Research & Planning feedback

Most of you have your feedback from the Research & Planning work you have done so far. Have a look at the bullet points I have given you for how you could improve your grade - make sure this is done over Christmas so that you can focus your time and energies on the practical work.

Milly, Eleanor, please come and see me to get your feedback.

Have a great holiday,
Mr Kirkaldy

Shooting schedule

Your Research & Planning sections should be finished by this Thursday (10th Dec). I will mark them all and give you feedback in our last lesson before Christmas (Thursday 17th December).

When you're sure that you're ready to start filming, you should put together a shooting schedule:

Scene	Location	Date/Time	Equipment/ Props	Personnel
Classroom confrontation/ fight	C27	15 Dec 15:30	Camera Tripod School uniforms Knife	Actors: Tom, Dick, Harry Camera: Kelly, Sam

This will not only help you in terms of organising your filming (and the people involved) but will also demonstrate to the examiner that you have a good understanding of the organisational/logistical side of making a film.

Coursework timings and deadlines

With Christmas fast approaching, I thought it would be helpful to think about our timings for the New Year and the deadlines for various aspects of your A2 coursework portfolios.

By now you should all have pretty much finished your Research & Planning sections and be looking to start on your practical work. To put that into perspective, here are the deadlines we will be working to:

Feb 12th: 1st draft for ALL THREE productions (Main Task + 2 Ancillary Tasks)
This means I can mark all of your practical work over February half-term and give you feedback for how you can improve.

Mar 4th: Final draft for ALL THREE productions
This gives you two weeks from when we get back after half-term to make any improvements to your final productions, including any re-shooting or re-editing work. This leaves you with three weeks to do your Evaluation and any finishing touches to your blogs.

Mar 24th: FINAL DEADLINE
ALL work has to be done and all blogs finished by the time we break up for Easter. This means I can mark it in time for the exam board deadline (the first week back after the Easter holidays).

I will of course be giving you on-going feedback as you work on your productions and if you have anything in draft form that you want me to look at ahead of these deadlines, I am more than happy to do so - I will mark and give feedback on anything that you do.

Parents Evening: Thursday 19th November

I'm sorry but, due to the late change in date, I am not able to attend the Year 13 parents evening on Thursday.

Mr Stapley will be there and will be able to discuss your progress on the theoretical side of the course with you and your parents. You will have had my report at that stage and we have our lesson on Thursday. During that lesson, I will have a brief conversation with you all to discuss how I feel things are going for you in terms of the coursework.

Double lesson: Tues10th Nov

I'm very sorry that I'm missing our double lesson (again!) - I am in school but in an all-day meeting that I have to attend.

Please carry on with your planning work. I will pop in on you if I'm able to.

Email me (jky@cheney.oxon.shc.uk) if you have any problems.

See you on Thursday.

Good example of a music video blog from OCR + some examples of A2 coursework music videos

Here is an example, supplied by the exam board, of a good music video A2 coursework blog. Have a look at the level of depth and detail in the planning section and think about how you could apply this in your own work: 
http://www.harleylough2.blogspot.co.uk/2011_11_01_archive.html

There are also some examples of A2 coursework music videos here: http://examplesofwork13.weebly.com/a2.html (scroll down to get to the music videos, the videos at the top are students who have done the film trailer brief).

The marks (out of 60) that each candidate got is next to the video, including an example of a full mark submission.

Grade boundaries

Here are the most recent grade boundaries for the different sections of the Advanced Portfolio.
NOTE: We cannot guarantee that these grade boundaries will stay the same: exam boards are allowed to change grade boundaries from year to year. However, these have been stable for a few years now, so it is unlikely they will change.

Research & Planning (/20)
A   16
B   14
C   12
D   10
E    8

Main Production (/40)
A   32
B   28
C   24
D   20
E   16

2x Ancillary Tasks (/10 each)
A   8
B   7
C   6
D   5
E   4

Evaluation (/20)
A   16
B   14
C   12
D   10
E    8

Research & Planning comparison

We are now moving very firmly into the planning phase of your Advanced Portfolio. With that in mind, take a look at these two blogs from previous A2 students. Using the Research & Planning mark scheme (see earlier post), give each student a mark (/20).

http://cheneya2mediakaisir.blogspot.co.uk/
http://joea2cheney.blogspot.co.uk/

Which one is better - why?
What lessons/ideas can you take from here and apply to your own work? Come up with a list of ideas and write these as a post on your blog.

