Summer research project: Science Fiction film

Your summer project requires you to choose a recent Science Fiction film (2010 or later), research the following and publish it on your blog: 

1) The key information about the film / media language: 

• The sub-genre of Science Fiction the film fits into
• A brief summary of the plot – what happens in the film?
• Setting- How is the setting linked to the science fiction genre?
• Characters- How are the characters linked to the science fiction genre? 
• Themes- What narrative themes are linked to the genre (e.g. alien invasion, dystopian future etc.)?
• A video clip embedded from YouTube of the trailer or a clip from the film (or both if you can find them)

2) The institution behind the film – this is the production company or film studio. Find out the following:

• The production company/film studio (e.g. Warner Brothers, Paramount etc.) and who directed it
• The cast – main actors / actresses
• What year the production was released
• Who owns or runs the production company
• What the production company is famous for or associated with – perhaps other films the studio has produced
• Budget and box office information – how much did the film cost to make? How much did the film gross domestically and internationally – this means how much money the film made.
• Critical reception: how was the film received by critics? You need to read reviews of the film to find this out (or look on IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes) Did the film get nominated for or win any awards?

3) The target audience – if you can’t find the official target audience for the film, make an educated guess based on the rest of your research. Remember: % gender, age range, social class, level of education, job/earnings etc. 

Suggested films you could choose: Iron Man 3, Moon, Guardians of the Galaxy, Interstellar, Prometheus, Big Hero 6, Gravity, Europa, Star Trek (Into Darkness), Never Let Me Go, The Hunger Games, Lucy, Cloned, Source Code, Avatar, Oblivion, The Maze Runner, Monsters versus Aliens, Avatar.

You need to collect this information and complete these tasks on your blog. 

It is crucial you remember the log-in details for your blog and can show this work in the first week back in September. If you haven’t done so already, email your own school email address with your blog log-in details so you can easily access the blog over the summer and in September.

Remember: post everything to your blog. The more videos, images and text you can find the better – make it look fantastic and show you are a top grade Media student in the making.

Due: September (first week back)

Mr Halsey's A1 highlights

What a brilliant start we've made to GCSE Media - a superb level of focus, engagement and interest that suggests next year is going to be seriously successful.

There are a few minor blog issues we need to resolve but also plenty of phenomenal work. Mr Matthews has already highlighted some of the stars in his class (B1), Ms Fowler has been marking some exceptional trailer analyses in B2 and I've seen some excellent depth and detail in the A1 blogs. 

If you want to see the level we're aiming at in A1, have a look at Amrit's excellent selection of film trailers, Mohammed O and Nathan's blogposts, Sabrin and William's superb depth of written analysis and Shivani's top quality film analysis and presentation.

Keep up the good work!

Mr Matthews' Weekly Award

Very positive and impressive start to Media Studies made by Matthews' B1 crew.

The Yoda Award for outstanding contribution in class - and general technical wizadry goes to Ramit "I'm adapting the code on my blog to change the hover function" Jogi. Sensational commitment he has. Blog he does.

Honorary mentions to Hardeka, Hitik, Shianne and Ranyodh for wonderful effort last week. Keep it up.

Mr M

Science Fiction film pitch: blog task

Your blog task for the Science Fiction film pitch is to write up the work you did in the lesson this morning:

Budget and pitch a new Science Fiction film for $100 million  

Use the following headings to structure your work. For each component, explain WHY you chose that particular option and how it might appeal to a Science Fiction target audience.

Key details

Your group members:

Film title:

Science Fiction sub-genre:

Brief narrative (plot) - max 50 words:

Budget breakdown

Director:

Cast:

Filming locations:

Cameras:

Editing:

CGI/Special effects (SFX):

Sound:

Marketing:

Total cost:

Finally, explain why you think your Science Fiction film would be successful - minimum 150 words.

Finish this for homework if you don't get it completed in the afternoon lesson - due on Thursday.

Textual analysis: Science Fiction Films

Genre: The classification or type of text.

When talking about genres, be specific: even within Science Fiction there are sub-genres.

Sub genres of Science Fiction:

• Alien invasion
• Mutation
• Experimental science
• Dystopia
• Space/time travel

Science Fiction key conventions

• Film Techniques: Special effects
• Film Techniques: Close Ups of futuristic technologies/ scientific elements.
• Setting - Time: The future, an alternative timeline, or an historical past that contradicts historical records.
• Setting - Place: Outer space, other worlds, or alternative versions of earth.
• Narrative Elements: The development and/or application of: a) new technology (e.g. nanotechnology, robots, spaceships) b) new scientific principles (e.g. time-travel) c)new political systems (e.g. dystopian/utopian societies) 
• Narrative Elements: Conflict between good and evil.
• Symbolism: Futuristic props, costume and setting that represent the scientific advancement at the centre of the film.

