MS1 EXAM FEEDBACK

Here are some of the points you could have included in your answers today:

 

QUESTION 1:
Visual Codes:

• use of graphics (including countdown and names of drugs in title sequence)
• title sequence
• images of drugs
• contrast between studio lighting and natural lighting (also a technical code)
• facial expression - serious tone of programme
• informal dress codes of 'experts'

Technical and audio codes

• newsreader's voice
• voiceover narration
• archive footage of news
• use of close-ups/extreme close-ups
• editing (use of fades/dissolves, slow motion, jump cuts)
• use of music
• filming techniques to emphasise constructed nature if the programme.

Genre

• factual/documentary nature of the programme
• informative voiceover
• vox pop interviews
• use of interviews with experts
• use of different types of footage appropriate to the documentary/factual programme (archive, vox pop, visual images relating to the subject matter of the programme)
• use of (dramatic) images relating to the subject matter
• subject-specific lexis to establish the tone of the programme.

 

QUESTION 2(a):

Audiences that you could have included:

• regular viewers of the Horizon documentary series

audience(s) interested in serious documentary programmes

audience(s) interested in the subject matter

particular demographics

younger audiences attracted by the subject matter

older audiences/parents watching for information

drug users

 

QUESTION 2(b):

• the presentation of the programme (attempting to appeal to a younger audience)
• the presentation of the programme (attempting to make the subject matter dramatic)
• informative/serious tone of the programme
• Close-ups/extreme close-ups/editing - attempting to attract a younger audience/making the documentary interesting for regular documentary viewers
• information delivered in a range of ways.

 

QUESTION 2(c):
Responses that you could have included linking with your own examples:

• use of technical and audio codes e.g. camera shots, editing, sound (audio-visual texts)
• layout and design (print texts).
• language and mode of address
• use of images
• use of stars, celebrities, presenters etc.
• presentation of subject matter.
• Best answers should always refer to purpose and effect.

 

QUESTION 3:

Popular examples from previous past papers included:

• body image
• poverty 

conflict diamonds

the representation of young/old people

gangs

war

issues of child sex slavery and child soldiers arising from reporting on Kony

teenage pregnancy 

violence.

The best answers for question 3 should introduce the concept, demonstrate understanding of representation through the analysis of specific media texts and then summed up the points in a conclusion. Also the best responses should  discuss the chosen issue with reference to detailed examples from a range of formats and to show a more perceptive understanding of representation as a media concept incorporating: context, ideology, construction and mediation.

 

 

 

 

WE WILL GO OVER THIS NEXT WEEK BUT PLEASE NOTE DOWN ANY ELEMENTS THAT YOU MISSED.