Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
T1 | wk 4 | Wed - Drama genre conventions
Hi guys,
In your exploration of the drama genre and how to pull it off, I'd like you to do some research.
I want you to find 3 drama film and/or short films and analyse the conventions of the genre, just like we did for the Thriller genre last year.
Explore;
- common themes
- codes (narrative and technical)
- conventions commonly used
- examples of successful drama films/ short film and what made them successful from an audience perspective
The closer to your idea, the better. If you are exploring themes of relationships and friendships or betrayal, look for examples similar and how they did that.
Present your findings in a blog tool. You have until Friday to complete this.
Here's some research help to start you off;
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/codes-and-conventions-of-drama-60946285/60946285
T1 | Wk 4 - Thurs - Fri Wk 5 - Planning for your Music Video (REJOICE)
Please watch the briefing video below and get on with your checklist for the week, it's a busy one! :)
This will be due NEXT WEEK FRIDAY so it will be a combination of class-work and homework.
1. Decide on an idea you're going to run with (pick a song & a genre)
2. Do a visual brainstorm with a few inspirational shots of what 'look and feel' you're wanting, ideas you're thinking of etc. Scan this and upload to your blog. This needs to look like a mood-board / vision- board and be very visually informing.
3. Film a PITCH for your music video (either via I-phone / camera). Upload this to your blog. (Pitch your film as though you were seeking investment for your project).
4. Audience research - Show your pitch to 10 people and gather initial feedback on the idea. Create a blog post that outlines the main thoughts about the idea from those who watched the pitch.
Questions to ask (along these lines)
- What genre do they listen to most?
- What do they expect out of your genre when considering a music video for the music? (what conventions / elements do they expect to be included)?
- Why do they watch music videos (if at all)?
- How often do they watch / consume music video content?
- What is their initial thoughts of your pitch and what critique (if any) do they have of your initial idea?
5. Create a CONCEPT and TREATMENT (using template documents provided) for your choice of music video. Upload this to your blog
6. Create a blog post that highlights some ideas for locations. You will want to include the following;
- photos/ stills from music videos whose look and feel is what you're using as inspiration
- a rationale behind your creative choices for location (remember to comment on location as a huge factor of mise-en-scene, perhaps how your location will influence your lighting options (is it set outside in natural light? Are you wanting shadows and artificial light? Are you wanting a bright 'sunny' day?)
- Options for your first, second and third choices of shooting locations. Put up photos, maps and a brief description of each location as well as pros and cons for each one. What may be a foreseeable hindrance (is it a public place with lots of people in the background? Is it subject to rain / weather? Would you need permission for specific buildings?)
7. Read through the Codes and Conventions research from last week. Include these in your concept and treatment, highlight codes and conventions you are choosing to use (or thinking of using) for your music video. Think about codes and conventions of your particular genre and then include some details and pictures for what you're planning on doing for the different technical elements that would all be the codes and conventions of your product.
Some A2 music videos for inspiration
1. Arctic Monkeys - 505 (this got an A grade)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4pRpUuEK0
2. Last I heard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5jKLVXSV14
3. Team - Lorde (A grade)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76JvDPNsX4
4. Sweater Weather
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVgfhV6L6fE
Sunday, February 15, 2026
T1 | Wk 4 | Mon - Tues - REJOICE
Representation Assignment
- Create a blog post labelled 'Representation Research'
- choose a group in society and analyse how they have been represented in particular music video genres.
- You may choose to look at something broad like 'women in hip-hop music videos ' , something like how a specific ethnic group/ race is portrayed or something more specific like love and romance in pop music videos.
Action Plan
- Find newspaper, blog or journal articles that have been written in response to the portrayal of these groups in the media that will form research for your project.
- Analyse 5 music videos and provide examples that conform to or challenge stereotypes.
- Summarise your findings in a research presentation.
- Include at least one theorist and apply the media theory to your findings, commenting on and describing how it is relevant to your findings.
T1 | Wk 4 | Monday - Pre-Production planning REJOICE
Resources for pre-production - Concept + Treatment
Read through these websites / articles and use this as research towards planning your own media product.
