BBC Radio 4's The Media Show.

Below is the link to BBC Radio 4's The Media Show. Podcasts are available.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dv9hq

rachel williams article relating to sexualisation of young people and the retail industry. Could be used for media contexts debates and issues at A2.

Sexualised images in the media is always a rich source of investigation due to the lack of imagination that appears to be a viral feature of the advertising industry. October's FHM front cover used Pixie Lott - a pop singer with a huge prepubescent female and young teenage female following- in a passive and extremely sexualised manner.The connotations attached to this image should create some interesting class discussion.













This BMW advert was used to advertise a 'used car' campaign in Greece in July 2008. It was banned. I wonder why?




http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/apr/16/children-clothing-survey-bikini-heels

This Rachel Williams article from the Guardian on Saturday April 17th 2010 relates to the issue of the media and sexualised images. There are some excellent quotes form Anna Van Heeswijk of Object- an organisation which campaigns against the sexual objectification of women. See link below to access their website:

http://www.object.org.uk/

This resource was used by students when considering issues of sexualisation within their MEST4 critical investigations.

Documentary Photography. Research relating to Y12 Cross-Media Study.

Any serious consideration of documentary filmmaking must investigate the influence of documentary photography. This post contains images from a small number of revered documentary photographers.

Below are links to documentary photography sites that may be useful as part of independent study.






































































the link below is a good resource for exploring the history of iconic documentary photography. It also contains lots of useful links to other sites.

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/

Magnum is the world's most famous photographic agency and specialises in quality photojournalism. click on link below:

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.AgencyHome_VPage&pid=2K7O3R1VX08V

this site is a great online resource for contemporary/historical photography. this site is a blog and contains some incredible resources. anyone interested in photography should peruse this site. click on link below:

http://www.americansuburbx.com/

Origins of Documentary Filmmaking. Some resources to consider.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpKZx090UE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dgLEDdFddk&feature
=related

The Lumiere Brothers produced some of the first examples of documentary filmmaking. These two films are considered to be examples of 'pure' documentary as they have not been subjected to the editing process and are filmed in real time. However, the camera was fixed in a particular position and the frame carefully composed therefore the Lumiere brothers had made editing decisions before capturing the footage. The size of the equipment was enormous. Consider how small a camcorder can be in the 21st Century compared to the rhinocerous-size equipment that the Lumiere brothers would have had to
place upon their tripod.

Andy Warhol also made a series of films in the 1960s that did not contain any post-production editing and, like the Lumiere brothers, capture action in real time.My students described these films as 'boring' which amplifies the importance of editing when producing engaging filmmaking. Our constant exposure to slick post-production techniques and thoughtful/thoughtless mediation makes Warhol's films difficult for an audience expecting modern editing techniques that present content and the movement of time in an accelerated manner. Click on link for short clip of Warhol's EAT :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnHJheJkz7Y&feature=PlayList&p=3A9ED27DE68A3138&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=6

The BBC and the implications of James Murdoch's Mctaggart speech in August 2009.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/28/james-murdoch-bbc-mactaggart-edinburgh-tv-festival

I've referred to this speech several times throughout the A2 course and here is a link to the Guardian's reporting of James Murdoch's lecture. Murdoch attacks the funding and the specific role of the BBC as a 'state' broadcasting platform. An understanding of how the BBC has adapted to the digital age has been a feature of my teaching this year therefore Murdoch's speech needs digesting. Section B of MEST 3 will ask you to consider the impact of digital media and the BBC is an example of an institution that has adapted to the demands of digital culture. For example students should be aware of the implications for audience consumption that relate to the creation of the BBC I-Player and how the BBC's use of podcasts and programme specific webpages have revolutionised BBC Radio. Our recent examination of the Radio Five website underlines how the BBC have embraced digital culture. BBC Radio now has a visual element, has embraced blog culture and citizen journalism, broadcasters are accessible via e-mail, social networks are utilised, and the audience can dictate content and is encouraged to participate in all aspects of Radio 5. This approach is visible across the whole of BBC radio. The BBC news site is also a resource that reflects how the BBC have embraced and adapted to the demands of the digital age.

James Murdoch's views relating to the BBC are interesting and worthy of investigation. Rupert Murdoch's attempts to limit free news access across the internet should also be a research target for any serious media student as Murdoch's attitude towards the digital revolution needs to be considered. You need to be aware of how digital technology has impacted upon the print newspaper industry. Why buy a newspaper if you can access free, constantly updated news online?

