Preparation for next week's lesson (07.04.15)

We will be exploring disability, ethnicity and sexuality in three extracts in next week's lesson.

The latter pertains to a clip from the channel 4 series 'Sugar Rush'. Please watch the beginning (approx first 4 mins) of the relevant episode in preparation for the lesson.

And also (for disability) the beginning of this 'Skins' extract.

January 2013 - ER extract - Representation of age

G322/3 Key Media Concepts
This was the first series in which non-British TV drama became available to use as an extract in the exam. The choice of extract was ER and the representation was age. Question two focused on media ownership and the impact ownership has on the range of products and services to the audience. The paper achieved differentiation across the whole range of candidates’ abilities and presented candidates with sufficient opportunity to engage with the key media concepts required for this paper. However, this series also saw a number of candidates who failed to engage with the representation of age in question one, and similarly, a number of candidates who were not prepared well enough for the requirements of question two, which resulted in a significant number of responses that were brief, minimal and in some cases no responses. Entry for the exam was similar to the previous January however the majority of candidates were sitting the examination for the first time, with the number of candidates using the January series as a re-sit opportunity much lower than in previous years.

Question 1

On the whole candidates engaged with the set question on the representation of age with answers maturely and sensitively handled. Those candidates that performed to the highest level did so with detailed and sustained analysis of age and with application of a range of examples across the four technical areas. In their responses candidates would frequently refer to oppositional and negotiated readings of the text, in relation to child/adult/elderly representations. The most detailed responses considered a hierarchy of meaning in the text in analysis of the discourse between adult / child and elderly age representations. In a few cases this was quite a sophisticated analysis in which candidates commented on how the extract challenged typical expectations and presentations of children and adults. This was most pertinent in relation to the very ill child at the beginning of the sequence: for example, stronger candidates recognising that there was a role-reversal at this point, with the doctor learning from the younger patient. Indeed many candidates that picked up on the representation of the child as vulnerable also noted that the child was incredibly mature, realistic and intelligent in relation to the discourse with the adult doctor on his medical condition. Weaker performing candidates relied on simplistic binary oppositions, such as elderly patients are all senile, with all children being weak and in need of protection. Many weaker candidates chose to focus on superficial tasks such as looking at age differences, ignoring particular values or ideologies linked with age groups. Some of these candidates also focused on the discussion of gender or the medical profession rather than age.

Technical features
The analysis of camera angle, shot and movement was used by most to varying degrees. Stronger candidates often correctly identified the use of high/low angled shots, the use of steadicam and could in some instances also analyse the framing of shots as key to how meaning is constructed, particularly with the doctor/ child in the private medical room.

A common error for many candidates was to confuse the use of low and high camera angles and on a few occasions candidates referred to bird’s eye and worm’s eye camera shots which were not present in the extract. On the whole terminology was used correctly by candidates. Candidates’ discussion of mise-en-scène included analysis of the medical environment being used as a context for the study of age. The mise-en-scène was referred to in the use of costume to demonstrate the doctor’s age and experience versus the child as a patient and the use of tubes and make up to represent him as weak and fragile. The key prop of the Sudoku book and the child’s technical vocabulary were well discussed to illustrate how typical representations of childhoodwerechallenged. Candidates were also able to analyse the use of location and the characters’ actions in relation to the construction of age representations in this medical drama, for example, the professional adult doctors working under stress in busy waiting rooms were often contrasted to the irresponsible actions of the older women who was simply there to ‘breathe the air’ and also the supposedly drunk older male. There was a lot less colour determinism used in analysis of mise-en-scène this series, whilst aspects like lighting are still under- utilised, except on occasion, for example some candidates analysed the low lighting of the room with the ill child at the start and noted the sombre atmosphere this created around his situation. Lesser performing candidates simply relied upon the dress of characters and the role they had in the extract, leading to quite simplistic analysis.

