Level 2 Media Studies
Although next year timetables are yet to be finalised, course selection is now finished. Any changes to student courses will now take place in January.
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms S. Mohekey.
What will I learn?
You will discover more about what the mass media is and how it works.
You will design, plan and create a media product such as a a feature article, a short drama film, a documentary, or an animated film.
You will critically read and analyse visual texts - expanding your literacy skills using visual and written texts.
You will explore how genre relates to us as an audience in terms of commercial considerations, audience expectations and genre change, utilising media theory.
There is only one external assessment.
Topics include: either the group planning and making of a short film, or the individual creation of a feature article; learning to script a screenplay, or to write an article; looking at narrative in two feature films, one a Drama and one a Comedy; and studying zombie comedy films as an example of genre and investigating its connections to society. There is more to Zom-Coms than you think!
It will lead to Media Studies Level 3 and, possibly, to sitting scholarship in Media Studies.
It leads to an ever expanding range of enjoyable, creative, skilled careers, including ones the areas of broadcasting, journalism, advertising and public relations, teaching, entertainment and communication. It is a creative and an analytical subject which develops soft skills such as team work, organisational and thinking skills and, of course, imagination.
Course Outline:
Most standards are internally assessed; there is only one external examination.
Narrative Conventions - AS 91249 – 2.2 “Film Stories” (4 credits) Internal. You will explore narrative techniques and their effects through viewing and responding to two feature films; one a drama and one a rom-com.
Media Production - You will have the choice of working in a group or solo to plan, write and produce a short film or working solo to plan, write and produce a magazine feature article layout.
- Step one - AS 91252 – 2.5 “Designing Women” (4 credits) Internal - produce a design concept and plan for a media product using a range of conventions.
- Step two - AS 91255 – 2.8 ”It’s Texting Time” (3 credits) Internal - write a film script or a magazine article.
- Step three - Media Production - AS 91253 – 2.6 “Media Product” (6 credits) Internal - complete your media product ensuring you use a range of conventions effectively.
Film Genre - AS 91251 – 2.4 External Examination - “ZomRomComs" Comedy Zombie Films (4 credits) External You will investigate an aspect of this film genre and demonstrate your understanding of it in an essay style answer.
What should I have already done?
It is recommended that you have an interest in creating media products and in learning more about our relation ship with the media. Prior learning in Media Studies will be an advantage.
Course Contribution
Students may need an SD card for their film work.
Pathway
This subject leads on to a wide range of study options and job opportunities - which is growing every year as the digital world keeps developing. A huge range of tertiary providers offer further training and study in the areas of gaming, communications, marketing, film making, journalism, teaching, television, radio and social media.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.2 - Demonstrate understanding of narrative in media texts
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media genre
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.5 - Produce a design and plan for a developed media product using a range of conventions
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.6 - Complete a developed media product from a design and plan using a range of conventions
NZQA Info
Media Studies 2.8 - Write developed media text for a specific target audience
Pathway Tags
Animator/Digital Artist, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artist, Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Trainer, Journalist, Graphic Designer, Communications Professional, Technical Writer, Editor, Data Entry Operator/Transcriptionist, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Radio Presenter, Early Childhood Teacher, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Primary School Teacher, Kaiwhakaako Māori, Market Research Analyst, Nanny/Child Carer, Photographer, Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Teacher Aide, Television Presenter, Marketing Specialist,
Disclaimer
Courses will only run based on minimum entries
Selecting a course does not guarantee entry into this course
You may apply for an exemption if you do not meet the prerequisite of a course or if the course requires this for entry
Standards offered can be altered at the discretion of the HOD of the Department
Some standards in NCEA courses might be optional depending on student strengths
Course contribution may vary slightly by the start of 2025