The document provides guidance on how to structure answers for Question 1a, which asks students to evaluate the development of their skills across the pre-production, production, and post-production phases of media production projects. It recommends introducing the answer by outlining the question, works produced, and structure of the response. The body should include 3 examples from each phase at AS and A2 levels to illustrate skill progression using a Point-Data-Question format. The conclusion should reflect on the overall development of skills and their application in professional media contexts. Examiners are looking for clear progression, a range of examples, articulate reflection, and fluent evaluation structured coherently and accurately.

1. Question 1a
How should you structure
your q1a answer?

2. Structure
Essentially question 1a is asking you to evaluate the
development across the course of your skills at the
different phases of the production process:
• Pre-Production
• Production
• Post-Production
Know what these three phases include.

3. Structure
It is possible to learn a plan for the q1a options:
• learn a structured introduction
• structure your answer around the three phases
ofthe production process
• select a limited number of examples in each
phase that show progression from AS to A2
• learn a conclusion

4. Structure 1
These three options can easily be structured like this:
• Digital Technology
• Creativity
• Use of Real Media Texts

5. Structure 2
For the other options :
•Research and Planning
•Post Production
while you might want to concentrate on (have more
examples from) the one phase in the question,
think also about how it relates to the other two stages
of production.

6. Pre-Production
Remembering
examples AS A2
Make one of these for each of
•research and planning
•real media texts
•digital technologies
Production
•post-production.
AS A2
Add examples.
Copy each one and add
creativity (or add creativity to
the original in a different Post-Production
colour).
AS includes prelim and main AS A2
tasks.
A2 includes main task &
ancillary tasks.
You could add diagrams like this to your existing prezis, timelines etc.

7. Pre-Production
Selecting
examples AS A2
Production
Highlight on these notes (or
make a second version with
just your selected examples): AS A2
•3 examples at each phase at
AS that best illustrate the
level of your skills at that point Post-Production
in the course
•3 examples at each phase at AS A2
A2 that best illustrate
progression or development
at this phase from AS

8. Introduction
In terms of essay introductions for q1a, use a
three part structure:
1. Answer or give your point of view on the
question.
2. Outline briefly what you made across
both years.
3. Explain to the examiner how you are
going to structure your essay.

9. Example Introduction
Over the course of my production work, the
development of my skills in research and planning
has enabled me to make increasingly creative
decisions. At AS I followed the music magazine print
brief, while at A2 I made a film promotion
package, including a film poster and a film magazine
cover as ancillary tasks. Selected examples from my
work at the pre-production, production and post-
production phases will illustrate the development
and impact of my skills.

10. Introduction
Write an introduction for each option.
They can be very similar, but must address the
question.
Learn them.
Use them in the exam as a way to calm any
nerves and to settle into the answer.

11. Body of essay
Work through your selected examples in order.
Try to always stick to the PDQ format:
•Point (name / describe the skill)
•Data (example / evidence)
•Question (relate this back to the question)
This helps particularly when the question is about
two of the options.
Check your timing:
•18 examples? 18 minutes

12. Conclusion
What could you say to sum up reflectively, honestly
and realistically the development of your skills in the
area of the question?
It may help to think of a question to answer as your
conclusion:
•How far have your skills developed?
•How do they compare to professional media
practice?
•How far could they develop further? What
specific skills did you not develop?
•What would be different in producing in a
professional media context?

13. Assessment
What are examiners looking for?
•A clear sense of progression
•A broad range of carefully selected examples
•Articulate reflections on skills
•Fluent evaluation
•Use of relevant media and production terms
•Clear and fluent writing about complex
issues, that is well-structured and accurate

14. And finally
Practise answering each topic and combination of topics.
Refine each answer in terms of content.
Make sure you can write it in just under 30 minutes.
Learn the
•introductions
•examples
•PDQ points
•conclusions
If you do all this, you can be confident.