Premilinary Task

For our preliminary task we had to get into groups of maximum four, however I had selected two of my peers to work with. I had chosen two individuals that I was able to feel confident around, yet also able to produce a video which incorporated all of the conventions that were needed without any disagreements being raised. I had chosen Amelia and Avril.
I and my group were unsure on what particular genre to use when creating our video. We had mixed ideas and made several alterations when planning. We firstly thought of using the genre thriller; however we thought that would be slightly more difficult, as the task only had to last for the duration of 15 seconds. We were told that we had to use a 180 degrees rule, shot reverse shot and match on action; therefore we had to ensure that our video had included all of these elements.
We had to produce a story board before filming, so that we were able to use it as a base to work from. At times several disagreements were raised as we all had our own ideas; however we had combined our ideas together to then make final decisions. Creating a story board was extremely useful and vital as it made it clear on what to expect on each section of our video. The most significant element of this task was making sure we had integrated the conventions; otherwise our video would be unsuccessful.
We had resolute into filming just a conversation, as we believed no complications would be raised and the filming only had to last for 15 seconds, therefore nothing major had to happen. We had decided as a group who would be part of acting in the video, we had chose Avril and a peer of ours called Temi who was also willing to take part. Amelia and myself wasn’t entirely confident on acting as we knew we would be easily distracted, and we didn’t want our video to be a failure, therefore we settled with using Avril.
I found this task extremely easy, as capturing various shots to then combine to produce a final outcome was very straight forward. Never the less, I believe a huge weakness of our video was the lack of imagination that we used, as it wasn’t very interesting. It took several attempts to capture the most professional shot; however after several tries we were able to get it.
Once we had various shots we then had to combine this to produce a final video. We had transferred our work onto the Imac computers so that we were able to make further adjustments and development. I thought our video was appropriate and appealing for our first task, and it was apparent what particular improvements and development needed to be made for when doing our next filming task.
We had used final cut express to edit our video, to make changes by erasing parts that were needed and to render each section of the video together to make it flow. This part of the task was by far the most hardest, as I wasn’t fully advanced with final cut express, therefore I was unaware of how to do certain things. However, once being instructed I was then able to work it.
As a group we had edited our video, we had erased a part where Avril had walked close to the camera and was just awkwardly smiling. We had removed this exacting part we it looked extremely unprofessional and odd as it didn’t flow with the rest of the video. We had combined each section together so that the match on action had worked, the shot reverse shot and also the 180 degrees rule.
I believe our video was a success as the match on action had worked perfectly with the use of walking through the door, then coming out of the door. The shot reverse shot had worked, however, I believe we could had made the conversation a tad longer so that we were able to prove that we fully understood this convention. And we had used the 180 degree rule when Avril and Temi hugged. A huge weakness of ours as a group was we had to observe the video as a whole to realise where we had used the 180 degree rule, this was rather unprofessional as we should had ensured before filming where we would be using it  so that we were completely aware. We had used all of the convetions that were needed yet I believe we had used them in an extremely simple way. A huge improvment that could had be considered was trying to challenge and develop the conventions further, so that we had used them in a much more fascintating way.
I had enjoyed doing this task as it made me feel a lot more confident and comfortable to then do the main task that we soon will be doing. I had feel a lot more superior with using cut express and the flip cameras, therefore I believe our video was an achievement for the first initial task.

 

Why I chose to study A level Media Studies?

Before studying Media studies as a GCSE I wasn't entirely aware of the topics in which it involved. However, once beginning the topic I had realised that media is something that I’m extremely interested by. Therefore I was eager to take it as An A level.
At times I do find it rather tricky nevertheless, due to media being my preferred subject; it strives me to accomplish successful work in both my course work and exams.
I had chosen to study media as I believe it’s a subject which can link with my own lifestyle, due to using media every day. I am keen to know how the media does work, as I am constantly using it myself i.e. television, radio, magazines etc.
The media has become a huge influence in my life through dissimilar methods, as it gives me aspiration to what I want to achieve in my later career. I hope to study media at university as I believe it will lead me to different pathways for job opportunities. After taking Media studies for a GCSE I instantly had realisation that I take pleasure out of studying it therefore want a job which could involve the knowledge that I had gained, preferably a journalist
I was enthusiastic to continue with Media studies as an A level, as it is a subject that I not only learn from but also enjoy doing. Studying media has enabled me to have a higher understanding of society and how it functions.
The media is a major part of my lifestyle as I constantly listen to music and go on the internet mainly to use social networking sites such as twitter and face book. I often read magazines which give me with inspiration, because of the information that is exposed i.e. the latest fashion.  I have many role models which I would desire to be like.
I believe Media is a vital subject to be alert of becuase it helps you adapt to particular things in society, it provides you with facts, entertainment etc.
Media is a subject which I find extremely interesting. I admire learning about how it works, why it does specific things etc, and hope to use it in my later life.