Any consideration of institution and the impact of digital media needs to synthesise the issues surrounding the Napster debate and how mp3 file sharing has revolutionised the creation,consumption, and distribution of music. Shawn Fanning and his Napster site have destroyed the old business models of the music industry [research the record company EMI and how the digital revolution has decimated their profit margin] Access my notes below relating to the Napster debate:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/40044223/napster-debate-for-y13

Newspaper front pages the morning after the first televised Prime Ministerial Debate Friday April 16th 2010.

The front pages of the various UK newspapers may be of interest to any student or teacher exploring issues relating to institutional bias, an exploration of media forms and issues of representation. There are a whole host of media issues and debates across AS and A2 that relate to these resources. I used these images with my Y13 to examine representation and the issues relating to Section B of MEST 3. My students were particularly impressive when analysing how photography and the mediation of the visual imagery was used in the Independent and The Daily Mirror. The Daily Mail front page is interesting as their free DVD suggests that they clearly value history yet they almost ignore the historic and unique live Television debate. I wonder why?

Articles relating to FACEBOOK.Links to Observer newspaper 23rd may 10. Possible resources for work relating to use of internet data.

Links to interesting article in the Observer [23rd May 10] related to Facebook and its use of data. The issue of internet data is a huge media issue. Facebook's business model, like most web business, involves selling data to 'third parties'. The implications of this, along with the use of cookies and behavioural targeting, are HUGE. Who has access to our Web data and how is it being used?
The Observer editorial is an interesting read.

THE INTERNET IS NOT A PRIVATE SPACE.

DON'T SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH THE DIGITAL WORLD.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/may/23/facebook-network-begins-to-unravel

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/23/editorial-privacy-facebook

Channel four news link Monday 24th May.

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/founder+pledges+facebook+privacy+changes/3658387

The Guardian has a whole host of relevant articles relating to Facebook. Click on link below to access article from Media Guardian published on 31st May 2010 but navigate this site to develop a broader understanding of the media issues and debates that relate to Facebook.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/may/31/facebook-friend-foe-traffic

Click on link for Facebook related ethical issues:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/10210169.stm

Exemplar essay for Cross-Media Study : Man On Wire.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/39762464/cross-media-study-exemplar

click on link for exemplar essay relating to our Y12 cross-media study that has been attempting to explore the topic area: ' documentary and hybrid forms.'

Man On Wire resources for Y12 CROSS-MEDIA STUDY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIawNRm9NWM

http://www.manonwire.com/

The following resources relate to our Cross-Media Study.There is a link to the trailer, print media resources and e-media resources.I have included stills of the e-media and a link to the film's website. All the textual evidence that you will require for the exam is here.

I have also included the relevant e-media resources for our secondary text [The Secret Millionaire] and a link to the Hull episode with Martin Stamp that relates to our studies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyji16NgVHs

Impact of digital media resource: BBC documentary The Virtual Revolution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/virtualrevolution/

This BBC documentary is an essential resource for MEST 3 Section B. It's as if the BBC made this for the AQA MEST 3. The link will take you to the webpage. This is the ultimate revision resource. Watch all four episodes. ESSENTIAL. A FANTASTIC SERIES.

Exemplar essay MEST 3 Section B: Representation Question.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=39504100

This essay is designed to assist Year 13 revision. This is a copy of the essay I gave year 13 today [21st May 10]. I hope to construct a few more exemplar essays before the MEST 3 exam on June 15th. This essay is more detailed than an examination response but my aim was to provide an essay that could be used as a revision resource and also provide an example of how to incorporate our key texts into a critical media response. Keep checking the blog you crazy freaks.

politics and image manipulation.

The election produced many examples of image manipulation that satirised the original political message of the original text. The most famous example being the Conservative Party and their 'We Can't Go On Like This' poster campaign which inspired mydavidcameron.com. This area of media is a rich resource when considering the impact of digital media and issues relating to media and democracy.

http://www.mydavidcameron.com/

The Women's Aid campaign as media resource.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctoZbeD-GlY&feature=related

The recent Women's Aid campaign included the two minute movie 'CUT' which was not allowed to be broadcast on British television as Clearcast viewed the content as unsuitable for broadcast at any time. Clearcast had an issue with the final scene that involves Knightley being kicked by her abusive partner. Women's Aid refused to edit the conclusion of the film for TV and decided to concentrate on broadcasting the film in cinemas and video sharing sites such as YOU TUBE. This media text relates directly to media issues and debates that surround issues of representation.

