Mock exam prep

1. Media Studies exam prep
Task 1-
Dear InteractiveTV,
I am very excited as a media enthusiastto be given this opportunity to create a
new truly interactive game show called ‘YouPlay’ by using a rangeof new
technology which allows it to be the firstof the next generation of game shows
as you have requested.
As a media enthusiastwho watches many game shows, I agreethat the main
conventions of a successfulgameshow are: an engaging host, a USP, plenty of
drama and excitement. These conventions contribute to the audiences’
engagement with the game show.
A successfulgameshow requires an engaging host in order to keep the
audience entertained. For example, the host in The Cube Phillip Schofield, uses
a serious tone to contribute to the tense and dramatic atmospherecreated by
the game show. However, healso uses a satirical tone to add a senseof humor
(humour) into the atmospherein order to keep the audience entertained. In
contrastto the chasewhich is hosted by Bradley Walsh, he uses a humorous
tone to create a friendlier atmosphere in order to keep the audience
entertained and remain engaged by the making them laugh.
A USP allows game shows to stand out from other game shows as the audience
will be more likely to watch a game show that doesn’tdisplay the same traits
as typical game shows. For exampleThe Cube has a USP by making their
contestants complete their challenge in a cube rather than a typical place like
outside in Total Wipeout. In contrastto The Chase who has a typical prizeof
money like the other game shows. This is becauseit is broadcasted on the
commercial channel ITV which makes money through adverts compared to a
public broadcaster such as BBC which makes money through TV license. A USP
allows the audience to remain engaged and entertained by having something
different which means that they are likely to watch more episodes.
A game show needs plenty of drama and excitement in order to appeal to the
audience as they wish to be entertained. The Cube builds up drama and
excitement by diming the lights down while a challenge is being completed to
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2. keep the audience focused. The audience are not awareof when a contestant
may fail so are intrigued and focused to find out if they’ll complete it or fail.
The game show Takeme (Me) Out builds up an enigma for the audience as
they do not know who will get picked for a date which causes a dramatic and
exciting atmosphere. Plenty of drama and excitement allows the audience to
remain engaged and entertained throughoutthe show.
Task 2-
My game show ‘YouPlay’ willbe based on the genre of fiction TV shows. My
target audience will be teenagers interested in fiction in TV shows aged 13-17
as teenagers largely use socialmedia. This allows the game show to be truly
interactive and targeted to a niche audience as you haverequested. This
relates to the uses and gratifications theory by allowing contestants to be
involved via social media.
The game show will requirefour contestants to answer ten questions about
one fiction TV show that will be selected out of a choice of 5. However, the
contestants will be awareof the 5 choices but will only find out the one that
they’ll be quized (quizzed) on during the show. This builds up suspenseas the
audience will be intrigued to find out which fiction TV show gets picked. Each
time a contestant answers correctly they gain a star but if they answer wrong
they lose a star and will be made to do a challenge. This engages teenagers as
they’ll look forward to seeing some action. The firstto 5 stars wins the prizeof
signed merchandiseof the fiction TV show they werequizzed on. This allows
‘YouPlay’ to differ from the typical prize of money. As you haverequested the
game show to use new technology, the contestants will answer questions on
an IPad pro (iPad Pro) instead of a standard red button. This appeals to
teenagers as they use a wide range of technology.
The set of ‘YouPlay’ will have a colour palette of brightcolours as it will engage
with teenagers. Brightly coloured seats will be around the stage so that the
audience can watch the game show live. Coloured spotlights will be used but
will dim down when a contestant answers a question to create a dramatic
atmosphereso the audience are engaged. The hostwill present the questions
on a large screen instead of reading a card. Also the walls and floors will be
screens that projectthe same thing as they large screen so that the audience
can see clearly. This uses new technology as requested.

3. The host of ‘YouPlay’ will be a young man and woman as they’ll be more likely
to engage with teenagers. This also subverts the stereotypicalview of a man
presenting the game show, which makes it moreappealing to teenage girls.
The contestants will be the audience that can apply through the ‘YouPlay’
website as teenagers will be more likely to be entertained by their own age
group. This also allows the game show to be interactive by letting the audience
be in it.
The scheduling will be at 6pm and last for one hour till 7pm on Fridays and
Saturdays. Thegame show will also be broadcasted by the commercial channel
ITV. This makes it appealing to teenagers as they won’tbe have schoolthe next
day so will be able to watch the game show.
Task 3
I can make ‘YouPlay’ moreinteractive, as you have requested, by creating
social media accounts that allow the audience to get involved in a range of
ways. I could put up competitions and give out signed merchandise, while also
keeping them updated with the latest news about‘YouPlay’. An advantageof
this is that teenagers use socialmedia largely so will easily be able to get
involved. Another advantageis that they’ll wantto win signed merchandise
even if they are not on the game show itself, so will be likely to enter
competitions.
Another way to make ‘YouPlay’ interactive as requested is to allow the
audience to pick the fiction TV show the contestants will be quizzed on. I can
do this by putting a survey up on the ‘YouPlay’ websitewhich as (has) a choice
of 5 fiction TV shows. An advantageof this is that they’ll be more likely to
watch a game show that they helped pick the theme of. Another advantageis
that they’ll be curious to find out which fiction TV show gotthe mostvotes, so
will watch the game show to find out.
A suggestion to make the game show moreinteractive is to make games
available for the audience to play. This relates to the uses and gratifications
theory of entertainment as they’ll have fun playing the game and personal
relationships as they can relate to video games. An online game could be put
on the ‘YouPlay’ website which allows everyoneto get involved as it’s free.
This is an advantageas it is available to everyone. To further extend this idea, I
could make a video game version for the Xboxand PlayStation. An advantage
of this is that most teenagers have consoles so will be able to buy the game.

4. The game will be exactly like the game show so if they enjoy the show, they
will buy the electronic version of it.