A2 Media Coursework (MS3)

MS3: MEDIA INVESTIGATION AND PRODUCTION

Introduction

This unit develops the knowledge and skills acquired at AS and as such contributes to synoptic assessment. In particular, it is designed to demonstrate the importance of research in informing media production and to develop the skills acquired in MS2.

Content

Candidates are required to produce three pieces of linked work:

·         a research investigation (1400 – 1800 words)

·         a production (informed by the investigation)

·         a brief evaluation (500 – 750 words).

(a)  Research Investigation

 Candidates are required to undertake an individual investigation into a specific area of study focused on one of the following concepts: genre, narrative or representation. Their research should draw on a range of both primary and secondary sources. It should enable candidates to reach conclusions that will inform their production.

Examples of investigations include:

·         the representation of teenagers in two British films

·         the generic similarities between Dr Who and Stargate

·         the narrative structures of The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

(b)  Production

Candidates are required to submit a production which should develop from and be informed by the candidate's research investigation. This production must be in a different form from the AS production.

Print-based productions (or their digital equivalent) should be a minimum of 3 pages.

(c)  Evaluation

The production must be accompanied by an individual evaluation which explores how the production has been informed by the research undertaken into the relevant media concept.

The evaluation will be produced as a discursive essay (with or without illustrations)

Assessment

 This unit will be internally marked and externally moderated, assessing AO2, AO3 and AO4.

Candidates are required to submit:

·         a research investigation (1400 – 1800 words): 45 marks

·         a production (informed by the investigation): 45 marks

·         a brief evaluation (500 – 750 words): 10 marks

Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve a total mark for the unit.