The final aspect of our planning is to write a comprehensive shot list for every single possible shot we plan to film for our advert.
A shot list is a full list of all the shots that are part of your advert, with detailed information for each of them. Creative shot choices aside, it’s easy to forget that a shot list is a strategic document. Creating a shot list is essentially like creating a shooting gameplan for the day.
Here's our friend Darius with a reminder of the different shot types and angles:
Here are some top tips for writing a shot list:
Task: Write your shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your advert AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar.
We advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example from a student short film here. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the advert in chronological order. You can then copy this into your blog to show that it is complete.
Due: Tuesday 1 October
Monday, 30 September 2019
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Coursework: Pre-production
Pre-production tasks are vital - this is where you plan all the key details that make your video coursework successful.
Over the next four lessons we will be working through each of the pre-production tasks in detail. They are as follows:
Script
Write a script for your TV advert. You'll find guidance for writing a script for a TV advert in this blogpost.
Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your advert AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here for a student film shot list. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the extract in chronological order.
Mise-en-scene
What iconography or mise-en-scene are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre, lifestyle and setting of your advert? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details. Remember the mise-en-scene mnemonic: CLAMPS.
Shooting schedule
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the next two weeks. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Word or Excel or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!
Over the next four lessons we will be working through each of the pre-production tasks in detail. They are as follows:
Script
Write a script for your TV advert. You'll find guidance for writing a script for a TV advert in this blogpost.
Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your advert AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here for a student film shot list. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the extract in chronological order.
Mise-en-scene
What iconography or mise-en-scene are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre, lifestyle and setting of your advert? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details. Remember the mise-en-scene mnemonic: CLAMPS.
Shooting schedule
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the next two weeks. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Word or Excel or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!
Monday, 16 September 2019
Coursework: Scriptwriting
A good script is an absolutely vital element of your TV advert coursework.
We now need to turn our basic ideas and statements of intent into outstanding, professionally-written TV advert scripts. There are some great resources below to help you.
This CreatorUp guide to creating a TV commercial has some good tips:
Five tips for creating a TV advert
Look at this Frozen Fire guide to creating a TV commercial.
Advert script example
TV advert scripts sometimes look a little different to TV drama scripts. A simple technique is to create a Word document, insert a table with two columns - one for video and one for audio:
Task: write your script
Write the script for your body spray TV advert. Use Microsoft Word and make sure you lay out the page as suggested above. Make sure you cover every aspect of the advert - both video and audio.
Once you're happy with your script, copy and paste it into your Media blog.
Deadline: Thursday 26 September
We now need to turn our basic ideas and statements of intent into outstanding, professionally-written TV advert scripts. There are some great resources below to help you.
This CreatorUp guide to creating a TV commercial has some good tips:
Five tips for creating a TV advert
Look at this Frozen Fire guide to creating a TV commercial.
Advert script example
TV advert scripts sometimes look a little different to TV drama scripts. A simple technique is to create a Word document, insert a table with two columns - one for video and one for audio:
Task: write your script
Write the script for your body spray TV advert. Use Microsoft Word and make sure you lay out the page as suggested above. Make sure you cover every aspect of the advert - both video and audio.
Once you're happy with your script, copy and paste it into your Media blog.
Deadline: Thursday 26 September
Monday, 9 September 2019
Coursework: Preliminary exercise
The first aspect of your GCSE Media Studies coursework is a preliminary exercise that introduces the basics of narrative filmmaking.
This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know the basics of planning, filming and editing. You may even film an advert that you can end up using as inspiration for your actual coursework production.
Preliminary exercise: TV advert - 'Late to lesson'
Your preliminary exercise involves filming and editing a character who is late to their lesson. This needs to include the character walking or running down a corridor, going through a door and reaching their classroom. It also needs to include a pack shot of a body spray product plus some text on screen with the brand name and logo.
This task should demonstrate match-on-action, a vital aspect of continuity editing, and a variety of camera shots and movement.
