Creative Media (Technical)

For All courses except Beauty - choose three first choice subjects from four different option blocks. You will be asked just before submitting your application to choose three second choice subjects. They must be from the same Option Blocks as you first choices. For instance, if your first three choices are from Blocks A,B and D your second choice courses must also be from Blocks A, B and D

For Beauty just choose this subject by itself.

In order to follow an academic Level 3 programme of study you must achieve five or more GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 5 or above, including English Language or Literature and Mathematics.

In order to follow a vocational or mixed Level 3 programme of study, it is desirable that you achieve five or more GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 5 or above, including English Language or Literature and Mathematics. Those students without a 4 in English or mathematics, will take a level 2 qualification in these as part of their studies.

In addition you must achieve the GCSE grades specified for individual subjects which is outlined under each of the course descriptions

The digital media sector is the fastest growing industry in the UK. As the need for digital content increases year on year, so does the provision for jobs. The Creative Media course provides a coherent introduction to the study of creative digital media production, helping students develop an understanding of the industry, as well as the knowledge and skills required to work in the industry. The course is balanced between the academic demands of the exam units and the practical tasks of the coursework units. In Unit 1 students will engage with media theories and case studies to examine how representation affects audiences, considering key topics such as how media violence affects audiences and how use of stereotypes creates harmful behaviours. In the coursework units, students have the opportunity to work to realistic briefs, gaining knowledge of how to plan and produce a media product by creating a portfolio of industry standard documents. They then use these to develop their own ideas for a short film, acquiring skills in using cameras, lighting and editing software to shoot and edit the film. The course also equips students with transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are valued in both higher education and the workplace.

Unit 1: Media Representations

The unit covers a wide range of media theories and case studies examining how representations in media texts are constructed and the effects they have on audiences. The exam requires students to write extended essay style answers, synthesising these ideas into coherent arguments.

Unit 4: Preproduction Portfolio

Students research pre-production requirements before devising an idea for a short film and creating a professional portfolio of pre-production documents.

Unit 8: Responding to a Commission

Working with a commission form a client, students have to devise an idea for a media product to meet the client’s needs, producing a rationale for the idea, along with a proposal detailing technical aspects and a treatment such as a storyboard.

Unit 10: Film Production (fiction)

Students begin by researching film genres and analysing how the conventions work across a variety of films. This knowledge is then applied to shooting and editing the film they planned as part of Unit 4. It also draws on knowledge of film techniques from Unit 1.

There is no expectation that you will have studied Media at Level 2, but candidates for this course do need to have an interest in media, especially film. A knowledge of different film genres is also expected to be able to engage with the coursework element. Due to the essay nature of the Unit 1 exam, good skills with writing are essential, as is organisation and the ability to keep up with deadlines due to the nature of the practical tasks.

In order to follow a Vocational or mixed Level 3 programme of study you should have achieved five or more GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 5s or above, including English Language or Literature and mathematics although we will apply some flexibility where you can demonstrate aptitude and enthusiasm for this subject, yet you may not fully match our entry requirements. Those students without a 4 in English or mathematics, will take a level 2 qualification in these as part of their studies.

This qualification can lead to a variety of options. It can be a springboard to a media-related degree at university or into employment in the media industry sector itself. Careers within the industry include: Advertising Executive, Director, Editor, Production Manager, Programme Researcher or Studio Manager.