OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Year 12 Media Studies Summer Homework

Your full name:_____________________

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Contents
AS Media Studies Task 1 Denotations and Connotations Completed (tick)

Task 2

Genre

Task 3

Representations

Task 4

Audiences

Task 5

TV Drama Analysis Essay

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Task 1: Denotations and Connotations

Denotation: Literally what you see (e.g. a person wearing a gold star) Connotation: What the possible meanings could be (e.g. they are Jewish)

A) Look carefully at the image below

Schindlers List 1993

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

B) Describe what you see when you look at the image Look at: Characters (costumes/props) Setting What is denoted?

Colour

Lighting

Body language and expression Camera angle and type of shot

C) What are the possible connotations of the image? What is your personal response to the image?

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Task 2: Representations

Representation: The way people, places, or events are presented to media audiences. Stereotype: A way of portraying a group of people through a few obvious characteristics, something they cant change e.g. gender, age, race, religion, regional identity. Archetype: An original model or ideal that has been imitated, a very typical example of a certain something or someone.

A) What stereotypes and archetypes have you seen in the media; list an example for each below. Type of Media Example: Film Stereotypes Germans Blonde hair, blue eyes, stern, very neat and political e.g. Amon Goeth (Schindlers List) Archetypes Villain Wears black, has scars, male, evil laugh, violent, power hungry e.g. Voldemort (Harry Potter)

B) How do you think young people are represented in the media? Explain your choice and use examples to support your decision.

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Task 3: Genre

A) Read Chapter 12 Introduction to Genre and highlight/underline key words and phrases (see attached document)

B) Complete the table below Film Genres (Example Horror) TV Drama Genres (Example Medical Drama) Music Genres (Example Classical)

C) Describe the conventions (key features) of a TV Drama genre, what would audiences expect to see and hear? Your chosen genre Characters Settings Costumes Props Music Storyline/plots Other: Conventions of the genre

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Task 4: Audiences

A) Read through the 4 reasons people use or consumer media (Blumler and Katz Audience Theory)

C) In the grid below, write the name of someone you know opposite each of the descriptions (at least 4). You will need to ask the person you name to fill in a questionnaire, so make sure it is someone you can get in touch with easily.
Description A person your age but opposite sex A man using a pension A woman using a pension A woman who has a professional job (e.g. teacher, doctor, lawyer) A person with a disability (e.g. hearing impairment, uses a wheelchair, has Autism) A person who spends time at home looking after children A man or woman from an ethnic minority group (e.g. Asian, Chinese, Nigerian) A man with a manual job (e.g. a driver, plumber, builder) Name

D) Now you need to construct a questionnaire about how they each use the media, think about the following when you are writing your questionnaire: - Which media do they use (TV, Radio, Newspapers, Computers etc) - Which type of media do they use most frequently, why? - Does the media influences their lives? - What reason do they use the media and why (Blumler and Katz)?

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Put your Audience Research Questionnaire on this page

OCR AS Media Studies Summer Homework JRCS

Task 5: TV Drama Analysis Essay

A) Choose a TV Drama listed below. You will need to watch one episode. Game of Thrones Waterloo Road Primeval Shameless Cranford Spooks Skins Holby City Frost The Secret Diary of a Call Girl Doctor Who Ashes to Ashes CSI (USA) ER (USA) House (USA) Wire (USA)

B) Analyse how the TV Drama appeals to its audience; focus on REPRESENTATIONS or GENRE in your answer. (Essay 1,000 words minimum including introduction and conclusion) All of the tasks in this booklet must be completed and submitted at the start of the course (first lesson). Failure to complete the tasks in full or submit them on time will jeopardise your success on the Media Studies A-Level course. Mr. Lawes: jlawes@jrcs.bardaglea.org.uk Ms. Butler: cbutler@jrcs.bardaglea.org.uk