MEST 4 Section A

48 Marks
MEST 3 Section A -
32 Marks Unseen Coursework

Final Exam 3 Questions
Requiring revision of synoptic Critical investigation
case studies throughout the year throughout June.
Final deadline 31st October
1. Class Case Studies (first lesson back after half
2. Independent Case Studies term)
(Synoptic Record) - This This must link to your
evidence will be sampled in May
2017 practical!

20% of A2 A2 Media 30% of A2

Studies MEST 4

MEST 3

MEST 3 Section B
48 Marks Identity and the MEST 4 Section B
Media 32 Marks Linked
Production
CBN will model an example case
study. You will prepare your own
case studies from September to This is your practical project!
May.

30% of A2 20% of A2
 Starter

Liberal
What other words
 Exam + Critical Investigation =
The Critical Perspectives

Ideologies Post-colonialism
Marxism Reality TV,
Liberal Celebrity
Pluralism Intertexuality
Hegemony Moral panic
Representation The influence of
Post-modernism 9/11
Regulation Feminism
Genre theory
 post-modernism
What is culture?
The Arts
Collective
achievement
Race
Ideas
Customs
Language
Food
Politics/religion/technology - meta
 1. Postmodernism = culture eating itself

How did
Bowie use
the concept
of culture
eating itself

The mirrorball?
Is it just pop stars
that are post-
modern?
How does this
concept apply to
other things?

Just 1 way of looking at post-modernism is thisthere areTHINK!

Go to your notes on
post-modernism and
lets read through
some of the features
of post-modernism.
Synoptic Record Post-modern texts

https://
Black
www.youtube.c Mirror
om/watch?v=uA
B3xtZQank

https://
+ C4 Fake News
www.youtube.c on 4 on demand
this week
om/watch?v=C4
W4L9TLJa8
 starter
What do you know about post-
modernism?
 L/O
To explore the idea of
post-modernism
To define post-modernism

Can you define what it is?

 starter
What do you know about post-
modernism?
Explain hyper-reality?
What makes Dexter post-modern?
What is a metanarrative?
 starter
What do you know about post-
modernism?
Hyper-reality
Metanarrative
Contemporary culture
Unconventional
Anti-hero
Fractured narratives
 Post-modernist beliefs

Culture eats itself

Culture observing itself

Culture questioning itself

 Exam + Critical Investigation =
The Critical Perspectives

Ideologies Post-colonialism
Marxism Reality TV,
Liberal Celebrity
Pluralism Intertexuality
Hegemony Moral panic
Representation The influence of
Post- 9/11
modernism Feminism
Regulation Genre theory
 LO: To identify
post-modern
features in a
media text
t is a post-modern feature?
s the media text go against the idea of a metanarra
he decline of meta-narratives

Can you explain what has

happened to narratives and
characters in the media?

Fractured narratives?
clear heroes and villains?
Non-conventional gender role

y do audiences support a serial killer? Drug baron teacher?

 An extra feature: the
end/decline of meta-narratives
The idea of the big stories in the world. These try and
explain how society works:
Capitalism Take notes
Communism
Fascism
Religion are people more skeptical now?
Science
Politics the death of ideology do politicians
admit to having an ideology?
Are all examples of META-NARRATIVES in our
contemporary world do you question the truth in
these concepts? What is real? Remember, everything
in the media is a representation and a construction.

ean-Franois Lyotard - A loss of faith in the grand narratives

 LO: To identify post-modern features
in a media text
What makes it post-modern?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIm-riMN6Q&list=
PLE6FAD610F9AD9B09
Family Guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= okGV3jf9qRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= VDXgG29tB3U
Community
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3xxV- yULB0
Made in Chelsea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= IzRlL4Kc0x4
Attack the Block (1 hr 6 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 0YBumQHPAeU
Cassette Boy
List the post-modern What features make it
media text here post-modern?
(give examples)
Plenary Challenges
1. Name 5 post-modern features?
2. Define post-modernism

Unconventional/blurring boundaries
Mash-up/re-mix
Metanarrative
Contemporary culture
Unclear heroes and villains
Disjointed narratives
Hyper-reality
 starter
What do you know about post-modernism?
Write a definition (in groups) and use the
key words below.

