- 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 NarrativeUmberto 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(!)
Walter Benjamin - The Work Of Art In The Age Of Mechanical Reproduction - Michael's favourite essay ever(!)
The television industry
Suggested television programmes
Silicon Valley (2014)
Westworld (2016)
Snog, Marry, Avoid? (2008)
Love Island (2015)
The Blue Planet (2001)
Life on Earth (1979)