Week 1 and 2 We were not here on the first week of September, as school had not started back then. Instead of being sat in the classroom studying media (which I love doing), I was outside enjoying my last few days of the summer holiday. We were taught how to create Weebly blogs, which was something I had never done before. We were given a brief overview of Component 1 and of the course as a whole. After I had set by the basics of my blog (such as the different tabs and a homepage etc...), I started my research into fashion magazines, a genre of magazine that I had no previous knowledge of.
Week 3 and 4 - September In this week I continued our detailed research into fashion magazines, using sites such as abc (audit bureau of circulations) in order to get the most accurate figures possible. We also spent a couple of lessons learning how to analyse the magazines. We learnt about how to recognise the key factors and how to use the correct terminology of the magazine. For example, 'Mast Head' which is the title of the magazine. In the lessons we went over the components of s2, learning key parts, such as -
Camera shots (including Camera angles, Camera movement)
Editing,
Sound,
Mise-en-Scene.
Towards the end of week 2 we had a lesson which was taken by two A2 Media students (Ben and Irene), which was focused on informing us about the s2 part of our course. In this lesson we looked at different elements of photography and film, such as shutter speed, FPS, lens settings, and how to set up a camera for a studio (including lighting).
October
Week 1 and 2 In this week, we learnt about the codes and conventions of media (in preparation for our exam). We were told a brief overview of what our exam was on (American TV dramas). Then we watched a couple of clips of TV dramas (such as Homeland and House of Cards) and learnt how to analyse them. In the later parts of the week we continued to do research on our blog. At the start of week 2, we had to write a practice essay on a TV drama, so that our teacher could assess our current level and know where we need to improve. Then we continued to go on with the research. Throughout the research I found it hard and very time consuming to find out information about magazines.
Week 3 and 4 In this week we continued to carry on with the production of our magazines. I also started to think about my photo shoot. For example, who I would use, how to set up the proper lighting etc… During the second week we went back to working on are magazine assignment. Here I planned the photo shoot, as well as did research into what name I would call my magazine. During this week I also planned to do my photos hoot, however I had to postpone it as my model was not available to do it on the day we had set. So instead, I focused on coming up with sell lines and doing additional research on my front cover.
November
Week 1 and 2 The first week of November I edited my photography. This also included sorting through and choosing what photo I was going to use for my front cover. I narrowed down my options, and discussed the pros and cons of using each photo. I then started to edit my photography, using Photoshop.
Week 3 and 4 I finished editing my front cover, and uploaded the process onto my blog. I moved onto planning my contents page.
December
Week 1 and 2 In the first two weeks of December (which were just before the Christmas holidays) I continued in the production of my content page. I also went back to my front cover page and improved aspects of it which I felt could be improved upon. In the second week of December I continued with the production of my content page, while continuing to upload my progress on my blog. I mostly finished the production on my contents page, and started to plan my article page.
Week 3and 4
During the last week of school before the Christmas holidays, the class conducted some peer and self assessment. I peer marked Finn's blog and gave feedback and vice versa. We marked each others work in order to provide some improvements we both could make over the Christmas holidays. I also completed my own self-assessment and set myself some targets and work to complete and add to my blog. in the 4th week of December we were on holiday.