Hyper-reality
Metanarrative
Contemporary culture
Unconventional
Anti-hero
Fractured narratives
 A post-modern
masterpiece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya
nhEVEgkYI
Community
 Everything is a re-mix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
d9ryPC8bxqE

This is brilliant re-

mix/mash-up
 The Matrix explains
Hyper-reality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
AGZiLMGdCE0

Great!
 A2 Exam mark scheme:
Level 4 Exam Question 1 ?
(7-8 marks)

1. A sophisticated analysis, showing very

good critical autonomy.
2. Sophisticated understanding of media
concepts?, in particular media language
within both media products.
3. Supported by detailed references to both
media products.
4. Articulate and engaged.
 Examiners Report 2015
1. Examiners dont just want knowledge, they want you
to be able to demonstrate using the Synoptic
cycle
2. You should challenge ideas when its appropriate

3. Answer the question and always consider the issue

or debate that the exam question raises e.g.
Stereotyping many of you will have an opinion and
you should use it when appropriate

4. Use your knowledge gained from your Critical

Investigation essay in the exam
What is Synoptic? CONTEXT?
Social
Relationships? Historical
Economic
Political

You? Autonomy?
Knowledge?
Current affairs?
Examiner

MEDIA TEXT
Your case studies? Synoptic record
Media language? Critical Perspectives (The Big
Specific evidence/example? 20)
Analysis = question? Marxism
Post-modernism
Liberal Pluralism
etc.

The Synoptic Cycle

 Great Link to news values

What are news values?

What parts of the Big 20

apply to news/politics? Lets
go though it!
http://
heworthmediastudies.blogsp
ot.co.uk/2010/04/galtung-a
nd-ruge-news-values-theory
An ideology
=
a system of
beliefs
Mock Exam News Industry
Question 1
What techniques are used to make each product
appear dramatic and creative? (8 marks)

Question 2
How do media products use new values to create
strong ideological viewpoints? You should refer to
other products to support your answer
(12 marks)

Question 3
What issues does multi-platform news media raise
at a time when democracy is arguably under threat?

You should refer to other products to support your

answer (12 marks)

http
://digitalnewsreport.org/survey/2
016/overview-key-findings-2016
Read this link for Q3
Case Studies you
could use:
The Trews - YouTube
Huffington Post
Q3 - argument
Young Turks - YouTube
The Canary
Fake News (Channel 4)

Marxist
Total media saturation
Global/Ownership=power Rupert
Murdoch
Blurring boundaries
Truth?
Confusion about the upholding of the
core values of democracy?
Gramsci argues that audiences will
accept/actively agree to these
ideologies because of the power of the
media diversion tactics
Counter, counter argument - However,
social power (democratic) gives power
to audiences / an instant voice so
maybe audiences need social media
Facebook is now one of the biggest
first points of call for news
Liberal
Pluralist
Audiences have the
opportunity to decipher
the truth form a variety
of sources, 1 source can
shape bias perspective
This is more democratic
because audiences are
not controlled/policed
by/have the freedom of
choice
Q2: What is democracy?

democr
acy
Democracy or being democratic
is
The word democracy literally means rule by the people. A
form of government in which the people take part in governing
e.g. voting
Not ruled by the monarchy
Not ruled by a few
Not ruled by the privileged
Not ruled by a dictator
Did anyone ,
Beliefs in: in their
Freedom of speech
Equality
exam
Equal rights answers use
To use the economy responsibly these
words?
 How does democracy link to
hegemony?
Do you think Marxists (Gramsci)
believe in democracy? For what
reasons?
 Steve Jobs = Capitalism =
questions Capitalism

ow is his speech at odds with his original belief syste

ply the idea of Hegemony and Marxism
 Re-call
Do Marxists like Capitalists?
Who came up with the idea of
hegemony?
Is hegemony a belief?
What is that belief? Use the right
words here
Was Gramsci a Marxist?
Do Marx and Gramsci like capitalists?
 Diagram
In groups, draw a
diagram of binary
opposites to show
two armies
Arm Arm
y1 y2

Right wing Apple Democracy Autocracy capitalism Left

wing Socialism

Marx/Marxism Equality/fairness The Guardian ruled by a few

freedom of speech

Gramsci/Hegemony The Media Social power

Twitter/Facebook
Mad Max: Fury Road & Under the
Skin
What is it about?
What genre?
Was it a success and how?
Who is the target
audience?
How are females
represented?

