Education: Creative Subjects for AS/ A Levels

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to give you an overview of AS/ A Level Creative Subjects, and how you will be assessed for each AS/ A Level.

Drama & Theatre Studies

Devising

Creating an original performance from a text stimulus

Text in Performance

Taking on a performance or design role in a practical tutor-directed piece, and solo/ paired performance

Theatre Makers in Practice

Exploring theatre making through the analysis of live performance, and two set texts

Assessed

40% Coursework

20% Practical Performance Exam

20% Written Exam

Art, Craft & Design

- Artist research & contextual understanding

- Visual language & creativity

- Skills & techniques across a wide range of media

- Selecting personal/ meaningful subjects/ themes

- Portfolio presentation

Assessed

100% Coursework

Photography

- Photography research & contextual understanding

- Visual language & creativity

- Camera control

- Digital editing

- Traditional film & darkroom techniques

- Selecting personal & meaningful subjects/ themes

- Online portfolio presentation

Assessed

100% Coursework

Media Studies

- Newspapers, radio, video games, music videos, advertising & film marketing

- Detailed study exploring three specialist texts of three industries: television, magazines & online media

- Media has a few key areas to study that will be applied to each media text

- Media language & how to analyse & deconstruct media products

- Representations, exploring the historical context of media products & how media producers construct images and texts to convey messages to audiences

- Industry - how media businesses from Disney as a powerful Hollywood studio to a YouTube vlogger, make content & more importantly make money

- Audiences - how media products attract, appeal & target specific audiences & how media audiences are not all the same

Assessed

70% Exam

30% Coursework including a practical production piece & evaluation

English Language

- Stylistic analysis of non fiction texts

- Child language development

- Language diversity & change

- Regional varieties

- Language & social groups

- Language & gender

- Language & ethnicity

- Occupational language

- Language change

Assessed

80% Exam

20% Coursework

English Literature

Gothic Literature - Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray & short extracts

Drama & Poetry pre 1900 - The Duchess of Malfi & selected poetry by Christina Rossetti

Literature post 1900 - A Streetcar Named Desire, Atonement & selected poetry by Carol Ann Duffy

Shakespeare - The Tempest

Assessed

80% Exam

20% Coursework

* The course content may vary slightly depending on where you are choosing to study your AS/ A Levels

Education: Vocational Courses in Media

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to talk about the Vocational Courses related to Media. The Vocational Courses are an alternative option to AS/ A Levels.

Art, Design & Media Level 1

- Observational drawing

- Graphic application (Apple Mac)

- Painting

- Photography (including digital editing)

- 3D Design

- Textiles

- Film/ Moving image recording & editing

Creative Media Production & Technology Level 2

- Video production

- Audio production

- Interactive media & graphic design

- Character design

Creative Media Production & Technology Level 3*

- Video production

- Audio production

- Camera operating

- Directing

- Graphic design

- Editing

- Sound

- Writing

- Contextual awareness

* In the second year you have the opportunity to increasingly focus on one or a combination of these specialist fields, as well as preparation for further progression. This will lead you to achieving the full Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification.

GCSE: English Literature & English Language (Core Subject)

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about GCSE English Language and English Literature, which is are core subject. 

Overview

Over the three year period while you are working towards your GCSEs in English Language and English Literature you will cover a range of fiction, non fiction and other literacy texts. You will also develop your skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

English Language

- Exploration of creative reading and writing

- Understanding of writers' viewpoints and perspectives

Assessed: Two final examinations totalling 100% of total marks

English Literature

- Shakespeare & the 19th Century novel

- Modern texts and poetry

Assessed: Two final examinations totalling 100% of total marks

GCSE: Music Technology

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Music Technology GCSE.

Unit 1: Music Industry

This unit will provide you with an overview of the industry with a particular focus of the modern music industry and covering the emergence of the role of the self employed, performer and promoter.

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

This unit covers the essential aspect for progression. Within this unit you look into the development of a music product; as well as providing a vehicle for demonstrating skills and learning. It also introduces the role of planning and promotion in the management of a music product. You can base your work on a live concert, event, CD or online product; providing opportunities for both music performers and technologists.

