Harlow College Media Studies primary Task

1. OCR Media Studies Main Task
15/12/2015
James Bell: Main Task

2. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Aim: Develop skills in media production and
Planning.
• Research film openings (video team)
• Prepare a detailed textual analysis on your
chosen film opening
• Research Music Magazine layouts (Print team)
• Prepare a detailed textual analysis on your
chosen music magazine

3. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Video:
– Main task: Create the titles and opening of a new
fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
Note: All video and audio material must be original,
produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of
music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.

4. Homework task Print due 05/01/2016
– Textual analysis of two music magazines
– Front cover
– Double page spread
– Contents Page
• Use resources on Qube or internet search or
purchase own music magazines, scan and
evaluate text

5. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Print
Main task: the front page, contents and double
page spread of a new music magazine (if done as a
group task, each member of the group to produce
an individual edition of the magazine, following the
same house style).
All images and text used must be original, produced
by the candidate(s), minimum of FOUR images per
candidate.

6. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
What is a Film Opening?
Why is a film opening so important?

7. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
The purpose of a film opening is to entice the
audience into carrying on watching a film. A film
opening should also establish characters and
genre.

8. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
• A film opening should grab your attention from the opening
frame,
• The opening should tell us the genre of the film & the setting or
location
• The opening may tell us one of the storylines of the movie to
keep the viewers watching and to give the audience a taster of
the narrative.
• The opening should include many different techniques, from
catchy music to fast paced editing.
• The most important element to a good opening is the element of
suspense

9. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Types of film opening.
Flashback
• A scene that the narrative back in time usually to a key event for a
couple of minutes or the whole movie.

10. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Types of film opening.
Planning of landscape/establishing shot.
This is used to set the scene and inform the audience where the film
is taking place..
Example: the Shining

11. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Types of film opening.
Narrations Easy and effective way of getting the audience involved
straight away.
Technique used to give background information on what has been
happening or who the characters are, giving the audience an insight
so the rest of the film make sense.

12. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Types of film opening.
Action scene
A fast paced opening to a film attracts the audience straight away
and will make them want to carry on watching. As well it
automatically shows the genre of the film if included in the opening.

13. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Types of film opening.
Chase scene
Similar to the action scene, also catches the audiences attention. It
involves them as they will want to see what happens after the chase.
Example: Fast and Furious 6

14. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Requirements.
Production Logos
At the start of most films they will always show the production or
distribution logos.
If the film has a high budget the logo will be adapted to reflect the
genre and story line of the film.

15. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Production Logos

16. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Requirements.
Title sequence
All films have title scenes too, these show the cast and production
team for the films. The titles can be a way of building up suspense
and can show the genre of the film.

17. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
SevenTitle sequence

18. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Requirements.
Narrative content
This includes the context (Where/when/who). As well the pace of
the narrative increases as level of engagement increases
Example Sin City (2005)
Example Sherlock Holmes (A Game of Shadows)

19. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Requirements.
Some directors prefer to have an unconventional opening to portray
a sense of mystery or giving the film an artistic edge.E.g. Lack of
credits, Lack of establishing shot, Main characters are not
introduced.

20. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Examples
Kill Bill (Vol. 1)
James Bond Quantum of Solace
Legend
Black Swan

21. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Requirements.
Soundtrack
This is the use of tone, volume, and tempo, which will generically
start quiet and slow-paced.

22. OCR Media Studies Main Task (Video option)
• Prepare a detailed textual analysis on your
chosen film opening

23. OCR Media Studies Main Task
Film Openings:
Other examples
Birdman
Star Wars - Opening Scene (1977)
Psycho
The Matrix
Shaun of the Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Trainspotting
Bridesmaids?
Bad teacher
Pretty Woman
Scream
Getting That Girl
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
Reservoir Dogs
Quantum of Solace
The Woman in Black
Dumb and Dumber