Year 11 Easter Revision Sessions

There are only 24 places! Sign up for the Easter revision sessions on Tuesday 5th April.

9.00 – 10.30am - GCSE Media Studies - TV Comedy – Year 11

11.00 – 12.30pm - GCSE Media Studies - Textual Analysis & Representation – Year 11

The Hurt Locker Task

Lesson 1 (Tuesday 15th March)

Watch the clip in the post below.
Make notes for all the questions.
Use the terminology where appropriate.

Homework:

Answer the questions.
Use the terminology where appropriate.

DEADLINE: You need to complete this by Tuesday 22nd March. Post it on your blog or email your work in as a Word document.



The Exam Questions

Q 1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre.

Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]

Layout as follows:
Explanation 1...
Explanation 2...

Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:
soundtrack
editing
mise en scene
camerawork
Use examples from the extract. [30 marks]

Q 3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract.

Refer to stereotypes in your answer.
Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

Marking Q2

To gain the marks you need to:

• Write about all of the four areas of your textual analysis
• Use examples from the clip as evidence - more than one for each area of the film analysis
• Use terminology from the glossary of moving-image
• Explore the director's intention
• Explore the effect on the audience
• Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Make sure your answer reads well and makes sense

Task: Complete your analysis answer. Make sure you read the feedback in your books and use it to improve your answer. Upload your final improved answer onto your blog as your example of a question 2 answer.

Read the example full mark answer below and compare it with your answer. Are there any elements of the answer that you could incorporate into your final answer on your blog.

Complete this for homework DEADLINE = 9am Tuesday 15th March

Example answer (based on a different film) which gained full marks.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack is notably used to create effects for the audience which fit the genre. For example, the introduction of Nic Angel is combined with a majestic soundtrack which emulates the hero’s power and status. This is regularly used in the genre to emphasize the power of the protagonist to the audience. The soundtrack also crescendoes, which aims to create tension which will be subverted by the inevitable convergence of characters. Western sounds are also used to create the effect of hybridizing comedy with action as the audience recognizes the cliché. In addition, it also serves to imply there is an upcoming fight scene where the characters will ‘draw’ weapons, reminiscent of Western films. The soundtrack also abruptly stops to mimic the surprise of the audience at Butterman helping Nic Angel.
Editing
Editing is also utilized in different manners to create effects which help to heighten the action. For example, editing is very slow-paced at first to create a tense atmosphere which again hints at an upcoming convergence.
The editing then speeds up, and cross-cutting is used frequently to help to bring together the characters in an imminent fight-scene, and the fast editing builds-up to the action, heightening tension. The cross cuts then start to match the soundtrack to emphasize tension, and the cut pace is momentarily slowed down when Nic delivers the line ‘Morning’ before speeding up again. During the fight shot-reverse-shot editing is used to show the conflicting emotions of antagonist and protagonists, and discontinuous editing is used to mimic the chaos of the situation.
Mise-en-scène
Mise-en-scène is predominantly utilised at the start of the extract, with Nic on a horse to make him higher-up, to the effect of conveying his power and presence. In addition, Nic features a distinctive costume, to further isolate him from the antagonists and make him stand-out to the audience.
The conventional set-design of English suburbia creates the effect of comedy when the tranquility is displaced for action, as it is unexpected to the audience.
The props also mainly consist of weapons, providing a catalyst for action, which also creates comedy by satinsing the genre through having excessive amounts of weapons. Lighting is natural simply to create the effect of realism in the town. 
Camerawork

Camera devices are extensively used to connote ideals and create effects. For example, a high-angle shot is used on the school children to show their obedience and Nic’s power over them. In addition, many mid-shots and close-up shots are utilised before the action to portray the characters’ fear. An establishing shot is also utilised near the start to depict the quiet suburbia, which is then displaced when the action begins. During the conflict, a handheld camera is employed when the glass window breaks to mimic the chaos and disorientation the fighting creates. In addition a focus pull is used to bring the armed old lady into focus, and similarly the camera zooms in to the sidekick near the start, both the establish the character importance. 

GCSE Media: Exam Paper June 2012 (Hurt Locker)

Here is an example exam paper which outlines the different questions we have been looking at in class. this will give you an overview of the exam layout.




GCSE Media: Exam Paper June 2012 (Hurt Locker): OCR Exam Paper (2012 HURT LOCKER) Unit b322 01 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic Moving Image

Textual Analysis Action Adventure Q2

Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:

• soundtrack
• editing
• mise en scene
• camerawork

Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of Tomorrow Film Analysis