Candidates engaged with the use of editing and sound. Many candidates could mention editing and continuity, through the use of shot reverse shot or eyeline matches. The most able candidates examined editing in an analytical way. These candidates could clearly link meaning constructed in the extract and state something purposeful about the representation of age, for example they focused their attention on the use of long takes and how the camera followed key characters who dominated the frame and there were also some excellent musings on the use of cross cutting within the sequence. Most candidates could identify transitions used, though a common error was the use of the term jump cut. Lesser achieving candidates simply mentioned the word edit or commented on editing without actually using any examples of discussing how editing through shot sequencing helped create representations of age. At times there was little attempt to understand how editing created particular viewpoints from which the sequence made most sense or how it was used to privilege particular characters and age groups.

Sound proved to be the most problematic technical area for candidates, although through the evaluation of the use of dialogue, particular attention was focused on the first boy’s use of language and the mature way he confronted the illness that was enveloping him. This stoic manner was compared to another young adult doctor’s childish construction, which focused on his immaturity. Many candidates relied on dialogue as a valued aspect of sound and would refer to key dialogue between characters. A few candidates exemplified the use of monitor blips for the ill child or indeed the use of silence to reflect the seriousness of the child’s situation, though many noted how calm the female doctor was in the ER waiting area, making reference to diegetic sounds. There was some common misunderstanding of diegetic and non-diegetic sound and that which is synchronous and asynchronous. At times it was encouraging to see that candidates examined sound and editing alongside each other and in relation to mise-en- scène. This integrated approach should be encouraged more as it often leads to more advanced responses from candidates. 

Examiner's report - June 2009 - Dr Who - Representation of gender

G322 Key Media Concepts (TV Drama) 

Overall, this was an examination session, with a wide range of candidate responses, with evidence of excellent candidate responses in analysis and understanding of the question set in response to television drama and the representation of gender and for question two, on ‘how important is technological convergence’. The candidates appeared to have enjoyed responding to the TV drama extract and some very full answers were marked in this session. The session was also characterised by a number of brief or incomplete responses by candidates.

For question one, the majority of candidates addressed the technical features of camera shot, angle and composition, and mise en scène well, with some fluency at times and there was noted improvement from January’s session in the candidates’ address of editing and sound. There was plenty of evidence of candidates being able to reach the higher end of the marks available and candidates, where needed, were awarded full or nearly full marks for their responses. 

As indicated by the mark scheme for this exam paper, the use of media vocabulary is a very important part of the exam at AS level. The mark scheme and syllabi clearly stipulate that a number of marks are available for the use of terminology. Good practice suggests that candidates should be keeping a vocabulary list of technical language for both questions. At times, in question one there was an absence of vocabulary in some candidates’ answers and some common misconceptions or misapplied camera shots and angles, for example, there was some evident confusion with the use of low/high angle shots in analysis of the extract. On page eighteen of the specification there is a list of the key terminology used in relation to analysis of the technical features of television drama. It is advisable that centres ensure coverage of these in preparation of the candidates in the exam; likewise for candidates embarking on the analysis of radio drama this key vocabulary list can be found on page twenty four of the specification.

Comments on candidate’s responses to Question 1 – Television Drama

There was plenty of evidence that the question set on gender and representation and the extract Doctor Who achieved the desired differentiation of candidate responses. The extract was approximately five minutes in length and enabled the candidates to engage with the key skill of textual analysis using the four technical features: Camera shot, angle and composition, mise en scène, editing and sound. Of these technical area’s, camera work and mise en scène were by far the most comfortable concepts the candidates addressed, with editing and sound the least, despite many improved attempts to address these technical features. Candidates responses, which did not link technical analysis to gender representation often lacked focus in their answers on how gender, was constructed through the technical features of the extract.

Candidates structured their responses in a number of ways for question one. Some began by addressing the concept of representation in the extract and a discussion of the representational differences between The Master the challenging stereotype of Martha Jones and contrasted this with the Doctor and other characters in the extract. Or on the other hand, the candidates would address the technical areas one by one.

