YEAR 12 LESSON THREE [28th Sept 10]: Homework.

Students were introduced to the Barnardo's advert 'Breaking the Cycle.' Students were encouraged to identify how media forms are being used create a representation of childhood experience. Students were then asked to discuss how media forms are being used to represent childhood across Barnardo's print and e-media.

HOMEWORK: There are four written tasks that students must complete. The four questions are:

1. How are media forms used to create a representation of childhood? What is the aim of this advertisement? The media text is the 'Breaking the Cycle' broadcast media.

2. How are media forms used to create a representation of childhood? How significant is the use of language in this print media text? The media texts being analysed here are the two examples of print media.

3. How does the content of the E-media differ from the content of the print and broadcast media? Why?

4. Do you agree with the ASA's [Advertising Standards Authority] decision NOT to ban the 'Break the Cycle' advertisement? Why?

Below are the resources used in today's lesson. Students need to revisit these media texts when constructing homework.

Barnardo's advert from 2008. 'Breaking the Cycle':

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

Guardian article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/10/asa-advertising1

Telegraph article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3706674/Barnardos-abuse-advert-is-reality-TV-says-actress.html

Barnardo's explain their approach to advertising:

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/resources/resources_students/resources_students-newpage.htm#twelve

Barnardo's Homepage:
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/

Water aid advert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dNFmBCogeA

Below is a document that will help you with the homework:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/56469589/ADVICE-FOR-YEAR-12-TO-HELP-WITH-MEDIA-HOMEWORK

Class discussion was brilliant today folks. Very perceptive. Much appreciated.

MLR.

LADY GAGA and CONNOTATION.Insipid self-publicist or feminist icon?

Below is a link to a BBC article that provides Five connotations linked to Lady Gaga's meat dress:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11297832

Click on link to access Gaga's own connotation relating to the wearing of the meat dress:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VmFpK0beKU

Click on link to access article from The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/24/lady-gaga-meat-dress-jerky

Click on link to access an article published in The Guardian that considers the question:'Is Lady Gaga a feminist icon?'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/17/lady-gaga-feminist-icon

Camille Paglia's criticism of Lady Gaga:
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/magazine/article389697.ece

MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY. Digital War: The Stuxnet worm.

This article from the BBC online news page reads like content from a science fiction novel. Cyber- war is, perhaps, now a reality. The implications of this story are terrifying. The internet as destructive weapon? Students should be aware of the events in Estonia in 2007 when the Estonian economy was the victim of an external digital 'cyber' attack. Click on link below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11388018

Below is a BBC article from June 2010 that explores the idea of 'Cyber-war and refers to the incidents in Estonia in 2007:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10339543

Recently the national news in the UK has covered stories that represent the internet and digital technology in a negative manner. For example, all the stories below were taken from the BBC online news site in September 2010. Click on links to access articles that highlight the potentially destructive use of new media:

Cyberstalking link. Note reader comments:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11404284

Facebook crash. This article is concerned with the unpredictability of new technology:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11403897

Bomb threat via Twitter:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-11408239

Digital activists attack record industry websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11371315

Facebook used by 'sex abuse postman':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-11403984

These links should be of interest to A2 students currently exploring the idea of Levelling and the disadvantages and advantages of digital technology.

RUSSIA'S BLOGGING REVOLUTION. The Guardian 24th Sept 10.

Below is a link to an interesting article published in The Guardian online page that explores the power of the internet and the ability of bloggers to confront injustice. This relates to many issues and debates at A2 such as globalisation, representation and media and democracy.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/24/russia-blogging-revolution

YEAR 13 LESSON TWO [Wed 22nd Sept 10]: Homework.

The main focus of the first section of the lesson was the MEST 3 exam question: 'Media Institutions are right to feel threatened by new/digital media.' Consider this statement and show how media institutions are reacting to technological developments.

The BBC have clearly adapted to the demands of new media and the BBC Homepage was used to illustrate how the BBC now incorporates podcasts, blogs, interactive media,constantly updated news, the i-player etc to engage their audience. The audience can now select and personalise their viewing in a manner that was impossible before the digital revolution. Radio 5's Homepage was also used to illustrate how new media has merged old media into one digital medium as Radio can now be watched in real time via webcam, video clips are available that relate to programme content, blogs are available to encourage audience response, access to archives via the i-player is available etc. The BBC do not appear to be threatened by the development of new media and have utilised new technology to improve the service that they offer.

