Baradene College
Year 12 Media Studies (Level 2)
Subject Description
Head of Faculty: Mrs N. Eichstaedt McComb.
This course will build on the foundations laid out in Year 11 Media Studies. The work offered in Level 2 Media Studies is guided by four internal standards and one external standard that covers analysing, writing, and creating. .
Each year students love the representation assessment that happens at the beginning of term 1. This research task allows students to identify texts where women have been poorly represented through a media lens, and further explore the impact this has on society. It’s a great opportunity for us to think more deeply about how women are treated and controlled by the media.
Students have the chance to create horror short films at Level 2 which is always a highlight of the year. Through studying the horror narratives and conventions, this process teaches students how the industry works by completing 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 write a short film script, analysing narratives, and explore the changes in a genre.
Subject Overview
Term 1
Term 1 begins with a research internal on how women are represented in the media and the negative impacts this can have on society. After watching a documentary on how women have been misrepresented in the media for decades, students begin to unpack the wider meaning behind these poor representations. The research element allows students to choose three texts and analyse the way women are represented. This standard teaches our students to think about the content they’re consuming whilst creating a change in our perceptions of the media.
Following this internal assessment, the second half of the term explores our external genre study. In preparation for the end of the year exam, students are taught to demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media genre. This aspect could be a change in the genre, audience expectations and/or response to the genre, and/or the influence of commercial considerations of the genre. Students become familiar with the genre’s history and conventions by unpacking how and why a change has occurred over time. Previously we have studied the sci-fi genre or, more recently, the heist genre. Please note that this is prep for the external and will be revisited at the end of the year.
Term 2
We begin the term with our scriptwriting standard which builds on from Year 11 Media. We teach students how to write a traditional film screenplay using industry-level scriptwriting practices and tools. This is a great opportunity for students to be creative and move beyond typical essay writing. Previously students’ scripts have covered the genres of horror and heist.
To finish off the term, we explore an internal that looks at the narrative of films. This builds on from the close viewing assessment in Year 11 however, instead of analysing film techniques and how they create meaning, there is a focus on narrative features. Students have the chance to watch two horror films in class for this assessment. Previously we have explored ‘Psycho’ (dir. Alfred Hitchcock), ‘Halloween’ (dir. John Carpenter), and ‘Scream’ (dir. Wes Craven). This unit encourages students to analyse a text by thinking about how features such as flashbacks, red herrings, turning points, and more contribute, drive, or further the narrative.
Term 3
The main focus in term 3 is the production assessment. This is a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding process where students have the opportunity to create a horror short film from scratch. In pairs or small groups, this assessment pushes our students to work collaboratively and practise industry-level processes to create a product that they can be proud of. Having watched horror films in our narrative study, students are able to incorporate key conventions in their films to create an effective product that has a clear sustained focus.
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 11 Media is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. If choosing this subject without having completed Year 11 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 2.2 - Demonstrate understanding of narrative in media texts
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of representation in the media
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media genre
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.6 - Complete a developed media product from a design and plan using a range of conventions
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.8 - Write developed media text for a specific target audience
Possible Careers
Animator/Digital Artist, Actor, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Artist, Artistic Director, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Communications Professional, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Specialist, Actuary, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Author, Film/Television Camera Operator, Journalist, Technical Writer, Editor, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Photographer,
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