T1 | W2 | Wed + Thurs - Conventions of short films (incl. Narrative conventions)

 Use the links below to do some research on  conventions (specifically but not exclusively, narrative conventions - essentially HOW a story is told).

Create a slide-show (or any blog tool for presentation) that summarises and presents your findings. 

You should have a minimum of 10 conventions that you've found AND include relevant examples from movies or TV series that demonstrate or use these effectively. 

(this task will lead into what we will do tomorrow)

Resource 1 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqdhrdm/revision/4

Resource 2 (slightly broader than just narrative but also effective research for HOW to tell a story in a short film)

https://raindance.org/3-elements-of-short-film-structure-you-need-to-know/

https://coggle.it/diagram/Wd6YvWgXiQABSh5g/t/short-film-conventions

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/codes-and-conventions-of-a-short-film/9389267

T1 | Wk 3 | Mon - Micro-narrative representation exercise

To make a good short film you have to be a good storyteller. 

Knowing what you know already of narrative conventions for a short film, pick a theme from the list below;

1. Guilt

2. Identity

3. Isolation

4. Redemption 

You must pitch a 1–2 minute story with:

• Beginning / middle / end

• One main character

• One turning point

  
  

• No dialogue allowed ('Show don't tell')

• Present your story pitch as a voice over, with a creative background video (this is fairly easy to create w/ AI)

You must use the conventions available to you to plan to convey your story. 

This will be out of 10 marks and will be assessed based on your ability to understand narrative conventions and construct a short film story, effectively. 

Representation in short film

 Activity;

You are being employed to write an article for the local newspaper. As a journalist you are going to base your piece on research.

You are going to 

1. Choose one of the core areas of society that we studied last year 

2. Find at least 2 films or TV series where we can examine this representation

3. Do a short study on how those characters are represented

4. Use your knowledge on Stuart Hall's reception theory to write a research piece on representation of this particular group in modern film or television 

T1 | Wk 1 Homework - Genre Study

 

You are going to choose 3 short films to analyse with the grid below;

Concept	Questions
Genre	How is genre signalled quickly? (conventions used)
Narrative	Linear? Open ending? Restricted?
Media Language	Camera, editing, sound choices
Representation	Who is shown? How? Why?
Audience	Who is this for? How do we know?

Actions: 

1. embed the short films into your blog, with correct title

2. draw up your table using a blog tool and use this as research for your major task

3. Publish to your blog 

Some examples below;

Thriller 

Dark Comedy 

T1 | Wk 1 | Friday - understanding narrative (Todorov)

Today you're going to start at the beginning with some research into Todorov's Narrative Theory.

You are going to explain it in a Canva slide-share and also look at some examples from films you've watched, as to how this theory is outworked practically. 

1. Provide a graphic you've made that show's the theory flow chart

2. Provide a description of the theory in your own words

3. Provide examples from THREE films where Todorov's narrative theory is in action

4. Explain the idea and concept of NARRATIVE and how you intend to use this in planning for your short film this year (application - how will you USE this knowledge) 

Watch these 2 videos for some more insight into the theory applied in film;

Welcome to A2 Media Studies 2026!

Hi team!

Welcome to a new year of Media Studies! You're going to have such a good year! 

Here's what I'd like you to do today; 

• Create an A2 Blog on blogger 
• Create your first blog post with an 'about me' post 
• Research some A2 blogs, include the links in your blog post

examples;

https://ladafranulovic.wordpress.com/

http://stma2mediastudies.blogspot.com/p/example-blogs.html

https://sulliemedia2.wordpress.com

• Document your thoughts on the course, the blogs you've looked at (what you liked/ didn't like), ideas off that bat that you think you may be interested in for your upcoming film task, provide examples of work you want to use as inspiration for your advanced portfolio

•  Take a look through the syllabus. Read the pages that outline your course and highlight the parts we are doing

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/636087-2024-2026-syllabus.pdf

P23 

T3 | Wk 9 | Friday - Video Game Censorship

   Task 1

Research what the MEDIA EFFECTS THEORY is. 

- Create a powerpoint that explains the main points using these links and including pictures

https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-assets/45690_book_item_45690.pdf

https://open.lib.umn.edu/mediaandculture/chapter/2-2-media-effects-theories/

Task 2

- Create a second blog post with the title - Video Game Censorship in NZ: Case Study 

- Comment on the banning of the video game that was referenced by recent Christchurch Mosque terror attacker. Provide details of the case and what happened as a result of the censorship.

- What are your thoughts on these cases in light of the Media Effects Theory? 

- What are some other controversial video games that have been rated in NZ?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/117050161/terrorist-publication-and-christchurch-shooting-video-game-banned

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-censor-idUSKBN1XA0D5

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/402193/game-designed-to-spread-hate-and-encourage-killing-banned-by-chief-censor

- Use this case study to reference a banned video game back in 2004 to comment on the first time NZ banned a video game and why;

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/prosecutions-over-banned-video-game/4TY4XLG2O6DKBU4JRKTMCGHLKU/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rockstars-manhunt-banned-in-new-zealand