A2 Music Video

The link below takes you to a selection of A2 Music videos on YouTube from a range a schools around the country.

When developing your productions you need to consume a huge range of media texts, not so you try to imitate them but to help stimulate ideas both technical and creative. It also builds on your curiosity about trying out different techniques and pushing your creative boundaries.

Some of the productions found on this link are brave in their ambition and the story they want to tell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkJXibuJYF0&list=RDmkJXibuJYF0#t=2

Channel 4 - Fright Bites

Series 1 will chill you to your core. Watch if you dare.

Fright Bites

Making Music Videos: an A2 Media Study Day

Making a Music Video

Over the last 20 years the most popular task in the second year of the A level courses has been making a music video. Technological advances in this time have meant that what students can produce has changed dramatically; from the early days of editing between two VHS machines, when every shot had to be filmed in sequence, to today's digital cameras and editing, where you can set up multiple timelines, access effects and shoot on HD. The possibilities for music video on no budget have been transformed. However the expectation for high quality work has also risen dramatically.  This task requires serous planning, technical skill and a real understanding of the codes and conventions of music videos. This study day for students will focus on maximizing the impact of their resources. In the morning, we will take you through activities aimed at getting the most out of research, planning, shooting, editing and evaluating their music video. We will use a range of examples from professional music videos and student work.  In the afternoon we will be joined by a music video director/editor to talk about how the professionals go about working on such tasks. 

Led by Tom Woodcock, Film & Media teacher, Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge and Freelance Media Educator

Case Study - Wes Anderson

Wesley Wales Anderson was born in Houston, Texas. His mother, Texas Ann (Burroughs), is an archaeologist turned real estate agent, and his father, Melver Leonard Anderson, worked in advertising and PR. He has two brothers, Eric and Mel. Anderson's parents divorced when he was a young child, an event that he described as the most crucial event of his brothers and his growing up. During childhood, Anderson also began writing plays and making super-8 movies. He was educated at Westchester High School and then St. John's, a private prep school in Houston, Texas, which was later to prove an inspiration for the film Rushmore (1998).

Anderson attended the University of Texas in Austin, where he majored in philosophy. It was there that he met Owen Wilson. They became friends and began making short films, some of which aired on a local cable-access station. One of their shorts wasBottle Rocket (1994), which starred Owen and his brother Luke Wilson. The short was screened at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was successfully received, so much so that they received funding to make a feature-length version. Bottle Rocket (1996) was not a commercial hit, but it gained a cult audience and high-profile fans, which includedMartin Scorsese.

Success followed with films such as Rushmore (1998), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and an animated feature, Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009). The latter two films earned Anderson Oscar nominations.

IMBD Biography of Wes Anderson

The Soul of the Plot - Wes Anderson

'I have a way of filming things and staging them and designing sets. There were times when I thought I should change my approach, but in fact, this is what I like to do. It's sort of like my handwriting as a movie director. And somewhere along the way, I think I've made the decision: I'm going to write in my own handwriting.'

Wes Anderson 2015

A2 Advanced Portfolio - Production Pitch

Media Studies - Advanced Production - Brainstorm by Tony Buckmaster

Tips on making a music video

Behind he scenes & Directors commentary

Plants - Alicia Catling

Call that an idea!?!

When a student comes to you and says "I want to make a film about a stuffed bear in a park in Bicester!", it doesn't automatically fill your heart or mind with enthusiasm. Then they go and create something like this which reminds you that sometimes it's great being wrong.

A2 Advanced Portfolio Candidates 2014

Dear Moderator,

Please find below a list of A2 Media studies Students and links to their individual blogs.

1. 0503 David Allen - http://daveallenmediabloga2.blogspot.co.uk/
2. 0521 Ellie Bunce - http://elliebuncea2.blogspot.co.uk/
3. 0567 Beth Hutson - http://bethanyhutsona2.blogspot.co.uk/
4. Andrew Lush - http://andrewlushmediaa2.blogspot.co.uk/
5. 0608 Ben Pilston - http://benpilstona2.blogspot.co.uk/
6. 0633 Dan Sweet - http://dansweeta2.blogspot.co.uk/
7. 0647 Alex Underwood - http://alexunderwooda2.blogspot.co.uk/
8. 9520 Hollie Buckley - http://www.holliebuckley.blogspot.co.uk/

Future Film Festival at the BFI

The BFI Future Film Festival returns with an exciting line-up of events and screenings, to help you develop your own unique pathway into the world of film.

Each day will have a different focus (fiction, animation and documentary) and you can expect in-depth masterclasses, hands on workshops, screenings of the best new films by young, emerging filmmakers and inspirational Q&As.

Whether you are looking for a kick-start to your film career or you just want to try your hand at something new, the BFI Future Film Festival is here to inspire you.

To find out more and to book an event visit - www.whatson.bfi.org.uk/futurefilmfestival

Media Studies Production Planning

In the Media Studies folder on the shared drive you will find an Excel file called 'Media Studies Production Calendar 2013-14'. This calendar sets out the key parts of the production process and is a guide to when and how long you should be spending on the four areas of film production.

1. Production Research
2. Pre-Production
3. Production
4. Post-Production



Please open and save this file to your on document area and use it to track the progress of your own productions.

Documentary Making Tips

Jewson Film Foundation

http://www.jewsonfilmfoundation.com/

The Jewson Film Foundation provides a total overview of how to make a professional feature film. The JFF is also a nest bed from which Jewson Film Productions hopes to discover new talent, whether it be directors, writers or cinematographers.


Why was the Foundation set up?

The Jewson Film Foundation was established by Vicky Jewson to help aspiring actors, camera crew, directors and producers to enter the film industry.

As Vicky Jewson explains: "I was always interested in films from a very young age and was determined to be a part of this exciting and vibrant industry and to make my own films, but it wasn't easy to meet the right people, assemble a crew, find a cast and most importantly of all, raise the necessary money. The whole purpose behind this course is to open up a far more accessible route into a job / career in the film industry. Therefore we can only offer five places as any more would jeopardise the intensity of the training and one-on-one attention we are advocating.

The Foundation was set up to create a direct access route into the film industry, to give new talent a platform for getting their dream job in the film industry or to write and direct their first feature film. Jewson Film Productions plans to produce industry professionals and to make up to five features per year from up and coming talent identified during our programme."

For more information either visit the website, call or email

• http://www.jewsonfilmfoundation.com/
• +44(0)1865 863166
• info@jewsonfilmproductions.com

A2 Advanced Portfolio Coursework Layout

Media Studies - A2 Course Layout