Key Representaions

Article all about the main aspects of representation as a key concept for studying media studies at A Level and above.


Key Representations Daniel Chandler     

Film In The UK: A Briefing Paper

Great report from the UK's Film Council about the consumption and production of film in the UK. Very up to date report with lots of relevant info - use for research.


Film in the UK v3021 Aug09 UK Film Council Report

British Independent Film Awards

Created in 1998, The British Independent Film Awards set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.

BIFA 2009 took place at The Brewery in Central London on Sunday 6th December 2009

You can visit the website HERE

Magazine covers

Magazine Covers

View more presentations from hammonda.

An introduction to the Foundation Portfolio

As Media Studies Foundation Portfolio Planning Intro

View more presentations from hammonda.

Foundation Portfolio - film opening

Foundation Portfolio Guide: Video Production

View more presentations from Belinda Raji.

Title sequence functions - Courtesy of Mrs Hammond

Title sequences
Important because they:
• Make initial contact with audiences
• Signal to the audience what is to follow in terms of genre, themes, tone etc
• Raise expectations
• Prepare and position an audience putting them in the right frame of mind to approach a text
• May contain enigmas (one off dramas) which will later be resolved
Micro elements used in a title sequence:
• Editing – short fast-moving edits or long sequences? Transitions between shots?
• Soundtrack – establishes tone, indicates nature of text – iconic – interpellation (calls out to the audience preparing them for what’s to follow) – consider music, voice over and sound effects
• Details of the title of the drama/film, actors, production company, director, producer
• Camera work – consider shot/angles and their effect
• Mis e en scene – setting, costume, props, lighting

Encoding Videos for Youtube Uploading (adapted from Media Monkey)

Attention all Students,

So you want to upload your vids? Firstly you have to do a process called 'encoding' this turns the digial video format into something that YouTube can understand; .MPG .MOV, or .AVI files are acceptable. However, the best quality videos are the following:

• MPEG4 (Divx, Xvid) format
• 320x240 resolution
• MP3 audio
• 30 Frames Per Second (FPS)

To do this open your video in iMovie,then follow these instructions:

1. File>Export
2. Select 'Expert Settings' from the 'Compress To' drop-down list
3. Click 'Share'
4. Select 'Export Movie to MPEG-4
5. Click 'Options'
6. Select: Video Format 'MPEG-4 improved'
7. Select: Image Size '320 x 240 QVGA'
8. Select: Frame Rate '30'
9. Click 'Audio' Tab
10. Select: Audio Format 'AAC-LC (Music)
11. Select: Data Rate '128 kbps'
12. Click 'OK'
13. Confirm where your encoded file will be saved to and the file name.
14. Click 'Save'

Once you have followed these instructions it can take a long time depending on the length and number of effects in your movie to encode. I suggest that you set an encode to start at the end of the school day. I can check on them before I go home, and if they are still going they will be done by the morning. When they are done either you or I can take them home and upload them to Youtube.

Inspiration-Colour and Visuals

Thanks to Mr Ford for this blog.

Inspiration-Colour and Visuals

Colour Lovers is a very interesting site that will help you with colour ideas. Have a look at the palettes on display and post some in your blog as inspiration for your own colour choices. It is really important that you make informed decisions about colour. don't just leave it to chance.





Creative Review is a brilliant websit site that will help you with your visual ideas. It is worth taking the time to explore it fully. As i showed you with the Guinness Surfer presentation, inspiration can come from unlikely sources.
Click on logos to go to websites (also see link list).