Media Studies

“The medium is the message.” Marshall McLuhan.

In Media our students actively explore and analyse media texts and create their own media products. We learn how to examine the role of the media in society, and how media texts are produced, controlled, and disseminated.

At year 10, students unpack the subject’s key concepts of Genre and Representation. They reflect on their learning as they create public service announcements that tackle issues of concern to them personally and the wider Roskill community.

Year 11 learners delve more deeply into their own relationship with the media, investigating genres from Coming-of-Age films to Reality Television. They also apply audience and genre theory as they work collaboratively to plan, film and edit their own music videos.

In year 12, akonga interact with and produce an ever-wider variety of texts across genres (from Musicals to Zombies) and formats (from short narrative films to television opening sequences). They also draw on their own cultural capital to write screenplays and online feature articles.

At year 13, students research more sophisticated and challenging texts (from Gangsters to Neo Noir). They further analyse how the media propagates messages and values about individuals, communities, and cultures and how this impacts on our lives. Students hone their technical skills in the creation of researched documentaries, which reflect their place in the world as ‘critical, active, informed and responsible citizens’.

HOD Media Studies – Vicky Bogle

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies from the University of Canterbury, Master of Arts (Hons.) in Film, Television and Media Studies from the University of Auckland.

Experience: 4 years teaching English as a Second Language, 13 Years teaching Media Studies at MRGS.

Why I teach my subject: We never had the opportunity to study Media in my school days, and as the subject is constantly evolving we Media teachers are on as much of a journey of discovery as our students. In Media we learn from each other how to actively explore and interpret the mysteries of the media and its products. And when the students plan and shoot their own films, we are perpetually in awe at their imagination and resourcefulness. Our students’ creations inspire us to dream along with them..

Why I teach at MRGS: Our students are the friendliest, most aspiring and inspiring young New Zealanders one could ever hope to work with. I look forward every day to hearing their stories and seeing their smiles. The staff at MRGS, too are like a second family. Everyone cares for and supports one another, and ensures there’s never a dull moment.

Courses and Pathways

Year 10 Media

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

N/A

BYOD Recommendations:

The department has computers for editing, but students can edit on their laptops, provided they have Adobe Premiere Pro installed.

Who is this course for?

Year 10 Media Studies introduces students to what the media is and the role the media plays in our lives.

Over two terms you will:

  • Study the features of a film genre
  • Learn the language of film and how to use it to create your own media products
  • Learn how to use production technology (camera, tripod and editing software)
  • Plan and produce a public service announcement
  • Create a ‘sweded’ movie.

Media Studies includes lots of opportunities for thinking, working collaboratively and strengthening your communication skills.

The subject is offered at years 10, 11, 12 and 13 and Scholarship. It can lead to a career or qualification in Communications, Journalism, Film and/or Television at university and other tertiary institutions.

Year 11 Media

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

Up to 19 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

The department has computers for editing, but students can edit on their laptops, provided they have Adobe Premiere Pro installed.

Who is this course for?

Media Studies is for students who want to actively explore, analyse, create, and enjoy the media and its products.

In year 11 you will:

  • Examine the characteristics of a film or television genre (for example, road movies or reality TV)
  • Learn how elements of media language can be used to interpret a scene from a film
  • Research how different demographic groups (for example, millennial teens) use social media
  • Conceive, plan, design and produce a music video that engages a target audience.

Creativity, collaboration and managing self are keys skills needed for success in Media Studies, along with excellent written and oral communication skills.

Media Studies is also offered at years 12 and 13 and Scholarship. It can lead to a career or qualification in Communications, Journalism, Film and/or Television at university and other tertiary institutions.

Achievement Standards:

AS 90989 1.1 Demonstrate understanding of how individuals interact with the media INT
AS 90990 1.2 Demonstrate understanding of selected elements of media text(s) INT
AS 900992 1.4 Demonstrate understanding of characteristics of a media genre EXT
AS 90993 1.5 Produce a design and plan for a media product using a specified range of conventions INT
AS 90994 1.6 Complete a media product from a design and plan using a specified range of conventions INT

Year 12 Media

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 12 credits in NCEA Level 1 Media Studies, English, or History or at the discretion of the HOD.

Credits:

Up to 20 Credits at level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

The department has computers for editing, but students can edit on their laptops, provided they have Adobe Premiere Pro installed.

Who is this course for?

Media Studies is for students who are passionate about analysing, creating, and exploring the media and its products.

In 12 Media you will study:

  • How and why a media genre changes over time (such as the Zombie film) and how this links to society
  • The representation of a group in the media (for example, African-American men, or women in sci-fi)
  • How to use media technology to create your own media product (for example, a film trailer or TV opening sequence).

In this subject you may submit work for internal assessment in a variety of forms according to your strengths. For example, a written report, a portfolio collected over time, an oral presentation, a web-based format or a video.

Media Studies continues at year 13 and Scholarship. It can lead to a career or qualification in Communications, Journalism, Film and/or Television at university and other tertiary institutions.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91250 (optional) 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of representation in the media INT
AS 912S1 2.4 Demonstrate understanding of an aspect of a media genre EXT
AS 91252 2.5 Produce a design and plan for a developed media product using a range of conventions INT
AS 91253 2.6 Complete developed media product from a design and plan using a range of conventions INT
AS 91255 (optional) 2.8 Write developed media text for a specific target audience INT

Year 13 Media

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 12 credits in Level 2 Media Studies, English, Classical Studies, or History, or at the discretion of the HOD.

Credits:

Up to 20 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

The department has computers for editing, but students can edit on their laptops, provided they have Adobe Premiere Pro installed.

Who is this course for?

Media Studies is for students who want to actively explore, analyse, create, and enjoy the media and its products.

In 13 MED you will:

  • Learn how to interpret a film or television episode through different lenses (for example, a gender lens and a Marxist lens)
  • Examine the relationship between a media genre and society (for example, American sit-coms, gangster films or political documentaries)
  • Research and write an online feature article OR a write screenplay for a short film
  • Hone your visual storytelling abilities and plan and produce a short narrative film, webisode or researched documentary.

Because there is a large written component to this course, UE Literacy would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Media Studies can lead to a career or qualification in Communications, Journalism, Film and/or Television at university and other tertiary institutions.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91491 3.2 Demonstrate understanding of the  meaning of a media texthrough different readings INT
AS 91493 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of a relationship between a media genre and society EXT
AS 91494 3.5 Produce a design for a media product that meets the requirements of a brief INT
AS 91495 3.6 Produce a media product to meet the requirements of a brief INT    AS 91947 3.8 Write a media text to meet the requirements of a brief INT

Sedona Milich

Why am I studying the subject: I chose to take Media Studies for my own enjoyment and to express my creative side through practical work. This subject also helps me to hone transferable skills that I can carry forward into a variety of careers.

What the subject offers me: The Media Studies course offers me literacy credits, and skills such as how to use filming and editing equipment, and to create a successful and interesting media product that engages my target audience. This not only involves practical skills but also means I get to work in teams and really understand the audience as people.

What I like about the subject: Media Studies is a challenging but highly enjoyable subject, particularly when doing the practical internal each year. This is where we produce and film a media product. The teacher is also a great support. She helps me understand, and regularly gives feedback on tasks to help me develop more of an understanding within the internal to reach excellence.