AS Media introduction

Welcome to WJEC AS Media. Introduction to the Media Studies framework.

You will be involved with Unit 1: MS1 (50%) and Unit 2: MS2 (50%)

Unit 1: MS1. Exam
This is an externally assessed written exam paper (2 1/2 Hours) consisting of
three compulsory questions, including one question on unseen audio-visual or printbased
material (interactive media will be presented as print-based) (40, 30 & 30).
Exam to be taken next June 2015.

The exam questions will test your knowledge of Media Representations and Responses

In addition, you will complete coursework as part of Unit 2: MS3 
This is internally marked and externally moderated consisting of;
Three components: 
one pre-production (20); 
one production which develops from the
pre-production (40); 
and one report on the production process (40)
(Group work permitted for audio-visual productions only.)

The unit is to do with Media Production Processes,

Pre-production 
• The pre-production should be an artefact – for example a script, a storyboard a 
magazine front cover and contents page, a DVD cover, a CD cover (list not 
exhaustive!).

• Pre-productions should be informed by research undertaken but the research 
must not be submitted and can only be assessed as part of their report. Please 
do not submit research.

• As a guideline – storyboards should be around 15 frames long – this is to ensure 
that both technical and creative skills may be demonstrated. Storyboards should 
contain the following: shot duration, visual image of shot, camera instructions, 
audio details, and transitions between frames. Many Centres also add a 
comments box which is helpful. A template is available from WJEC.

• As a guideline – scripts should be between 8 – 10 pages (depending on the 
number of words on a page!) and should be accurately laid out following a 
recognisable format, for example BBC Writers’ Room has examples. It is useful 
for moderators to know what format your candidates have followed.

• Print pre-productions should be 1 – 2 pages but 2 pages allow candidates to 
demonstrate a fuller range of skills and is therefore recommended. 

Production
• Print productions should be 2 – 3 pages and audio-visual productions should be 
between 2 – 3 minutes.
• Group productions are allowed for audio-visual work but each member of the 
group must have a clearly defined technical role – for example camera, editing or 
sound (where there is significant sound design). Roles such as actor, director, 
locations manager are not acceptable.
• Both pre-productions and productions are assessed on both creative and 
technical competencies – so candidates need good technical skills as well as 
good ideas.


Report
A report 
thus consists of three elements: the research informing the preproduction; a brief 

indication of the target audience; and an evaluation of the production.

The evaluation part of the report should discuss the production’s strengths and 

weaknesses through a comparison with existing media products. Candidates who have been working in a group need to base their evaluation on their role –

for example camerawork or editing.

Although there must be a link between pre-production and production, there is
some flexibility in the nature of the tasks which can be set for pre-production and

production.

Examples of linked pre-production and production tasks include:

 A storyboard of the trailer for a new BBC1 television crime drama (preproduction)
and the trailer for that drama (production)

 A script or shooting script for the opening sequence of a teen horror film (preproduction)
and a marketing campaign for a new teen horror film, to include at
least the dvd cover and one poster (production)

 Draft designs for two magazine front covers (pre-production) and a double page

spread for one of those magazines (production)