1. Tuesday 20th April 2010 Theoretical Evaluation of Production Exam Question 1(B)

2. Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production Question 1(b) requires you to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows:- Genre Narrative Representation Audience Media Language In your exam the question will be posed using ONE of the above concepts only!!!

3. In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only. In some circumstances, candidates will be expected to select the production that appears to relate most effectively to the specific concept that arises in the exam question. However, the requirement for candidates to evaluate one of their productions in relation to a concept does not assume that the concept will necessarilyalways fit easily and in an orthodox way. Thus in some cases candidates will be describing their productions in terms of them not relating straightforwardly to the concept. For example, a candidate producing three websites over their two portfolios might describe ways in A2 G325: Advanced Portfolio in Media Section A: TheoreticalEvaluation of Production which websites cannot be understood easily through applying conventional narrative theory.

4. Whether the candidate applies the concept to the product or uses the production to challenge the concept, it is essential that candidates are sufficiently knowledgeable about the concept for either approach. Candidates may choose to write about work undertaken at AS or A2, main task or preliminary/ancillary.

5. Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production For Question 1(b) students will have to choose one of their productions, either the AS production, the A2 main task, or any of the two ancillary tasks. The question will focus on only one of the following: Genre Narrative Representation Audience Media language

6. Genre What genre is the production? What are the codes and conventions of the production? How is the genre established in the candidates production? How does the mise-en-scène support the genre? What is the role of the specific elements of the mise-en-scène? Refer to props, costume, makeup, location, theme etc. What themes have been used? Have generic conventions been adhered to or subverted? How will the generic elements of production appeal to the audience? Narrative

7. Narrative Structure What is the narrative structure of the product? How do the specific elements of the production relate to the narrative structure? Does the production adhere to, or subvert, narrative conventions? How does the narrative support the establishment of the chosen genre of the production? How have narrative techniques been used to appeal to the audience? Refer to Todorov, Propp, Levi-Strauss, Barthes’ Enigma Code, multi-strand, restricted, unrestricted, non-linear etc.

8. Representation Representation theory – Dyer, Mulvey, Perkins etc. Identify characters, events or issues within the production to discuss. What representational concepts are highlighted? (i.e. race, gender, cultural attitudes etc.) What representations have been generated? Discuss the specific elements of character representation, i.e. modes of address, facial expression, costume, behaviour etc. Have any stereotypical representations been generated? Does the production conform to, or subvert, any dominant ideologies?