component 2
Component 2 - Key Media Concepts
This is an externally assessed written component which covers two areas:
- Section A: Textual analysis and representation
- Section B: Institutions and audiences.
In Section A, candidates analyse a moving image extract in terms of technical codes and representation.
In Section B, candidates study a specific media industry from a choice of: film, music, print, radio or video
games.
The examination is two hours long (including 30 minutes for watching and making notes on the moving
image extract and 45 minutes writing time for each question) and candidates are required to answer two
questions. The unit is marked out of a total of 100, with each question marked out of 50.
This component assesses the following objectives:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using
terminology appropriately.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing media
products and when evaluating their own practical work.
Section A: Textual analysis and representation (50 marks)
The moving image extract will be provided by Cambridge in DVD format, with full instructions for the
administration of the examination, viewing conditions and note-taking time.
Centres must prepare candidates, in advance of the examination, to analyse how technical aspects of
the language and conventions of the moving image medium are used to create meaning for an audience.
Candidates should study a range of texts so that they can discuss, in response to the question, how the
following technical elements create specific representations of individuals, groups, events or places and
help to articulate specific messages and values that have social significance:
Camera shots, angle, movement and composition:
Editing:
This includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems.
Sound:
Mise-en-scène:
It is acknowledged that not every one of the above technical areas will feature in equal measure in any given
extract, and other areas may also be credited where appropriate. Examiners are instructed to bear this in
mind when marking the candidates’ answers and should not expect each aspect to be covered in the same
degree of detail, but as appropriate to the genre and extract provided and to the discussion of the extract’s
representation.
Candidates should be prepared to discuss, in response to the question, how these technical elements
contribute to the process of creating meaning.
For each session in 2015, the extract will be from an American TV drama and will last for a maximum of
five minutes. It will be played four times. The screening time will last a total of 30 minutes, including notetaking.
Centres need to consider the optimum conditions for screening the extract, so that no candidates are
disadvantaged.
Section B: Institutions and audiences (50 marks)
One question is to be answered from a choice of two.
Candidates should be prepared to discuss the processes of production, distribution and marketing as
they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the
relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
This component should be approached through contemporary examples in the form of contrasting case
studies within one of the media areas specified below. Case studies may be global or local or both.
Examples should include the following:
Film
A study of specific studios or production companies, including patterns of production, distribution, exhibition
and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of contemporary film distribution
practices (digital cinemas, DVD, 3D, downloads, etc.) and their impact upon production, marketing and
consumption.
Music
A study of particular record labels within the contemporary music industry, including patterns of production,
distribution, marketing and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of wider
issues around digital distribution of music.
Print
A study of contemporary newspaper and/or magazine publishing, including the ways in which the web is
raising issues for the production, distribution and consumption of print media.
Radio
A study of examples from the contemporary radio industry, examining production, distribution and broadcast
practices, as well as audience consumption. This should be accompanied by study of the impact of DAB and
internet broadcasting on radio production practices, marketing and audience consumption.
Video games
A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming
platforms, along with its reception by a variety of audiences. This should be accompanied by study of the
impact of next generation capabilities on the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of games.
In Section B, candidates study a specific media industry from a choice of: film, music, print, radio or video
games.
The examination is two hours long (including 30 minutes for watching and making notes on the moving
image extract and 45 minutes writing time for each question) and candidates are required to answer two
questions. The unit is marked out of a total of 100, with each question marked out of 50.
This component assesses the following objectives:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using
terminology appropriately.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing media
products and when evaluating their own practical work.
Section A: Textual analysis and representation (50 marks)
The moving image extract will be provided by Cambridge in DVD format, with full instructions for the
administration of the examination, viewing conditions and note-taking time.
Centres must prepare candidates, in advance of the examination, to analyse how technical aspects of
the language and conventions of the moving image medium are used to create meaning for an audience.
Candidates should study a range of texts so that they can discuss, in response to the question, how the
following technical elements create specific representations of individuals, groups, events or places and
help to articulate specific messages and values that have social significance:
Camera shots, angle, movement and composition:
- shots: establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, wide shot, two-shot, aerial shot,
- angle: high angle, low angle, canted angle
- movement: pan, tilt, track, dolly, crane, steadicam, hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom
- composition: framing, rule of thirds, depth of field – deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.
Editing:
This includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems.
- cutting: shot/reverse shot, eyeline match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel
- other transitions: dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion,
Sound:
- diegetic and non-diegetic sound, synchronous/asynchronous sound, sound effects, sound motif, sound
- soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound
Mise-en-scène:
- production design: location, studio, set design, costume and make-up, properties
- lighting, colour design.
It is acknowledged that not every one of the above technical areas will feature in equal measure in any given
extract, and other areas may also be credited where appropriate. Examiners are instructed to bear this in
mind when marking the candidates’ answers and should not expect each aspect to be covered in the same
degree of detail, but as appropriate to the genre and extract provided and to the discussion of the extract’s
representation.
Candidates should be prepared to discuss, in response to the question, how these technical elements
contribute to the process of creating meaning.
For each session in 2015, the extract will be from an American TV drama and will last for a maximum of
five minutes. It will be played four times. The screening time will last a total of 30 minutes, including notetaking.
Centres need to consider the optimum conditions for screening the extract, so that no candidates are
disadvantaged.
Section B: Institutions and audiences (50 marks)
One question is to be answered from a choice of two.
Candidates should be prepared to discuss the processes of production, distribution and marketing as
they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the
relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
- the issues raised by media ownership and funding in contemporary media practice
- the importance of cross-media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing
- the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution,
- the significance of the spread of such technologies for institutions and audiences
- the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences
- the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences by international or global institutions
- the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and
This component should be approached through contemporary examples in the form of contrasting case
studies within one of the media areas specified below. Case studies may be global or local or both.
Examples should include the following:
Film
A study of specific studios or production companies, including patterns of production, distribution, exhibition
and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of contemporary film distribution
practices (digital cinemas, DVD, 3D, downloads, etc.) and their impact upon production, marketing and
consumption.
Music
A study of particular record labels within the contemporary music industry, including patterns of production,
distribution, marketing and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of wider
issues around digital distribution of music.
A study of contemporary newspaper and/or magazine publishing, including the ways in which the web is
raising issues for the production, distribution and consumption of print media.
Radio
A study of examples from the contemporary radio industry, examining production, distribution and broadcast
practices, as well as audience consumption. This should be accompanied by study of the impact of DAB and
internet broadcasting on radio production practices, marketing and audience consumption.
Video games
A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming
platforms, along with its reception by a variety of audiences. This should be accompanied by study of the
impact of next generation capabilities on the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of games.