COMPONENT 2 - Key Media Concepts
Section B - Audiences and Institutions
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using terminology appropriately.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing media products.
- Choice of TWO QUESTIONS - answer ONE QUESTION.
- Assessment Criteria.
- 45 minutes writing time.
- Be prepared to discuss the processes of production, distribution and marketing as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions.
- In addition, you should be familiar with:
- the issues raised by media ownership and funding in contemporary media practice
- the importance of cross-media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing
- the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and at the point of consumption
- the significance of the spread of such technologies for institutions and audiences
- the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences
- the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences by international or global institutions
- the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends in audience behaviour.
- This component should be approached through contemporary examples in the form of contrasting case studies within one of the media areas specified below. Case studies may be global or local or both. Examples should include the following:
- Film
- A study of specific studios or production companies, including patterns of production, distribution, exhibition and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of contemporary film distribution practices (digital cinemas, DVD, 3D, downloads, etc.) and their impact upon production, marketing and consumption.
- Music
- A study of particular record labels within the contemporary music industry, including patterns of production, distribution, marketing and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of wider issues around digital distribution of music.
- A study of contemporary newspaper and/or magazine publishing, including the ways in which the web is raising issues for the production, distribution and consumption of print media.
- Radio
- A study of examples from the contemporary radio industry, examining production, distribution and broadcast practices, as well as audience consumption. This should be accompanied by study of the impact of DAB and internet broadcasting on radio production practices, marketing and audience consumption.
- Video games
- A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming platforms, along with its reception by a variety of audiences. This should be accompanied by study of the impact of next generation capabilities on the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of games.
MEDIA INSTITUTIONS