Mr Kirkaldy not here: Tuesday 20th October

Hi guys,


I'm afraid I'm not going to be in our lesson this morning. The deadline remains unchanged: ALL your research has to be completed by the end of today's double lesson. I will be marking them tonight in order to give you feedback in our lesson on Thursday.


See you then,
Mr Kirkaldy

Research 1st draft deadline

Your first draft of your Research section needs to be complete by the end our double lesson on Tues 20th Oct (the week before half-term). This way I can mark them and give you feedback on what to improve in our lesson on the following Thursday and you can make the improvements over half-term.

You can also get cracking with your Planning work.

Below is the mark scheme for the Research and Planning section, so you are aware of the kind of things that will get you the marks here:

Level 1 0–7 marks

• Planning and research evidence will be incomplete.
• There is minimal research into similar products and a potential target audience.
• There is minimal work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
• There is minimal organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
• Time management may be very poor.
• There is minimal skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
• There are minimal communication skills.
• There is minimal care in the presentation of the research and planning

Level 2 8–11 marks

• Planning and research evidence may be incomplete.
• There is basic research into similar products and a potential target audience.
• There is basic work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
• There is basic organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
• Time management may not be good.
• There is basic skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
• There are basic communication skills.
• There is a basic level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.

Level 3 12–15 marks

• Planning and research evidence will be complete.
• There is proficient research into similar products and a potential target audience.
• There is proficient work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
• There is proficient organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
• Time management is good.
• There is proficient skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
• There are proficient communication skills.
• There is a good level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.

Level 4 16–20 marks

• Planning and research evidence will be complete and detailed.
• There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience.
• There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
• There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
• Time management is excellent.
• There is excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
• There are excellent communication skills.
• There is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.

BFI Film Academy - incredible opportunity

Hi everyone,

I have received this email from the British Film Institute. If you are interested (and it looks like an incredible opportunity) the deadline for applying is MONDAY 5th OCTOBER.

BFI Film Academy 2015 at Film Oxford

We are looking for committed, talented young people between the age of 16 and 19 to be a part of the BFI Film Academy 2015/16 Network Programme delivered by Film Oxford.

Are you 16-19? Passionate about film? Want a career in the film industry?

If so, the BFI Film Academy is for you. This course offers you the chance to be part of our future film industry.

As a student of the Film Academy:

• You will get hands-on filmmaking experience with industry standard equipment which will help you to develop practical knowledge and skills.
• You can explore your own creativity and passions in a supportive and dynamic environment.
• You will gain invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field.
• You will watch a range of cinema from British Independent to specialised films and develop critiquing skills.
• You will visit a leading film studio and school to see the industry in action.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Silver Arts Award qualification on the course. The Arts Award is a recognised qualification amongst employers, colleges and universities.

Once you have completed the Network course, you will become part the growing BFI Film Academy alumni network with access to events such as BAFTA career talks.

The cost to participate in the BFI Film Academy is £25. If you will struggle to pay the course fee, don’t be put off as you will be able to indicate this once you are accepted on the course and this fee can be waived.

Bursaries will also be made available if you require assistance with travel, child care or other costs. For more information about who can apply for bursaries follow the link at the bottom of the page.

The course will run over 10 days throughout October and November 2015, spread over weekends and the half term. It is important that you are able to attend each session, see the course dates HERE

Take a look at some of the great short films made by previous participants at the BFI Film Academy on YouTube by clicking HERE

Location: Film Oxford, 54 Catherine Street, Oxford, OX4 3AH

Eligibility: You need to be between the ages of 16 and 19 on the first day of the Academy programme (17th October 2015). You must be a UK resident and able to commit to the programme for its duration.

Any Questions?

Call Gary Shenton on 01865 792731 or email: production@filmoxford.org

Interested?

Click on the link below to download an application form, fill it in and post it back to:

BFI Film Academy,

Film Oxford,

54 Catherine Street,

Oxford,

OX4 3AH

or email it to

production@filmoxford.org

We will then contact you to talk about your application.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 8^th October 2015,

Successful applicants will be notified by Saturday 10^th October.

We are looking for enthusiasm, determination, a genuine interest in film and a willingness to learn.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM (Word)

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM (PDF)

DOWNLOAD BURSARY INFORMATION (PDF)

Apologies + Arrangements for Thur 1st Oct

Hi everyone,

I'm VERY sorry for not being in our lesson this morning: I looked at the wrong week on my timetable and thought I had your P2 - which would be an unacceptable excuse from a Year 8 so absolutely inexcusable for me. My apologies.

Hopefully you all got on with your Research work and showed the kind of independence and self-reliance that is the hallmark of Year 13 academics.

