REVISION TIPS
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Overall conditions
The examination will be scheduled at a time and date to be set annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.There will be 15 minutes reading time and two hours writing time. VCAA examination rules will apply. Details of these rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook.The examination will be marked by assessors appointed by the VCAA.
The examination will contribute 45 per cent to the Study Score.
Content
The VCE Media Study Design 2012–2016 is the document for the development of the examination. All key knowledge and key skills that underpin Outcome 1 in Unit 3 and Outcomes 2 and 3 in Unit 4 are examinable.
Format
The examination will consist of three sections.
Section A: Narrative – students will be required to write on at least two narrative texts, as defined in the study design (page 20).
Section B: Media texts and society’s values – students will be required to nominate the texts being used for their response.
Section C: Media influence.
Each section will include 2–5 short answer or extended response questions, and be worth 20–25 marks.
All questions will be compulsory. The examination will be out of 65 marks. The examination paper may include material such as stills, posters, script extracts, diagrams, newspaper extracts and illustrations. The examination will be presented in a question and answer book.
Criteria
The following criteria will be used by the examination panel when writing questions and by assessors when marking the examination.
General 1.Understanding and appropriate use of media terms and terminology
Narrative 2. Knowledge of the nature and function of production and story elements in fictional media texts
3.Analysis of how narrative is organised and constructs meaning in fictional media texts
Media texts and society’s values
4.Knowledge of the relationship between society’s values, discourse and media texts
5.Knowledge of a social issue or discourse constructed and distributed through media texts
6.Analysis of the construction, distribution and interpretation of society’s values as represented in media texts
Media influence
7.Knowledge of communication and audience theories and their application to media texts
8.Understanding of arguments relating to media influence
The examination will be scheduled at a time and date to be set annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.There will be 15 minutes reading time and two hours writing time. VCAA examination rules will apply. Details of these rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook.The examination will be marked by assessors appointed by the VCAA.
The examination will contribute 45 per cent to the Study Score.
Content
The VCE Media Study Design 2012–2016 is the document for the development of the examination. All key knowledge and key skills that underpin Outcome 1 in Unit 3 and Outcomes 2 and 3 in Unit 4 are examinable.
Format
The examination will consist of three sections.
Section A: Narrative – students will be required to write on at least two narrative texts, as defined in the study design (page 20).
Section B: Media texts and society’s values – students will be required to nominate the texts being used for their response.
Section C: Media influence.
Each section will include 2–5 short answer or extended response questions, and be worth 20–25 marks.
All questions will be compulsory. The examination will be out of 65 marks. The examination paper may include material such as stills, posters, script extracts, diagrams, newspaper extracts and illustrations. The examination will be presented in a question and answer book.
Criteria
The following criteria will be used by the examination panel when writing questions and by assessors when marking the examination.
General 1.Understanding and appropriate use of media terms and terminology
Narrative 2. Knowledge of the nature and function of production and story elements in fictional media texts
3.Analysis of how narrative is organised and constructs meaning in fictional media texts
Media texts and society’s values
4.Knowledge of the relationship between society’s values, discourse and media texts
5.Knowledge of a social issue or discourse constructed and distributed through media texts
6.Analysis of the construction, distribution and interpretation of society’s values as represented in media texts
Media influence
7.Knowledge of communication and audience theories and their application to media texts
8.Understanding of arguments relating to media influence
Short Answer tips
Use the following structure:
•Name the element
•Describe how it’s been used
•Explain why it’s been used
•Describe the effect on the audience (in relation to what the question is asking)
How has lighting been used to establish character in one of the texts you have studied this year?
In the film V for Vendetta(2005), lighting has been effectively used to establish the main protagonist known as ‘V’. One scene where you see this effective use of lighting is where V first meets Evie. The scene is in a darkened alleyway at night. Evie is out after curfew and is assaulted by a group of ‘fingermen’. The masked character V fights off the fingermen before introducing himself to Evie. Although the scene’s lighting could be seen as naturastic (due to the low key lighting of the night time alleyway), the key light on V face is very expressive. Whenever V is shot, hard light is angled carefully to get the maximum effect on his mask. This lighting has been used for various reasons. In one way it acts as a subtle a substitute for V’s facial expressions and adds to the mysteriousness of the character. The audience also gets the impression that V has a dark side, and puts them in the shoes of Evie, asking the questions “Can this person be trusted?” and “Is he dangerous?”
Describe how one production element has been used to convey ‘Point of View’ (story element) in one of the narratives you have studied.