Time allowed: two weeks
Key skills
Watch this great introduction to filmmaking - it covers the basics of the creative process:
Match-on-action
Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot showing the same action of the subject in the first shot.
This creates the impression of continuity - the action creates a 'visual bridge' which is easy for the audience to follow.
Look at this YouTube clip for match on action - the cuts you want to look at in particular are at 2 seconds, then again at 18 seconds:
Preliminary exercise: TV advert - 'Late to lesson
Task: Create a scene in which a character walks or runs down a corridor, goes through a door and reaches their classroom. It also needs to include a pack shot of a body spray product plus some text on screen with the brand name and logo. The advert should target a teenage audience.
Length: approximately 30 seconds
Equipment: Smart phone or a school Canon Legria (limited numbers available). Note: you may need to bring in the cable to capture the videos from your phone.
Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can act in the advert or operate equipment (e.g. camera, sound) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. You may want to get into groups of two or three to help each other complete this task.
What your TV advert needs to include
Content: Your scene must include match-on-action editing and a pack shot that clearly demonstrates to the audience that this is a TV advert for a body spray product.
Camerawork: You must include at least one long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot. You also must include both fixed camera shots and camera movement (e.g. handheld, tracking, pan etc.)
Editing: You must include match-on-action continuity editing.
Sound: You must include dialogue or voiceover plus music to help establish the brand and lifestyle of the audience you are targeting.
Deadlines
Planning and filming: This week's lessons
Editing and final deadline: Next week Thursday
Initial tasks: planning
Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:
Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.
Script: Stage directions and dialogue/voiceover if required. To see how a TV script is presented, and to look at professional examples, check out the BBC Writers' Room and click on Script Library.
Casting: Who will be in your advert.
Location: Where in school you will film (OR where you will film off-site if you wish to do this for homework). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons and your filming location must not disturb any other teachers in the school.
Shot list: Every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far more shots than you will actually use in the final version - plan extra close-ups, long shots, unusual angles and more. You can find an example shot list here.
Extension - Storyboard: Draw a 5-frame storyboard mapping out your key shots.
Your planning needs to be completed by Thursday 12 September. Good luck!
This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know the basics of planning, filming and editing. You may even film an advert that you can end up using as inspiration for your actual coursework production.
Preliminary exercise: TV advert - 'Late to lesson'
Your preliminary exercise involves filming and editing a character who is late to their lesson. This needs to include the character walking or running down a corridor, going through a door and reaching their classroom. It also needs to include a pack shot of a body spray product plus some text on screen with the brand name and logo.
This task should demonstrate match-on-action, a vital aspect of continuity editing, and a variety of camera shots and movement.
Time allowed: two weeks
Key skills
Watch this great introduction to filmmaking - it covers the basics of the creative process:
Match-on-action
Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot showing the same action of the subject in the first shot.
This creates the impression of continuity - the action creates a 'visual bridge' which is easy for the audience to follow.
Look at this YouTube clip for match on action - the cuts you want to look at in particular are at 2 seconds, then again at 18 seconds:
Preliminary exercise: TV advert - 'Late to lesson
Task: Create a scene in which a character walks or runs down a corridor, goes through a door and reaches their classroom. It also needs to include a pack shot of a body spray product plus some text on screen with the brand name and logo. The advert should target a teenage audience.
Length: approximately 30 seconds
Equipment: Smart phone or a school Canon Legria (limited numbers available). Note: you may need to bring in the cable to capture the videos from your phone.
Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can act in the advert or operate equipment (e.g. camera, sound) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. You may want to get into groups of two or three to help each other complete this task.
What your TV advert needs to include
Content: Your scene must include match-on-action editing and a pack shot that clearly demonstrates to the audience that this is a TV advert for a body spray product.
Camerawork: You must include at least one long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot. You also must include both fixed camera shots and camera movement (e.g. handheld, tracking, pan etc.)
Editing: You must include match-on-action continuity editing.
Sound: You must include dialogue or voiceover plus music to help establish the brand and lifestyle of the audience you are targeting.
