media
The media play a central role in contemporary culture, society and politics. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, ideas and points of view they offer. The media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. In your time at Holy Cross you will study a wide range of media including TV, Radio, Video Games, Newspapers, Social Media and hone your creative and practical skills when producing a cross-media production. The course is split into 3 components, select which one below you want to find out more on:
Media Products, Industries and Audiences
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This part of the course is all about exploring how the media you use every day is made, sold, consumed and how it shapes the way we see the world.
You’ll dig into a mix of media forms to see how messages are created and how audiences are targeted.
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On the course you will study:
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Advertising and Marketing: Analyse how brands create powerful campaigns that persuade people to buy, believe or act, and how these reflect wider social and cultural messages.
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Newspapers: Discover how stories are selected, framed, and spun to grab attention and influence opinions.
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Music Video: Explore how music videos tell stories, represent people and cultures, and connect with audiences across the world.
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Video Games: Explore how blockbuster games are marketed worldwide and why they keep players hooked.
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Radio: Learn how radio stays relevant in an rapidly digital age.
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Film Marketing: Compare how a Hollywood superhero hit and a low-budget British drama reach very different audiences.
How you’ll be assessed:
This component is worth 35% of your A Level and is tested through an exam. You’ll analyse real media products, apply media theories and show how industries and audiences interact.
Media FORMS and products in depth
This part of the course takes a closer look at specific media products and how they work. You’ll dig deeper into key areas of the media, exploring how meaning is created and how audiences respond.
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On the course you will study:​
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Television: Explore how TV dramas tell stories, represent people and places, and reflect cultural values.
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Magazines – Analyse how magazines attract and represent their audiences, and how they adapt to a changing media landscape.
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Online, Social and Participatory Media – Investigate how online platforms, social media, and user-generated content have transformed the way media is produced and consumed.
Throughout this component, you’ll apply media theories, explore different contexts (historical, social, political and cultural), and analyse how audiences engage with media products in different ways.
How you’ll be assessed:
This component is worth 35% of your A Level and is tested through an exam. You’ll write detailed, focused essays showing your understanding of the set products and the wider media environment.
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This is the creative, hands-on part of the course where you become the media producer. You’ll plan, create and evaluate your own original media products, bringing together everything you’ve learned in Components 1 and 2.
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What you’ll do:
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Respond to a set brief – each year, you’ll choose from briefs that focus on either magazine production or film marketing.
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Magazine production – design and create pages for a new magazine aimed at a specific audience, including original photography and written content.
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Film marketing – develop a campaign to promote a new film, creating materials such as posters and DVD covers.
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Plan your ideas – research your target audience and build a clear creative direction.
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Create your production – bring your ideas to life using industry-standard tools and techniques.
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Evaluate your work – explain how your production meets the brief, attracts the target audience, and reflects key media techniques.
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This component is worth 30% of your A Level and is assessed as coursework (NEA), meaning it’s produced independently over several weeks.
CROSS-MEDiA PRODUCTION
(COURSEWORK)
This Powerpoint will give you a deep dive into the A Level Media Course.
intro to media
On Air - Every other Friday in Media 1. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about media & film careers, apprenticeships, university options & perfect your UCAS application.
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