(NAME) In the film Fargo (1996) Acting (production element) has been used effectively to convey the point of view (story element) of Jerry Lundegaard the main protagonist of the film text. (DESCRIBE) In the opening sequence Jerry meets Carl and Gaear; two small time crooks he has hired to kidnap his wife in exchange for $40 000. Initially the point of view is of Jerry’s car driving through the snow so we may believe that the text will be from Jerry’s point of view as his acting is nervous and defensive in the face of the over confident and abrasive kidnappers. (EXPLAIN) In the final scene Jerry is found trying to escape from the police, his actions are wild and out of control as he kicks and screams like a man who is insane. (EFFECT) Because the point of view has become omniscient in the film text we feel less and less empathy for Jerry and identify him as the object of pity not sympathy.
Identify one production element and One story element in a scene of a film you have studied. Explain how these two elements contribute to the development of character. .
Choose Text – Run Lola Run
Choose Scene – Casino
Choose production element – Acting
Choose story element – Structure of time
Chosen story element – (development of…) Character
PRODUCTION ELEMENT – NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
STORY ELEMENT - NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
•Name the element
•Describe how it’s been used
•Explain why it’s been used
•Describe the effect on the audience (in relation to what the question is asking)
How has lighting been used to establish character in one of the texts you have studied this year?
In the film V for Vendetta(2005), lighting has been effectively used to establish the main protagonist known as ‘V’. One scene where you see this effective use of lighting is where V first meets Evie. The scene is in a darkened alleyway at night. Evie is out after curfew and is assaulted by a group of ‘fingermen’. The masked character V fights off the fingermen before introducing himself to Evie. Although the scene’s lighting could be seen as naturastic (due to the low key lighting of the night time alleyway), the key light on V face is very expressive. Whenever V is shot, hard light is angled carefully to get the maximum effect on his mask. This lighting has been used for various reasons. In one way it acts as a subtle a substitute for V’s facial expressions and adds to the mysteriousness of the character. The audience also gets the impression that V has a dark side, and puts them in the shoes of Evie, asking the questions “Can this person be trusted?” and “Is he dangerous?”
Describe how one production element has been used to convey ‘Point of View’ (story element) in one of the narratives you have studied.
(NAME) In the film Fargo (1996) Acting (production element) has been used effectively to convey the point of view (story element) of Jerry Lundegaard the main protagonist of the film text. (DESCRIBE) In the opening sequence Jerry meets Carl and Gaear; two small time crooks he has hired to kidnap his wife in exchange for $40 000. Initially the point of view is of Jerry’s car driving through the snow so we may believe that the text will be from Jerry’s point of view as his acting is nervous and defensive in the face of the over confident and abrasive kidnappers. (EXPLAIN) In the final scene Jerry is found trying to escape from the police, his actions are wild and out of control as he kicks and screams like a man who is insane. (EFFECT) Because the point of view has become omniscient in the film text we feel less and less empathy for Jerry and identify him as the object of pity not sympathy.
Identify one production element and One story element in a scene of a film you have studied. Explain how these two elements contribute to the development of character. .
Choose Text – Run Lola Run
Choose Scene – Casino
Choose production element – Acting
Choose story element – Structure of time
Chosen story element – (development of…) Character
PRODUCTION ELEMENT – NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
STORY ELEMENT - NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Extended Response Tips
Extended questions are worth more marks (short answers are around 5 marks, while extended questions are around 15 marks). Due to this the questions are more complex. You must try a break down the question. There are various ways to do this depending on the question, but you should always try and use the NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN AND EFFECT structure when talking about elements.
Question
Analyse the way that one of the following story elements is used in both of the narrative texts you have studied this year.
• opening and/or closing sequences
• cause and effect including character motivations
• multiple storylines and how they interrelate
• point(s) of view from which the narrative is presented
In your answer you must also refer to two or more production elements. Use specific examples from each narrative text to support your analysis.
You need to break down to the mini questions that is inside of the large question. This way you are not overwhelmed.
Structure of answers –
First text
• Chosen Story Element
- Production Element 1 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Production Element 2 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
Second text
• Chosen Story Element
- Production Element 1 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Production Element 2 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
EXAMPLE
V for Vendetta (2005)
•Point of View
- Camera (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Sound (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
American Beauty (1999)
•Point of View
- Camera (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Sound (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
Final paragraph comparing and contrasting the two texts.
