Year 13 Media Studies (Level 3)
Subject Description
Head of Faculty: Mrs N. Eichstaedt McComb.
This course will build on the foundations laid out in Level 1 and Level 2 Media Studies. The work offered in Level 3 Media Studies is guided by four internals and one external that covers analysing, writing, and creating. A total of 15 internal credits and 4 external credits can be attained in this course.
In Year 13, we complete a genre study that has a relationship with society. Through the study of the genre’s conventions and a specific time period, we draw links to uncover how genre and society interrelate.
Students have the chance to apply their understanding of film genres through the making of a media production. This process teaches students how the industry works from working in small groups to complete pre-production materials, the production, and post-production refining.
The rest of the year is filled with written assessment work where students have the chance to research a development in an industry, write a short film script, and analysing a film to reveal a deeper meaning behind the text.
Subject Overview
Term 1
In term 1, we look at two achievement standards that connect in topic. We begin the term with our genre study which focuses on recognising a connection between a genre and society. Genres and audiences are interrelated, and what we discover is that genre and society begin to influence one another. Previously we have looked at how film noir’s conventions connect to Pre and Post World War II in America. Students have the chance to watch various films from the genre to help support their arguments. Please note that this is prep for the external and will be revisited at the end of the year.
This directly connects to our scriptwriting standard where students have the chance to utilise their genre knowledge to create their own film noir script. We teach students how to write a traditional screenplay using industry-level scriptwriting practices and tools. This is a great opportunity for students to be creative and move beyond typical essay writing.
Term 2
The focus in term 2 is the production assessment. This is a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding process where students have the opportunity to create a short film from scratch. In pairs or small groups, students are given two options of developing their scripts, written previously for an internal, or using the ‘Build Your Own Movie’ template. Each year there is a requirement of a prop and a line of dialogue that must be included. This assessment really pushes our students to work collaboratively and practise industry-level processes to create a product that they can be proud of. Previously our films range in genre from horror, noir, mockumentary, thriller, drama, and crime.
Term 3
During term 3, we explore two assessment standards that are in an essay style format. The first assessment focuses on a development in an industry where students are given the autonomy to choose a topic. Some potential topics include podcasts, social media, artificial intelligence, video games, music industry, and streaming services. The assessment allows for generating an individual thesis to then research and evaluate the impact this development has on a media industry and/or society.
The second assessment looks at students analysing a film through different ‘lenses’ to reveal a deeper meaning behind the text. Students must produce two different readings, some of these could be a feminist, auteur, genre, sociological, psychological, and/or semiotic reading. Previous films we have analysed are ‘Vertigo’ (dir. Alfred Hitchcock) and ‘No Country For Old Men’ (dir. The Coen Brothers). In 2024, the potential films to be explored are ‘Barbie’ (dir. Greta Gerwig) or ‘Get Out’ (dir. Jordan Peele).
Term 4
In the last term, before study leave, students begin preparing for the external exam. With the content covered in term 1’s genre unit, students revisit this information and practise their writing skills ahead of the exam. Using their mock exam, students will explore how to develop their knowledge, arguments, and writing through various revision activities. Please note that this is a written examination.
Prerequisites
Year 12 Media is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. If choosing this subject without having completed Year 12 Media please have a discussion with the Teacher in Charge.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
• 1x SD Card
Pathway
Where can Media Studies take you?
• Communications i.e., Writing, Problem Solving, Planning, and Creativity
• Media Industries i.e., Radio, Television, and Journalism
• Advertising i.e., Writers and designers who develop and execute advertisements or entire ad campaigns.
• Public Sector i.e., Advertising Standards Authority, Broadcasting Standards Authority, New Zealand Film Commission, and NZ on Air.
• Government Policy i.e., Policy Adviser roles across government ministries, departments, and agencies.
• Social Justice and Community Sector i.e. ethical orientation and critical skills that serve a wide array of constituencies and communities.
• Education i.e., Secondary School Teacher specialising in Media Studies
https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/arts-and-media/
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of a media text through different readings
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of a relationship between a media genre and society
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.6 - Produce a media product to meet the requirements of a brief
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.7 - Demonstrate understanding of a significant development in the media
NZQA Info
Media Studies 3.8 - Write a media text to meet the requirements of a brief
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Possible Careers
Animator/Digital Artist, Actor, Actuary, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artist, Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Author, Film/Television Camera Operator, Journalist, Communications Professional, Technical Writer, Editor, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Market Research Analyst, Photographer, Marketing Specialist,