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AS90599 Demonstrate understanding of a
specific media industry (4 credits).
AS90602 Explain the relationship between a
media genre and society (4 credits).
Respond to one of three statements.
Support your answer with specific evidence
(AS90602 = from at least three texts).
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Societies’ tastes and/or values shape genre.
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Genre can inform and/or influence society.
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Genre can play on the fears and/or desires of
society.
“A description of at least one recognisable
characteristic of your chosen genre.”
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The conventions of documentary film that
we now know so well.
Montage, interview, diagetic/ non-diagetic
music, vox pops, voiceover, archival footage.
“Perceptive analysis of at least two aspects of
the relationship between media genre and
society.”
 For example, the technological constraints faced
by Flaherty in filming Nanook were a product of
society at the time;
 as was the mildly racist attitude with which he
viewed his subject.
 Gimme Shelter described, and therefore was part
of, the end of the 1960’s social dream of free
love and happiness.
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“Reference to at least three specific media
texts.”
Quotes, descriptions, shots or scenes from
any of our viewing.
Nanook, Gimme Shelter, Bowling for
Columbine, Donated to Science, Chasing the
Ghost, Style Wars.
Working with a partner, choose an essay
question. Brainstorm:
1. Characteristics (conventions) you could
discuss (3+)
2. Aspects of the relationship between the
genre and society (2-3 ideally).
3. Media texts (I would expect to see 5 specific
examples in a 301 essay, especially one
aiming for Merit/Excellence).
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“Tastes and values”
How are attitudes formed from viewing
documentary film? Esp Nanook, Bowling for
Columbine.
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“Inform and/or influence” – how does
documentary film inform or influence audience
perceptions?
How does the audience perceive the USA after
watching Bowling for Columbine?
The Inuit after watching Nanook?
The Rolling Stones (or the 1960’s) after watching
Gimme Shelter?
Medical science after watching Donated to
Science?
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Once you have completed your essay plan,
work independently on writing it – aim for 3-4
main points, based around specific evidence
you aim to include.
Next Monday, we will compare finished
essays with our partners, and work to
develop a “model answer”.
Stuck? Check the Wiki for a model essay
referring specifically to our studied films.
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Compare progress with your partner. You
should look at:
The examples used.
The planned structure of the essay.
The conventions discussed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Choosing a question – Join the questions
group to discuss options.
Not sure what to write about – look on the
wiki for the exemplar essay.
Brainstorming details for your essay – use
your notes, the wiki, work with a partner, to
collect relevant details.
Planning the structure of your essay – see
Mr. Hanson to discuss.
1.
Goal for this period: move yourself forward
at least one stage.
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Tutorial Wed 12.50-1.50 is an essay tutorial.
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If you haven’t handed an essay to me to
mark, I will expect to see you on Wednesday,
when you can hand in a completed essay.
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Reminder: 3.2 Tasks 1 and 2 Due at the
beginning of the period on Friday.
A hard copy (on paper) is required.
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Write yourself focus question(s). Eg for the
inform/influence question:
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To what extent does the documentary genre
inform society accurately?
What are the reasons for this (in)accuracy?
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Re-word this question in your introduction,
conclusion, and use each body paragraph to
‘answer’ this question in part.
Body para 1:
 The documentary genre does not always
represent a subject accurately. For example, the
film “Nanook of the North….
 Example could be the walrus hunt –
reenactment
 The reasons for this inaccuracy are complex.
Flaherty was motivated by the culture of the
192o’s, in the attitude towards the Inuit people
his film presents. He wanted to show the Inuit in
the romantic, traditional way his audience would
expect to see them.
This paragraph:
 Makes a strong point about documentary
genre.
 Supports it with an example.
 Makes a link between the genre and society
(through culture).
 Discusses a convention of the genre (reenactment).