Stronger candidates could provide an integrated analysis of the extract through analysis of key examples identified. These candidates explored how the technical features could be applied using a combination of the technical features, for example, in discussion of the argument that takes place between the Master and Martha. Stronger candidates could then place this sequence of conflict in its mise en scène (the spaceship, with reference to cross cutting to the flashback sequence on Earth), through the use of shot reverse shot (and editing) between Martha and the Master, camera types used and through the analysis of sound also discuss the Master’s emasculation of power and authority. Weaker candidates could list many technical aspects, with varying degrees of accuracy, but struggle to say anything meaningful about the representation of gender.

Either of these approaches to the structure of question one is advisable and centres need to plan and help structure the candidate’s responses in the classroom. It is advised against preparing candidates to word a long and lengthy introduction about what they are going to answer, or give theoretical introductions and/or historical contexts to television drama. Question one does not require a discussion of the generic qualities of the television drama.

It is also important that candidates move from description of key technical areas to analysis of how representations are constructed. This will enable candidates to achieve higher notional marks for their responses and avoid sets of basic answers, which on occasion in this session offered quite general textual analysis. These types of responses lacked focused discussion of the representation of gender.

On the whole the use of media vocabulary was very good, but could centres please note that there are up to 10 marks available for the use of media terminology – hence the previous recommendation that candidates should be encouraged to use the appropriate media terminology. Good advice for centres is to encourage candidates to keep vocabulary lists. There were a significant number of candidates who still adopted an overly simplistic approach – centres need to encourage candidates to use appropriate technical language for precision in analysis and to make sure that they avoid superficial terms like cameras 'switching' or 'jumping', and know the difference between zooms and tracking or avoid describing characters as 'goodies' and 'baddies'.

This mark scheme is more able to credit answers, which have different strengths, and this session, the marking of candidates’ papers revealed the flexibility in its application, according to the standards set. It is advisable that centres make the mark scheme available to candidates for the next exam session so that they are aware of how the work is assessed. This could also be used for the marking of timed assignments in the classroom and for the marking of mock exam papers. Finally it is important that candidates address a balance in their responses to all the technical features used in the extract to construct meaning, at times some candidates would focus too much on specific ‘micro’ aspect of the television drama, for example writing a whole side on the use of mise en scène.

Comments on the ‘micro’ aspects of Question one on Television Drama
The following comments are selected examples points and for use as examples to assist centres with the delivery of the topic and to help advise on candidates’ answers, it is by no means an exhaustive list.

Camera Shot, Angle and Composition
This technical feature was well addressed by the candidates overall. Most candidates had a media vocabulary, which addressed the technical features of television drama. Where candidates used the correct terminology and could describe shot composition, this on the whole was well done. Weaker candidates were able to describe key shots used in exemplification, but would often lack explicit links to how these shots assisted in the construction of the representation of age. As with the January 2009 session, please be aware that terms ‘insert’ shots and ‘wide’ shots and the ‘tilt’ shot and ‘jump’ shot are common misconceptions/ vocabulary used by candidates. Many candidates argued how shot construction represented the juxtaposition of power between the antagonist and protagonist in the extract. It would have been encouraging to see a wider range of examples of shot sizes and camera movement referenced in relation to a sequence's representations.

Mise en scène
This technical aspect was by far the most comfortable used by the candidates. There was plenty of evidence of candidates’ discussion of clothing and props, visual iconography and character, for example the power and authority at the beginning of the sequence of the Master, dressed in formal attire, who exerts his authority and domination in his body language expression and speech. More able candidates would be able to contrast the gender representation of different characters through the mise en scène and how the roles of the different characters changed, for example, how Martha Jones becomes a symbolic messenger and on more than one occasion the team of examiners noted that there was some excellent analysis of the mise en scène focused on hierarchies and power.

