Unit 1, Outcome 2
Technologies of Representation
On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce and compare media representations in two or more media forms and compare the representations produced by the application of different media technologies.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 2.
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes
• the nature and use of media technology, materials and applications in two or more media forms;
• techniques and processes used in the production of media representations;
• ways in which codes and conventions (such as visual, audio, technical and written) are used to convey ideas and meanings;
• implications of different media technologies and processes for the production, distribution, and/or consumption of media representations.
Key skills
These skills include the ability to
• identify and explain the characteristics and potential of media technology and materials;
• use technologies, materials and processes to produce representations in two or more media forms
• apply media codes and conventions to construct representations
• analyse how different media technologies affect the construction, distribution and consumption of
media representations.
Task 1
In groups (of no more than 3) you are to produce a video which shows a representation of teenagers. This video should be between no longer than 5 mins long.
Firstly you must plan your video. The following steps may help you –
Brainstorm ideas – Are you going to show conventional or oppositional representations of teenagers? What stereotypes are you going to illustrate? Are you going to go into an ‘issues’ that surround today’s teenagers?
Group Roles – What is each member of the group going to do?
Write a Script – This doesn’t have to be a conventional script if you do not have anyone talking. I can be a very descriptive storyline. Who are the characters you are going to represent?
Storyboard – Draw up a storyboard of the different shots which are going to be used. How can some of these shots help with the story or the representations being shown?
Locations – Where are you going to film your scenes?
Due:
You will have 2 weeks to shoot your footage and 1 week to edit.
Hand in date is Friday 18th May
Task 2
This task is to be completed individually. You are to choose a media form (other than video) and produce a representation on a different topic than the one used in Task 1 (this could be an individual, social grouping, institution, idea, event or issue).
Firstly, research the representation you have chosen. Collect information (or examples) on the topic and answer the following questions –
· What are the main visuals/sounds/words associated with the chosen representation?
· Are there any stereotypes linked with the representation (and if so what are they)?
· What are your thoughts about the representation?
· What are your friend’s thoughts about the representation?
· How has the mass media depicted your chosen representation in the past?
· Is there a ‘mood’ that is usually associated with your representation?
· What is the ‘meaning’ are you going to try and communicate to your audience through your representation (what story are you going to tell)?
The following is a list of example media forms that you can choose from –
Print - a newspaper/magazine article or page
Radio/Audio - a radio/podcast with music/sound effects
Photography - a photo study (6 photos)
Multimedia - a web page
Plan out your representation. If you are producing a radio clip you will need to write a recording script. A magazine article will need a sketch of the page layout. Photos can be planed by producing a few simple sketches to show what will feature in the photos and how they could be cropped (similar to a storyboard).
Due:
You have 2 weeks to plan and shoot/record/write your production. You will then have a week to print/edit and complete your representation.
Hand in date is Monday, 1st June