Theory: GLARN

Genre... Media products can be classified into categories or genre. A genre can be recognised by its common set of distinguishing features. These features associated with a genre's style and content may be, for example, a particular setting, character types, technical codes. 
Audiences recognise these features and therefore expect certain things. For example, at the end of a romantic comedy film the two lead characters will realise they are in love. Audiences may even select a text on the basis of its genre.

Language... Media language is the way in which the meaning of a media text is conveyed to the audience. One of the ways Media Language works is to convey meaning through signs and symbols suggested by the way a scene is set up and filmed. Signs and symbols in media texts are polysemic which means they are open to many interpretations. 

Audience... Audiences have a complex relationship with the products they consume. Media producers intend audiences to read their product in a certain way, but in actual fact everyone 'reads' and enjoys a product differently due to the individual's background and lifestyle.
Media audiences may be consuming different types of media at any one time (such as listening to an iPod, watching TV, chatting on the Internet) and be engaging at different levels – for example, the television may be turned on whilst a family has dinner.
Media consumers are organised into identified groups (based on such things as lifestyle or earning power) by producers, broadcasters, and advertisers who can then target consumers.

Representation... Media representations are the ways in which the media portrays particular groups, communities, experiences, ideas, or topics from a particular ideological or value perspective. Rather than examining media representations as simply reflecting or mirroring "reality," we examine how media representations serve to "re-present" or to actually create a new reality.

Narrative... The study of narrative explores the different ways that media texts can tell a story. Narrative is strongly linked to the audience and purpose of the text.
Conventions used to tell the story are dependant on the medium. In film, for example, the condensing of time is important and may be shown through production techniques such as camera fades. Whereas in a magazine article narrative conventions include production techniques such as layout and writing, and style is very important.

I will use the GLARN theory when analysing media products / when doing textual analysis'. 

Theory: Film Art

• A film has a form - made up of parts that relate to one another in specific and deliberate ways
• Need to analyse- 1) films that have influenced you 2) as a focus group your classmates films 3) the progress and final outcome of your own film 
• The film industry is a large business - many films are made with profit as a primary objective / focus -- it is also very costly to produce a film
• Where do movies come from?... 1) imagination & hard work of the filmmakers who create them 2) an extraordinary complex set of machines that capture and reply images 3) companies or individuals that pay for the filmmakers & the technology 
• "Le Cinema Règne" describes the feeling when everything falls into place during filming
• Many factors to think about... e.g. given the kind of story being told, would it be better to let the audience know what the central character is thinking or to keep him enigmatic?
• Keep a record of when incidents occur during filming/creating your product and talk about them in the evaluation - say how you overcame them 

Pre-production: Evaluation Questions

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Thinking about these questions before beginning to film my documentary will help me plan & research & even film and edit the product.

Introduction to Advanced Portfolio

For my advanced portfolio / A2 level coursework, I will complete the following task:

An extract from an original documentary TV programme, lasting approximately five minutes, together with two of the following three options:
• a radio trailer for the documentary;
• a double-page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary;
• a newspaper advertisement for the documentary.

In order to create a documentary, I will need to carry out plenty of research and plan extensively. I will analyse the codes and conventions of documentaries, which should help me to produce a realistic product. 

Preliminary Task: 'The Phone Call'

This was a very useful task for me as I was able to play around with iMovie and teach myself some new skills as well as learning skills from my teacher and peers. 
I feel as though making this 'Phone Call' short video has prepared me for my A2 coursework, as I now understand the importance of continuity editing. 

Things to think about when filming & editing:

• Natural framing & compositions 
• Review footage before leaving location in case a scene needs to be re-shot
• Music & sound effects (diegetic & non-diegetic) - sets the mood / builds tension 
• Transitions
• Add effects e.g. zoom after filming (in editing) 
• Create a sense of verisimilitude 
• Semiotics & signs 
• Serendipity - when things just happen / fall into place 
• Narrative 

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