Setting, although a little more problematic for some, was used well in discussion of the range of representations of gender used in the extract. More able candidates would move beyond description and use the technical features of mise en scène in order to discuss the signification of the representation of gender. For example, candidates analysed important moments in the extract when the Master’s empire and power was represented by the spacecraft and reference to the silver orbs in space, juxtaposed with cutaway’s to the missile silo, as representative of the Master’s domination. This represents the degree of sophistication in some candidate’s responses and there were a vast range of interpretations of the text by candidates.

Candidates were able to account for costume and props as key elements in mise en scène, though many are still wedded to deterministic colour analysis, which is misleading and naïve, for example, “the female character's dress is red which is a signifier of danger". The aspect least discussed of mise en scène was lighting, which was often commented upon without adequate analysis, for example the lighting was dark and the character of the Master was therefore evil. Special effects were often commented upon, quite legitimately in the discussion of the representation of gender to varying degrees of success.

Sound
There was some improvement in the discussion of sound since January’s session, although there was still plenty of evidence of candidates omitting or offering minimal discussion of sound from the textual analysis. Whilst there was some excellent reference to how sound assisted in the understanding of the construction of gender, for example, in discussion of synchronous/ non synchronous sound in relation to the ticking clock as a symbolic omnipresence of the Master’s power.

However, candidates often discussed this technical feature with some limitations, with some focusing solely on the use of dialogue between two characters. Candidates did also relate the use of non-diegetic sound to the triumphant victory of the Doctor over the Master at the end of the sequence. The use of non-diegetic sound to emphasise Martha’s role as a messenger was often commented upon, as was the reference to the ‘spaghetti western’ music at the beginning of the extract as a signpost for the showdown that was about to commence. The ‘spaghetti western’ feel of the initial music was signposted by candidates because they felt as though Martha was heading towards her doom.

Often weaker candidates showed confusion with technical terminology, referring to ambient sound which was not shown in the part of the sequence they referred to, or simply getting diegetic and non-diegetic sound the wrong way round. The analysis of sound is more than just dialogue and weaker candidate responses may interpret the soundtrack/use of music in too general analysis. Centres should also consider more carefully the role that sound effects have in the construction of meaning, particularly in relation to the diegetic reality of the drama. It is advised that centres do cover the technical features of sound thoroughly in order to give candidates an opportunity to fully engage with the analysis of the extract.

Editing
As with the January 2009 session, this technical area proved to be the most problematic for candidates and the one technical area of analysis that was often omitted in candidate’s answers.
Most candidates who addressed editing were able to address the type of transitions used and could comment on the pace of the editing. Indeed most candidates would recognise the use of the flashback, as an elliptical device in the narration of the story and this technical element was the most common discussed in candidates’ answers. Weaker candidates often omitted any discussion of editing or offered quite simplistic accounts of how editing was used, for example in the use of the shot reverse shot sequence between the Master and Martha.

More able candidates could analyse technical issues of editing by way of analysis of the ellipsis, accounting for how the extract collapsed a series of events, for example, in explaining the narrative to represent Martha as the messenger and helper who communicates the need to save the world. Candidates were able to comment on pacing and the use of continuity, most often through the shot reverse shot compositions in the extract and some through the use of sound as well. These candidates cleverly discussed how soundbridges were constructed through the use of non-diegetic music in the representation of gender, for example, the orchestral and triumphant mood music representing the power of the Master.