Assessed

- 2 Mandatory Units

- 2 Optional Units

GCSE: Creative Media Production

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Creative Media Production GCSE.

Component 1

You will develop an understanding of how media products are created for specific audiences and purposes. You will also explore the relationship between genre, narrative and representation within media products, as well as develop your understanding on how they are interpreted by audiences and how media production techniques are used to create different effects to communicate meaning to audiences.

Assessed through coursework

Component 2

You will develop practical media production skills and techniques. The area of focus will be the publishing sector*, and you will take part in workshops and classes where you will develop your practical skills and techniques applying them to the relevant pre-production, production and post production processes when reworking on existing media products. Also, you will learn to use software such as Photoshop, Fireworks and InDesign to a high standard.

Assessed through coursework

Component 3

You will respond to a client brief and create a product for the publishing sector*. You will interpret the clients needs and engage in the process of idea generation, selecting and refining your ideas until you are satisfied that you have an idea that meets the requirements of the brief. You will then undertake production planning to give the client an idea of what you intend to do, you will then undertake photoshoots and manipulate images; and then finally creating and publishing a product under exam style conditions.

Assessed through a practical exam

*Sectors may vary, depending on your school

GCSE: Dance

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Dance GCSE.

Component 1: Dance & Choreography

- Set pieces through a solo performance that lasts for one minute

- Duet/ trio performance (3 minutes in a dance which is a maximum of 5 minutes in duration)

40 marks       30% of GCSE

Choreography

- Solo or group choreography

- Solo Dance (2 - 2 1/2 minutes)

- Group Dance for two to five dancers (3 - 3 1/2 minutes)

40 marks      30% of GCSE

Component 2: Dance Appreciation

- Knowledge and understanding of the choreographic processes and performing skills

- Critical appreciation of own work

- Critical appreciation of professionals work

Written Exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes

80 marks       40% of GCSE

Dance Anthology

The Dance Anthology consists of 6 short professional dance works that are each between 12 - 30 minutes. You must study all 6 works, and these include :-

- Different dance styles and fusion of style

- Selection of established and emerging choreographers

- Different numbers and combinations of dancers

- Different choreographic approaches

- Different choreographic structures

- Variety of types of performance environment

- Variety of aural settings

- Inclusive dance

- Dance influenced by other cultures.

By studying these works it will inspire you to develop and create your own performance through using creative and choreographic practice. While at the same time you will develop the knowledge and understanding, as well as analytical skills that is required for critical appreciation.

GCSE: Photography

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about GCSE Photography.

To do GCSE Photography, you must :-

- Have a genuine interest in photography

- Have a digital camera or a recent model smartphone on which photographs can be taken in your own time, as part of the course.

- Work on a portfolio of evidence

Assessed

- Through two assignments (60% of final mark)

- Exam over a ten hour period (40% of final mark)

Work in ONE OR MORE areas of photography in both units.

Areas of Photography :-

- Portraiture

- Location photography

- Studio photography

- Experimental imagery

- Documentary photography

- Photo journalism

- Moving image: film, video and animation

- Fashion photography

- Installation

You may explore overlapping areas and also a combination of areas

You must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills specified in the subject content to realise personal intentions relevant to photography and their selected areas of study.

- How sources relate to historical, contemporary, social, cultural and issues based contexts and external considerations such as those with the cultural industries and client orientated requirements.

- How ideas, themes, subjects and feelings can inspire creative responses informed by different styles, genres and aesthetic consideration and/ or individuals distinctive view of the world.

Photography Skills & Techniques

- Lighting

- Viewpoint

- Aperture

- Depth of Field

- Shutter Speed & Movement

- Use of Enlarger

- Chemical and/ or digital processes

Photography Materials

- Film

- Photographic papers

- Chemicals appropriate to darkroom practices

- Digital media, programs and related technologies

- Graphic media for purposes such as storyboarding, planning and constructing shoots