First year - Prepare for your first key assessment
This really takes priority over everything. Because you have access to the assessment now you can plan out and practice your response before you write it up on your first lesson back after half term.
If you have any questions about your assessment, remember to ask your teacher BEFORE THE HALF TERM HOLIDAY.
Second year (and first year) - Watch sci-fi TV shows
You will start your study of TV in the global age this week. You will be studying Humans (the English version, not the Swedish version, which is just as good) and The Returned (the French version, not the English version, which is not very good). In order to contextualise your study, it would be ideal to watch as many science fiction/'dark fantasy' TV shows as possible. Here are a few suggestions and how you might find them
MANY OF THESE TV SHOWS ARE INTENDED FOR ADULT AUDIENCES. PLEASE CHECK FOR ANY CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE WATCHING.
3% - Netflix - Brazilian sci-fi series that combines the survival elements of Saw and The Hunger Games and uses it to explore themes of hierarchy and political corruption in South America
Altered Carbon - Netflix - Super trashy forgotten cyberpunk book gets a big budget TV adaptation. Loads of great ideas, but be warned about the copious sex and violence
American Gods - Amazon - Adaptation of a much loved Neil Gaiman novel that bombards the audience with a ridiculous yet compelling scenario. Gorgeous cinematography and excellent sound design
Black Mirror - Netflix - Much loved British sci-sci exploring the relationship between humans and technology
Cowboy Bebop - Netflix - Classic sci-fi/western/crime/noir hybrid anime that ping pongs between moods and genre.
Devilman Crybaby - Netflix - Massive warning: this stylish anime based on a 70's comic book anti-hero is about as extreme as it gets. However the powerful anti-war message, the subversive gender representation. plus the ridiculously assured mise-en-scene make this worth the viewing for brave audiences
Dr Who - TV - You might of heard of this. And the new series has just started!
Jessica Jones - Netflix - A fun subversion of the typical hypermasculine superhero narrative
Maniac - Netflix - Bizarro, genre bending craziness from the director of True Detective. Impossible to describe, just make sure you watch the whole thing
Rick and Morty - Netflix - One of the best ways to understand a genre is to watch a parody. Yet this witty subversion of the classic Back to the Future dynamic quickly became its own thing, jumping between gross-out comedy and surprisingly touching moments
Star Trek - The Next Generation - Netflix - The TV equivalent of a hot bath and a cup of tea, ST:TNG is ridiculously influential, and, and it's best, very fun. Check out the excellently developed and diverse representational themes, too
Stranger Things - Netflix - This 80's homage got crazy popular among nostalgia hungry teens. Expect them to churn out several more series before the cast get too old
Twin Peaks - DVD - Weird, funny, scary and regarded as one of the best TV shows ever made. It influenced everything from Riverdale to The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time to The Returned, Silent Hill and probably 100000 other things too