A2 Specification

Specification

MS3: MEDIA INVESTIGATION AND PRODUCTION

AS/A2 Media Studies WJEC: ModulesMS1 : Media Representations and Responses (1291)

MS2 : Media Production Processes (1292)

MS3 : Media Investigation and Production (1293)

MS4 : Media: Text, Industry and Audience (1294)

Introduction

This unit develops the knowledge and skills acquired at AS and as such contributes to synoptic assessment. In particular, it is designed to demonstrate the importance of research in informing media production and to develop the skills acquired in MS2.

Assessment Objectives:

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes, and when evaluating your own practical work, to show how meanings and responses are created
AO3: Demonstrate your ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills
AO4: Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research

Content

Candidates are required to produce three pieces of linked work:

• a research investigation (1400 – 1800 words): 45 marks
• a production (informed by the investigation): 45 marks
• a brief evaluation (500 – 750 words): 10 marks

Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve 
a total mark for the unit.

(a) Research Investigation

Candidates are required to undertake an individual investigation into a specific area of 
study focused on one of the following concepts: genre, narrative or representation. 
Their research should draw on a range of both primary and secondary sources. It should 
enable candidates to reach conclusions that will inform their production.

Examples of investigations include:

• the representation of teenagers in two British films
• the generic similarities between Dr Who and Stargate
• the narrative structures of The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

(b) Production

Candidates are required to submit a production which should develop from and be informed
by the candidate's research investigation. This production must be in a different form from 
the AS production.
Audio-visual productions should be up to 4 minutes in length (depending on the nature of the production).
Print-based productions (or their digital equivalent) should be a minimum of 3 pages.

Digital media (other than audio-visual productions) and print-based productions must be individual. 
Audio-visual productions can be produced either individually or in groups (maximum 4). 
Group tasks must offer appropriate opportunities for each candidate to demonstrate an individual contribution.

(c) Evaluation

The evaluation can be produced in any appropriate form such as:

• a discursive essay (with or without illustrations) 
• a digital presentation with slide notes (such as a PowerPoint) 
• a suitably edited blog.

The production must be accompanied by an individual evaluation which explores how the
production has been informed by the research undertaken into the relevant media concept.

Candidates are required to submit:

a research investigation (1400 – 1800 words): 45 marks

• a production (informed by the investigation): 45 marks
• a brief evaluation (500 – 750 words): 10 marks

Each of the three pieces of work will be assessed separately and then combined to achieve 
a total mark for the unit.

Guidance

Titles

Coming up with a good title for your investigation is crucial. This will be negotiated with your teacher. 

A good title:

• needs to be focused (can be based on one, or more usually, two texts)
• must include the concept being investigated (genre, narrative or representation)

Research
You will need to develop your research skills to equip you to work independently.
You need to undertake a range of research, including:

• primary research (such as textual analysis, content analysis, questionnaires, focus groups etc), and
• secondary research (books, magazines, internet relevant to the investigation).

A ‘bibliography’ or list of sources referred to must be included. 

Clarity and accuracy is more important than the style of referencing.

MS3 topic in relation to MS4

You may choose one of three industries selected for MS4 as their focus for MS3. However, the text you select cannot be one of the three main texts studied in class.

MS4: MEDIA – TEXT, INDUSTRY AND AUDIENCE

Introduction

This unit contributes to synoptic assessment. It is designed to develop candidates' understanding of the connections between different elements of the specification and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between media texts, their audiences and the industries which produce and distribute them.

Progression from AS is demonstrated through this emphasis on the relationship between 
text, audience and industry and the debates surrounding the nature of that relationship. 

Candidates' understanding of the media will also be more informed by appropriate 
theoretical perspectives.

Content

Centres will be required to select three different media industries from the list below to 
study with their candidates.

• Television 
• Film 
• Music 
• Radio 
• Newspaper 
• Magazine (including comics) 
• Advertising 
• Computer Games

For each industry, three main texts should provide the focus for candidates' study. At least two of the chosen texts must be contemporary and one must be British. Centres are advised to select contrasting texts so that candidates acquire as wide an understanding of the media industry as possible. What constitutes a 'text' will vary depending on the industry. 
See the Notes for Guidance for examples and guidance.

For each text selected, candidates should consider the following as appropriate:

Text

• genre
• narrative
• representation

Industry

• production
• distribution (and exhibition where relevant)
• marketing and promotion
• regulation issues
• global implications
• relevant historical background

Audience

• audience/user targeting
• audience/user positioning
• audience responses and user interaction
• debates about the relationship between audiences/users and text.

Assessment A written examination of two and a half hours
The paper will consist of two sections:
Section A will offer two questions based on media texts;
Section B will offer four questions based on industry and audience issues.
Candidates will be required to answer one question from Section A and two questions from Section B, using a different media industry for each answer. Each question will 
require them to make reference to the three main texts they have studied for each media industry.