BBC Homepage link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/

BBC Radio 5 Homepage link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/5live/

Students were then introduced to the views of James Murdoch, the issue of Rupert Murdoch's Paywall, Napster's influence on the music industry and the industry's inability to adapt a new business model for the digital world, Spotify's attempt to find a business model for Mp3 file sharing that can attract advertising revenue etc. Clearly, some media institutions have been, and continue to be, threatened by the digital revolution. The music industry is an excellent example of how the audience has become the producer with sites such as MySpace providing a global audience for any individual interested in sharing music files.

Students were also briefly introduced to media theory [Pluralism, Marxism, Audience Theory, the Audience/Producer debate] and encouraged to consider whether the invention of the worldwide web has resulted in a 'LEVELLING' of information. Is the Web making our world more equal and democratic or is the Web as divisive and flawed as the real world?

Homework is to synthesise the information offered by my handouts and produce some independent study. I threw a mass of information and ideas at the class and I expect students to digest the content. Any ideas that puzzle student brains will be discussed at the beginning of the next session.It is MASSIVELY important that students visit the fishymedia resources relating to Rupert Murdoch in order to understand why he is using a Paywall and why James Murdoch is so critical of the BBC and OFCOM. Students should also navigate through the first episode of the BBC's VIRTUAL REVOLUTION as this deals with the idea of Levelling and relates directly to my class notes. Year 13 Media Studies demands independent study as it is essential that students are capable of critical autonomy when considering the issues and debates central to the A2 course.

There will be a short test at the beginning of the next session. The test will allow me to gauge who is digesting my notes and approaching the rigour of A2 study in an appropriate manner.

Link to first episode of The Virtual Revolution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPD4Ep_J81k

Further reading links:

'Digital media is empowering users' article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4781590.stm

'Digital media is transforming news' article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4630890.stm

Press release from Mark Thompson relating to the BBC and its use of digital media:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/speeches/stories/thompson_ft.shtml

Ta.

MLR.

YEAR 12 LESSON TWO [Tues 21st Sept 10]: Homework.

Students were shown the work of Don McCullin and reference was made to the Iranian photographer Javad Moghimi who was forced to leave his country because one of his published photographs, taken during the post -election anti-government demonstrations, did not represent Iran in a manner considered appropriate by the current regime. His story serves to illustrate the importance of representation. See the fishymedia entry for the 6th July 10.

Students were shown the films of the Lumiere Brothers to illustrate how the only editing of the first films consisted of deciding where to place the camera. In the 1890s the technology did not yet exist that would provide the kind of slick post-production editing that we now expect from contemporary broadcast media [see fishymedia entry 27th May 10]. Students were then shown the opening of Steven Spielberg's 1974 film 'JAWS'. Students produced an analysis via class discussion of the media forms being used to represent the nature of the sea and were given an exemplar essay.

Students were then asked to analyse two films constructed by last year's Year 12 [both films available to view elsewhere on fishymedia]. Class discussion produced a fair amount of relevant notes.

Homework is to produce the first written response of the year. The title being: How are media forms used to construct a representation of BGS? Are the images suitable for its target audience?

The media text is the fishymedia resource posted on the 17th September 10. You will need to access this link to complete your homework. Watch the film several times and make notes before you begin your essay. Think before you write. Plan your response carefully. This is your first A Level essay.

Below is a link to a document that will help students construct their written response. The document contains a potential essay structure and a guide to possible content. Students can download this file:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/55169717/AS-LEVEL-MEDIA-STUDIES-help-with-first-task

If you have any problems, contact me before the next lesson.

Ta.

MIKE: The King of Funk.

Click on link below to access a tune made by AS media students in the time afforded by the five minute break during the last session. Do not fear the technology. It is incredibly student-friendly. This tune is just a series of loops glued together in a couple of minutes. I will be encouraging all students to use the Garageband software to create an original soundtrack for their broadcast media. It's simple and, more importantly, it's FUN. ENJOY.

http://soundcloud.com/fishymedia

REPRESENTATION/MEDIA FORMS TASK : An example of student work produced October 09.

The text below is the result of the first creative media task offered to last year's AS Media group. The class worked in small groups to capture footage of the school that could be used to construct a 90 second promotional film aimed at encouraging Year 6 students in the local Primary schools to select BGS as their choice of Secondary school.

This resource will be used in my AS lesson on Tuesday. Students will be asked to consider how media forms are being used to create a positive representation. Why have certain visual images been selected? Where is the evidence of mediation? How significant is the choice of music? Which are the most successful images? How would you describe the editing? Is this an appropriate text for the target audience? Are institutional values apparent?