Don't forget that you have Final Cut training on Thursday next week. Please bring some filming with you so that we can use this time effectively.

Your options include:

• some footage from the task last year when you were looking at making a shot-by-shot remake of an existing music video
• some footage from your AS media work
• shoot some very brief new footage between now and next week - see me if you need camera equipment, tripods, etc

Please go straight to the Mac Suite at the beginning of P1 on Thursday. Mr Stapley and I will both meet you there (I promise this time!)

Sample A2 coursework portfolios and blogs

OCR have a website with links to coursework portfolios and blogs by previous A2 students. It's well worth a look in terms of what the exam board is looking for: http://ocrmediastudies.weebly.com/a2-inset-materials.html

Final Cut Pro training session

Year 13 Media students will have a Final Cut Pro training session on Thursday 1st October, P1 and P2.

This will take place in the Mac Suite during your usual double Media Studies lesson. Make sure you are on time for P1 so that we can make a prompt start. You will have your entire double lesson in the Mac Suite, rather than going to Mr Stapley for P2.

Research and Planning checklist

Right, it's time to get cracking on your practical work. Here is a list of the kind of things you need to be doing for your the Research and Planning section:

Research

• Audience analysis using media concepts and terminology
• Audience mood board
• Annotated versions of existing productions within genre (all three productions)
• Outline of codes and conventions of all three productions
• Target audience questionnaire/feedback
• Continual blog posts updating on developments, new ideas, group meetings/discussions, etc

Planning

Video:

• Outline of initial ideas (all three productions)
• Continual blog posts updating on developments, new ideas, group meetings/discussions, etc
• Risk assessment(s)
• Analysis of BBFC rating
• Storyboard(s)
• Costume design
• Audition videos
• Location shots
• Rushes (initial draft shoots)
• Non-diegetic sound clips (soundtrack music, effects, etc)
• Props

Print/Website:

• Rough drafts
• Colour schemes
• Font options
• Potential imagery options

Some example videos

I thought it might be useful to see some examples of music videos that previous Cheney students have made, so you can see what is both technically achievable but also creatively ambitious.

'Crystalised', The XX

'Three', Neon Faith

'Hands In The Air', Josh Jen, J-Slick, K-Kritz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=rkOcrVrxLBE

Tuesday 7th July

I'm not in today. Please carry on with your work on music videos. I'll be back in for our next lesson.

Project for the rest of term: Music video remake

Between now and the end of this term, you need to:

• Complete all work that has already been set (see previous blog posts)
• Create a shot-by-shot re-make of a music video from within the genre that you are going to do for your coursework

Here are some examples from previous years:

'The A-Team', Ed Sheeran:

http://alevelmediakwijd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/evaluation-of-replicating-music-video.html 

'Time Machine', Robyn:

'I Am Not A Robot', Marina & The Diamonds:

Music videos and genre

Before the end of this term, I want you all to have decided on the song you are going to use for your music video. This can be something by a professional artist or you can provide your own material.

Before you make that final decision, I want you to look the codes and conventions that apply to different genres within music videos.

Conventions: elements that are familiar to NEARLY ALL texts within that genre (eg an evil 'monster' in a horror film)

Codes: how individual texts within that genre interpret those conventions (eg in The Blair Witch Project, you never actually see the monster)

Your task for today/homework (to be completed by Tues 30th June):

• Compile a list of musical genre. Be as diverse as possible (from thrash metal to teenie pop to hardcore dance to hip-hop)
• Select 6/7 of those genres and watch a number of music videos from within that genre
• Make a list of the conventions of that genre
• For each genre, pick one video that you think is particularly effective and analyse how that text has interpreted those conventions (the codes of that particular text)

Remember, your blog is designed to be multimedia and interactive, so include screen shots and videos in your analysis.

You can do this work collectively in your groups or you can allocate work to individual members (remembering that ALL work must appear on ALL blogs if you want to get the marks for it).

For next lesson

I'm not going to be in school for our lesson on Tuesday. So here is what you need to have done for our next lesson (Thur 25th June):

1. Bring in ALL your media equipment (camera, tripod, etc)
2. Have uploaded your AS coursework reflection to EACH of your blogs
3. Start brainstorming the A2 coursework brief. What genre/artist do you want to do a music video for? Which TWO of the three ancillary tasks do you want to do?

See you then.

A2 coursework brief

Your A2 coursework (Advanced Portfolio) has ONE main production and then TWO ancillary tasks:

    A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options: 

–a website homepage for the band

–a digipak for the album’s release

–a magazine advertisement for the digipak