MEDIA PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS

ATAR COURSE

Year 12 syllabus

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SchoolCurriculumandStandardsAuthority,2014.
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2013/38386

Content

Rationale...................................................................................................................................................................1
Courseoutcomes.......................................................................................................................................................2
Organisation..............................................................................................................................................................3
Structureofthesyllabus..................................................................................................................................................3
Organisationofcontent...................................................................................................................................................3
Representationofthegeneralcapabilities......................................................................................................................6
Representationofthecrosscurriculumpriorities...........................................................................................................7
Unit3Mediaart......................................................................................................................................................8
Unitdescription................................................................................................................................................................8
Suggestedcontexts..........................................................................................................................................................8
Unitcontent.....................................................................................................................................................................8
Unit4Powerandpersuasion................................................................................................................................11
Unitdescription..............................................................................................................................................................11
Suggestedcontexts........................................................................................................................................................11
Unitcontent...................................................................................................................................................................11
Schoolbasedassessment........................................................................................................................................13
Grading...........................................................................................................................................................................14
WACEexamination..................................................................................................................................................15
Practical(production)examinationdesignbriefYear12............................................................................................16
WrittenexaminationdesignbriefYear12..................................................................................................................18
Appendix1GradedescriptionsYear12.................................................................................................................19

Rationale
TheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcourseaimstoprepareallstudentsforafutureinadigitaland
interconnectedworldbyprovidingtheskills,knowledgeandunderstandingstotelltheirownstoriesand
interpretothersstories.Studentslearnthelanguagesofmediacommunicationandhowastoryis
constructedusingrepresentations.Studentsareencouragedtoexplore,experimentandinterprettheir
world,reflectingandanalysingcontemporarylifewhileunderstandingthatthisisdoneundersocial,cultural
andinstitutionalconstraints.Studentsasusersandcreatorsofmediaproducts,considertheimportantrole
ofaudiencesandtheircontext.
DigitaltechnologieshaveimpacteduponandextendedthecapacitythatthemediaplayinAustralianlives.
Throughnewtechnologies,theroleoftheaudiencehasshiftedfromapassiveconsumertoamoreactive
participant,shapingthemediathroughinteractionandmoreaccessiblemodesofproductionand
disseminationofmediawork.Studentsinteractionandopportunitytousetechnologiesenablesthemto
engagewithcurrentmediaandadapttoevolvingmediaplatforms.
Thecreationofconvergentandhybridmediameansthatthesystemofcommunicationchangesasnew
mediaaredeveloped.Thelocalandglobalmediacontextsarecontinuouslyinteracting,makingaudiences
globalconsumersofmediaproducts.Throughtheconsumptionofglobalmediawork,awarenessofglobal
issuescreatesacollectiveconsciousnessandsenseofresponsibility,givingrisetothenotionofaudiences
alsobeingglobalcitizens.Throughtheprocessofinvestigation,studentsengagewithtopics,issuesand
themeswhichhaveglobalandlocalrelevance,andartisticmovementsandstyleswhichinturn,createnew
notionsofmediaaesthetics.
Theproductionofmediaworkenablesstudentstodemonstratetheirunderstandingofthekeyconceptsof
medialanguages,representation,audience,production,skillsandprocessesaswellasexpresstheir
creativityandoriginality.Whenproducingmediawork,studentslearntomakedecisionsaboutallaspectsof
production,includingcreativechoicesacrosspreproduction,productionandpostproductionphases.This
providesanopportunityforstudentstoreflectonanddiscusstheirowncreativework,intentionsand
outcomes.Withinthisprocess,skillsaredevelopedenablingstudentstomanipulatetechnologieswhich
simulateindustryexperiences.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

Course outcomes
TheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcourseisdesignedtofacilitateachievementofthefollowing
outcomes.

Outcome1Mediaideas
Studentsusecriticalawarenessandculturalunderstandingstoexploreanddevelopmediaideas.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:
understandhowmediacommunicateideasinparticularcontextsandfordifferentaudiencesand
purposes
exploretechnologies,codesandconventionstocreatemeaninganddevelopideas
presentideas,designsand/orproductionplans.

Outcome2Mediaproduction
Studentsuseskills,techniques,processes,conventionsandtechnologiestocreatemediaworkforaudience,
purposeandcontext.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:
usemediaskills,processandtechnologies
usemediacodesandconventionsforaudience,purposeandcontext
fulfilarangeofproductionrolesandresponsibilities.

Outcome3Responsestomedia
Studentsusecritical,social,culturalandaestheticunderstandingstorespondto,reflectonandevaluate
mediawork.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:
understandhowmeaningisconstructedinmediawork
understandinterrelationshipsbetweenmediawork,culturalcontextsandaudiences
usestrategiestoinvestigateandcommentonmediaworkandevaluatemediaproductions.

