Unit 1 Research Methods AO2 - Conduct research into an existing media product.

Assignment Sheet Scenario You work for Working Title films as a researcher. Your company is developing a range of new films in the following genres: - romantic comedy - action - thriller - drama They have asked you to conduct research into ONE similar movie that has already been released so that they can understand the size and composition of its audiences, its success, and what the critics said about it.

Task 1. You need to create a presentation that informs your boss about the film you are researching. a) Choose one FILM. b) explain its genre and who it is made by. c) Who the likely audience is. Task 2. a) Explain the TWO purposes of your research and what you will find out about the film. Choose from this list: to identify composition of audience (the different demographic information about the audience including gender, social classes, etc) to identify size of audience (how many people watched it? How many copies of the DVD were sold?) to investigate reception of product (did the audience and critics enjoy the film? What were the reviews like) to investigate production process or history (Is it possible to find anything out about the making of the film?)

b) Write a research plan which outlines the research methods you will use, where you will look for information and how you intend to present your findings.

Task 3 Conduct research into the audience. You must complete your research and make a record of all the research that you do. This could be as print screens, documents, photographs, scans of images etc. All your raw data and information must be kept in a presentation. You must record the DATE you found the information You must write down WHERE you found the information and the author if available (e.g. website address, newspaper date and author) Task 4 Collate and assess the reliability your research.

a) Write a summary of each piece of information you found. b) For each SOURCE of information explain whether you think the information is reliable and high quality (for example, is it a national publication or a Facebook comment? These will be more reliable if the person who write them knows what they are talking about) Task 5. Present research findings. a) Create a final presentation which summarises the main findings of your research. Your presentation should be no more than 8 slides. b) Make a final summary on the last page which sums up everything you have found out. c) use appropriate layout, images and design for the presentation. Assessment Criteria PASS P2 use appropriate research methods and techniques to carry out research into an existing media product MERIT M2 use research methods and techniques competently to carry out reliable research into an existing media product DISTINCTION D2 use research methods and techniques skilfully to carry out substantial research into an existing media product

Some suggested sources. Internet Movie Database Rotten Tomatoes Box Office Mojo Total Film Magazine Empire Magazine The Guardian British Film Institute