All about the course

1. Cambridge International
AS & A Level
Media Studies 9607

2. The Syllabus

3. Set briefs – AS (year 12)
Option 1: Film opening task (video)
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film (to
last a maximum of two minutes). Titles should follow the
institutional conventions of commercial cinema. The task
may be undertaken individually or as a group. There should
be a maximum of four members to a group.
All images and text used in the main task must be original,
and produced by the candidate(s). Sound should be
predominantly original (dialogue and atmospheric sound),
though music taken from an acknowledged source may be
used as part of the soundtrack.
This task should be preceded by relevant preliminary
exercises to build up candidates’ skills with equipment and
their understanding of conventions.
Option 2: Magazine task (print)
Main task: the front page, contents and feature article (of
at least two pages) of a new magazine. If done as a group
task, each member of the group should produce a unique
edition of the magazine that follows the same house style.
There should be a maximum of four members to a group.
All images and text used in the main task must be original
and produced by the candidate(s) with a minimum of four
images per candidate.
This task should be preceded by relevant preliminary
exercises to build up candidates’ skills with equipment and
their understanding of conventions.
OR

4. Set briefs – A2 (for 2021)
Option 1: music promotion package
A promotion package for the release of an album, to include
a music video (major task), together with an official social
media page for the band or artiste(s) and a digipak for the
album’s release (minor tasks).
Option 2: film promotion package
A promotion package for a new film, to include two trailers
(major task), together with an official social media page for
the film and a poster for the film (minor tasks).
Option 3: documentary package
An extract from an original documentary TV programme,
lasting approximately five minutes (major task), together
with an official social media page for the documentary and a
magazine article for the documentary (minor tasks).
Option 4: short film package
A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes
(major task), which may be live action or animated or a
combination of both, together with an official social media
page for the short film and a postcard advertisement for the
film at a short film festival (minor tasks).
The set briefs each contain a major task and two associated minor tasks; candidates should spend approximately
two thirds of their time on the major task, and one third on the minor tasks.
When centres choose briefs to offer to candidates, they should consider the available resources and expertise.
Centres should also consider that the key areas to address in the critical reflection will be: forms and conventions,
production contexts, the role of technologies, audiences and representations.

5. Set briefs – A2 (for 2020)
Option 1: music promotion package
• A promotion package for the release of an album, to
include a music video (major task), together with a
website for the band and a digipak for the album’s
release (minor tasks).
Option 2: film promotion package
• A promotion package for a new film, to include two
trailers (major task), together with a website for the film
and a poster for the film (minor tasks).
Option 3: documentary package
• An extract from an original documentary TV programme,
lasting approximately five minutes (major task), together
with a website for the documentary and a poster for the
documentary (minor tasks).
Option 4: short film package
• A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five
minutes (major task), which may be live action or
animated or a combination of both, together with a
website for the short film and a postcard advertisement
for the film at a short film festival (minor tasks).
The set briefs each contain a major task and two associated minor tasks; candidates should spend approximately
two thirds of their time on the major task, and one third on the minor tasks.

6. Cambridge FAQ
Can candidates use a website template rather than a blog?
• We recommend that candidates use blogging software, as this automatically orders posts
chronologically.
• This is something which the Principal Moderators have repeatedly commented on in previous Principal
Examiners Report for Teachers.
• Candidates would not be penalised for using website-creation software, however, they must make
sure that it is very clear to the moderator when specific items were completed, so as to better
understand the journey the production has taken.

7. Your Blog – What to include?
• Learners should be encouraged to blog as they go.
• Everything they do towards their final product should be recorded.
• The blog is vital in showing the development of a product from initial idea to final
product and finally creative critical reflection.
• It should provide a running commentary on the creative processes learners have
followed and justification of their creative decisions.
• It might also be used to confirm an awareness of the media conventions in cases
where learners have decided to intentionally challenge these.

8. Media Studies Blogs
• https://mariastreang.wordpress.com
from the CIE Coursework Handbook (Magazine) Lots
• http://proudfilmopening.blogspot.co.uk/
from the CIE Coursework Handbook (Film Opening)
• http://cicsasmedia.blogspot.com/
lots of links to Tutorials etc. (City Impact Church School)
• http://mediastudies.transylvania-college.ro/students-works-and-blogs/
Do your own research !!!

10. CIE Recommended websites
Refer to the document, 11 pages of recommendations