Outcome4Mediainsociety
Studentsunderstandtheroleofmediainsociety.
Inachievingthisoutcome,students:
understandtheimpactoftechnologicaldevelopments,andcontrolsandconstraints,onmedia
productionanduse
understandtheinfluenceofsocial,historicalandculturalcontextsonmediaproductionanduse
understandhowculturalvaluesareinfluencedbythemediaandinturninfluencemediaproduction.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

Organisation
ThiscourseisorganisedintoaYear11syllabusandaYear12syllabus.Thecognitivecomplexityofthe
syllabuscontentincreasesfromYear11toYear12.

Structure of the syllabus

TheYear12syllabusisdividedintotwounitswhicharedeliveredasapair.Thenotionaltimeforthepairof
unitsis110classcontacthours.

Unit3Mediaart
Inthisunitstudentswillanalyse,view,listentoandinteractwithcontemporaryandtraditionalexamplesof
mediaart,identifyingtechniquesandthemes,meaningsthatarecreatedandaudiencesinterpretations.
Theyconsidertherepresentationofvaluesandtechnologicaldevelopmentsthatinfluenceperceptionsofart
withinmediawork.

Unit4Powerandpersuasion
Thefocusforthisunitispowerandpersuasion.Throughthisbroadfocus,studentsextendtheir
understandingofpersuasivemedia,examiningthewaythemediaisabletoreflect,challengeandshape
valuesandattitudes.Theycriticallyanalyse,view,listento,andinteractwitharangeofmediawork,
consideringthepurposesandvaluesofproducersandaudiences.
Eachunitincludes:
aunitdescriptionashortdescriptionofthefocusoftheunit
unitcontentthecontenttobetaughtandlearned.

Organisation of content
Thecoursecontentisdividedintofivecontentareas:
Medialanguages
Representation
Audience
Production
Skillsandprocesses

Medialanguages
Anunderstandingofmedialanguagesisfundamentaltothestudyandpracticeofmedia.Inlearningthe
languagesofthemedia,studentsdevelopconceptualunderstandingsandskillsrelevantto:
Systemofcommunication
Thesystemofcommunicationistheprocessinwhichproducesofmediacreatemessagesandhow
audiencesinterpretthemessages,producingdominant,negotiatedoroppositionalmeanings.Thesystem
consistsofcommunicationmodels,techniques,technologiesandaudiencecontext.

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Traditionalmediaareradio,television,film,andnewspaper(print).Newemergingmedia,alsoknownas
convergentandhybridmediasuchastheinternet,personalcommunicationdevicesandcomputergames
reflecttheincreasingintegrationofmediaandtheirsystemsofcommunication.
Knowledgeofhowthesecommunicationsystemsworkisintegralforstudentstounderstandandproduce
mediawork.
Narrative,codesandconventions
Narrativesareintrinsictomediaworkandthenarrativeelementsofcharacter,setting,conflictand
resolutionareessentialcomponentsofstorytelling.Codesandconventionsaretoolsusedinthe
constructionanddeconstructionofnarratives.Thewaytheyareappliedcanbeanalysedintermsofgenre
andstyle.Producersconstructpreferredmeaningsandviewpointsthroughtheselectionoftechnical,
symbolic,writtenandaudiocodes,andmultiplemeaningsareinterpretedbydifferentaudiences.An
understandingofhowselectionprocessesconstructmeaning,realismandviewpointsinarangeofmediais
anessentialpartofthecourse.Theanalysisandproductionofalternativeandexperimentalmediaenables
narrative,codesandconventionstobechallengedandforinnovativestylestobecreated.

Representation
Theconceptofrepresentationisfundamentaltotheconstructednatureofallmedia.Representationisthe
processinwhichconceptsorphysicalobjectsareconstructedtoappearreal/natural.Thisincludespeople,
places,eventsandideas.Thestudyofthisprocess,knownasmediation,enablesstudentstounderstand
howmultiplemeaningscanbeconstructedandhowtheycanbeacceptedorchallengedbyaspecific
audience.Animportantaspectofanalysingrepresentationistheprocessofstereotypingthroughwhich
oversimplifiedrepresentationsbecomenaturalised,andthroughsharedvalues,theybecomeassociated
withparticularissuesandculturalgroups.Thisoversimplificationoccursthroughselectionprocessesto
createadominantreading.Byapplyingtheprinciplesofencodinganddecoding,studentsareableto
communicatetheirunderstandingsoftheconstructionandinterpretationofrepresentations.

Audience
Inlearninghowanaudienceconstructsmeaning,studentsdevelopconceptualunderstandingsandskills
relevantto:
Audiences
Theapplicationofmediatheoryenablesstudentstoanalysetherelationshipbetweenaudiencesandthe
media.PopularmodelsforanalysisincludetheHypodermicNeedlemodel,UsesandGratificationsand
ReceptionTheory.
Aknowledgeofmediatheoryleadstothedevelopmentofinformedaudienceprofilesbasedonage,gender,
socioeconomicandculturalbackground.Thesefactorsinformstudentsunderstandingofthemedia
expectationsandpreferencesofspecificaudiencesforparticularstylesandthemeswithinmediawork.In
production,thesefactorsbecomesignificantintheclassificationandcensorshipofmediawork.
Subcultures
Anextensionofaudienceanalysisenablesstudentstoexaminehowsubculturalgroups,basedonshared
interestsandvalues,experiencethemediadifferentlyfrommainstreamaudiences.Understandinghowthe
mediacaterforsubculturalgroupsprovidesscopeforexperimentationwithinproductionwork.

