1. Question 1A Essay Plan
Research/Planning
Introduction: During the progression from AS to A2 I have researched
several skills and developed them further in order to create successful
products. Key research has led to successful planning for all of my
products
AS FOCUS 1:
Researching music magazines was very important in order for me to make a
successful magazine which subverted or conformed to their codes and conventions
and doing this ultimately led to me deciding on the genre Indie/rock. I chose this
genre because I felt it would allow me to express my creativity, as this genre has
been popular when it subverts or conforms to typical codes and conventions of
music magazines. I looked at similar products like ‘Q’ and ‘NME’ and this led to me
conforming to key codes and conventions, which is evident when looking at the
large masthead, barcode and pull quotes.
AS FOCUS 2:
During the AS course I began developing my skills using the lasso tool and magic
wand tool to cut out images for my music magazine. These tools were important
for my magazine to look realistic and professional, and researching tutorials about
how to use them effectively helped me greatly.
A2 FOCUS 1:
Research into conventions was essential for the A2 course also. I researched codes
and conventions of several music videos from the same genre such as Arcade Fire’s
‘The Suburbs’ and Florence and the Machine’s ‘No Light, No Light’. I analysed both
music videos and compared them to find similarities and differences between
them. Analysing the narrative and performance of both led to me deciding to have
a completely narrative-based video, much like Arcade Fire’s ‘The Suburbs’ video.
Furthermore, while investigating these videos, I also found that I could create a
music video where the band/artist is not physically in the video or narrative, which
I conformed to. I felt this would enhance the interest for the audience because
they were viewing a story unfolding, not just a singer miming the lyrics of the song.
A2 FOCUS 2:
I had developed my skills with various tools so when it came to editing my Digipak
and magazine advert I was able to use them much more effectively and much
quicker, which helped me manage my time successfully. I also researched how to
use filter galleries successfully, by watching tutorials online. I applied the filter
2. ‘Conte Crayon’ to all the background images for my Digipak and magazine advert,
which ultimately led to me having a interesting and unique product. All of these
pieces of research and development of my skills helped me to create distinctive
products which would be easily recognised by my audience.
KEY VOCABULARY
Codes and conventions
Target audience
Lasso Tool
Magic Wand Tool
3. Digital Technologies
Introduction: During the AS and A2 course my skills with digital
technologies have improved and thus allowed me to create
successful products which look professional and realistic, and
also appeal to my target audience and represent my genre.
AS FOCUS 1:
During the AS course I used the software Adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit my music
magazine. I developed various skills with Photoshop, such as using tools like the
Quick Selection tool and Lasso to cut out images.
AS FOCUS 2:
At the beginning of the AS course I was introduced to the Canon 550D SLR camera.
Throughout the year I used it for photo shoots for my music magazines, using it in
indoor locations and outdoor locations. While shooting my images I experimented
with adjusting the focus to make the images more interesting. I also used an digital
SD card and reader which kept the images at high quality and allowed me to easily
transport them on to the computer.
A2 FOCUS 1:
When it came to the A2 course, I used Adobe Photoshop CS3 again to edit my
Digipak and magazine advert, however by this time I had researched more
elements of the software I could use, such as the Magic Wand tool, which I found
was easier to use when cutting out images than the tool I previously used during
AS, the Quick Selection Tool. I also found out how to successfully use the Filter
Gallery for my images, and this led to me applying the filter ‘Conte Crayon’ to all of
my background images on my Digipak and Magazine advert. This gave my products
a unique and recognisable look, which I felt would appeal to my target audience as
well.
A2 FOCUS 2:
During the A2 course, I developed my skills with the Canon camera, using it for
photo shoots again as well as shooting my music video. I decided to use this
camera instead of the Sony HD 1000E camera when filming, as it is much smaller
and easier to transport when shooting on location. I again used the digital SD card
which made the process of transporting the footage onto the computer much more
efficient.
5. Creativity
Introduction: During the entire A-level course in Media Studies,
I have been able to express my creativity through my products.
AS FOCUS 1:
I displayed my creativity throughout all of my products, especially during the AS
course. I had to choose specific costumes for my model for the photo shoots, which
was an essential element of the magazine. I researched typical indie/rock fashion
and then discussed clothing with my model and decided on two or three different
looks. These creative choices were key in appealing to my target audience and I
believe I succeeded at this.
