Media 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).

What Went Well (WWW): A strong exam with the potential to push on. There is evidence of good understanding of key concepts and a confident writing style.

Even Better If (EBI): Revise industry terminology and unseen text analysis. There’s room to sharpen up responses by making clearer links to media theories and CSP examples.

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: The use of mise-en-scène (e.g. costume and props such as the smart overcoat and black gloves) works as iconic signifiers of the British spy genre. These choices construct the character of Bond and position the Omega watch as one of his spy tools. The tagline “James Bond’s Choice” builds this association further, encouraging the audience to buy into the Bond brand identity.

Q2 (unseen text and CSP) additional point/theory/CSP reference: Both adverts target a male demographic, but in different ways. The Bond ad subtly appeals to women purchasing for men through a sophisticated portrayal of masculinity, whereas the Score ad uses an overtly masculine and sexist tone that limits its appeal to a traditional male audience. This reflects a shift in gendered marketing strategies over time.

Q3 (music video) additional point/theory/CSP reference:  The group of young men on an urban night-time journey, culminating in them throwing rocks near a derelict industrial area, aligns with negative media stereotypes of youth as aimless and lacking direction or purpose. This supports Stuart Hall’s theory of dominant ideologies and preferred readings.

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 horizontal integration: Reduces competition

Vertical integration: Vertical integration is a form of conglomerate ownership where one parent company owns multiple stages of production and distribution. For example, a film studio might produce a movie, distribute it through its own distribution wing, and show it in its own cinema chains.

4) The Section B CSP focus was on Blinded By The Light. Look at the mark scheme and write a definition of traditional marketing with examples.

Traditional marketing in film involves “above-the-line” techniques such as posters, trailers, television ads, and film festival appearances. These methods aim to build awareness among mass audiences using well-established media channels. Poster campaigns tailored to specific global regions. PG-rated trailers aired on TV and in cinemas to widen reach

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.) 

Media Industry Terminology: I will revise terms like synergy, vertical integration, horizontal integration, and independent vs conglomerate production, making sure I can apply them to CSPs confidently.

Unseen Text Analysis Skills: I will practise analysing print and audio-visual media under timed conditions and work on applying semiotic theory more fluently (e.g. Barthes, Hall, Propp).

CSP-Specific Knowledge: I will revise key case studies like Blinded by the Light, Score Hair Cream, and Capital by creating flashcards for facts, production context, audience targeting, and theory links (e.g. Hesmondhalgh, Curran and Seaton, Livingstone and Lunt).