Click on link below to access this student generated media text:

http://vimeo.com/15061002

YEAR 13 LESSON ONE [Wed 15th Sept 10]: Homework.

Students were introduced to the requirements of the A2 AQA course. The concepts of REPRESENTATION and THE IMPACT OF NEW/DIGITAL MEDIA were explored via the fact that Russia Today is available in the UK along with English Language News broadcasts from Iran, France, China etc. We discussed how these broadcasts are an attempt to control Representation and the digital revolution has offered the potential for these representations to be broadcast to a global audience. Russia Today has an English Language You Tube site and an English Language website. The fishymedia Russia Today links were posted in May 2010. Students should read the Luke Harding article in the Guardian for HOMEWORK as i will be discussing this article in the next lesson. Students should also be aware of the Russia Today poster campaign.

Students were reintroduced to the language of media analysis via a class discussion relating to the opening credits of the American TV Drama 'DEXTER.'

HOMEWORK ESSAY TITLE:

How are media forms used in the opening credits of Dexter to suggest the nature of the content offered by this drama?

Remember, you can not analyse every feature of this introduction. Select two or three key features and link the use of visual information to connotation. Why does Dexter smile when he squashes the mosquito? Why is his identity blurred as he stares into the mirror? Why is the extreme close-up used so often? Significance of the meat? Connotation of the red text? The blood orange? Why do we see him lock the door? Why is this breakfast scene constructed in such a sinister manner? Significance of diegetic and non-diegetic sound? Why does he appear to be so 'normal' as he leaves his house? Good class discussion today. I did not provide a rigid essay structure as I want to encourage a more diverse range of interpretation.

Students also need to begin to develop ideas for their coursework and peruse fishymedia to explore some key media issues and debates. For example Murdoch's 'Paywall' and the implications of the Coulson scandal. Lots to do folks.

MLR.

YEAR 12 LESSON ONE [Tuesday 14th Sept 10]: HOMEWORK.

The aim of this introductory lesson was to introduce students to the language of media analysis, provide an overview of the course, and introduce the key concepts of MEDIA FORMS and REPRESENTATION.

The trailers for series one and series two of Channel Four's 'SKINS' were used to illustrate the concept of CONNOTATION along with the opening credits to the American drama 'Dexter' and the shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'. Students were also introduced to the concepts of DIEGETIC and NON-DIEGETIC sound and the creative possibility of the editing process.

Student HOMEWORK is to read the various hand-outs provided in the lesson. It is important that students begin to familiarise themselves with media language as the first essay will be presented on Tuesday 21st and this essay will require all students to use the language of media analysis.

I may begin the next lesson with a brief test that relates to media terminology, the aim being to check who is serious about the course and who is merely an oxygen thief.

Class contribution was superb on Tuesday. It was a pleasure to meet you all.

Special praise to Natasha and Phil for being 'proper' digital media students. I expect a lot more followers before Tuesday.

The magic media word is UNICORN.

Cheers.

MLR.

MORE RUPERT MURDOCH.

Recent blog entries have attempted to consider the role of Rupert Murdoch and his position in the digital world and the current Andy Coulson phone-hacking saga is pushing Murdoch and his institutional ideology into the global news arena. The political implication of this accusation is enormous. Andy Coulson is currently David Cameron's Director of Communications. Dark irony anyone? If we have placed private information on MySpace, a social network site owned by Murdoch, is our private information 'private'? If the allegations that the News of the World hired private detectives to 'access' the personal telephone conversations of celebrities and senior politicians, such as East Hull's John Prescott, are proved true, what are the implications for our digital privacy? If private information and the law is not afforded any respect by a media mogul such as Murdoch, the implications are disturbing.

The link below links to articles written by Henry Porter and Will Hutton in the Comment section of the Sept 12th edition of the Observer newspaper:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/12/rupert-murdoch-british-media

Click on link to access Peter Preston's article in the Media section of the same edition of the Observer:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/12/rupert-murdoch-threat-exaggerated

Click on link below to access Independent on Sunday article published 12th Sept 2010:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/read-all-about-it-the-secret-dossier-of-lawbreaking-that-spells-trouble-for-rupert-murdochand-david-cameron-2077170.html

James Hanning Special Report from the same edition of the Independent.Click on link below:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/phonehacking-where-does-it-all-go-from-here-2077185.html


Murdoch is such a central figure in global media. Is he the malevolent figure that some believe him to be or is he a more benign media mogul? Good or evil? A harmless caricature of villainy or a genuinely dangerous media megalomaniac?

