This document provides information and tips for revising for the basic section b essay on media topics for exams. It outlines common essay structures and questions that have appeared in past papers. Key points include discussing the film production stages of production, marketing, distribution, exhibition and exchange. Example questions focus on topics like technological convergence, media ownership, audiences, and digital distribution. Revision should focus on these areas as well as cross-media synergy. Outlines are provided for organizing notes on mainstream and independent films, and comparing their approaches.

1. Basic section b essay debates
Debates = advantages/disadvantages

2. Remember the questions vary
(film stages)
Ownership = combination with film stages vary
• i.e. discuss issues raised by media ownership
in the production and exchange of media texts
Digital technology =
• To what extend does digital distribution affect
the marketing and consumption of media
products

3. Film stages
• Production
• Marketing
• Distribution
• Exhibition (consumption)
• Exchange (consumption)

4. Past paper questions
• Jan 09 Audiences (production & distribution)
• Jun 09 technological convergence (institution and audiences)
• Jan 10 ownership + (national) audiences
• Jun 10 digital media technology (institution and audiences)
• Jan 11 media ownership (production and exchange)
• Jun 11 audiences (marketing/distribution)
• Jan 12 digital distribution (marketing/consumption)
• Jun 12 cross media convergence/synergy (marketing, audiences)
• Jan 13 media ownership + audience (products available to audiences)
• Jun 13 digital technologies (marketing/consumption)

5. THE ACTUAL QUESTIONSYEAR QUESTION
Jan 09 Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have
studied.
June 09 How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area you have studied?
Jan 10 “Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and services to national audiences.” To what
extent do you agree with this statement?
June 10 What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and audiences?
Jan 11 Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts in your chosen media area.
June 11 “Successful media products depend as much upon marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they do upon good
production practices.” To what extent would you agree with this statement, within the media area you have studied?
Jan 12 To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the media area you have
studied?
June 12 “Cross-media convergence and synergy are vital processes in the successful marketing of media products to audiences.” To
what extent to you agree with this statement in relation to your chosen media area?
Jan 13 What impact does media ownership have upon the range of products available to audiences in the media area you have
studied?
June 13 Evaluate the role of digital technologies in the marketing and consumption of products in the media area you have studied.

6. ESSAY STRUCTURE
1 2
Introduction – briefly answer question
1 – conglomerates and Hollywood case
studies
2. Indie industry and indie case studies
3 Changing trends within industry (if
you can)
Conclude by wrapping up and giving your
opinion
Introduction – briefly answer question
1 – example 1 – compare between hollywood/indie
2. example 2 – compare between hollywood/indie
3 example 3– compare between hollywood/indie
4 example 4 – compare between hollywood/indie
5
6
7….
Conclude by wrapping up and giving your
opinion

7. Essay structures are also……
• On blog under ‘section b essay tips’

8. PROS/CONS
ADVANTAGE/DISADVANTAGE
A D
Ownership – marketing = conglomerates
can easily reach mass audience as they
have capitol and means to create a range
of above and below the line advertising
Technological convergence – exhibition =
if you give audience a range of ways
(platforms) to watch your film, they are
likely to buy, less chance of piracy
Ownership – marketing = audiences might
get fed up with being bombarded with
too much advertising
Technological convergence – exhibition =
has negatively affect cinema attendance –
if easy to watch at home/on the go ….why
go to expensive cinema?

9. How to lay out revision notes
Mainstream films Indie films Changing trends
Production Do this if you can
Marketing Do this if you can
Distribution Do this if you can
Exchange/
exhibition
Cinema
Home
Downloads
Inst to audience
Audi to audi
Audi to inst
Notes/examples:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Do this if you can

10. Revision order
• Technological convergence
• Synergy/cross media convergence
• Ownership
• Audiences
• digital media technology/proliferation of
hardware

11. HOMEWORK (revision!!)
YEAR QUESTION
June 09 How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area you have studied?
June 12 “Cross-media convergence and synergy are vital processes in the successful marketing of media products to audiences.” To what
extent to you agree with this statement in relation to your chosen media area?
Jan 13 What impact does media ownership have upon the range of products available to audiences in the media area you have studied?
Choose 1, 2 or 3 