1. The following is a guideline for how to get the most out of your work. If you use
this in conjunction with past examples you should be fine. There is a lot but if
you keep chipping away at it and uploading as you go, you’ll be fine.
Deadline is Friday March 21st 2014.
(I am aware this all addresses soap operas but this handout should work just as
well for documentary and music video)
Sheena
A2 Coursework Evaluation tips.
Q1: How did you USE, DEVELOP or CHALLENGE codes
and conventions of real media pro ducts?
What the question is asking you:
USE: mimicking the conventions that occur in the genre
Existing example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnG0Bkzxg6Q
DEVELOP: using conventions from your chosen genre but making a change, for
example adding conventions from another sub- genre to create a hybrid
Existing example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbr4pEzZOTo
CHALLENGE: actively going against what is expected of your genre.
Existing examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcA_rr-9XTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InV4JpVz5gU
It is difficult to challenge conventions in this way as budgets/actors/resources may not be
available. If you have challenged conventions you should address any times when you had a
creative idea but had to filter it to fit with your resources.

2. How to app roach the question:
1. To frame your answer and show the examiner what you have been
studying, show all the basic codes and conventions of the genre and
your sub-genre.
2. Compare your soap/music video/documentary to at least TWO real
examples within your sub/hybrid genre. If you can prove the convention
exists in more than one text, you have a concrete argument for using it
in your product.
3. Show a screenshot from a real soap alongside your version, with colour
coded annotations for similarities (using), differences (development)
and subversions (challenge)
4. Do this several times for your trailer to show the depth of your research
and understanding of the genre.
5. Do the same for both of your ancillaries
The best ways to present this question are either in a series of Power
Points/prezis, or a short film with a script where you talk the examiner through
all your points and give evidence.
Short film evaluation from 2012 (A Grade)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WweS4m708-s&feature=player_embedded
One of the best evaluations from 2013 (A Grade)
http://victoriabellairs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/question-1-use-develop-and-challenge.html
From the same group (done independently, A Grade)
http://catherinetanseya2media.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/evaluation-question-1.html

3. What you should address:
1. How have you USED, DEVELOPED or CHALLENGED existing codes and
conventions?
Mise en scene: (tick off as you address each point)
 Locations
 Props
 Costumes
 Lighting
 Are they similar/different to those used in the real product?
Editing
 Does pace of editing match the beat of the music?
 Is there a cutaway shot? Does it effectively illustrate what is being spoken about by
another character?
 Eyeline matches? Can the audience tell who is speaking to each other and where
they are positioned in the scene?
 Are edits sharp? Does dialogue flow?
 Any wipes, fades or dissolves?
Sound
 Do the score and lyrics make events in the trailer clearer?
 Is all dialogue clear?
 Does non- diegetic sound match or change the tone of the trailer?
Camerawork
 Variety of shot distances and heights used?
 Depth of field used effectively? (items/characters at different distances)
 BCUs to create tension and show character's emotions
 Any camera movement? Tracking, panning, zooms.
 Pull focus?