Chosen story element
Name
Describe
Explain
Effect
In the film V for Vendetta (2005) the narrative is presented from various characters point of view, but the main point of view is from the character Evie. This is evident by the use of camera in the scene where Evie is hiding out in the house of her boss, Gordon Deitrich. After he broadcasts a TV show that mocks the Councillor, Creedy and his troops storm Gordon’s home. Gordon just has enough time to tell Evie to hide. As Evie hides under the bed the audience sees a very low point of view shot of the feet of Creedy and his men as they burst into the room. We then see a close up of Gordon’s blooded face as he looks at Evie as he is beaten on the floor. These shots put the audience in the position of Evie, giving her limited view of the events that are happening in the room. It makes the audience identify with her fear and helplessness as these violent events unfold.
Sound is also used to show the film from Evie’s point of view. In the film’s opening scenes, the audience see a flash back to the historical events involving Guy Fawkes and the gun powder plot to blow up Parliament in the 1600’s. As the scene unfolds and Guy Fawkes is captured and executed, we hear a voice over (which we later identify as Evie). Her voice over details the events of Novemeber 5th and the power of an idea, and how the power of an idea would change the world 400 years later. This voice over introduces the film and identifies the events in the flashback. It gives the audience an idea of when the film is set and sets up a main theme in the film – that ideas are powerful. It also identifies Evie as a type of narrator and gives the audience the impression that this is her retelling a story that has already happened.
Compare the way 2 production elements and 2 story elements combine contribute to our understanding of the 2 narratives you have studied this year. You may discuss one or more sequences from each text.
First text – Run Lola Run
Chosen Story Element 1
- Production Element 1 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Chosen Story Element 2
- Production Element 2 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Second text – Little Miss Sunshine
Chosen Story Element 1
- Production Element 1 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Chosen Story Element 2
- Production Element 2 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Final conclusive paragraph comparing the two texts
Question
Analyse the way that one of the following story elements is used in both of the narrative texts you have studied this year.
• opening and/or closing sequences
• cause and effect including character motivations
• multiple storylines and how they interrelate
• point(s) of view from which the narrative is presented
In your answer you must also refer to two or more production elements. Use specific examples from each narrative text to support your analysis.
You need to break down to the mini questions that is inside of the large question. This way you are not overwhelmed.
Structure of answers –
First text
• Chosen Story Element
- Production Element 1 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Production Element 2 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
Second text
• Chosen Story Element
- Production Element 1 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Production Element 2 (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
EXAMPLE
V for Vendetta (2005)
•Point of View
- Camera (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Sound (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
American Beauty (1999)
•Point of View
- Camera (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
- Sound (Name, Describe, Explain, Effect)
Final paragraph comparing and contrasting the two texts.
Chosen story element
Name
Describe
Explain
Effect
In the film V for Vendetta (2005) the narrative is presented from various characters point of view, but the main point of view is from the character Evie. This is evident by the use of camera in the scene where Evie is hiding out in the house of her boss, Gordon Deitrich. After he broadcasts a TV show that mocks the Councillor, Creedy and his troops storm Gordon’s home. Gordon just has enough time to tell Evie to hide. As Evie hides under the bed the audience sees a very low point of view shot of the feet of Creedy and his men as they burst into the room. We then see a close up of Gordon’s blooded face as he looks at Evie as he is beaten on the floor. These shots put the audience in the position of Evie, giving her limited view of the events that are happening in the room. It makes the audience identify with her fear and helplessness as these violent events unfold.
Sound is also used to show the film from Evie’s point of view. In the film’s opening scenes, the audience see a flash back to the historical events involving Guy Fawkes and the gun powder plot to blow up Parliament in the 1600’s. As the scene unfolds and Guy Fawkes is captured and executed, we hear a voice over (which we later identify as Evie). Her voice over details the events of Novemeber 5th and the power of an idea, and how the power of an idea would change the world 400 years later. This voice over introduces the film and identifies the events in the flashback. It gives the audience an idea of when the film is set and sets up a main theme in the film – that ideas are powerful. It also identifies Evie as a type of narrator and gives the audience the impression that this is her retelling a story that has already happened.
Compare the way 2 production elements and 2 story elements combine contribute to our understanding of the 2 narratives you have studied this year. You may discuss one or more sequences from each text.
First text – Run Lola Run
Chosen Story Element 1
- Production Element 1 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Chosen Story Element 2
- Production Element 2 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Second text – Little Miss Sunshine
Chosen Story Element 1
- Production Element 1 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Chosen Story Element 2
- Production Element 2 NAME, DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, EFFECT
Final conclusive paragraph comparing the two texts