot of two boys standing outside a flat
9	Upwards shot of outside the flat to inside.
10	Medium close-up panning shot of me walking straight
11	Long shot of estate blocks.
12	Tracking shot of a female walking past garages
13	Tracking shot of the back of a man walking in an estate
14	Medium close-up panning shot of me walking straight (Different Location)
15	Panning shot of car to the left.
16	Long shot of a flat (High angle)
17	Over the shoulder shot of group of boys approaching a boy on his own and he boy looks back.
18	Shot of the boy getting gripped up against the garage.
19	Medium shots of the flat

Shot No.	Shot	Filmed?
1	Medium shot panning of me looking out the window
2	Side face close up shot of me looking out the window
3	Medium shot of me and nauman walking out of the flat
4	Medium shot of Vaagesan and Hida speaking “What does Sajin do for us?”
5	Medium panning shot of Vaagesan riding the bike
6	Medium shot + panning backwards of me in the flat using my phone
7	Close up/ goes to a medium shot of samie in the front seat of the car going to meet someone
8	Medium shot of me and samie in a restaurant waiting for someone to come and collect the money. Movement from me picking up the phone
9	Medium shot from the back of two young boys walking in a estate
10	Handheld medium shots of the boys running/looking like they’re having fun.
11	Long shot panning forward to a medium shot of Vaagesan standing still
12	Medium shot of Nauman saying “Light him up”
13	Close up of me putting ammo into the gun
14	Medium shot of me pulling the lever of the gun
15	Medium handheld shot of Nauman being chased by Vaagesan
16	POV shot of Nauman being stepped on the face
17	Medium shot of me kicking a football into the goal
18	Long shot of Samie holding fireworks
19	Medium close-up panning backwards of me in the driver's seat and Samie in the front passenger seat.

Shot No.	Shot	Filmed?
1	Medium close-up of Nauman talking to Vaagesan - Vaagesan looking intimidated
2	Medium close up low angle shot of Hida walking in a tunnel - looking very tired/breathing heavily
3	Over the shoulder shot of Dalia speaking to Samie saying “I trust you to do the right thing”
4	Over the shoulder shot of Samie looking at Dalia as she says “I trust you to do the right thing”
5	Medium shot of Vaagesan and Nauman fighting on the street
6	Medium shot of me walking up with aggression me all of my friends behind me
7	Medium close of Dalia shouting “If they find you, do you know what they’ll do to you?!”
8	Medium shot of Nauman screaming “SAJINNNNN” with aggression