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Mediatrends
Engagingwiththemediaofdifferenttimesdevelopsanunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenmedia
work,audiencesandcontext.Awarenessoftechnologies,styles,narratives,representationsandvaluesfrom
thepastillustratethechangingnatureofthemediaandoftrends,valuesandaudienceexpectations.Local,
nationalandinternationalmediaprovideservicesfor,andimpacton,particularcommunities.

Production
Manyfactorsshapethestyleofproductionandthemediaworkthatareproduced.Inlearningabout
production,studentsdevelopconceptualskillsandunderstandingsrelevantto:
Majorinstitutionsandindependents
Theorganisationofmajorinstitutionsandindependentsisstructuredtowardlargeandsmallscalemedia,
withstudentsinvestigatingcommericalandnoncommercialmediaindustriesandmodesofproduction.The
productsoftheseinstitutionsarecomparedintermsofmainstreamaudienceappealandexperimentaland
avantgardestyleswhichareproducedforspecificnicheaudiencesandsubcultures.Theroleofnew
technologiesenablinggreaterautonomyforindependentproducersdirectlyrelatestothestudent
productioncontext.
Recognisingthevariouspurposesofthemediaandthewaysinwhichmediaareusedbymainstreamand
nicheaudiencesisfundamentaltounderstandingthemediaindustryanditseconomicpowerbase.How
mediauseisinfluencedbydemographicpatterns,theexpectationsofproducersandaudiences,marketing
strategiesandmeasuresofaudiencereachiscriticalwhenanalysingtheimpactofspecificmediaworkon
audiences.
Productioncontexts
Contextswithinwhichmediaproductiontakesplacearesignificantinshapingthecontentofmediawork.
Investigationrevealshowparticularcontextshaveshapedthemedia:historicalandpoliticaleventsthat
shapeattitudesandtherepresentationofpeopleandissues,socialandculturaltrendsthatimpactthestyle
andcontentofmediawork.
Theimpactofcontrolsandconstraintsthatshapethestyleandcontentofmediaworkmustberecognised
andtheimplicationsconsidered.Thereisawiderangeofcontrolsandconstraints.
Ethicalissuesandlegalimplicationscontrolandconstrainmedia.Debatingtheinfluenceandimpactof
regulatorybodiesandpressuregroups,typesofcensorshipandclassificationprovidesabasisfor
developingcodesofconductforstudentproductions.
Technologiesandfactorsrelatedtoproductionsuchasbudget,time,resourcesandaudience
expectationscontrolandconstrainproductionprocessesandaudiencereach.
Economicstructuresandpracticesalsoarefactorsthatcontrolandconstrainmedia.Itisimportantto
considertheimpactofethosandobjectives,sourcesofrevenueandintendedaudiencesforthe
productionofmediawork.Ownership,powerandpoliticsareallfactorsthatcontrolandconstrain
media.

Skillsandprocesses
Anessentialpartofthecourseistheopportunityforstudentstodemonstratepracticallytheirknowledge
andunderstandingofmediaconceptsandtheoryincreatingtheirownmediawork.Skillsandprocesses
integratethepracticalskillsanduseoftechnologiesrequiredtocreateamediaproduct.Studentsare

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expectedtouseaproductionprocesswhichincludesimplementingpreproductiontechniques,fulfilling
specificproductionroles,followinghealthandsafetyguidelinesandapplyingtechnologiesincreativeand
originalways.Reflectingandevaluatingontheirownandpeer/professionalworkenablesstudentsan
opportunitytoimprovetheirunderstandingandskillsoftheproductionprocess.
Theindividualunderstandingandapplicationofskillsthroughspecificroleswithintheproductioncontext,
aimtosimulateindustryproductionpractices.

Representation of the general capabilities

Thegeneralcapabilitiesencompasstheknowledge,skills,behavioursanddispositionsthatwillassist
studentstoliveandworksuccessfullyinthetwentyfirstcentury.Teachersmayfindopportunitiesto
incorporatethecapabilitiesintotheteachingandlearningprogramfortheMediaProductionandAnalysis
ATARcourse.Thegeneralcapabilitiesarenotassessedunlesstheyareidentifiedwithinthespecifiedunit
content.

Literacy
TheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcoursereliesonmultiliteracies;oral,visual,kinetic,textbasedand
digitalliteracyarefundamentaltolearning,communicating,creatingandresponding.Studentsuseand
developliteracyskillsastheydescribe,appraiseanddocumenttheirownmediaworkandthoseoftheir
peers,andinrespondingto,interpretingandanalysingincreasinglycomplexmediaworkmadebyothers.
Theyusetheirliteracyskillstoaccessknowledge,makemeaning,expressthoughts,emotionsandideas,
interactwithandchallengeothers.