TASK: Research the

official websites and
unofficial websites
 Q1 Narrative techniques -
conventions
Goal orientation/Overcoming a hurdle
Three part-narrative (Todorov) = no 3 rd part
Binary opposites = conflict (Strauss)
Character function (Propp)
Narrative enigma codes (Barthes)
Narration
Hyper-masculine framing
Micro-features e.g. editing, non-diegetic
sound, camera shots
 A2 EXAM Qs FILM
Question 1
INDUSTRY
Evaluate how the two trailers use narrative techniques to
encourage the target audience to watch the films. (8
marks)

Question 2
How is the representation of females constructed to appeal
to the audience? Refer to other products ( 8 marks)

Question 3
How do official and unofficial websites contribute to a
films box office success? You should refer to other media
products to support your answer. (12 marks)
 Film - The texts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
woHTUsl66BY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
NoSWbyvdhHw
 A2 EXAM QUESTIONS -
FILM
Question 3
How do official and unofficial websites
contribute to a films box office
success? You should refer to other
media products to support your
answer. (12 marks)
Music Industry
 EXAM: Section A music
promotion
Question 1
How does Kerrang! create a strong brand identity in these print and
online products?
(8 marks)

Question 2
How is the representation of masculinity constructed to appeal to the
audience? Refer to other products to support your answer
(12 marks)

Question 3
How important is it for producers of print products to have a multi-
platform presence? You should refer ONLY to other products to support
your answer
(12 marks)
 EXAM: Section A -
advertising
Question 1
Evaluate how the narrative techniques attempt to persuade
and position the audience to believe in the products. (8
marks) 12 mins

Question 2-
What are the dominant myths and messages underpinning
contemporary adverts? You may also refer to other media
products to support your answer.
ethnocentrism and globalization = save the childrens ideolog
(12 marks) 17 mins

Question 3
What impact has digital media had on desensitizing audiences
from global issues? Use only your own choice of media
products (12 marks) 17 mins
 The texts advertising
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
1S5lWStK2ME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
RBQ-IoHfimQ
Barthes - Myths
The Two Products

Save the Children

NatWest
 2017 CASE STUDIES
http://
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canad
a-38885771

http://
www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/02/03/513263766/budweiser-s-supe
r-bowl-ad-misses-the-real-timelier-story-about-immigrants-and-be
 Fridays Lesson period 7
Synoptic Record Check:

Budweiser advert
Coca-cola advert
Anything controversial and recent would be
great for the exam

Theory = Globalization / Ethnocentrism /

Stuart Hall / Barthes / Gerbner cultivation
theory
Planning: Gotta do this in the exam
before attempting to answer!
Why has this product been made?
What is the agenda?
Who is the target audience?
 Q1 Narrative techniques -
conventions
Goal orientation/Overcoming a hurdle
Three part-narrative (Todorov)
Binary opposites = conflict (Strauss)
Character function (Propp)
Narrative enigma codes (Barthes)
Narration
Micro-features e.g. editing, non-diegetic
sound, camera shots
Thematic conventions fear/threat/life and
death
E THE CHILDREN: The absence of the third part of the narrative connotes what?

Q1 Save the Children

Narrative
conventions
 make less sensitive
Question 3
What impact has digital media had on desensitizing audiences from global
issues? Use only your own choice of media products (12 marks)

Are audiences paying attention to global issues?

Compassion fatigue - research
Online means narrowcasting, on demand and greater
selection liberal pluralism?
Media saturation noise MARXISM?
Accessibility of reductionist entertainment - pleasuring
The intense rise of social media and valuing of celebrity
culture - LIBERAL PLURALISM?
Pick and mix Gauntlett LIBERAL PLURALISM - do they pick the bits
of the text that are appropriate to them and their lives and ignore the others?
Dangers
The democratisation of the internet/minimal policing and
regulation for Western audiences MARXISM?
 2 sided argument
Marxist (case Liberal Pluralist
studies?) +
Media Effects
(case studies?)
empowerment

Cybercrime
Cyberbullying
Trolling
Real violent videos
How does this relate to
making audiences less
sensitive?
 Q3 Model
What impact has digital media had on desensitizing audiences from global issues? Use only your own choice of media products (12
marks)

