Andrew goodwin

what am I expecting from the A level course?

He we are again the second chapter of A level media studies and I am going to be honest. I am really excited. We have been giving our briefs.I have never created a video before in my life so this is going to be hard work but fun work. 

I already know that this practical course is going to be my harder than the AS coursework but oh well, I'm up for the challenge. I am expecting this year to be very tiring and lots of ups and downs.

But I think that it will be worth it as I get to work with a friend on the video which will make it slightly easier. 

Bring on the A level.

My reflection of the AS course

Where do I begin. If I was to sum up the AS course in one word it would be AMAZING.

I got off to a bad start as I didn't really know what I wanted  to do for the coursework. That was probably the hardest decision to make was what genre of music shall my magazine be. I decided to go with rock as is it was the area of music where my interest was.
I struggled to get my head around photoshop but in the end it was worth the many hours of pain. The best of the course in my opinion was taking the photos as I had so much fun just messing around with my friends just being ourselves. The course went well due to the fun created within the different elements of the course.

Looking at the wonderful world of Genre

A2 practical coursework brief 2

Brief 2

A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which nay be live action animated or a combination of both, together with two of the following three options:

• A poster for the film
• A radio trailer for the film
• A film magazine review page featuring the film

The task giving allows us to express our knowledge in the film industry. We have been giving the task to create a short film. It has to be advertised on a variety of platforms which will test our skills from the AS course but allowing us to explore the use of other programs.

 

   

 

The only radio film trailer I have heard that I can remember was for Disney's Planes. As the audience can't see the trailer, the producers have to make the sound of the trailer appeal to the audience. The trailer has to consist of a shorter time and a video trailer. Therefor the trailer should contain a lot of information but should also appeal to the audience.

The dialogue would be emphised so the audience can connect with the characters as they can't see them.

 

I found some reviews on some big hit films by empire:

 

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136194 = link for a review on The Avengers by Empire.

 

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137076 = link for a review on Skyfall by Empire.

A2 practical courswork brief 1

Brief 1
A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video together with two of the following three options:

• A (working) website homepage for the band
• A digipack for the album's release
• A magazine advertisement for the digipak.

In my opinion. I believe that this brief is asking for a new package to set the band of into the world of music. It could possibly be a new upcoming band or an existing band. As on of the tasks is to make a website for the band, this gives us the idea that it is a new band and our task is to spread awareness across different platforms and also promote the band.

A digipak is a custom made printed packaging in a cd jewel case. The digipak may consist of images, information about the band, song lyrics and other items for the user. A digipak is used to promote an artists album. You can also tell what type of genre the artist is from the digipak.