Numeracy
Anappreciationof,andabilitytoapply,numericalconceptssuchassize,space,time,proportion,angles,
depth,ratioandpatternareusedinMediaProductionandAnalysis.Creatingmediaworkrequires
knowledgeandunderstandingofmeasurementinordertomanipulatespace,timeandform.

Informationandcommunicationtechnologycapability
Informationandcommunicationtechnology(ICT)capabilityenablesstudentsinthiscoursetousedigital
toolsandenvironmentstorepresenttheirideasandmediawork.Theyusedigitaltechnologiestolocate,
access,select,documentandevaluateinformation,workcollaboratively,shareandexchangeinformation,
andcommunicatewithavarietyofaudiences.

Criticalandcreativethinking
TheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcourseisdependentonthedevelopmentofcreativeandcritical
thinking.Increatingmedia,studentsdrawontheircuriosity,imaginationandthinkingskillstopose
questionsandexploreideas.Theyconsiderpossibilitiesandprocessesandmakechoicesthatassistthemto
takerisksandexpresstheirideascreatively.

Personalandsocialcapability
LearningintheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcoursepromotesselfdiscipline,initiative,confidence,
goalsetting,empathyandadaptabilityasstudentsworkindividuallyandcollaboratively.Whenworkingwith
others,mediastudentsdevelopandpractisesocialskillsthatassistthemtocommunicateeffectively,work
collaboratively,makeconsideredgroupdecisionsandshowleadership.

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Ethicalunderstanding
EthicalunderstandingisdevelopedandappliedintheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcoursewhen
studentsencounterorcreatemediathatrequiresethicalconsideration,suchasmediaworkthatis
controversial,involvesamoraldilemmaorpresentsabiasedpointofview.Theyactivelyengageinethical
decisionmakingwhenreflectingontheirownandothersmediawork.

Interculturalunderstanding
InterculturalunderstandingintheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARcourseassistsstudentstoexplore
newideas,mediaandpracticesfromdiverselocal,national,regionalandglobalculturalcontexts.Students
areencouragedtodemonstrateopenmindednesstoperspectivesthatdifferfromtheirownandto
appreciatethediversityofculturesandcontextsinwhichartistsandaudienceslive.

Representation of the cross-curriculum priorities

Thecrosscurriculumprioritiesaddresscontemporaryissueswhichstudentsfaceinaglobalisedworld.
Teachersmayfindopportunitiestoincorporatetheprioritiesintotheteachingandlearningprogramforthe
MediaProductionandAnalysisATARcourse.Thecrosscurriculumprioritiesarenotassessedunlesstheyare
identifiedwithinthespecifiedunitcontent.

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhistoriesandcultures
ThestudyofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhistoriesandculturesenrichesunderstandingofthe
diversityofmediawithinAustralia,analysesthestereotypesandperceivedsocietalnormsthatmedia
presents,anddevelopsanappreciationoftheneedtorespondtomediaworkinwaysthatareculturally
sensitiveandresponsible.
ManyAustralianIndigenousmediaproducersaffirmconnectionwithCountry/Place,PeopleandCulture
throughtheirmediastories.MediacreatedbyAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandersexposesstudentstoa
viewoftheAustralianlandscapethatisunique,expressiveandpersonal.

AsiaandAustralia'sengagementwithAsia
AsiaandAustraliasengagementwithAsiaprovidesrich,engaginganddiversecontextsinwhichto
investigate,createandrespondtomediawhichhavearisenfromtherichanddiversecultures,belief
systemsandtraditionsofthepeoplesoftheAsiaregion.

Sustainability
Sustainabilityprovidesengagingandthoughtprovokingcontextsinwhichtoexplorethenatureofmedia
makingandresponding.Itenablestheinvestigationoftheinterrelatednatureofsocial,economicand
ecologicalsystems.
Studentsmayusetheexploratoryandcreativeplatformofthemediatodeveloppersonalandworldviews
thatrecognisetheimportanceofsocialjustice,healthyecosystemsandeffectiveactionforsustainability.
Throughtheirmediawork,theymaypersuadeotherstotakeactionforsustainablefutures.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

Unit 3 Media art

Unit description
Thisunitprovidestheopportunityforstudentstoexploreandselectfromarangeofmediaartanddevelop
theirunderstandingofmediaaesthetics.Mediaaestheticsinthecontextofthisunitisthestudyofthe
emotionalandintellectualresponsebroughtaboutbythewaythetechniques,codesandconventionsthat
createtheartisticqualityofthemediaworkhavebeenapplied.
Studentsanalyse,view,listentoandinteractwithcontemporaryandtraditionalexamplesofmediaart,
identifyingtechniquesandthemes,meaningsthatarecreatedandaudiencesinterpretations.Theyconsider
therepresentationofvaluesandtechnologicaldevelopmentsthatinfluenceperceptionsofartwithinmedia
work.
Studentsareencouragedtoexperimentwithtechnologies,structures,codesandconventionstoexpress
theirideasandcreativity.Theyhavetheopportunitytoextendtheirproductionskillsandprocessesandthe
emergenceofpersonalstyle.

