Curriulum

AS/A LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES

At BSB, we recognise the importance of combining the academic rigour of media text analysis with the creative production process in order for students to fully understand the depth and breadth of the subject. As the only institution to offer Media Studies within Romania, we are pioneering the inclusion of this vital subject into education in Bucharest with purpose built facilities, experienced staff and professional equipment.

SPECIFICATION​

Following the CIE Media Studies specification, students will follow the 2 year path to complete the full A Level, or a single year of study to achieve the AS qualification.

 

cie_media_spec

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The Course

Year 12 is taken up with desktop publishing – researching and creating selected pages of magazines whereas Year 13 concentrates on moving image, where students can choose from 4 different filming formats.

​There are four units across the two years:

  • Year 12 coursework (50% of AS grade/ 25% of final A Level): produce a magazine for a specific audience including front cover, contents and double-page article. This also includes 4 evaluation tasks (Creative Critical Responses) which must be produced as one of the following: a voice recording (soundbyte), a talking heads video using green screen, presentation with voice over, director’s commentary. 
  • Year 12 Exam (50% of AS grade / 25% of final A Level) taken in the summer term. This can be revisited in the November of Year 13 if the student wishes to improve on their grade.
  • Year 13 coursework (50% of A2 grade / 25% of final A Level)​: produce a music video. There are 2 minor tasks alongside this which are to produce a website/social media page, CD art and promotion pack. The evaluation products present in the AS coursework are required at this stage also but there is an expectation of greater depth and specificity. 
  • Year 13 exam (50% of A2 grade / 25% of final A Level)​ taken in the summer term.

FACILITIES

Media Studies is located within the dynamic Creative Arts department, above the Art Room, in a purpose built space brand new to BSB this academic year. Our facilities have been developed to meet the needs of the specification which demands professional quality products and detailed textual analysis.

  • Large Media teaching space to allow 1:1 feedback during creative processes
  • Purpose-built studio including white, black and green screen facility
  • Editing suite using Apple Macs to facilitate post-production using Adobe Premiere Pro (industry standard)

In Media, students will also become confident using a range of professional grade equipment through directed teaching as well as through the extra-curricular activities that will be made available. This includes:

  • Canon 4000D DSLR camera including a range of lenses to enable high quality photography
  • Tripods
  • OSMO gimbal for mobile devices (steadycam)
  • Voice recorders and accessories for clean audio production
  • Lighting systems including white/gold light features to meet the needs of any model skin/tone or desired effect.
  • Green screen
  • Full Adobe Premiere Pro package for post-production editing including Audition for audio products and Lightroom/Photoshop for print.
  • Apple Macs for high quality processing of post-production and for student blogs (required by examboard).