Summer holiday task

Here it is:

 

Media Studies A2 Preparatory Task

Research for Advanced Portfolio (Video / TV)

 

For your A2 year of Media Studies you will be producing a series of production pieces, which includes using TV or video as a medium.  Your choice is to produce either a music promo video or a short film. 

 

Over the summer you will need to choose from one of these briefs and carry out some initial research into your chosen project.  This will involve brainstorming at least three ideas for your own moving image piece, and producing short proposals for each.  You will also need to take notes and analyse two examples of professionally produced products.  It is up to you how you do this- as a vlog, a prezi, an infogram, a mindmap, or another way.  But you need to use technology, embedded on a NEW blog, to present your ideas.  This will form the first part of the A2 coursework project.

 

Your notes should be blogged and uploaded on or before the week starting 1st September 2014 (i.e. the first week after the summer break).  They will form part of the coursework research for your final project.  Failure to complete this summer task may mean that you will not be allowed to take A2 Media.

Make a new blog on blogspot. Call it:*yourname*leytona2.blogspot.co.uk

 

Choose from either Brief A Music Promo or Brief B Short Film.

 

Brief A: Music Promo Task

a) Choose 3 potential music tracks for which you could produce a promo video.  These should be original pieces (made by you / friends) or an unreleased album track by a known artist.  The tracks should not yet have a music video.  For each track write / vlog / brainstorm on prezi or similar, a short proposal for an accompanying music video.  The proposal should include the following:

• A summary of the narrative/ conceptual / performance idea and how it links to the lyrics / sound of the track
• Actors, props, locations required
• What makes the promo video different
   
  b) Watch 2 professionally produced music videos that relate to your own ideas in terms of musical genre and / or style.  Make detailed notes/ a mood board / annotated YouTube video / infogram / or any other creative tech under these headings.   Always give a full reference (producer, artist, song, date).

• Synopsize the video
• Is the video conceptual, narrative or performance based?
• Themes and motifs

• Representations of stars / artistes including authorage

• Camera angles, special effects, mise en scene and editing techniques
• Is lip synching used? Where / why?
• Who are the target audience?  How are they encouraged to buy the record?
• What ideas could you use in your own music video?
   
  OR:
   
  Brief B: Short Film Task

1. Originate 3 narrative ideas for a short film.  Your film can follow a clear conventional linear narrative or it could have an experimental or alternative structure.  It can be shot in live action or using animation, or a combination of the two.  It could fit into any genre including drama, action, comedy / spoof, horror, thriller, or a mixture.  For each idea write / vlog / brainstorm on prezi or similar a short treatment which summarises and sells the idea.  Each treatment should include the following:
   • Classification / genre
   • Short summary / synopsis of narrative idea including what makes it different
   • Audience
   • Similar / comparable film examples
   • Logistics and feasibility- in terms of equipment, locations and actors
      
2. Watch two short films (or extracts from longer films) that relate to your own ideas in terms of narrative and / or genre. Make detailed notes/ a mood board  / annotated YouTube video / infogram / or any other creative tech using the following headings.  Always give a full reference (director, title, date)
   • Synopsise the film and the extract(s) you have chosen
   • Narrative structure- linear / non-linear
   • How are the characters represented?
   • Use of camera
   • Use of editing
   • Mise-en-scene: location, lighting, costume, props, make up
   • Sound
   • Target audience- who are they?
   • What ideas could you use in your own short film?
      
     Before you go off on the summer break, your teacher will ask you for your URL to check your work, and it will be linked to the new 2014/15 Leyton Media hub.