Overall candidate’s analysis of editing was satisfactory but, many candidates ignored this area completely or dealt with it in a perfunctory fashion. Very few candidates seemed willing or able to link editing to representation by, for example, showing how the editing created particular viewpoints which we are encouraged to identify with or how screen time indicated the shifting relationship between protagonists and antagonist in the sequence. With the right preparation, candidates can engage with the nuances of editing under exam conditions, with evidence that they could discuss crosscutting, eye line match and ellipsis in the extract. The lesser able candidates would refer simply to the continuity of the extract without reference to any of the technical aspects expected of them to use.
As in the last examiner’s report, the advice offered to centres is to encourage as much practice on the concept of editing as possible and how this assists in the construction of representation. Again begin with identifying the techniques and encourage students to apply these to a range of examples in class and importantly, test them on this. A balanced and high level notional mark requires all the technical features to be addressed in the candidate’s answer.

Representation
The candidates appear to have enjoyed the discussion of representation in this extract. There were a wide range of interpretations offered by the candidates, but the dominant reading of the text focused on the male as powerful and the female as dominated, to more sophisticated readings of gender representations, including how the representation of Martha’s character changed and gender stereotypes changed. The most sophisticated responses could argue that a range of gender representations had been used and provided a full range of exemplification.
This key media concept was either addressed at the beginning of the candidates’ answers or at the end. Candidates were able to relate the representation of a variety of gender groups closely to the textual elements of the extract. There was some solid analysis of gender and how it can be stereotyped in a variety of ways: female emotionality; male authority; changing shift of power between genders in the extract and other sensibly reasoned representations, such as men as users of force/ violence as opposed to women as unifiers/ action with words.

Some good examples in the candidates’ responses included: Martha, as a messenger was empowering in overcoming the Master, the Master was represented as dominant and all powerful, but by the end of the extract, defeated by the male Doctor, the Doctor was initially represented as feeble and emasculated in the bird cage, but the transformation of the Doctor by the end of the extract and through analysis of the mise en scène (lighting and special effects) is the dominant all powerful male. More perceptive candidates could illustrate the Master’s wife as a trophy, the Doctor as saviour and Martha as the helper.

There was throughout candidates’ answers good discussion of stereotypes, particularly around the challenge of expected stereotypes in the text, through the character of Martha Jones. Weaker candidates failed to focus on the representation of gender, limiting their analysis to relating everything to power with oppositions – men as superior in antithesis to women as inferior or the technical textual analysis failed to explain how gender representations were constructed. 

Examiner's report - Representation of age - Monarch of the Glen - 2009

G322/3 Key Media Concepts (TV/Radio Drama) January 2009

The entry for the January session was approximately 2,200 candidates for G322 and 9 candidates for G323. There were no reported problems with either of the extracts, (for TV drama: Monarch of the Glen, and Radio Drama: The Sensitive), nor with the question set. These extracts enabled differentiation through the examination of the key concept of the representation of age for question one, with the analysis of the extracts technical features. Given the tiny number of entries for Radio drama this report focuses on the unit G322 Television Drama, and reserves a paragraph for the exam paper G323 (headed below), which shares question 2.

As indicated by the mark scheme for this exam paper, the use of media vocabulary is a very important part of the exam at AS level. The mark scheme allocates a number of marks for the use of terminology. Good practice suggests that candidates should be keeping a vocabulary list of technical language for both questions. At times, in question one there was an absence of subject-specific vocabulary in some candidates’ responses and some common misconceptions like an ‘insert shot’. On page 18 of the specification there is a list of the key terminology used in relation to analysis of the technical features of television drama. It is advisable that centres ensure coverage of these in preparation of the candidates in the exam, likewise for students embarking on the analysis of radio drama this key vocabulary list can be found on page 24 of the specification.

Question 1 – Television drama

Candidates structured their responses in a number of ways; some began by addressing the concept of representation in the extract and a discussion of the representational differences between Amy McDougall the stereotypical teenager and contrasted this with the Headteacher and the middle-aged character Paul Macdonald. Then the candidates would address the technical areas one by one. Stronger candidates could provide an integrated analysis of the extract through analysis of key examples identified. These candidates explored how the technical features could be applied using a combination of the technical features, for example, in discussion of the argument between Paul Macdonald and Amy. They could then place this sequence of conflict in it’s mise en scène (the stately home), through the use of shot reverse shot (editing), shot types used and through sound, both diegetic and non diegetic in discussion of how Paul’s anger and authority, used as parental control, would order Amy (stereotyped as the teenage tear away) back to school.

