MEST 4

Media: Research and Production

50% of the course (80 Marks)

Two Sections: Critical Investigation (48 marks)

Linked Production Piece (32 Marks).

For further details see page 17 of the AQA spec.
http://
filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-2570-W-SP-15
.PDF

Linked Production
Critical Investigation area
Gender representations in soap operas
Linked Production
The opening sequence for an episode of a new soap
Opera

Critical Investigation area

Viral marketing techniques
Linked Production
A viral advertisement suitable for distribution by
mobile phone

Critical Investigation area

Japanese anime
Linked Production
Trailer for a new anime film

Linked Production

Critical Investigation area

Contemporary mens lifestyle magazines
Linked Production
Mock-up of the first edition of a new mens lifestyle
Magazine
Critical Investigation area
Machinima and commercial game trailers
Linked Production
Machinima film for a new first-person shooter
computer game
Critical Investigation area
Shock jocks and local commercial radio stations
Linked Production
Opening section of a new late night discussion
programme for a local radio station

Length of Production
Pieces
Moving Images and audio work is
not expected to be longer than 5
minutes.
Print or E-Media At least three
pages for an individual candidate
more for a group production.

Groupings
Video Production No more than
groups of 4
E-media/Print No more than groups
of 2
You can work individually on this
work.

Making Decisions
You need to have some solid ideas by
the end of next week.
You can come up with ideas for
production pieces first then decide
what aspect of the production piece
you can write about in your critical
investigation.

Examiners Tip
Try not to choose something youre a fan of unless
youre absolutely sure that you are able to
maintain sufficient critical distance from your text.
Many of the best studies are chosen with the head
not the heart.
If you decide to choose a text you really like, think
carefully about exploring a second, contrasting,
but linked text as part of your secondary research
this will help your reflect on the first text.

Case Study: Ross Kemp on Gangs an investigation as

to whether representations of groups of mean in the
media are always portrayed as negative
Text

Point of Comparison

Notes

Tribe, BBC
documentary fronted
by Bruce Parry, series
3, 2007

This documentary
predominantly
examines the
behaviours of male
groups in tribes
around the world, as
well as the roles of
women in the tribe.
Womens experiences
of everyday life tend
to get less coverage
than the men.

Local newspaper
report on teen gang
crime spree.

An extremely negative Quite good to use

representation
news to contrast with
documentary. This
forms a really nice
cross-platform link.

Top Gear

A more subtle text,

laddishness?

Might be interesting
more positive
representations of
men.

Could be a challenge
to compare, but if

Ideas for Research

Narrative structural devices in post-modern texts;

The superhero genre post-9/11;
extreme-sports magazines and their niche marketing.
Ugly Betty What are the problems inherent in
portraying a word of fashion, aspired to by many
people, in a negative light?
Boys dont cry how do the contemporary
documentaries Ross Kemp on Gangs and Tribe
represent masculinity
How why do wildlife documentaries such as Water
Voles and Life in Cold Blood sustain the interest of
BBC audience in the digital age

Think Key
Concepts/Debates
Audience
Institution
Digital Technology