Suggested contexts
Withinthebroadareaofmediaart,teachersmaychooseoneormoreofthesuggestedcontexts(thislistis
notexhaustive):
photographicart
artcinema
interactiveentertainment
independentfilm
nationalcinema
anime.
Mediatypesstudentsmustworkwithinatleastoneofthefollowingmediainanyyear:film,television,
photography,printmedia,radioanddigitalmedia.

Unit content
AnunderstandingoftheYear11contentisassumedknowledgeforstudentsinYear12.Itisrecommended
thatstudentsstudyingUnit3andUnit4havecompletedUnit1andUnit2.
Thisunitincludesknowledge,understandings,conceptsandskillsinthecontextofmediaart.The
examinablecontentwillbeinthecontextofmediaart.

Medialanguages
Systemofcommunication
artisticandculturalbenefitsofmedia
impactoffundingonproductionanddistribution

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publicityandavenuesforexhibition
intendedaudiences
Narrative,codesandconventions
multipleplots,multipleviewpoints,manipulationofnarrativestructure,chronologicalorder
mediaaestheticsindifferenttimes
techniques,codesandconventionsusedtochallengeaudienceexpectations

Representation
howmediaaestheticsconstructrepresentations
mediaasavehicletochallengerepresentations

Audience
Audiences
howvaluesandideologyinfluencetheinterpretationofmediawork,applyingspecificmediatheoriesto
understandaudienceresponses
culturalcontextsthatcontributetoaudiencevaluesandinterpretationofmediawork
Subcultures
auteurfiguresandpersonalexpression
Mediatrends
changingaudiences,expectationsandvalues

Production
Majorinstitutionsandindependents
mediaindustryissuessuchashowindependentmediaproducersoperatewithinthedominanceof
mainstreammediainstitutions
nicheaudiencesexpectationofmediaaesthetics
Productioncontexts
comparingmediaaestheticsindifferentcontexts
valuesintheproductionandcontentofmediawork
culturalinfluencesthathavecontributedtochangesinmedia
formalandinformalcensorshipthatimpactsmediacontent

Skillsandprocesses
applyingformalprocessesandselectingappropriatestrategiestocommunicateideas
independentmanagementofsafetyproceduresinallproductionsituations

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applyingproductionskills
independentmanagementoftimeandtechnologies
managementofteammembers
negotiatingandadaptingproductionprocesses
anticipatingproblemsandapplyingeffectivesolutions
applyingskillseffectivelywithinthedefinedproductionroles
experimentingandmanipulatinggenres,stylesandconventions
reflectingcriticallyonproductionprogress
evaluatingcriticallyonown,andothersproductions,peerand/orprofessional

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Unit 4 Power and persuasion

Unit description
Thefocusforthisunitispowerandpersuasion,whichincludestheinfluentialnatureofmediausedasaform
ofpropagandaandpoliticalpersuasion.
Throughthisbroadfocus,studentsextendtheirunderstandingofpersuasivemedia,examiningthewaythe
mediaisabletoreflect,challengeandshapevaluesandattitudes.Theycriticallyanalyse,view,listento,and
interactwitharangeofmediawork,consideringthepurposesandvaluesofproducersandaudiences.
Studentssynthesisearangeofideas,skillsandprocessestocreatetheirownmediaproductionsthatexpress
theirviews.

Suggested contexts
Withinthebroadareaofpowerandpersuasion,teachersmaychooseoneormoreofthesuggestedcontexts
(thislistisnotexhaustive):
documentarystylesandtraditions
reportingworldevents
localandnationalnewsmediaindustries
nationalcinema
photographicessays
propaganda.
Mediatypesstudentsmustworkwithinatleastoneofthefollowingmediainanyyear:film,television,
photography,printmedia,radioanddigitalmedia.

Unit content
Thisunitincludesknowledge,understandings,conceptsandskillsinthecontextofpowerandpersuasion.
Theexaminablecontentwillbeinthecontextofpowerandpersuasion.

Medialanguages
Systemofcommunication
suitabilityofparticularmediaforpurposessuchassocialorpoliticalcomment
Narrative,codesandconventions
persuasivetechniques,codesandconventions
manipulatingselection,emphasisandomissiontoconstructpointofview

Representation
comparingrepresentationsinmediawork
dangersinthenaturalisationofstereotypes

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Audience
Audiences
howinterpretationsmadebyaudiencescanbeunderstoodbyusingappropriatemediatheories
howmedia,contextsandaudiencesworktogethertomakemeaning
howmediaconstructperceptionsofissuesortopics
howmediaworkreinforcesorchallengesaudiencevaluesandattitudes
Subcultures
representationofsubculturesandtheirassociatedvalues
Mediatrends
impactofmediatrendsinmediause

Production
Majorinstitutionsandindependents
influencesoncommercialandnoncommercialmedia
pressuresonthepresentationofissues,includingeditorialcontrol,funding,distribution
Productioncontexts
regulationinthemedia
propagandaandagendasetting
censorship

