Unit 1 – Area of study 1

In this area of study we focus on learning the following dot points:

• Construction of meaning through representation
• Representation of values by the media creators and audience at the time, location and context of construction.
• Social, technological, industrial and economic factors influencing representations.
• Concept of audiences – participation, consumption, reception, production, curation and distribution of media products.
• Construction of identity in media products – audience, creators, producers.

By the end of this area of study you should be able to Analyse and Discuss these dot points.

The media plays an important role in shaping society and the values and beliefs of the audience. The construction
of media products suggests a sense of realism and naturalism that belies their nature as codified representations
that reflect the values of media makers and audiences at the time, location and context of their construction.

Representations rely on a shared understanding of media forms, codes and conventions and the processes of
selection, omission and construction. Representations are influenced by social, industrial, economic and technological
factors existing at the time, location and context of their creation, production, distribution and consumption.
Students are introduced to the concept of audience and what it entails. They consider how audiences engage
with the media to construct and negotiate understandings of the world and themselves through their participation
in the consumption, reception, production, curation and distribution of media products.

Notions of identity and self are implicit in the ways audiences select, create, share, engage with and read media
products. Through the examination of a range of media forms and products, students consider how representations
of self and identity are constructed, distributed, engaged with, consumed and read. Students consider different
readings of media products and how meaning is suggested through the complex relationships between content
creators and producers, media forms and audiences.

As representations are constructed from reality, it is impossible to include everything that reality has to offer. What is left out is referred to as OMISSION and what is left in is referred to as SELECTION.

Look at the image beside as make your own conclusion up as to how the narrative changes according what is shown to the audience.

Reality television is a classic example of the way media can construct a reality and the way that the audience of that reality can willingly suspend its disbelief. We know it is not reality we are watching but we usually choose to ignore that - otherwise it wouldn't be any fun.

The final product of any reality tv show is a construction of selected representations. The decisions made by the Producers is created via a process of selection and omission construction.

Selection = What they choose to keep

Omission = What they choose to remove

Print is an extremely effective tool used in the Media Industry. We see it appear in various media forms; Billboards, Magazine Covers and Articles, CD and DVD Covers, Film Posters, Brochures and Publications – just to name a few.

Print has its own code and conventions to ensure the message is delivered to the intended target audience.

Code & Conventions of PRINT
• Layout & Use of White Space
• Colour
• Images – Size & Position
• Text
• Font choice
• Composition
• Paper Stock
• Location & Distribution
• Quantity

Once you have completed your print production please submit the following:

One copy of the print production - PRINTED and stick the write up on the back.
Print another copy for your green book which includes your write up (this will help with your exam preparation)

Write up includes:
- What have you represented?
- How have you constructed your representation?
- What have you omitted and selected?
- What code and conventions have you considered in your construction? (the code & convention booklet will help)
- Who is your target audience and how have you engaged them?

Try to include at least SIX different research print productions from different time periods and societies.

• Include where you sourced the image from.
• What code & Conventions were employed to engage the audience.
• What you like about the example.
• From the example what you might include in your final print production.
• Try and use media language where applicable.