Y12 Media exam: Paper 1 Learner response

 1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to).

2) Read the mark scheme for this exam carefully, paying particular attention to the 'indicative content' for each question. This is some of the best analysis you can do as it gives you an idea of what the exam board is expecting. For your LR blogpost, identify ONE point you could have added for the first three questions in Section A:

Q1 (unseen text) additional point/theory: More detail into aspects such as typography

Q2 (unseen text and CSP) additional point/theory/CSP reference: More knowledge of the theories

Q3 (music video) additional point/theory/CSP reference: Further knowledge on content definitions

3) Now focus on Section B. Section B began with two questions testing your knowledge of industry terminology. Make sure you know the answers to these (get the answers from the mark scheme if you have to):

Benefits of vertical integration: Greater control of the production process, lower costs and higher profits

Definition and benefits of diversification: Diversification is when a media company branches out into a different area of the media industries. Prevents newer companies from taking over market share.

4) The Section B CSP focus was on Blinded By The Light. The impact of new technology on distribution was a weaker area in most answers. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you could have included in your answer here.

• Social media posts for the film supported the Black Lives Matter movement which helped

tap into the anti-racism narrative in the film. This demonstrates how new technology allows

media products and companies to connect with audiences over ideological or political issues.

• Film was largely unsuccessful at the box office with many industry figures blaming a release

strategy that failed to build on positive word-of-mouth and pitted the film against Yesterday,

another music-based historical film with a romantic storyline.

• However, technology arguably has saved the film (and New Line Cinema who paid $15m for

the rights to distribute) with deals to make Blinded By The Light available first on Amazon

Prime and then on Netflix. This means the film will continue to generate income despite the

initial disappointing box office figures.

5) Finally, identify three things you plan to revise before your next Media assessment or mock exam (e.g. terminology, particular theories or CSPs etc.) 

• Further knowledge on all csps
• All relevant theories
• structure