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

GCSE: Music

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about GCSE Music, and this an option that you can take as part of your GCSEs.

The GCSE Music course is split into four areas, and they are :-

- Performing

- Composing

- Controlled Assessment

- Listening Paper

Performing

You must play one piece of your own music, and one piece of music with at least one other person. 

You can perform on an instrument, keyboard or sing

30% internally assessed/ externally moderated

Composing

You will receive lessons in melody making, adding a harmony part, making up a song and writing for different instruments.

You will also compose one composition of your own choice, and one composition relating to an area of study selected by the EDUCAS exam board

15% internally assessed/ externally moderated

Controlled Assessment

The controlled assessment is a composition set by the examination board where you can choose from one of a few areas to compose from.

15% internally assessed/ externally moderated

Listening Paper

You will learn a variety of different aural skills over the three year period, and then these are tested in a listening paper exam.

The exam involves listening to a variety of different excerpts and answering set questions about each excerpt.

40% externally assessed

GCSE: Drama

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about GCSE Drama, which is an optional subject for you to choose for your GCSEs.

GCSE Drama is divided into three components, and these are :-

Component 1: Understanding Drama

Component 2: Devising Drama (practical)

Component 3: Texts in Practice (practical)

How Will You be Assessed?

- 70% Written

- 30% Performance

You must also be able to work in groups with different people

Understanding Drama

- Gaining a knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

- Study of one set play

- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Written paper (80 marks)  40% of GCSE

Devising Drama

- Process of creating devised drama

- Analysis and evaluation of own work

Devising log (60 marks)

Devised performance (20 marks)         80 marks in total

20% of GCSE

Texts in Practice

- Performance of two extracts from one play

  Free choice of play, but it must contrast with the set play chosen for.

Performance of Extract 1: 20 marks

Performance of Extract 2: 20 marks

40 marks in total       20% of GCSE

Written Exam

1 hour and 45 minutes

Education: Creative Subjects for GCSEs

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about a series related to the creative subjects you can take at GCSE level.

GCSEs have changed since I have sat mine in secondary school. When I was at school they were over a period of two years (Years 10 & 11), where as now they have been extended to three years (Years 9 - 11).

The GCSEs that I will be covering for now are :-

- Drama

- Music

- Creative Media Production

- Music Technology

- Photography

- Dance

- English Literature & Language (Core Subject)

These will be covered in there own individual posts.

Education: Vocational Courses in Performing Arts

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Vocational options you have within Performing Arts. The Vocational courses are an alternative option to AS/ A Level Drama & Theatre Studies.

Performing Arts Level 2

- Introduction to Performance

- Communicating with an Audience

- Staging a Performance

- Contextual research for Performance

- Performance skills & practice

- Personal project

- Presentation & producing

- Performing to an Audience

Performing Arts Level 3

- Principles of Performance

- Engaging with an Audience

- Introduction to Professional Practice

- Critical & Contextual Awareness

- Performance skills & context

- Preparation for Specialist Study

- Collaborative Performance Project

- Developing Performance Skills

- Preparing for Progression

- Exploration of Specialist Study

- Extended Project

Assessed

Practical courseworks followed by a Practical Final Major Project