The allegations against Andy Coulson and the News of the World are incredibly serious and some critics are suggesting that the 'alleged' phone-hacking that was 'allegedly' sanctioned by Coulson, who was the editor of Murdoch's newspaper at the time, provides an insight into the institutional ideology of Murdoch and his contempt for individual freedom, democracy, personal privacy and the law.

This is a serious media issue and all students and teachers should be aware of the debates that surround the Murdoch/ Coulson/ Phone tapping/ News of the World saga.

Click on link to access Murdoch interview on his own Fox News. Note reaction to 'phone-tapping' question. Quality journalism? Not exactly Paxmanesque interview technique from the Fox anchor. Fox News has been criticised for relentlessly attacking Obama's policies. Note Murdoch's response to the how to make 'digital dollars' question and the reference to his approach to the sale of content in the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlGQPYJGu0

A David Puttnam article published in The Observer on Sunday 19th September 2010 suggests that Murdoch is a threat to democracy in the UK. Click on link below to access article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/19/rupert-murdoch-bskyb-news-corp

This Murdoch related article also appeared in The Observer on the 19th Sept. Click on link below:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/19/observer-leader-bskyb-murdoch

Click on link below to access a very interesting documentary that explores Murdoch's approach to his Fox News Channel. Ex-Fox employees discuss how Murdoch influences the Fox news agenda. This documentary is extremely critical of Murdoch. The link below will take you to the first 10 minute segment of the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUDO3OA3NnQ&feature=related

FACEBOOK: THE UNTOLD STORY. Article published in the Observer 12th Sept 2010.

This Observer article written by Elizabeth Day relates to the 'story' of FACEBOOK and the soon to be released film that examines the life and times of founder MARK ZUCKERBERG.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/sep/12/social-network-facebook-mark-zuckerberg

MEDIA FORMS. Alfred Hitchcock's 'PSYCHO' and The Shower Scene.

Click on link below to access a decent You Tube version of Hitchcock's classic shower scene from his 1960 film Psycho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VP5jEAP3K4

INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA FORMS.Some useful media texts to stimulate a consideration of how and why a text is constructed.

We return to work next week so it's time to consider how to introduce Year 12 to the key concepts and how to reintroduce Year 13 to media brain food. Below are some resources that i intend to use in the first couple of lessons to stimulate discussion, introduce media terminology, and serve as material that will be the focus of an analytical essay. I intend to use e-media and print media to support these examples of broadcast media.

Click on link below to access the opening credits to HBO's the Sopranos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLxSUKA--Dg

The opening credits to Showtime's Dexter are superb. You want connotation? Here is connotation. Click on link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej8-Rqo-VT4

Click on link below to access a blog that examines the opening credits of Dexter. It is not an academic media analysis but it is still very interesting.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2007/10/dexter_putting_it_together.html

Click on link to access another blog that examines the opening to Dexter. Note the reader comments:

http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/imr/2009/11/01/fragments-dexter-credit-sequence-character-study

Click on link below to access opening credits to Season Four of HBO's The Wire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNOTE7W5qts

Click on link below to access opening credits to THAMES TV's The Sweeney [very popular UK cop drama from the 1970s]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D99O6oTJVHo&feature=related

Click on link below to access the stunning opening credits to HBO's drama Six Feet Under. The opening sequence of Six Feet Under was created by Digital Kitchen's Eric S. Anderson. Anderson's company are also responsible for the opening credits to Dexter, True Blood and Nip/Tuck :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6WATB9PFdE

Click on link below to access opening credits to HBO's True Blood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxINMuOgAu8

Digital Kitchen's chief creative officer,Paul Matthaeus, explains some of the ideas being explored in the opening credits to True Blood. Click on link below to access article:

http://truebloodnet.com/true-blood-filming-opening-sequence-designer-moves/

Click on link below to access analysis of True Blood's opening credits. This analysis is courtesy of Flow TV:

http://flowtv.org/2009/12/vampire-politicslisa-nakamura-laurie-beth-clark-michael-peterson/

Opening credits, along with moving image advertisements and film/Television trailers are a vast and relevant source of material. Any work I attempt using broadcast media will consider the media forms used to construct e-media and print media. Students must be aware of how one text uses media forms across at least three media platforms.