This document provides an outline for a GCSE Media Studies course focusing on the thriller genre. It includes: - An overview of the first lesson on thrillers and explaining the purpose and form of a horror film trailer. - An assignment to identify thriller codes/conventions in a film opening and produce a checklist. - Details on the coursework, exams, and topics covered including media language, institutions, audiences, and representation. - An explanation of what will be expected of students in lessons, homework, and the production element of assignments.

1. GCSE Media Studies
Course Outline

2. • Context Lesson 1 of our new topic, the Thriller
Genre.
We will understand the overview of our
• Learning early entry GCSE course
Outcomes
We will be able to explain the purpose
and form of a horror film trailer
Identify and list the recognised thriller
• Your task codes and conventions found in a
specific thriller film opening
We will have produced a codes and
• Success conventions checklist for use next in our
Criteria lesson

3. What is Media Studies?
Media Studies is the study of the
mass media/popular culture e.g.
magazines; T.V; film; radio; comics;
popular music; websites; computer
games

4. Analysing the mass media
• You will study how the media
communicates with an audience
• You will focus on 4 main areas called
Key Concepts
– Media Language
• Form – what is it?
• Codes and conventions – what makes it what it
is?
• How does it communicate with an audience?

5. – Institution
• Who has made the text?
• What is the purpose of the text?
– Audience
• Who does the text communicate with?
• How is the audience addressed?
• What do the audience do with the text?
– Representation
• What image of the world/people/issues has
been constructed?
• Who/what has been left out?

6. What do I have to do?
• GCSE OCR Media Studies (early entry)
• Coursework
• 60% weighting • Exam (end of Yr 10)
• Centre assessed – 2 x 1½hour papers
– 40% weighting
• Coursework
– 2 assignments (Number 2 is a group project)
– Each assignment 1000-1500 words or
equivalent with a practical production element

7. What will the lessons be like?
• You will be expected to:
– Listen to instructions, listen to your peers
– Work well collaboratively
– Work independently
– Be motivated – complete Home Learning tasks
and pre-production work
– Have patience – production work and
assignments will take time if you are to do
them properly
– Use technology – computers, cameras, internet
– Be creative! Be successful!

8. Term Overview: Winter/Spring
Key Concept Assignment Production Home
covered Title element Learning
Media Language: Compare the •Write and •Completion of
Openings of design a Home Learning
Language and several production log tasks/analysis
Categories Thriller films
showing how •Plan, film and •Completion of
(genre, codes & genre & edit a 3 minute filming
conventions, film opening
narrative are
including title
audience, media established. How credits for a new
language) Timescale
are atmosphere & film in the
tension created thriller genre
6-10 weeks
for the audience?

9. How will I be marked?
• Knowledge and understanding
– Identify/describe the main features of:
• Film language and grammar
• Film genre and conventions
• How film represents social and cultural
messages and values
• Analysis and Interpretation
– Compare and comment upon:
• How texts create meaning
• Who produces the texts
• The audiences that use the texts

10. • Production skills
– Technical skills
• Construction of original media texts
• Filming using knowledge of camera angles
• Editing to create meaning
• Evidence of planning and evaluation
• Quality of written communication (S, P, G)