Deadlines
Planning and filming: This week's lessons
Editing and final deadline: Next week Thursday
Initial tasks: planning
Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:
Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.
Example statement of intent [exactly 100 words]:
I plan to make a 30-second advert for Lynx. I will fast-paced editing and non-diegetic music to give the advert impact and excitement. Creative low- and high-angle camera shots will make the advert visually interesting and emphasise the 'coolness' of the brand while also communicating the 'late to lesson' narrative.
I will attempt to subvert the representation of young people in my TV advert. Usually, young people are shown to be anti-social, rude and likely to cause trouble. Instead, I will make my character a student desperate to get to lesson on time despite everything that gets in their way.
Casting: Who will be in your advert.
Location: Where in school you will film (OR where you will film off-site if you wish to do this for homework). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons and your filming location must not disturb any other teachers in the school.
Shot list: Every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far more shots than you will actually use in the final version - plan extra close-ups, long shots, unusual angles and more. You can find an example shot list here.
Extension - Storyboard: Draw a 5-frame storyboard mapping out your key shots.
Your planning needs to be completed by Thursday 12 September. Good luck!
Thursday, 5 September 2019
Media blogs: setting the standard
Your Media blog is where you will do the vast majority of your work as a Media student - so we need to make sure it looks professional.
It makes sense to think of your blog like an exercise book - your work here will be marked and you'll also use it for crucial revision before assessments and exams.
These are the guidelines you need to follow when working on your Media blog:
1) Always write a post title that clearly states the piece of work you are producing. The correct post title will almost always be specified on the original blog task. Your post title goes here:
2) Make sure your written English is perfect - just as you would in an exercise book. This means capital letters, full sentences and accurate spelling and grammar.
3) If you are answering questions on your blog, make sure you clearly number each question. Leave a line break between each question too.
4) When completing larger case study tasks, make sure you use subheadings as directed in the original task.
5) Save your work regularly and publish it before you log off. You can always go back and edit or finish your work but it's vital you don't close your browser before saving and publishing because that's how you can lose work.
6) If you're looking for the higher grades in Media, it's vital you answer questions in well-developed paragraphs and not single sentences. The depth and detail of you analysis will ultimately be what gets you to the top grades - so get into good habits on your blog from day one.
Set a high blogging standard from day one and you will be on the way to a top grade in Media!
It makes sense to think of your blog like an exercise book - your work here will be marked and you'll also use it for crucial revision before assessments and exams.
These are the guidelines you need to follow when working on your Media blog:
1) Always write a post title that clearly states the piece of work you are producing. The correct post title will almost always be specified on the original blog task. Your post title goes here:
2) Make sure your written English is perfect - just as you would in an exercise book. This means capital letters, full sentences and accurate spelling and grammar.
3) If you are answering questions on your blog, make sure you clearly number each question. Leave a line break between each question too.
4) When completing larger case study tasks, make sure you use subheadings as directed in the original task.
5) Save your work regularly and publish it before you log off. You can always go back and edit or finish your work but it's vital you don't close your browser before saving and publishing because that's how you can lose work.
6) If you're looking for the higher grades in Media, it's vital you answer questions in well-developed paragraphs and not single sentences. The depth and detail of you analysis will ultimately be what gets you to the top grades - so get into good habits on your blog from day one.
Set a high blogging standard from day one and you will be on the way to a top grade in Media!
Reminder: Summer Project 2019
A reminder of your summer project can be found below.
Your summer project contains compulsory and optional elements; everybody will be researching TV adverts for body spray brands, creating a new TV advert idea and then writing a Statement of Intent first draft. However, if you wish to plan and film your production over the summer while you have time and actors available we would fully support you in this approach.
Summer project tasks
Complete the following tasks on a blogpost on your Media blog called 'Summer Project: coursework planning':
1) Research: lifestyle TV adverts
Watch the following TV adverts that use narrative and media language to create an aspirational lifestyle and brand. Answer the questions for each advert:
Nike: Nothing Beats a Londoner
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Publix: Graduation
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Lynx: Is it OK for guys...