Skillsandprocesses
applyingformalprocessesandselectingappropriatestrategiestocommunicateideas
independentmanagementofsafetyproceduresinallproductionsituations
applyingproductionskills
independentmanagementoftimeandtechnologies
managementofteammembers
negotiatingandadaptingproductionprocesses
anticipatingproblemsandapplyingeffectivesolutions
applyingskillseffectivelywithindefinedproductionroles
experimentingandmanipulatinggenres,stylesandconventions
reflectingcriticallyonproductionprogress
evaluatingcriticallyonown,andothersproductions,peerand/orprofessional

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School-based assessment
TheWesternAustralianCertificateofEducation(WACE)Manualcontainsessentialinformationonprinciples,
policiesandproceduresforschoolbasedassessmentthatneedstobereadinconjunctionwiththissyllabus.
Teachersdesignschoolbasedassessmenttaskstomeettheneedsofstudents.Thetablesbelowprovide
detailsoftheassessmenttypesfortheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARYear12syllabusandthe
weightingforeachassessmenttype.

AssessmenttablepracticalcomponentYear12
Typeofassessment

Weighting

ToSCSA

Weighting
forcombined
mark

100%

100%

50%

Weighting

ToSCSA

Weightingfor
combined
mark

100%

50%

Practical(production)
Extendedproductionprojectwhichcanbecompletedaseitherasingletaskoras
separatetasks.
Studentsexploreideas,controlandmanagetheprocessesrequiredto
achieve/managetheaestheticqualityofproduction.
Independently,andinteams,managearangeofproductionprocesses,
evaluatingandmodifyingthemasnecessary.
Demonstrateanunderstandingofstyles,structures,codesandconventionsand
demonstratethedevelopmentofconfidenceandcompetenceintheuseof
technologies,skillsandprocessesinarangeofcontexts.
Reflectonandevaluateownandpeerproductionwork.

AssessmenttablewrittencomponentYear12
Typeofassessment
Response
Workinwhichstudentsplan,conductandcommunicatefindingsbasedonthe
analysisofaudiences,mediacontextsandmediaexamples,usingarangeof
criticalframeworksandprimaryandsecondarysources.

40%

Writtenexamination
Typicallyconductedattheendofeachsemesterand/orunitandreflectingthe
examinationdesignbriefforthissyllabus.

60%

Teachersarerequiredtousetheassessmenttabletodevelopanassessmentoutlineforthepairofunits.
Theassessmentoutlinemust:
includeasetofassessmenttasks
includeageneraldescriptionofeachtask
indicatetheunitcontenttobeassessed
indicateaweightingforeachtaskandeachassessmenttype
includetheapproximatetimingofeachtask(forexample,theweekthetaskisconducted,ortheissue
andsubmissiondatesforanextendedtask).

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Intheassessmentoutlineforthepairofunits,eachassessmenttypemustbeincludedatleasttwice,with
theexceptionofproduction,whichmustbeincludedatleastonce.
ThesetofassessmenttasksmustprovidearepresentativesamplingofthecontentforUnit3andUnit4.
Assessmenttasksnotadministeredundertest/controlledconditionsrequireappropriate
validation/authenticationprocesses.Forexample,studentperformanceofproductionworkcouldbe
validatedbysummativeassessmentthroughjournalorportfoliocontributions,preproductionplanning
materialsandregularmeetingswhereproductionworkcanbereviewedandauthenticatedbytheteacher.

Grading
Schoolsreportstudentachievementintermsofthefollowinggrades:
Grade Interpretation
A

Excellentachievement

Highachievement

Satisfactoryachievement

Limitedachievement

Verylowachievement

Theteacherpreparesarankedlistandassignsthestudentagradeforthepairofunits.Thegradeisbased
onthestudentsoverallperformanceasjudgedbyreferencetoasetofpredeterminedstandards.These
standardsaredefinedbygradedescriptionsandannotatedworksamples.Thegradedescriptionsforthe
MediaProductionandAnalysisATARYear12syllabusareprovidedinAppendix1.Theycanalsobeaccessed,
togetherwithannotatedworksamples,throughtheGuidetoGradeslinkonthecoursepageofthe
Authoritywebsiteatwww.scsa.wa.edu.au
Tobeassignedagrade,astudentmusthavehadtheopportunitytocompletetheeducationprogram,
includingtheassessmentprogram(unlesstheschoolacceptsthatthereareexceptionalandjustifiable
circumstances).
RefertotheWACEManualforfurtherinformationabouttheuseofarankedlistintheprocessofassigning
grades.

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WACE examination
AllstudentsenrolledintheMediaProductionandAnalysisATARYear12coursearerequiredtosittheWACE
examination.TheexaminationisbasedonarepresentativesamplingofthecontentforUnit3andUnit4.
Detailsofthewrittenandpractical(production)WACEexaminationsareprescribedintheexamination
designbriefsonthefollowingpages.
RefertotheWACEManualforfurtherinformation.

