Section 1 - The Media Industry

Question 1

Traditional media

Answer 1

Traditional media includes film, television, radio and print publishing such as posters, billboards, magazines and newspapers. It refers to industries that existed before computers and the internet.

Question 2

New media

Answer 2

New media is any method of communication which makes use of digital technologies for publication and distribution. It reflects the growth of technology in the media industry and includes computer games, interactive media, websites delivered via the Internet and digital publishing. This type of media is usually accessed via the internet through computers, portable devices and internet enabled televisions. Interactive media covers any type of media that the user is able to interact with.

Question 3

A television broadcaster currently makes use of television and print publishing to advertise new upcoming programs. Identify two new media sectors that they could use for advertising. [2] (3)

Answer 3

• Interactive media [1] (such as a mini game on a website that engages the audience with the new TV programme).
• The Internet [1] (such as by creating a website to generate interest in the television programme).
• Digital publishing [1] (such as a web banner advert)

Question 4

A magazine publisher creates magazines using traditional media. State one sector within traditional media that the magazine publisher is part of. [1]

Answer 4

Print Publishing [1]

Question 5

Video

Answer 5

Video includes any product that makes use of moving images. It is used on traditional TV broadcasts and increasing online with streaming services such as Netflix and Youtube.

Question 6

Music

Answer 6

Music includes artist albums and singles sold on CDs, streamed or broadcast on radio. It also includes soundtracks that add emotion to video and film.

Question 7

Print

Answer 7

Print products are paper-based products produced by printers. They include physical books, newspapers, magazines, leaflets, posters and brochures.

Question 8

Animation

Answer 8

Animation is a series of still images that are combined together one after the other to create an illusion of movement. Animation includes stop-motion animation.

Question 9

Audio

Answer 9

Audio is used for voice overs in advertisement and podcasts. An important part of a video or film is the sound effects such as a window breaking or tyres screeching. Audio is used to enhance interactive media, such as a button click or ‘ping’ sound on a smartphone.

Question 10

eBooks

Answer 10

eBooks or electronic books are non-editable digital books that are viewed using an eReader or an app on a smartphone, tablet or web browser. eReaders usually only display grayscale (black and white) and have limited layout capabilities. They are best suited to novels.

Question 11

Special effects

Answer 11

SFX includes any effects that happen live on set when filming. Examples include pyrotechnics, explosions and artificial rain. Other examples include gory wounds and prosthetics (pretend limbs) used in a film.

Question 12

Augmented reality

Answer 12

Augmented reality (AR) superimposes images and information onto a live view from a smartphone or tablet. It is used in gaming as well as modelling prototypes, such as in architecture, and visualising products in their environment.

Question 13

Visual effects

Answer 13

VFX are created in post-production using computers. VFX are used to create footage that is too dangerous, expensive or difficult to create in real life, like a spaceship flying at light speed. Green screens are heavily used when creating VFX. Actors may wear bodysuits for motion capture with their movements being mapped onto computer generated (CG) characters.

Question 14

Virtual reality

Answer 14

Virtual reality (VR) uses a headset to show the user a full 360 degrees game or video. The image will alter as the user moves their head. This allows the user to turn behind them in a 3D game. VR is also used in medical training, allowing doctors to practice without any risk or in architecture to give an immersive experience before construction begins on a building.

Question 15

Digital imaging and graphics

Answer 15

Digital imaging and graphics are images that are created using computers, tablets or digital cameras. They include digital photography, logos and graphic design.

Question 16

Digital games

Answer 16

Digital games cover a wide range of products from online games to console games. They are mostly designed to entertain.

Question 17

Websites

Answer 17

Websites combine digital graphics, audio and video with interactive features such as buttons and hyperlinks

Question 18

Comics and graphic novels

Answer 18

Comics and graphic novels are both forms of image-based storytelling. Comics tend to contain several shorter stories. Graphic novels are entire stories told in comic form with speech bubbles for spoken text.

Question 19

Multimedia products

Answer 19

Multimedia products are those that include a range of media such as images, text, videos, animation, sounds and buttons. They enable the user to interact with several media technologies such as self-service checkout screens and information kiosks.

