GCSE Media - what you need to know

After four excellent move-up days of GCSE Media, we've already covered a lot of important material for next year. 

If you've missed any lessons, this is what we've been working on:

Lesson 1: Setting up blogs

Lesson 2: Textual analysis and Science Fiction films

Lesson 3: Pitching a Science Fiction film

Lesson 4: Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Summer Project: Science Fiction film research

Most importantly, make sure you remember the Summer Project to research a Science Fiction film of your choice, watch it and find all the key details. Due: first week back in September.

For Year 8 and Year 9 students, we'll be doing a Music Promotion project in the final two days of Media this year. That means you need costume and props for the photoshoot on Tuesday - your group and the genre of music is up to you but music photoshoots are always better with casual clothing.

Keep up the brilliant work - next year we are going to get some seriously good results!

B2 Class: New Science-Fiction film competition!
And the winners are...

Best Pitchers: Dillan and Hussein
Best analysis on blog: Emman

So it looks like we are going to have to fork out $200 million and make a hybrid of three films that will result in Kevin Hart, Vin Diesel and some C listers battling aliens through a portal in a radioactive wasteland in London AND Australia, set on Earth AND on a new planet, featuring revenge against a racist brunette...
I predict a hit! :)

Miss Fowler's Media Stars

Miss Fowler's Media Stars...

Done all their work / homework and up to date!

•Abdullah

•Dillan

•Emman

•Hussein

•Gus

•Tyriq

Best Looking Blog

•Amear

Best Textual Analysis + media language

•Rashida

•Tyriq

•Emman

•Hussein

Most Improved

Narin

George

Introduction to Photoshop

Today you will sharpen your Adobe Photoshop skills by creating your own versions of the HSBC Different Values advertising campaign.

Photoshop: an introduction

The best way to learn is by trying things out and making mistakes.

You can also use tutorials to help with specific skills on Adobe Photoshop (either YouTube or our own How To Guides on the Media Shared drive).


HSBC Different Values campaign

Task 1: Develop the concept and find the images
Choose your word or image and start thinking of different interpretations. Remember, some adverts use one word and three different images:

...while others use one image and three different words or phrases: 

Use Google Images to find your pictures, then right click > Save image as and save your chosen picture in your folder on the Media Shared drive:

Media Shared (M: drive) > Student > GCSE > Class number then your name

...and then open the images in Photoshop.

Task 2: Create your advert using Photoshop
Using Photoshop’s tools, create an HSBC advert that looks exactly like the originals.

There are templates on the Media Shared drive to help > Resources > HSBC templates

When you open the template, click File > Save As and save the template in your own file on the Media Shared drive.

Remember, the concept must be your own original idea and the images found on Google Images.

Task 3: Extension

When you complete the first style (e.g. 1 word/3 images) do the reverse (1 image/3 words).

You should then try creating two examples using Template 2 (a portrait orientation design rather than landscape):

Final task: Upload on your blog

1. When you are happy the adverts look genuinely professional, save them as JPEGs and upload them to your blog. Do this by clicking on File > Save As > Save as type - JPEG
2. Write an explanation of your work, clearly stating how you created your message. Use Media language.

Extension – critically evaluate your work:

1. How could you improve it?
2. What target audience might your advert interest? Be specific and detailed!

You may not be able to complete this for homework - but if you are able to get a copy of Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) for your home computer or laptop you will find it helpful to practice image editing over the summer.