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Practical (production) examination design brief Year 12
Providedbythecandidate
Onecompletedproduction
AcompletedPractical(production)submissioncoversheet
AsignedDeclarationofauthenticity
AmaximumfivepageIndividualdocumentationofproductionprocess

SUBMISSION

Individualdocumentationofproduction
process

SUPPORTINGINFORMATION
Thecandidateisrequiredtosubmituptofivepagesinlength(legiblesinglesided
A4pages)adocumentwhichdemonstratesthecandidatesunderstandingand
applicationoftheproductionprocess.Thefollowingareasmustbediscussed
withinthedocumentation:
arationaleoutliningtheintentoftheproductionanditsconnectionto
audience
preproductionprocess
applicationofproductionskills
reflectionandevaluationoftheproduction.
Thecandidatecanincludeothermaterials,forexample,annotatedscripts,
storyboardsorscreencaptures,providingthetotaldocumentationdoesnot
exceedfivepages.

Productionchoicestheproductionwillconsistofoneofthefollowing:
Audiovisualproduction
Duration:nomorethan5minutes

100%ofthepracticalexamination

OrDigitalproduction
Duration:nomorethan5minutes

100%ofthepracticalexamination

OrPhotography
Nomorethan10photographs

100%ofthepracticalexamination

OrPrintproduction
Length:nomorethan12singlesided,or
6doublesidedpages.

100%ofthepracticalexamination

Onecompletedproductionthatcanbeviewedinnomorethan5minutes
duration.
Thecandidateisrequiredtonominateaprimaryandsecondaryproduction
role(s),whichwillbeassessedwithintheproductionandtheindividual
documentationofproductionprocess.
Theproductioncaninclude,butisnotrestrictedto,film,televisionoranimation.
ProductionstobesubmittedonBDR,DVDorUSB.Fileformatsmustbecapable
ofbeingplayedinVLCMediaPlayer(www.videolan.org).
Onecompletedproductionthatcanbeviewedinnomorethan5minutes
duration.
Thecandidateisrequiredtonominateaprimaryandsecondaryproductionrole,
whichwillbeassessedwithintheproductionandtheindividualdocumentationof
productionprocess.
Theproductioncaninclude,butisnotrestrictedto,mediasuchasacomputer
gameorwebsite.ProductionscanbesubmittedonDVD,CDorUSBandabletobe
playedonawebbrowser.
Onecompletedproductionofnomorethan10photographs(withorwithouttext
and/orcaptions).
Thecandidateisrequiredtonominateaprimaryandsecondaryproductionrole
whichwillbeassessedwithintheproductionandtheindividualdocumentationof
productionprocess.
Theproductioncaninclude,butisnotrestrictedto,genres,suchas
photojournalism,documentaryphotographyorphotographyasart.
PhotographscanbesubmittedonDVD,CDorUSB,ormountedonlightcardto
ensuretransportability.ThecardmustnotexceedA3insize.
Onecompletedproductionofnomorethan12singlesided,or6doublesided
pages.
Thecandidateisrequiredtonominateaprimaryandsecondaryproductionrole,
whichwillbeassessedwithintheproductionandtheindividualdocumentationof
productionprocess.
Theproductioncanincludepagesorpiecesfrommedia,suchasnewspapers,
magazines,cartoons,postersoradvertisements.
PrintproductionscanbesubmittedonDVD,CDorUSBorprinted.Thepagesmust
notexceedA3insizeifprinted.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

17
SUBMISSION

OrRadioproduction
Duration:nomorethan5minutes

100%ofthepracticalexamination

SUPPORTINGINFORMATION
Onecompletedproductionthatcanbeheardinnomorethan5minutesduration.
Candidatesarerequiredtonominateaprimaryandsecondaryproductionrole(s),
whichwillbeassessedwithintheproductionandindividualdocumentationof
productionprocess.
Theproductioncaninclude,butisnotrestrictedto,genressuchasdocumentary,
currentaffairs,news,sportsprogram,dramaortalkback.Productionscanbe
submittedonDVD,CDorUSB.FileformatsmustbecapableofbeingplayedinVLC
MediaPlayer(www.videolan.org).

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

18
Written examination design brief Year 12
Timeallowed
Readingtimebeforecommencingwork: tenminutes
Workingtimeforpaper:
twoandahalfhours

Permissibleitems
Standarditems: pens(blue/blackpreferred),pencils(includingcoloured),sharpener,correctionfluid/tape,eraser,
ruler,highlighters
Specialitems: nil

ProvidedbytheSchoolCurriculumandStandardsAuthority
AsourcebookletcontainingstillsfromthestimulusmaterialsDVD

Additionalinformation
StimulusmaterialsfortheexaminationwillbeprovidedtoparticipatingschoolsaroundWeek6,Term3ofthe
examinationyear.

SECTION

SUPPORTINGINFORMATION

SectionOne

Questionsrequirethecandidatetoanalysehowmediaconceptsareapplied
withinsetstimulusmaterials.Eachquestionfocusesononeconcept.

Shortanswer

Allquestionsmustrelatetotheprereleasedstimulusmaterialswithnomore
thanfiveexcerptsintotal.Theaudiovisualstimulusexcerptsshouldbenolonger
than10minutesinlength.