Blog task: Textual Analysis

Find three film or TV trailers from the sci-fi genre on YouTube and embed them in a new blog post called ‘Textual Analysis: Science Fiction’.

Below EACH clip, write a textual analysis using the three headings we have learned today: Genre, Key Conventions and Target Audience.

Example: Monsters (2010)

Genre
Monsters (2010) fits into both the alien invasion and mutation sub-genres of the sci-fi genre. The narrative of a crashed NASA space probe could possibly suggest space travel but this doesn't end up featuring in the trailer or film. However, the idea of space exploration and alien life is a major aspect of the storyline.

Key conventions
There are a huge number of sci-fi key conventions present in the trailer. The opening shots show the destruction that hints at the alien invasion and mutation narrative. The flicking text and choice of font for the text on screen ("Six years ago") also suggests this belongs in the sci-fi genre. The later text on screen referring to a "NASA space probe" reinforces these initial impressions. The shot from within the car of the sign saying 'Warning: Infected Zone' then introduces the idea of mutations and scientific experimentation - two key sci-fi sub-genres. Following these key opening shots, fast-paced editing shows glimpses of the creatures that have mutated as well as further evidence of destruction.

Target audience
The target audience is quite difficult to judge. The trailer states the film has been given the R rating in the USA (meaning only those over 17 years old can watch it). However, according to the film website IMDB Monsters was given a 12A rating in the UK which would definitely open it up to a teenage audience. The film features two main characters, male and female, as well as the suggestion of a romantic relationship between them. It could be argued this would appeal to 60% male, 40% female audience with an age range of 14-35. The fact Monsters is a little known, low-budget indie film might also mean this film would be watched by a more educated or middle-class audience.

If you don't complete all THREE trailer analyses in the lesson you must finish this for homework - due next Tuesday.

Welcome to GCSE Media!

We are delighted you have chosen GCSE Media Studies and look forward to working with you. Over the next year you will produce some amazing production work, learn a huge amount about analysing the media and end up with an excellent GCSE grade. All you need to do is put the work in!

Your first job is to start your GCSE Media blog. You can find step-by-step text instructions here. Once you have your blog URL, post it as a comment below with your name clearly written next to it. For example:

Mr Halsey's blog: http://mediamacguffingcse.blogspot.co.uk/ 

IMPORTANT: It is absolutely essential you remember your log-in details for this blog - it is your Media work book for next year. Make sure you do the following:

1. Add your mobile phone number so you can get a code by text if you forget your password
2. Email your log-in details to yourself using your SCHOOL email address
3. Write a reminder of your blog URL, log-in and password in your planner

First blog task

When you have set up your blog, it's time for your first blog post! Important: make sure you click on 'New Post' and NOT 'New Blog' when starting this process - it is a common mistake.

You need to answer the following questions (detailed, full sentences) as your first post:

1. Why did you choose GCSE Media Studies?
2. Which part of the course are you looking forward to most?
3. What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in Media?
4. What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media?
5. What was the last TV programme or film you watched?
6. Why do you think that TV programme or film appealed to an audience?
7. What technology have you used to access the media in the last 24 hours? (Radio, TV, phone etc.)
8. What device do you use most to access the media?
9. Find the trailer for Jurassic World on YouTube and embed it in your blog. What film genres would Jurassic World fit into?
10. Why does Jurassic World appeal to a family audience?

Finish these questions for homework if you don't manage to get through them in the lesson - due Thursday.

If you DO finish everything - well done! Spend some time looking through our Media blog, particularly at last year's Media student blogs. This will give you an idea of the fantastic work you will be producing over the next 12 months.

Thank you and good luck!

For this year's GCSE Media Studies students it's time to say thank you and goodbye. Year 11s are now on study leave and everyone else will be starting new options in the move-up days next week. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you over the last 10 months and you have produced some phenomenal work. 

We're confident the results in August are going to be outstanding!

We like to take feedback from students before starting next year's course.

Please fill in this anonymous survey about GCSE Media Studies.

We appreciate honest feedback and any suggestions you can make to improve the way we teach Media.

Years 9s will be able to do this in the lesson - I'm hoping some Year 10 and 11 students will see this post and be willing to spend 5 minutes completing the survey.

Congratulations again on completing GCSE Media and we look forward to welcoming you to A Level Media when you're starting Year 12. If you have any questions regarding A Level Media you know where to find us.

Don't forget the Media Awards in October - nominations will be published in the weeks leading up to the event!

Good luck with your future options and have a great summer!

Team Media