Does the Media reflect society and how we live or does it influence society and how we live?

DOES THE MEDIA REFLECT SOCIETY AND HOW WE LIVE OR DOES IT INFLUENCE SOCIETY AND HOW WE LIVE?

Many judgements could be raised with this theory, due to the media being such a huge impact on individual’s lives. Media reaches mass audiences from all around the world; therefore it is difficult to review what theory is correct. We view Media as a huge source which provides us as a society with information weather it is valid or not. 
Information that is incorporated within the media industry could suggest that it influences the way an individual lives their lives. Never the less, it does this in both positive and negative ways. The non fiction and fiction information provides individuals with inspiration, as it advertises things that the audience will then want, i.e. a celebrity in a magazine having a particular hairstyle, which will then immediately influence those who are reading to copy that hair style. If the media didn't influence us then surely trends wouldn't subsist? However, perhaps it depends on the choices and concepts which individuals make to adapt to their lifestyles therefore aren’t implied as an influence. 
I believe the media encourages all ages to behave in a specific way, as those who perceive the media are those who are eager to aspire to what ever/who ever they are reading/watching/listening about. Individuals are more likely to copy what is being portrayed in the media, as it is seen as more highly acceptable in society. 
The media exposes all types of subjects, therefore if it does influence individuals to act a specific way, it doesn't always have a positive affect on their lives. It could lead characters to make wrong decisions and choices. 
In my opinion the audience are affected by the media to a certain extent, as what is being published then powers those to act in a particular way, as individuals see the media as a true image. The media is continuously represented in a stereotypical view, however I believe it is only stereotypical due to the inspirations that it has had over people’s lives to then form an outcome of a stereotype. The media is encouraging from a viewer’s perspective, as it portrays expectations of how we should behave in society. The media is extremely engaging and entertaining to the audience therefore it persuades them with particular things.
Alternatively, the media could advocate that it reflects how we live in society. I believe the media doesn’t always set a true figure to what it actually occurring in society. The media isn’t always correct about what is being published as it constantly receives criticism afterwards (how it lies). The media often exaggerates how the audience behave in society, which then creates moral panic. It enables individuals to view society with many more negatives than there actually is. However, the media could reflect how we behave as it embraces true stories which then imitate on individual’s behaviour i.e. a soap on television which involves strong inappropriate language, can reflect on those who do use inappropriate language in their behaviour. The media's duties’ is to report on what is happening in the world, including more significant cases than others, therefore it could be classed as reflecting on the way in which we live in society.
I believe the main device of media which reflects how we behave in society is newspapers. Newspapers seem to have a much more serious and threatening approach in comparison to television radio and magazines, as it consists of cases that have actually happened i.e. murders, fraud etc, therefore it can reflect on how individuals do behave in society. In my opinion the media doesn't always reflect on how society behaves as it underestimates particular stories.
The media creates huge stereotypes on how we behave which can then indicate for individuals to follow that stereotype. It could be suggested that it doesn’t reflect or influence on how we behave in society, and could just depend on the characteristics and genes that particular people have (primary and secondary socialisation)
Some Sociologists would argue that the Media is presented to be " a hypodermic syringe model" as it injects individuals with information which then will both reflect and influence the way that person will act/look/behave etc.
Over all, I believe the media does influence a person’s behaviour in society, due to the manipulative and persuasive actions that are used in the media which then create someone to behave in a certain way. To an extent the media does reflect how we behave in society, but in my opinion that’s because of the influences the media has provoked on the audience.