This week, Year 12 Media Studies pupils have expanded their classroom from the usual four walls to take in the entire Shiplake site, as they swapped pens and paper for cameras and scripts. Working on a practical project, the Sixth Form pupils were given the brief to create an opening of an original television show, filmed on the College grounds. The class was split into smaller groups, and eagerly embarked on the project, using the College grounds for their locations. This is the first opportunity in the Media course for students to get to grips with the equipment used to create films, television shows, music videos and other moving image texts. Head of Media Studies Mr Marcus Milburn explains further:
‘This is a fun project that allows the students to accomplish a number of things. Firstly, it is an opportunity to reflect on their understanding of moving image theory and create a piece of media that carries a meaning; a skill that they need to have when analysing other media texts. Secondly, it allows the students to independently learn a range of practical skills, from shot composition and framing to editing. All of these skills are vital for when they start their practical coursework in the New Year. They are coming to this project with an open mind and a whole range of TV genres are being made and the groups are determined to make the most of what they will learn this week. I hope that this project sparks their curiosity and motivates them to produce bigger and better media texts in the future.’
The practical work not only allows the pupils the opportunity to experiment with equipment and develop a better understanding of the world of moving image, but it provides the foundation for the necessary skills needed when producing their practical coursework, upon which a large percentage of their final AS Level grade rests. The group are in the midst of editing the pieces, having done most of the filming during the lessons. Getting to grips with editing software is the next challenge, and Mr Milburn hopes that this hands-on approach will assist when editing future coursework.