1. Audience
•Local
•National
•Global
Key terms to use when discussing
marketing, distribution and
audience.
To what degree was
each film marketed and
distributed?
What does this tell you
about the genre,
audience, actors,
finance?
Connect

2. British vs American audiences
Explore how each film appeals to a British and
American audience.
Consider:
• Narrative (story and representation of
characters)
• Production (including crew and cast)
• Marketing methods
• Distribution
• Exhibition (including release methods,
number and format of release, sales figures)
Complete a couple
of paragraphs
explaining your
findings with
reference to
examples.
‘A field in England’
was more successful
in appealing to a
________ audience.
This is evident
in………’
Discover

3. What can you remember?
• If you got given one of these topics in the
exam, what can you remember from your case
study?
• Spend 15 minutes looking at each of the
categories. Make notes under each film title as
to relevant information, terminology, facts and
opinions you might reference in the exam.
Develop

4. Read through the two example exam answers.
Using the mark scheme to help you, discuss with
your partner what level and mark you would
give each candidate.
Develop
Q: “How important is technological
convergence for institutions and audiences
within a media area which you have studied?”

5. Q: “How
important is
technological
convergence
for institutions
and audiences
within a media
area which you
have studied?”

6. Q: “How
important is
technological
convergence
for institutions
and audiences
within a media
area which
you have
studied?”

7. What mark and level
would you give that
response?
Develop
Q: “How important is technological
convergence for institutions and audiences
within a media area which you have studied?”

8. Question 2 Film
The focus of the candidate’s answer is Working Title films. The
second paragraph of the candidate’s answer identifies the issue of
technological convergence in relation to the institution. This is
supported by the final paragraph, on page 7, in discussion of the
advertising of Working Title Films on the internet and a loose link is
made with Facebook and Myspace with reference to fan pages.
Unfortunately there are no examples used to demonstrate this – of
minimal relevance criteria in the mark scheme.
On page 8, there is minimal analysis and argument about the role of
the internet and film trailers; again there is minimal amount of
examples used. In thepenultimate paragraph, there is again minimal
attempt to discuss technological convergence and film technology.
This is a minimal response to the question posed. Minimal marks
were awarded for EAA and the use of examples, a basic mark for the
use of terminology. This Q2 response would not have passed at AS
level, but because of a better Q1 the paper was awarded an ‘E’ grade
overall.
Examiner’s comments:
Q: “How
important is
technological
convergence
for
institutions
and
audiences
within a
media area
which you
have
studied?”

9. What do I do when I get the
exam question?
Bring a highlighter pen.
Bring 2/3 pens for writing
Make a note of the time the exam starts and finishes. Note on the
exam question/in your plan what time you need to start each
question and the duration for writing each one.
Remember:
The exam is 2 hours
Section A: Textual Analysis and Representation (50 marks)
Section B: Institutions and Audiences (50 marks)
= 1 HOUR PER QUESTION
Discover

10. Read the question through twice (at least) What
are the key words/key media concepts it is asking
you to look at?
What do I do when I get
the exam question?
Highlight the key terms they have used in the question.
Make sure that you refer to these terms in your answer.
For example: If the question is asking you about digital distribution, make
sure you refer to ‘digital distribution’ throughout the exam.
NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT THE QUESTION IS ASKING YOU! ALWAYS REFER
BACK TO THE QUESTION.
Discover

11. Simplify the question if you need to and write a simplified version at the top
of your plan.
WHAT IS IT ASKING YOU TO DO????
Explore ways in which cross media convergence and
synergy is used and how useful they are in marketing?
Do I believe they are needed and why.
To what extent do you believe media convergence and
synergy are a vital process to successfully market to
an audience?
What do I do when I get the
exam question?Discover

12. • Spend 10 minutes planning your answer.
• A plan is VERY important. You may decide to add other points
when you get writing but it helps you structure your argument
and ensure you cover the main points.
• It also helps you map your time – note the times on your plan.
• For example, where do you expect to be by the middle of the
hour writing? Note it on your plan so that you can stay
focused. Don’t worry if your slightly over or under time by the
half way point, but it will help you stay aware of your time
management.
What do I do when I get the
exam question?Discover

13. Estimated Timings
• 10 minutes breaking down the question and
planning your answer.
• 30 minutes writing the body of the essay.
• 10 minutes writing your conclusion.
• 10 minutes checking through your paper.
Discover

14. Structure
• Introduction.
- Who are you looking at? (production companies,
films) give some BRIEF context to the company –
history/structure/location etc.
- Relate the companies to the question.
E.g: ‘I intend to explore how digital distribution has
impacted on the financial and commercial success of
both films…’
Have a go at writing the
introduction for the question
using this as a base.
Discover

15. First mention of film in exam:
• ‘A field in England’ directed by Ben Wheatley (2013)
Punctuation
Capital letters
for titles,
names and
places.
Date in
brackets
Discover

16. Section 1 (this could be 1-3 paragraphs)
Apply company 1 to the question.
Things to consider:
• How has the company evolved? (relate to the topic. For example
how has Time Warner’s use of digital technology evolved?)
• How has the company conformed to/challenged/utilised this in
relation to the film you have studied?
SHOW OFF! Show what you know. Include dates and facts.
Include opinion. How has this impacted on the audience (especially
a British one)?
Express both sides of the argument. In other words if you are
explaining how it has positively affected the company/audience etc
– CHALLENGE IT! And vice versa.

17. Section 2 (this could be 1-3 paragraphs)
Now the same for the other institution.
Discover

18. Section 3
Compare and contrast.
• What are the similarities and differences between the
two?
• How does this impact on the film industry currently?
• ALWAYS show that you have a wider understanding of
the industry as a whole.
Discover

19. Conclusion
Relate back to the question.
What is your opinion? This is your chance to
summarise your own point.
How will this impact on the following in the future:
• Local and international audiences
• The film industry
Discover

20. To summarise – The Hand plan
Intro – Who? What? Context and intro to question
Section 1 – Company 1
Section 2 – Company 2
Section 3 – Compare and
contrast. OPINION
Conclusion – impact on audience and
industry. OWN OPINION
Discover

21. In a pair
• Use the hand plan and your notes to plan your
answer to the question

22. Date Question Key topics
Jan ‘09 Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences. Production
Distribution
Audience
June ‘09 How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media
area
which you have studied?
Technological convergence
Institutions
Audience
Jan ‘10 “Global institutions dominate media production. These institutions sell their products and
services to national audiences.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Institutions
Production
Audience
June ‘10 What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for
media institutions and audiences?
Digital technology
Institutions
audiences
Jan ‘11 Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media
texts in your chosen media area.
Media ownership
Production
exchange
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?
Marketing
Distribution
Production
audiences
Jan ‘12 To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media
products in the media area you have studied?
Digital distribution
Marketing
audiences
June ‘12 “Cross media convergence and synergy are vital processes in the successful marketing of
media products to audiences”. To what extent do you agree with this statement in relation
to your chosen media area?
Cross media convergence
Marketing
audiences
Jan ‘13 What impact does media ownership have upon the range of products available to
audiences in the media area you have studied?
Media ownership
audiences
June ‘13 Evaluate the role of digital technology in the marketing and consumption of products in
the media area that you have studied.
Digital technology
Marketing
Consumption