Question 20

Explain one way in which a local café is able to make use of social media platforms to advertise a new offer on their range of cakes. [2]

Answer 20

A digital graphic could show the tempting range of new cakes. [1] The local cafe could use this image for targeted advertising (such as to the local area) on social media. [1]

Question 21

Explain the purpose of two media products that may be contained inside an auction app. [4]

Answer 21

Digital graphics (photos) [1] could show the products that are being auctioned. [1] A sound effect (such as a bell) [1] could notify the user that an auction is about to end. [1]

Question 22

Pre-production phase

Answer 22

This phase plans the execution of every step of production to ensure the most effective use of crew, time and resources. In a film, for example, this would be where you finalise the script and hire the production crew.

Question 23

Production phase

Answer 23

This is when the media product is created. In making a film or television show, this would include the actual filming of the actors or scenes. For a magazine, this stage would involve producing the photographs, graphics and copywriting.

Question 24

Post-production phase

Answer 24

This is the final phase where the media product is prepared for launch. The tasks here are varied and depend on the media product. In film or television it could include: editing video footage; editing the sound and adding sound effects; adding special effects; adding titles and graphics.

Question 25

In a film, what would happen in the pre-production phase?

Answer 25

This would be where you finalise the script and hire the production crew

Question 26

For a film or television show, what would happen in the production phase?

Answer 26

The actual filming of the actors or scenes

Question 27

For a magazine, what would happen in the production phase?

Answer 27

This stage would involve producing the photographs, graphics and copywriting.

Question 28

For a film or television show, what would happen in the post-production phase?

Answer 28

In film or television it could include: editing video footage; editing the sound and adding sound effects; adding special effects; adding titles and graphics.

Question 29

What are the technical roles? (6)

Answer 29

• Camera operator
• Games programmer/developer
• Sound editor
• Audio technician
• Video editor
• Web developer: front-end developers, back-end developers

Question 30

Camera operator

Answer 30

A camera operator films what is happening, whether for a TV documentary, feature film or an advert during the production phase. They must consider the framing, movement and composition of each shot and select the appropriate camera equipment to use under the instruction of the director.

Question 31

Games programmer/developer

Answer 31

A games developer writes the code for games on devices such as PCs, consoles and smartphones. They will make use of 3D models and audio assets created by graphic designers and composers. They will work closely with scriptwriters to create an engaging experience for players.

Question 32

Sound editor

Answer 32

In film and TV production, sound and video are recorded separately during production and need to be combined in post-production. A sound editor is a highly skilled job and is responsible for creating, enhancing and mixing any music, sound effects and dialogue and synchronising these with the pictures.

Question 33

Audio technician

Answer 33

An audio technician is involved in setting up, operating and maintaining audio recording equipment such as microphones and mixers. The role might include recording on set during production or the editing and mixing of sounds in post-production.

Question 34

Video editor

Answer 34

A video editor is a key role in post-production. They are responsible for editing footage such as video, special effects, visual effects and graphics. The video editor will work closely with the director to complete final products such as films, commercials, television programmes and music videos

Question 35

Web developer (front-end developers)

Answer 35

A front-end developer creates and maintains websites using one or more programming languages such as HTML or JavaScript. They will work with graphic designers and photographers who make the digital assets for the site.

Question 36

Web developer (back-end developers)

Answer 36

Back-end developers are responsible for the programming that makes a site work, such as that needed to process credit card orders or update stock in a database.

Question 37

When producing a film, a director will be involved in the pre-production, production and post-production phases. State the most likely phase that a camera operator will be required for. [1]

Answer 37

The production phase

Question 38

Explain why a sound editor and video editor may need to work together during the production of a film [2]

Answer 38

• During the pre-production phase [1], the video editor and sound editor will work with the director to determine the soundtrack and sound effects that will be required to match each scene [1]
• If the video editor makes changes to scenes during post-production [1] they will need to keep the sound editor informed as this may affect the background music required [1]

Question 39

What are the creative roles? (8)

Answer 39

• Graphic designer
• Content creator
• Copy writer
• Animator
• Photographer
• Scriptwriter
• Web designer
• Illustrator/graphic artist

Question 40

Graphic designer

Answer 40

A graphic designer creates visuals for a variety of media products such as magazines, brochures and websites. As part of both the pre-production and production phases, a graphic designer will work to a brief, producing rough sketches and designs to share with a client. They will create suitable images and graphics that might include hand drawn designs, photos and illustrators using a range of specialist software.

