Moving to A2: Summer reading

The A2 year is a lot more straightforward that the AS year, as we only look in specific detail at three industries;

• the film industry,
• the music industry and
• the television industry

However, we explore all three of these industries in far more detail than anything we studied last year. Your own contextual knowledge of similar films, bands and TV shows becomes essential for the exam, as you will need to demonstrate a wide range of critical debates in order to justify the highest marks.

If you are aiming to get a B or an A grade in your Media A-level, the following task will help you to do so. Simply choose an industry, watch the suggested texts, and read the suggested readings which accompany them.

Each text here is closely related to key texts you will study for MS4.

The film industry

Suggested films

Goldfinger (1964)

A View To A Kill (1985)

Goldeneye (1995)

Casino Royale (2006)

The Selfish Giant (2012)

Kes (1969)

Sweet Sixteen (2002)

Cinderella (1950)

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Suggested readings

'Live and Let Die' and the Birth of the Classic Bond Narrative

Umberto Eco - Narrative Structures in Fleming - the definitive essay on narrative and the Bond film. A .PDF file can be downloaded here.

The music industry

Suggested music videos

Bjork - 'All Is Full Of Love' (Cunningham, 1999)

Fatboy Slim - 'Weapon of Choice' (Jonze, 2001)

Girl's Generation - 'Lion Heart' (S.M Entertainment, 2005)

My Bloody Valentine - 'To Here Knows When (Creation, 1992)

Pulp - 'Babies' (Island Universal, 1993)

Suggested readings

Theodor Adorno - On Popular Music - Excellent essay from the grumpiest man who ever lived 

What Makes a Text Postmodern? - primer on postmodernism from this very blog!

Walter Benjamin - The Work Of Art In The Age Of Mechanical Reproduction - Michael's favourite essay ever(!)

The television industry

Suggested television programmes

Game of Thrones (2011)

Silicon Valley (2014)

Westworld (2016)

Snog, Marry, Avoid? (2008)

Love Island  (2015)

The Blue Planet (2001)

Life on Earth (1979)

Research investigation - deadlines and last minute tips

Deadlines

Your deadline depends on which block you are in. Your essay needs to be handed in at the end of your last Media lesson of the year. Just as a quick reminder, this works out as:

P block - Friday 14th July at 12:20pm (end of lesson)

R block - Thursday 13th July at 10:30am (end of lesson)

U block - Thursday 13th July at 12:20am (end of lesson)

Last minute tips

In order to get the highest grade, your investigation needs to demonstrate the following:

"Research will be excellent, covering a wide range of sources. These will be analysed and applied in a sophisticated way and presented a logical and coherent manner, supported by a range of sophisticated points. Quality of written communication will be sophisticated. A high degree of accuracy. Sophisticated ability to structure ideas effectively."

What the translates to is

• Research
• Lots of research
• Lots of different research
• Great points
• Looks good and makes sense

Therefore, if you want to maximise your grade, you must prioritise research above all else. You can find excellent sources online, on Google Books, or the LRC.

If you do not have at least 15 correctly cited sources, this should be completed right now, before your final session. If you need help on formatting, you'll find loads of links and tips here.

Remember, your research investigation is 22.5% of your A2 grade, and 45% of your second year coursework. So make sure you submit something of the highest possible quality before the end of the year!