GCSE Media exam topic: TV Drama

Our 2018 GCSE Media exam topic is TV Drama - and your first experience of this exam will be in your Summer PPE at the end of June.

We now have the date for your PPE: Tuesday 27 June 8.30am.

The key information provided by AQA for the TV Drama topic is as follows:

"Serial television drama has entertained audiences of all ages for many years and it remains a popular feature of television programming and schedules.

In the UK, Downton Abbey consistently drew some of the biggest weekly viewing figures in recent years and, with the advent of Netflix and platforms such as Sky Box Sets, audiences have access to a wider range of serial television drama than ever before. Even online TV channel BBC3 are committed to producing one drama a year within their usual programming, for example, Thirteen. 

Serial television drama is defined as any television drama that is organised into a series of episodes – as opposed to one-off dramas. Serial television drama can contain any number of episodes, but typically contains around 3–12. If a show proves to be popular with audiences, further series or seasons will be commissioned. Season finales often feature a cliffhanger that can only be resolved in the premiere of the next season. Serial television dramas typically have story arcs that span a series and a continuing plot that unfolds in an episodic nature."

GCSE Media exam: know your enemy!

• Pre-release briefing material issued 3-4 weeks before the exam.
• Exam will involve responding to this brief on series of creative tasks.
• Notes cannot be taken into exam.
• Time: 90mins
• Four Tasks: Equally weighted – 15 marks each (maximum mark /60)
• Spend equal amount of time on each – 20 mins

Task 1: Case study task
This task will test your knowledge of TV Drama and involve writing in detail about TWO TV dramas that you have researched in class and at home.

Task 2: Pitch task
This will involve pitching your new idea for a TV drama in response to the preliminary brief.

Task 3: Creative task
This will involve designing some kind of media product for your new TV drama - for example a website homepage or the storyboard of the opening scene of your drama.

Task 4: Audience or Marketing task
This could test any aspect of the brief but usually involves audience pleasures (why the target audience would enjoy your new TV drama) or how you would use new technology to promote your TV drama to the audience.

Important note: you CANNOT just turn up to the GCSE Media exam and hope to wing it on the day - the students you are up against will have done up to a MONTH of preparation in response to the preliminary brief. The positive side is that if you complete all the preparation tasks you already know you will have a brilliant exam!