This document provides revision tips for two sections of an exam on media institutions and representations in television and film.
For Section A on television drama, it recommends focusing on key representation categories and learning how to write paragraphs analyzing representation using the PEAL structure. It also provides tips on practicing writing essays and ensuring they are completed on time.
For Section B on audiences and institutions in the film industry, it recommends reviewing facts about specific films and the film production process. It highlights comparing the similarities and differences between mainstream and independent film institutions and their audiences. The document provides outlines for paragraph and essay structures focusing on topics like technology, ownership, and audiences.
2. Writing the essays is revision!
Revision Task How much % will you
remember?
Reading notes
Writing notes
Discussing/teaching
Do it (write essay)
( & drafting)
3. Writing the essays is revision
Revision Task How much % will you
remember?
Reading notes 10%
Writing notes 20%
Discussing/teaching
(study group)
60-70%
Do it (write essay)
( & drafting)
90%
6. Tips
• Know the key terms – read over x3
• Representation categories:
– Age
– Gender
– Ethnicity
– Sexuality
– Class & Status
– Regional Identity
– Ability/disability
• Ethnicity, sexuality, class & status = (haven’t done yet)
• Know some stereotypes for EACH category (reinforce/challenge for each one)
• Know how to write PEAL paragraph
– P: point how representation (stereotype)
– E: evidence from clip
– A: analysis – explain it and try to link all 4 categories (CAM,E,S, MES)
– L: Link back to question (representation)
• PEAL’s = 1 big one for each scene in clip?
• Practice writing single PEAL paragraphs (1 scene in a clip)
• Then write full essays (keep to time!!!!!)
7. Essays
• Bring as many as you want to easter – I’ll mark
• After Easter = complete for SEXUALITY
(fingersmiths)
10. Tips
• KNOW THE FACTS – read x3-5 times!
– Skyfall
– MBTD
– Other films: Gravity & ‘In our Name’ (from conference)
• Review class blog (powerpoints etc)
• Review YOUR class blog (the facts – keep uploading them!)
• Leave enough time for section B!
• Know the film stages
– P, M, D, E, E
• Know the exam questions (6 categories)
– DT, O, POH, TC, S & CMC, L & G A
– Evidence for each one (the essay templates you filled in)
11. Institution & audiences
• Remember both!
• Institution: the body who makes a text
(in section b =film production, distribution, exhibition
companies)
• Audience: the people receiving/consuming
the text
13. Mainstream vs Independent
Mainstream (blockbusters) Independent Both (produced by small
indie companies but
distributed by larger
conglomerates)
‘Quasi-indie-subsidiaries’
Skyfall
Gravity
Thor 2
(any major superhero film!)
My Brother the Devil
In our Name
In Fear
Uwantme2killhim
Big Fat Greek Wedding
Juno
American Pie
Life of Pi
• You must compare and contrast the:
-similarities and differences
-advantages and disadvantages
-their audiences / objectives/aims
between the mainstream and independent film institutions.
14. Things to know about each film:
• Director:
• Producer:
• Production company/ies: (inc. details such as……. horizontal or vertical…..parent? Subsidiary?)
• Distribution company/ies: (inc. details such as……. horizontal or vertical…..parent? Subsidiary?)
• Exhibition details: (where shown/availible)
• Overall budget:
– Opt: Marketing budget:
– Opt: Production budget:
– Opt: Other budgets (actors/director etc):
• Box office (profit from cinema):
– Opt: DVD/download sales:
• And all your learned facts! (on class & your blog, notes, sheets etc)
15. Debates
• Remember it’s not about making a 1 sided
argument!
• Discuss and debate pros/cons
– Example: digital technology
– Don’t write whole essay about how amazing (it’s
revolutionary, faster, efficient etc etc) and useful it is; also explore
the disadvantages on industry and audiences (can be
expensive, piracy, causes industry to be unpredictable if advancing so quickly etc etc)
• For grade B and above
16. Style of question
• Might be a ‘question’ or a ‘quote question’
• Question: How important is technological
convergence for institutions and audiences?
• Quote Question: “Successful media products
depend as much on marketing and distribution to
a specific audience………” To what extent would
you agree with this statement?
17. Body paragraph structures
1
HARDER
(comparative approach)
2
EASIER
(by different institutions)
Comparing P, M, D, E
If you got ‘marketing’ and
‘consumption’:
1) Marketing (comparing
indie/mainstream….and pointing out
pros/cons)
2) Consumption (cinema) (comparing
indie/mainstream….and pointing out
pros/cons)
3) Consumption (home) (comparing
indie/mainstream….and pointing out
pros/cons)
1) Mainstream
-P, M, D, E
2) Independent
-P, M, D, E
3) similarities/differences between
them?*
*you could try to discuss pros/cons, in this you
might be able to compare similarities and
differences
18. Introduction
• Keep it SHORT
• 2-3 sentences MAX
• Try to briefly answer the question (the answer
is your overall argument that you are trying to
argue)
19. Things to think about in essay
Digital
Technology
Proliferation of
hardware
Synergy & Cross
media
convergence
Local & global
audiences
Technological
Convergence
Ownership
What are they?
How have they
evolved/changed
to old
technologies?
How are they
used?
How do they
connect?
How have
Difference in use
to
hollywood/indie?
Pros?
Cons?
Same as DT
Except…..
How have they
expanded and
grown? Why so
quickly? How?
Who are they?
Used for what?
Pros?
Cons?
Connection to DT
Connection to O
Similarities
between hol/ind?
Differences
between hol/ind?
What types of
films are made for
who?
Compare
hollywood/indie
films and their
audiences?
Connect to DT –
how do audiences
learn/consume
films?
Connect to O –
money on
marketing/budgets
?
The role of the
audience – trends?
(success/failures)
Same as DT but
Except…..
How does the film
industry use TC?
How are
technologies
converged?
Pros?
Cons?
Compare between
hol/ind
This is new thing
(since mobile
technology –
compare to old
methods)
Who are they?
Role in the film
stages?
The role of money
Connect to A –
what films are
made for certain
audiences?
Connect to DT –
what can/can’t
do?
Pros?
Cons?
Compare between
hol/ind
Affect on films?
20. Read the media magazine articles!
• On exam blog:
• Test screenings – exhibition, participation & intervention (pg 25) (feb 2012)
• Open cinema –film without boarders pg 53 (feb 2012)
• Life in a day – creation through participation (pg 63) (feb 2012)
• Independent Hollywood – pg 9 (feb 13)
• Independent girl – juno – pg 26 (feb 13)
• Secrets, hidden identities, & the village movie – pg 16 (feb 13)
• Pop up cinema, independent distribution – pg 39 (feb 13)
• Is Hollywood out of ideas? Pg 15 (april 13)
• Beyond Hollywood: Beyond Arthouse cinema (pg 24) (sept 13)
In red = priorities!