Either of these approaches to the structure of question 1 is advisable and centres need to help structure the candidates’ responses in the classroom. Candidates are advised against lengthy introductions about what they are going to say and against theoretical introductions and/ or historical contexts to television drama. Candidates are advised to get straight on with their analysis.

It is also important that candidates move from description of key technical areas to analysis of how representations are constructed. This will enable candidates to achieve higher marks for their responses. The mark scheme enables credit to be awarded to students at three different levels Explanation, Analysis and Argument (20 Marks), Use of Examples (20 Marks) and Use of Terminology (10 Marks). Centres are advised to make the mark scheme available to candidates for the summer session so that they are aware of how the work is assessed. This could also be used for the marking of timed assignments in the classroom and for the marking of mock exam papers.

Camera Shot, Angle and Composition

This technical feature was well addressed by the candidates.. Where candidates used the correct terminology and could describe shot composition, this on the whole was well done. Weaker candidates were able to describe key shots used in exemplification, but would often lack explicit links to how these shots assisted in the construction of the representation of age.

Mise en scène

There was plenty of evidence of candidates’ discussion of clothing and props, visual iconography and character Setting, although a little more problematic for some, was used well in discussion of the range of representations of age used in the extract. More able candidates would move beyond description and use the technical features of mise en scène in order to discuss the signification of the representation of age.

Sound

Candidates often discussed this technical feature with some limitations, with some focusing solely on the use of dialogue or accent. Candidates did also relate the use of non diegetic sound to the emotional state of Amy whilst she was in her room and the contrast of non diegetic music showing the adults to be happy in the work they performed. The use of non-diegetic sound to emphasise Amy’s isolation was often commented on, as was the diction of the middle- aged characters that spoke “properly”. Other weaker candidates showed confusion with technical terminology, getting diegetic and non-diegetic sound the wrong way round. It is advised that centre’s do cover the technical features of sound thoroughly in order to give candidates an opportunity to fully engage with the analysis of the extract.

Editing

This proved to be the most problematic for candidates and the one technical area of analysis that was often omitted in candidate’s answers. Most candidates who addressed editing were able to address the type of transitions used and could comment on the pace of the editing. Weaker candidates often omitted any discussion of editing or offered quite simplistic accounts of how editing was used, for example in the use of quick succession cuts and short takes when the community takes apart the fishing hut at the end of the sequence. More able candidates could analyse technical issues of editing by way of analysis of the ellipsis, accounting for how the extract collapsed a series of events, for example, in explaining the narrative to represent Amy as a ‘troubled’ teenager who had no option left but to run away from school and then the home of Paul McDonald; then candidates were then able to comment on pacing, the use of continuity, most often through the shot reverse shot compositions in the extract and some through the use of sound as well. These candidates cleverly discussed how soundbridges were constructed through the use of non-diegetic music in the representation of age, for example, the stringed mood music representing the gloomy prospect that Amy faces, or the use of upbeat music to represent the happiness of the small rural community.

Representation

This key media concept was either addressed at the beginning of the candidates or at the end, but sometimes when at the end, the analysis was all too cursory. Candidates were able to relate the representation of a variety of age groups closely to the textual elements of the extract. There was some solid analysis of age and how it can be stereotyped in a variety of ways: teenage emotionality; adult authority; caring nature of the older female adult and other sensibly reasoned representations. Weaker candidates failed to focus on the representation of age, relating their analysis to the region or the gender of the characters.

PAST PAPERS

Here are all the past questions. Some of the clips can be found on the right side or online but not all. I have DVDs for the last 3 exams.

G322 TV DRAMA past questions from Hélène Galdin-O'Shea