Course outline

The course

There is a mix of theoretical and practical work
•Based on a consultation with industry media experts


G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media- coursework kept on a blog. See here for examples.
This is a coursework unit where candidates produce a media artefact from a series of briefs. This process involves progression from a pre-production, preliminary exercise to a more fully realised piece. The briefs offered are: print, video, audio and website.
Candidates present their research and planning in either paper-based or digital format and do an evaluation in digital format, based on seven required prompt questions.

You can choose from;
Print
Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program.
Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine (if done as a group task, each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style). Maximum four members to a group.
All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate(s), minimum of FOUR images per candidate.
Video
Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source. Both preliminary and main tasks may be done individually or as a group. Maximum four members to a group.
Audio
Preliminary exercise: the introductory music/jingle for a show on the radio with a presenter introducing and greeting their guest (who must respond) and playing an archive sound clip relating to the guest (approximately 30-40 seconds duration in total). This exercise is to demonstrate understanding of sound editing and mixing and conventions of radio.
Main task: A five minute news bulletin (local radio) to include title music, presenter, specialist reporters, OBs, recorded interview, a vox pop and appropriate sound fx and structure.
All audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source. Both preliminary and main tasks may be done individually or as a group. Maximum four members to a group.

G322: Key Media Concepts (TV Drama) One two hour exam, two sections.
Click here for links
Textual Analysis and Representation.
In Section A, candidates answer questions on an unseen moving image extract that is then linked to some aspect of the representation within the sequence.

Institutions and Audiences
In Section B, candidates study the British Film Industry
Click here for link

The aims of this course is to;
• enhance candidates enjoyment and appreciation of the media and its role in their daily lives;
• develop critical understanding of the media through engagement with media products and concepts and through the creative application of practical skills;
• explore production processes, technologies and contexts;
• become independent in research skills and their application.