1. Conventions to borrow or talk about using
http://music--videos.weebly.com/styles-conventions-and-techniques
2. Styles of music videos
https://music-video36.webnode.co.uk/types-of-music-videos/
3. Mood + Tone explained
https://kinnu.xyz/kinnuverse/culture/how-to-actually-watch-movies/film-tone/
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
REJOICE - Wk 1 - Genre Study
Today is all about GENRE research! Watch the video then proceed to the tasks below;
This HOMEWORK IS DUE NEXT FRIDAY 7th FEB
PART A of Genre Research
Your task is to;
1. Read through this aryicle that explains different genres or types of MV's
https://media-studies.com/music-video-genre/
2. Watch the video below to start
2. Make notes into a blog post about what the genres are in this video and some characteristics of each
3. Choose 3 different music video genres and at least 2 music videos in each genre , embed clips of them from Youtube into your blog
4. Analyse technical/stylistic elements (filming, editing, mise-en-scene and sound)
5. Present your findings in a presentation blog tool (Canva / SLideshare etc)
6. Explain what your genre preference is for creating a music video and why
PART B of Genre Research
Start looking into those 3 genres you discussed in part A and answering the following questions in a blog post;
Look at
- what record labels tend to produce artists in those particular genres
- who is the target audience for those genres (what demograhic is mostly consuming that genre / downloading / watching on Youtube etc)
- How the brand / Artist represent themselves on album covers
- What cross-media-convergence opportunities have been utilised for those artists/ bands in those genres? (newspaper / magazine articles / front covers / TV interviews with celebrity shows / news media)?
T1| Wk 3 - Thurs (due Wed Wk 4) Major Task Planning PITCH
Today you guys are going to create a PITCH for your short film.
A pitch is a short, persuasive presentation that sells a film idea to producers by proving:
The idea is clear
The story is engaging
The audience is defined
The film is achievable
For A2 Media, it must show:
Narrative understanding
Genre conventions
Audience targeting
Industry awareness
Practical production thinking
Activity: DUE WED
Create a Pitch using the 8 step pitch structure below. Create a slideshow that will be presented as though you were pitching to potential investors, filmed and uploaded to your blog as a Youtube video.
This can be a shared task but should have equal input for marking purposes, both in the planning and the presentation.
You'll be marked on the following areas;
1. Content
- the actual idea
- clarity (clear, structured ideas)
- researched
- creative rationale for choices
- feasibility (realistic)
- audience awareness is specific and justified
2. presentation
- clarity in communication of idea (articulate and concise)
- professionalism
- persuasive and confidence in communicating the idea
- technological tools used in a sophisticated way
- articulate
The 8-Step Pitch Structure
Use this framework:
1. Title & Logline (Hook)
1–2 sentence summary
It must include:
Protagonist
Goal
Obstacle
Stakes
Example:
When a shy teen accidentally livestreams her private diary, she must track down the hacker before her secrets destroy her reputation.
2. Genre & Style
You should answer:
What genre?
Hybrid genre?
Tone? (dark, comedic, surreal, realist?)
Visual style?
Use references:
“Inspired by Black Mirror…”
“Shot in handheld realism like This Is England…”
This shows media literacy which is essential for A2.
3. Target Audience
You must define:
Age range
Gender skew (if relevant)
Psychographics (values, interests)
Where it would be distributed (festival? YouTube? streaming?)
Go beyond:
“Teenagers”
Rather “16–21 urban audiences interested in social realism and mental health narratives”4. Narrative Outline (Beginning–Middle–End)
Not the full script, just:
Setup
Conflict
Climax
Resolution
Keep it under 1 minute when spoken.
5. Characters
Brief description of:
Protagonist
Antagonist (or central conflict)
Key supporting role
Focus on:
Motivation
Internal conflict
Representation
6. Themes & Messages
What issues are explored?
Why does this matter now?
How does it reflect contemporary society?
This is where theory can be integrated ( Todorov, Hall, etc.)
7. Visual & Technical Approach
Students should mention:
Cinematography style
Colour palette
Sound design
Editing pace
Locations
Budget awareness
This proves production understanding.
8. Why This Film? (The Sell)
End with:
Why it’s original
Why audiences will care
Why it’s relevant today
This is the persuasive close.
Common Mistakes
Idea too big for a short film
No clear conflict
No target audience
Confusing genre
Overcomplicated plot
No clear ending
Reminder;
A short film is about one moment of change — not a whole life story.