Cover work - Tuesday, 30th April

Aloha!

Apologies for not being in your lesson this afternoon - I have to visit another school. I did warn you in advance, so this work can either be completed at home, or in the sixth form study areas, or in my classroom. Wherever you complete it, I want you to spend exactly 60 minutes on it - which is the amount of time you'll have in the exam.

I'd like you to plan and write an essay on Postmodernism. You can answer either of the two questions we looked at last week:

1. How do postmodern media differ from other media?

2. How far do you accept the idea of postmodern media?

The lesson on Wednesday will be based on these essays - so it is vitally important that they are completed to a good standard. I want to see:
 - Evidence that you planned the essay;
 - Examples taken from both film and video games;
 - Inclusion of some critical theorists.

You're free to use any notes, books, or articles that you have - although you won't have these in the exam, it's a good way to start learning how to write this kind of essay.

That's all, folks - see you on Wednesday!

 - JL

PS - I just read this article by Charlie Brooker about modern communication. Without intending to, he seems to have hit on quite a Postmodern idea... I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. - JL

More Videogames news

I was talking to Andrew and Alisha last week about whether BioShock should be considered PoMo. Should it? Have a look at this BBC article on Bioshock: Infinite to see how the new game might be a good one to study for your exam...

(Oh - and the Guardian review is quite good, too. Have a look at it here).

 - JL

Another PoMo article

Just found an interesting article on the Guardian's website about Postmoernism - have a look at it by clicking here. Also, have a look at this article - it's about whether video games should be considered "art" or not.

ALso, Hagger reminded me that I'd forgotten to upload the "Key Features of PoMo" presentation to the blog - so that's embedded below for you.

- JL

The History of VIdeo Games

So, it's seems that our very own Mr Jamie Payne is something of an expert on videogames. Not only that, but for his EPQ last year he produced a 45-minute documentary on the significant developments in videogaming. I'd strongly recommend that you watch the video by clicking here to give you a good overview.

In addition, Teni found a great infographic on video games at techmash.co.uk - click here to see how they think gaming has changed.

Thanks to Teni and Jamie.

 - JL

Question 3:

Right, kiddies - below is the powerpoint with the third evaluation question on it - along with the advert-ruining Maslow heirarchy at the end. It's the red pill, I'm afraid.

 - JL

Evaluation Question: Brand Identity by

Evaluation Questions

Aloha!

As promised, here are the four evaluation questions:

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
• How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
• What have you learned from your audience feedback?
• How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

 Please ensure that by Tuesday of next week (that's the 12th of March) that you have completed both the audience feedback question and the technologies question. If you want to see example answers, please look at the A-grade blogs from last year - but also be aware that their evaluations were the weakest element of their blogs in every case, so make sure that yours are better!

 

Also as promised, here's the link to the article about Lara Croft - it will be interesting for you to read in light of what we were saying about the fragmentation of representation in Postmodern media texts.

 

See you tomorrow!

 

 - JL

Deadlines, Christmas, and Postmodernism

"I like deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go past" - Douglas Adams

Well, the filming deadline is upon us. If you haven't met it, then it's essential that there is evidence on your blog for when you will be filming in January, and that you are organised to do so. Explaining why you haven't met the deadline is probably a good idea, too.

I'm not setting any formal Media Studies homework over the Christmas holidays, particualrly as I know lots of you have January exams to prepare for. However, as we'll be moving on to study Postmodernism later this year, it would be an excellent idea to do some research in preparation for the unit. In order to do so, you can:

1. Watch any of the following films:
Blade Runner
Kill Bill (Vol. I and Vol. II)
Pulp Fiction
The Matrix
Fight Club
Kick Ass
A Scanner Darkly

2. Play any of the following videogames, ideally right the way through the main storyline:
Assassin's Creed (any of the games from number 2 onwards)
Any of the Grand Theft Auto games
Braid
Red Dead Revolver
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
The Sims

3. Read any of the following:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Kick Ass
The Walking Dead
Neuromancer
Watchmen

That's it. The more of these kinds of texts you know about, the better prepared you'll be for the exam. Start early!

Have a lovely Christmas and New Year, and good luck if you have any January exams...

 - JL