AS FOCUS 2:
For my music magazine, I had to shoot creative and interesting camera shots for
the images I would use. I achieved this by instructing my model to stand in various
different poses and locations, as well as shooting close-ups, long-shots and mid-
shots from interesting points. This made my magazine include a variety of shots,
and kept the images unique and different.
A2 FOCUS 1:
For the A2 course I had to also display my creativity in the costume choice of the
music video also. I wanted my actress to be wearing clothing suitable for the
indie/rock genre, so after researching fashion within this target audience I found
that jeans and trainers were key pieces of clothing to include. I therefore chose to
make my actress wear blue skinny jeans and converse trainers. I also wanted her
to wear fairly bright clothing but not to distract from the main prop, the bright
yellow balloons.
A2 FOCUS 2:
One of the most important aspects of making my music video was including a
variety of camera shots and angles, which I did explicitly in my music video, I even
did a second shoot in order to get an even wider variety of shots, such as the close-
up of the main characters’ converse trainers while she walked. The use of several
close-ups also conforms to Goodwin’s theory in which music videos contain several
close-ups to keep the viewer intrigued.
KEY VOCABULARY
Target audience
6. Using Conventions
Introduction: During the AS and A2 course I have researched
codes and conventions for magazines and music videos and
made decisions regarding whether to subvert from them or
conform to them.
AS FOCUS 1:
During the AS course involving making music magazines, I researched conventions
of Indie magazines. These included layout conventions involving colour schemes
and masthead conventions. I noticed many magazines had vast amounts of the
colours and black featured in the colour scheme, especially on the front cover. I
conformed to almost all conventions especially this one, as I felt it was essential to
use these colours so the target audience would immediately recognise it as an
indie magazine.
AS FOCUS 2:
Throughout the course I did subvert and challenge conventions such as the
voyeuristic view of women in magazines. I showed my subversion to this by
making sure my models’ costume was not too revealing, and the shots did not
portray her as an object in any way; the front cover displayed only her face, which
showed she was not being shown just for her body.
A2 FOCUS 1:
Again, during the A2 course I researched conventions of the indie/rock within
music videos. In particular, I noticed that many indie music videos were shot
entirely on location, with the narrative dominating the video. I conformed to this
convention and used it by shooting entirely outdoors, in a park, and worked the
narrative in to the location.
A2 FOCUS 2:
There were several instances where I subverted from conventions developed by
theorists such as Andrew Goodwin, who suggested voyeurism would be present in
the video, which I subverted from. Usually music videos involve women being
scantily-clad, dressed in little clothing with the camera focusing on their body
however I challenged all of these conventions.
KEY VOCABULARY
Voyeurism
7. Post-Production
Introduction: Post-production was essential for both AS and A2
parts of the course.
AS FOCUS 1:
During the AS course post-production was essential in order for me to edit my
magazine successfully. I used the software Adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit my
magazine, and used several tools to make it look as professional as possible, such
as the Quick Selection tool and Lasso tool to cut out my images and place them on
the covers and spreads of the magazine. Using these tools significantly helped
make my product look much more professional and realistic as a real media
product.
AS FOCUS 2:
Throughout the AS course I had small experiences with the software Adobe
Premiere CS3. I used it mainly to display my experiences gaining feedback from my
target audience. I used it to edit the pieces of footage, but didn’t have much
experience with any other aspects of the software until it came to the A2 course.
A2 FOCUS 1:
When it came to the A2 course, post-production was just as essential in making my
magazine advert and Digipak the best they could be. I used the tools I had
experience with such as the Lasso tool, but I found the Magic Wand tool much
more effective for cutting out images then the Quick Selection tool, so I developed
my skills with this tool. Also, I discovered the filter gallery, which could apply
effects to images. I developed my skills with this feature and applied the filter
‘Conte Crayon’ to all the background images for my digipak and magazine advert,
which gave it a much more unique and appealing look for my target audience.
A2 FOCUS 2:
I used Adobe Premiere CS3 and CS6 to edit my music video, and this was the most
essential part of the production. I edited the pieces of footage using the software;
cutting irrelevant or faulty parts and also used aspects such as adjusted
brightness/contrast to make the music video more unique and appealing to the
target audience. I also did this to make my product appear more professional as a
music video.
KEY VOCABULARY
Software
Magic Wand Tool