Digital medias continuing presence can contribute to the desensitization of audiences towards global issues. Due to greater
demand and narrowcasting, media is now accessible constantly, whether that be through social media, apps or websites. This
constant presence digital media has in a technology based society means that global issues can sometimes fall victim to
cultivation theory (Gerbner). This means that because the same information or global issue is being continuously presented to the
audience, they can become desensitized to this as it can then be seen as a commodity to the audience and lose the actual issue in
the medias representation. One example of this is the image of Alan Kurdi, the three year old Syrian boy washed up on the shores
of Greece. The image of Alan lying face down on the shore was on the front page of every newspaper, such as The Guardian and
The Daily Express and also circulated online and on social media. The abundance of this image could have had an impact on
desensitizing the audience as they were constantly exposed to it and therefore, experiencing media saturation and the story
became less about the individual Alan Kurdi and more a selling point through shock for institutions.

In addition, the impact of digital media has led to a democratisation of the internet as there are not many regulations for Western
audiences using social media for example. Although, in Poland, it has been introduced that the government will regulate all
journalism and social media and therefore, even as a European country, Poland is facing restrictions. However, it can be argued
that digital media actually encourages an audience to become more active in global issues. For example, the global issue of race is
still very prevalent in police brutality in America. After the shootings of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin, both unarmed teenagers
shot, the hashtag #blacklivesmatter surfaced. This demonstrates how the impact of digital media can actually encourage
audiences to become involved in global issues, particularly a younger audience on social media. Black Lives Matter is endorsed by
celebrities such as Beyonce, who recently used her half time Superbowl performance to promote the importance of this global race
issue. This celebrity culture can also contribute to creating a bigger impact of global issues as celebrities can impact and promote
them and therefore, engage a wider audience to this issue.

However, because of digital medias availability, it can allow people to select the media that they consume. This links to
Gauntletts Pick n Mix theory that audiences can select the media that they consume and therefore, they do not have to be
exposed to these global issues. This change in consumption with the growing presence of digital media allows audiences to
consume more easy digestible media that requires a very passive audience and allows easy entertainment immediately. For
example, with the addition of ITV Player, The Only Way is Essex, an easy entertainment show with low or none news values and
requires a very passive audience, is readily available and allows audiences to choose this easy entertainment rather than face and
confront global issues.

 EXAM: Section A TV
Question 1
Explore how the audience is conditioned by the media representations
(8 marks)

Question 2
What techniques do the media texts use to construct stereotypes?
You may also refer to other media products to support your answer.
(12 marks)

Question 3
What strategies do producers use to keep contemporary programming
appealing?
Use only your own choice of media products (12 marks)
 The texts TV industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=sprSMdXK1MY&app=
desktop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=6mRTcKXBBAw&app=
desktop
 The texts - Gaming
Call of Duty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ejMqe1WBtEQ

Survival Island 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA-
pHevCEXs
 EXAM - Video Games
Question 1
How do the two texts Callof Duty and Survival Island 3construct positive
andnegative representations? (8 marks) (12 mins)

Question 2
Why is The Media was often seen as the trigger for a decline in standards in
society? You may also refer to other media products to support your answer.
(12 marks) (17 mins)

Question 3
Digital technology turns media consumers into media producers.
How successful are audiences in using new and digital media to represent
themselves? Onlyrefer to other media products to support your answer.
(12 marks) (17 mins)
 EXAM - Video Games
Question 1
How do the two texts Callof Duty and Survival Island 3construct positive
andnegative representations? (8 marks)

Question 2
Why is The Media was often seen as the trigger for a decline in standards in
society? You may also refer to other media products to support your answer.
(12 marks)

Question 3
Digital technology turns media consumers into media producers.
How successful are audiences in using new and digital media to represent
themselves? Onlyrefer to other media products to support your answer. (12
marks)
 The Exam
Section A = 40 %
Section B = 60 %
 EXAM Social Media
1. Despite the benefits of social media there is growing
evidence of increasing global concern and abuse. Do the
problems caused by social media, outweigh the benefits?
(8 marks)

2. Audiences may believe their use of social media puts them

in control but it is powerful media organisations who continue
to be in control. Do you agree with this statement - support
your answer with clear and detailed examples. (12 marks)

3. Despitethe obvious advantages of social media the

absence of meaningful regulation poses real and profound
challenges for audiences and institutions. What are the
disadvantage and advantages of media regualtion (12 marks)
 The Texts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
6jMhMVEjEQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
62NnPg2Ds5w
 Neo-liberalism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
dzLv3rfnOVw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=2WG-uEND74E