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Additional research: optional extension
Depending on your coursework plan and the type of advert you wish to create, you may want to research additional TV adverts. You can make optional additional notes on other TV adverts here.
2) TV advert planning and Statement of Intent
Plan out the brand of body spray you will advertise and the narrative for your new, original TV advert. Next, write the first draft of your genuine 300-word Statement of Intent. The final draft of this will be submitted to the exam board alongside your TV advert and is worth 10 marks of the overall 60 marks available.
Guidance is provided by AQA in their NEA Student Booklet but we strongly recommend you also look at our Statement of Intent suggested content document too.
Summer project deadline: all tasks above due in first week back in September
Summer project: optional extensions
Pre-production tasks
Some students have already expressed an interest in filming their TV adverts over the summer break. This makes a huge amount of sense - far more availability of actors, much more time to schedule filming etc. However, if you want to do this, you need to complete the following aspects of pre-production:
Script
Write a script for your TV advert. You'll find guidance for writing a script for a TV advert online.
Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your advert AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here for a student film shot list. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the extract in chronological order.
Mise-en-scene
What iconography or mise-en-scene are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre, lifestyle and setting of your advert? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details.
Shooting schedule
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the summer. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Word or Excel or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!
Non-assessed participants
You will need to provide a written record of all non-assessed participants in your production work. Keep a record of everyone involved - actors, camerawork, sound etc. You will also need a keep a record of any non-original sound you used and note it on the Candidate Record Form. Keep these on your blog for easy reference when submitting your work later this year.
Production: Filming
Once you have completed your pre-production tasks, you can film as planned. If you are unable to film over the summer, we will have time to film this production in September.
Good luck!
Your summer project contains compulsory and optional elements; everybody will be researching TV adverts for body spray brands, creating a new TV advert idea and then writing a Statement of Intent first draft. However, if you wish to plan and film your production over the summer while you have time and actors available we would fully support you in this approach.
Summer project tasks
Complete the following tasks on a blogpost on your Media blog called 'Summer Project: coursework planning':
1) Research: lifestyle TV adverts
Watch the following TV adverts that use narrative and media language to create an aspirational lifestyle and brand. Answer the questions for each advert:
Nike: Nothing Beats a Londoner
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Publix: Graduation
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Lynx: Is it OK for guys...
Narrative: What is the story of the advert?
Audience: What does the advert suggest about the lifestyle of someone who uses this product or brand?
Representations: What representations of young people can you find in this advert?
Additional research: optional extension
Depending on your coursework plan and the type of advert you wish to create, you may want to research additional TV adverts. You can make optional additional notes on other TV adverts here.
2) TV advert planning and Statement of Intent
Plan out the brand of body spray you will advertise and the narrative for your new, original TV advert. Next, write the first draft of your genuine 300-word Statement of Intent. The final draft of this will be submitted to the exam board alongside your TV advert and is worth 10 marks of the overall 60 marks available.
Guidance is provided by AQA in their NEA Student Booklet but we strongly recommend you also look at our Statement of Intent suggested content document too.
Summer project deadline: all tasks above due in first week back in September
Summer project: optional extensions
Pre-production tasks
Some students have already expressed an interest in filming their TV adverts over the summer break. This makes a huge amount of sense - far more availability of actors, much more time to schedule filming etc. However, if you want to do this, you need to complete the following aspects of pre-production:
Script
Write a script for your TV advert. You'll find guidance for writing a script for a TV advert online.
Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your advert AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here for a student film shot list. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the extract in chronological order.
Mise-en-scene
What iconography or mise-en-scene are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre, lifestyle and setting of your advert? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details.
Shooting schedule
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the summer. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Word or Excel or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!
Non-assessed participants
You will need to provide a written record of all non-assessed participants in your production work. Keep a record of everyone involved - actors, camerawork, sound etc. You will also need a keep a record of any non-original sound you used and note it on the Candidate Record Form. Keep these on your blog for easy reference when submitting your work later this year.