The print media campaign is equally powerful. Rankin's images capture various celebrities with their faces battered and bruised. Why choose these celebrities? How is celebrity being used here? This series of images generate consideration of media forms and representation and a whole host of media issues. The print media used alongside CUT is a valid resource and confronts a mass of media issues, contexts and debates.

Representation of Haiti and the Haiti earthquake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-JF5rAHJZQ&feature=related

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andy-kershaw-stop-treating-these-people-like-savages-1874218.html

Representation of the Haiti earthquake created some interesting media. The American political commentator Bill O'Reilly produced a savage attack on Haiti in his Fox news segment. His views are extreme [and contradictory and could be viewed as the rant of a sad bigot]. Andy Kershaw's brilliant article is a passionate and eloquent defence of the Haitian people. These two texts and images of the disaster from Google images provide suitable resources for a consideration of representation and the impact of digital media . This work is appropriate for MEST 3.

Luke Harding's Guardian article: Russia Today and images from the Russia Today poster campaign.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/18/russia-today-propaganda-ad-blitz

http://thezeitgeistmovement.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=99999&func=view&catid=5&id=216759

The Russian government supported news platform Russia Today is an attempt by Russia to control the representation of their nation. The Luke Harding article from the Guardian is a decent companion piece to study alongside the advertising campaign. Russia is spending a vast amount of money using digital media to construct sympathetic representations of Russia. The posters were banned in some American airports. Russia Today's You Tube site is well worth a visit when using this material to consider media issues and debates that surround Russia Today. France, China and Iran all have government funded multi-lingual news platforms broadcasting to a global audience. And of course, we have the BBC.

Labour party political broadcast April 2010: 'Brilliant Britain.'

How does the Labour Party use Eddie Izzard? Why does the Labour Party use Eddie Izzard? How is Britain represented? How is the past, present and future represented? How is the Conservative Party represented? This is another very interesting media text.

This text should be compared with the Libdem broadcast. Click on link below.

Libdem party political broadcast April 2010: 'Broken Promises.'

This is a good media text for considering the impact of digital media and considering issues of representation. How does the broadcast represent the past, present and future? How is Britain represented? How is the political opposition represented?

This is also a good text for considering media forms. Music by Brian Eno!!

adam curtis.

the following link will direct you to the blog of adam curtis. this gentleman is a wonderful filmmaker and his blog should interest any student or teacher of media. his films are essential viewing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/

everything is ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAQrsA3m8Bg&feature=youtu.be

simply brilliant. enjoy.

Essential texts.

Any media student serious about engaging with the issues that relate to our media world should familiarise themselves with the following texts:

The work of documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis. Particularly his 'Century of Self 'and 'The Trap.'
The BBC DVD 'The Genius of Photography: How Photography has changed our lives.'
The documentary 'Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media.'
The work of Chris Morris. Particularly the Channel Four DVD of 'Brass Eye' and the BBC DVD of the series 'The Day Today.'
The textbook 'The Media Student's Book' by Gill Branston and Roy Stafford.
Charlie Brooker's BBC series 'Screenwipe' and 'Newswipe'.
George Orwell's novel: ' 1984'.
The BBC documentary series 'The Virtual Revolution'.

All of the moving image texts listed are available via You Tube.

FISHYMEDIA: Resources for AQA A2/AS media studies

This blog will exist to provide resources, information, inspiration, and guidance for my own students but if any other folker [student or teacher] can use the information contained here...fill your digital boots. I intend to post podcasts, video clips, student work, coursework guidance,word documents, exemplar essays, production advice etc. The aim of this blog is to help navigate my AS/A2 students through the rigour of the course and allow them to produce the most original and impressive work that they are capable of creating.This year's course is stumbling towards conclusion and my aim is to make this blog relevant to students beginning their A2/AS course in September 2010 and provide revision material for students sitting the A2/AS June 10 exams. Any material i use in class will be posted on fishymedia.

Although the specific aim of this blog is to broaden the media education of my own students, I hope that the material posted here will be useful to ALL students and teachers.

WELCOME TO FISHYMEDIA. LET'S START STINKING.