30%ofthewrittenexamination
Threequestionsfromachoiceofsix
questions

Answerscanincludelistsanddotpoints.

Suggestedworkingtime:30minutes
SectionTwo
70%ofthewrittenexamination

Questionsrequirethecandidatetoanalyseandevaluatemedia,andinterpret
meaningsinthecontextofmedialanguages,representation,audienceand
production.Thecandidatecanalsoberequiredtocommentoncontext,genres
and/orstylesandpurpose.

Twoquestionsfromachoiceoffive
questions

Eachresponserequiresthecandidatetodrawonatleastonemediaworkstudied
duringtheyear.

Suggestedworkingtime:120minutes

Questionscanbescaffolded.

Extendedanswer

Theformatofanextendedanswercaninclude,butisnotlimitedto,anessay
format;responsescanuselistsanddotpoints.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

19

Appendix 1 Grade descriptions Year 12

Criticallyanalysesandevaluatestheselectionandmanipulationofinformation,codesandconventionsin
mediaworkandevaluateshowpreferredmeanings,representations,viewpointsandvaluesconnectto
audiencesandtheirvalues.
Independentlymanipulatesawiderangeofelementsinownmediaproductionstoproducesophisticated
and/orinnovativemediaworkthatshowsaparticularstyleandreinforcesorchallengestraditional
ideologies.Dealseffectivelywithunpredictableproblemsduringproduction.
Analysesandevaluatestherelationshipbetweenmediaworkandcontexts,examiningtheimpactof
trends,socialissues,culturalvalues,attitudesandideologies.
Analysesmainstreamandnicheaudiences,referringtoculturalexperiences,valuesandideologies.
Providesarangeofappropriateexamplestojustifywhyparticularaudiencesmakealternativeor
resistantinterpretationsofmediawork.
Analysesandevaluatescontrolsandconstraintsthatimpactonmediaproduction,particularlythosewith
astrongsocietaland/orindustryfocussuchastechnologies,productioncontext,regulationand
censorship.

Analyseshowtheselectionofinformation,codesandconventionsconstructssingularmeanings,
representations,viewpointsandvalues,andprovidesaclearexplanationofhowaspectsofmediawork
connecttoaudiencesandtheirvalues.
Producesqualitymediawork,performingarangeofskillsandmanipulatingcodesandconventionsto
constructnarratives,preferredmeanings,representationsandviewpointsthatreinforceorchallenge
audiencevalues.Solvesunpredictableproblemsthatariseduringproduction.
Makesclearconnectionsbetweenmediaworkandcontexts,referringtotheinfluenceoffactorssuchas
trends,socialissuesandculturalvaluesandattitudes.
Analyseshowsharedculturalexperiencesandvaluesinfluencetheuseofmediaworkanddiscusses
examplesofparticularaudiencesorsubculturalgroupswhomakealternativeinterpretations.
Analysesarangeofcontrolsandconstraintsthatinfluencemediaproductioninpersonaland
professionalcontexts,forexample,technologies,productionskills,censorshipandaudience
expectations.

Discusseshowtheselectionofarangeofcodesandconventionsconstructsparticularmeanings,
representations,viewpointsand/orvalues,anddescribesaspectsofmediaworkthatwillappealto
audiences.
Performsproductionroles,usingskills,technologies,codesandconventionstoconstructnarratives,
representationsand/orviewpointsinownmediaproductions.Adaptsplansandprocesseswhen
particularproblemsareencounteredduringproduction.
Discussesandprovidesrelevantexamplesofcontextualfactorssuchastrends,socialissues,cultural
valuesandattitudesthathaveinfluencedthecontentorstyleofmediawork.
Identifiesanddescribesculturalexperiencesandvaluesthatinfluencetheuseofmediaworkand
providessomeexamplesandreasonsforsharedandalternativeinterpretations.
Explainssomespecificcontrolsandconstraintsoperatinginthemediaproductioncontext,referringto
ownproductionsandthoseofothers.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus

20

Identifiessomecodesandconventionsandbrieflyexplainshowtheyareusedtoconstructmeanings,
representationsorviewpointsandappealtoaudiences.
Fulfilsaproductionrole,usingtechnologies,codesandconventionstoconstructmeaningsinownmedia
productionsthatareproducedforparticularaudiencesand/orpurposes.Dealswithpredictable
problemsduringtheproductionprocess.
Identifiesandoffersbrief,superficialexplanationsofcontextualfactorssuchastrendsand/orsocial
practicesthathaveinfluencedthecontentofspecificmediawork.
Identifiesafewculturalfactorsthatinfluencetheuseofmediawork.Makesabasicattempttorelate
valuesinmediaworktoaudiencevaluesandprovidessomesimplisticexamplesofalternative
interpretations.
Identifiesgeneralcontrolsandconstraintsoperatinginmediaproductionandprovidesincomplete
explanationsandsomeexamplesdrawnfromproductions,forexample,technologiesandproduction
skills,deadlinesandschool/communityexpectations.

DoesnotmeettherequirementsofaDgrade.

Media Production and Analysis | ATAR| Year 12 syllabus