Production: Filming
Once you have completed your pre-production tasks, you can film as planned. If you are unable to film over the summer, we will have time to film this production in September.
Good luck!
Reminder: TV advert coursework brief
A reminder of the coursework brief key details can be found below.
The coursework unit is worth 30% of your GCSE so it's a brilliant opportunity to put marks in the bank before the final exams at the end of next year.
Coursework brief: TV advert
The brief we have selected is Brief 5: TV advert. The requirements are:
Create one television advert for a body spray. The moving image advert should convey aspirations and a successful lifestyle, which is then attached by implication to the product.
The advert must be between 60 and 80 seconds in length.
The advert should be aimed at teenagers, who are 14 to 18 years of age.
This advert should not focus on the qualities of the product. It should focus on the type of people the potential consumers aspire to be.
You need to submit a 300-word Statement of Intent and a 60-80 second completed video production to finish this coursework.
Full details are available in the AQA NEA Student Booklet.
We will have the first eight weeks of next year to complete the work.
The first part of this project is a summer project which will allow you to research TV adverts and start planning your own coursework production.
Introduction to TV advertising
TV advertising has come a long way since it first appeared in the 1950s. Adverts in the modern age tend to focus on lifestyle and brand rather the qualities of the actual product. There are many incredible, creative examples of adverts that have become viral sensations and we now need to come up with an original idea to attract the hard-to-reach 14-18 teenage audience demographic.
TV advert conventions: narrative / lifestyle
The key conventions of lifestyle TV advertising include:
TV advert examples
Watch these example adverts and identify at least three of the conventions of TV advertising for each:
Rightmove - Life's steps
Sure - #nevermoresure Eden Hazard
Taco Bell - Web of Fries
Use these clips as inspiration for your coursework production. Good luck!
The coursework unit is worth 30% of your GCSE so it's a brilliant opportunity to put marks in the bank before the final exams at the end of next year.
Coursework brief: TV advert
The brief we have selected is Brief 5: TV advert. The requirements are:
Create one television advert for a body spray. The moving image advert should convey aspirations and a successful lifestyle, which is then attached by implication to the product.
The advert must be between 60 and 80 seconds in length.
The advert should be aimed at teenagers, who are 14 to 18 years of age.
This advert should not focus on the qualities of the product. It should focus on the type of people the potential consumers aspire to be.
Full details are available in the AQA NEA Student Booklet.
We will have the first eight weeks of next year to complete the work.
The first part of this project is a summer project which will allow you to research TV adverts and start planning your own coursework production.
Introduction to TV advertising
TV advertising has come a long way since it first appeared in the 1950s. Adverts in the modern age tend to focus on lifestyle and brand rather the qualities of the actual product. There are many incredible, creative examples of adverts that have become viral sensations and we now need to come up with an original idea to attract the hard-to-reach 14-18 teenage audience demographic.
TV advert conventions: narrative / lifestyle
The key conventions of lifestyle TV advertising include:
- Characters that appeal to the target audience
- Narrative
- Sound: music / dialogue / voiceover
- Fast-paced editing
- Stereotypes (to communicate information to audience quickly)
- Pack shot of product
- Text on screen
- Logo / slogan
- 'Call to action' / social media details
TV advert examples
Watch these example adverts and identify at least three of the conventions of TV advertising for each:
Rightmove - Life's steps
Sure - #nevermoresure Eden Hazard
Taco Bell - Web of Fries
Use these clips as inspiration for your coursework production. Good luck!
Wednesday, 4 September 2019
Welcome to GCSE Media Year 2!
This is our new blog home for Year 2 of GCSE Media Studies - welcome!
This is where you'll find everything you need for coursework and exam preparation for this crucial second year of the GCSE Media course.
Good luck and let's earn those top grades!
This is where you'll find everything you need for coursework and exam preparation for this crucial second year of the GCSE Media course.
Good luck and let's earn those top grades!
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