Question 41

Content creator

Answer 41

A content creator generally creates content for websites, blog posts and social media. They may create simple digital media assets including text, video and audio for a specific audience. The aim is often to generate awareness of a brand or to advertise a product or service.

Question 42

Copy writer

Answer 42

A copy writer creates the text or copy for advertising or marketing purposes, usually to persuade a person or group of people that a product or service is just what they need. A copy writer could write the content for print adverts, radio advertisements, product descriptions or social media posts.

Question 43

Animator

Answer 43

An animator usually works during the production phase of a project. More traditionally, animation involves creating a series of still images that can be combined together to create the illusion of movement. Alternatively, in stop-motion animation, clay models are moved slightly before each new frame is taken. The majority of animation is made n 3D. Here, computer animators and modellers use storyboards and a brief from the director to create 3D computer models that are animated using specialist software.

Question 44

Photographer

Answer 44

A photographer captures high quality, impactful images to help communicate a message or story. This may be for fashion and beauty, lifestyle or advertising. They work closely with the client to produce the right visual content appropriate for the end user such as billboard, magazine or website. They may be involved in the editing and post-production phase too. Photographers may also sell their work to image libraries where other designers buy the work as assets for their own projects.

Question 45

Illustrator/graphic artist (2)

Answer 45

• An illustrator creates the drawings or images for a wide range of media products such as children’s books, magazines and greeting cards. An illustrator may use hand drawings, graphic tablets or tablets with a stylus pen.
• Graphic artists will produce layouts for books, brochures, magazines and posters choosing how copy, images and illustration will work together on the page.

Question 46

Scriptwriter

Answer 46

A scriptwriter writes and develops scripts for film, TV, radio and computer games. They might adapt an existing work such as a book or create an original work. Script writers create characters, dialogue and the plot as well as providing details about the setting and location.

Question 47

Web designer

Answer 47

A web designer designs, plans and creates websites. They may create new websites or edit existing ones. A web designer uses their creative skills to combine images, sounds, videos and text together to meet client requirements. User experience (UX) designers will focus on the experience of the end user and make sure the site is as easy to use as possible.

Question 48

Identify one creative job role other than web designer that might contribute to the creation of a new website [2]

Answer 48

• A photographer [1] would take photographs/produce image content to appear on the web pages [1]
• A graphic designer [1] could create graphics such as a logo for the website [1]
• A copy writer [1] could write the text content for the web pages [1]

Question 49

Describe two tasks that might be the responsibility of a content creator [4]

Answer 49

• Writing blog posts [1] about a new product [1]
• Creating social media posts [1] to promote an event [1]
• Writing text for company website [1] with information about the company [1]
• Generating website traffic [1] by writing engaging content [1]
• Increasing sales/brand awareness [1] by writing about products [1]

Question 50

What are the senior roles? (5)

Answer 50

• Campaign manager
• Editor
• Creative director
• Production manager
• Director

Question 51

Campaign manager

Answer 51

Companies need to sell products, e.g. a film, a new toy or a service such as a restaurant. A marketing campaign will be created to drive awareness within the target audience. Such campaigns may use many different media products and sectors. A campaign manager is responsible for planning and managing marketing campaigns. For instance, the marketing for a film may involve coordinating the release of trailers, billboards, bus advertising, television teasers and interviews for television programs

Question 52

Editor

Answer 52

An editor controls the content of print publications such as books, magazines, newspapers and websites. They plan, organise and review materials to check if its suitable for the publication and the target audience. An editor may make changes to the tone and structure of copy or alter titles or images to maximise the impact of a message.

Question 53

Creative director

Answer 53

A creative director leads a team of graphic designers, illustrators, copy writers, photographers and other creatives. They are the ‘ideas’ people who help to shape the creative direction of a project and help the client deliver their marketing strategy. They ensure production and client requirements are met.

Question 54

Production manager

Answer 54

A production manager is responsible for liaising with different departments. They will have a key role in the pre-production phase of a project and may be responsible for scheduling and budgets. This is a role that requires substantial industry experience, a detailed understanding of the production process and the ability to accurately organise multiple people and resources.

Question 55

Director

Answer 55

A director oversees the creative direction of a production such as a TV programme or film. They work with storyboard artists, actors and crew in production and other creatives such as video editors in post-production to shape the style of the production. A director may take years to go from a script to the end product of a film.

Question 56

Explain one way a creative director contributes to the creation of an advertising campaign [2]

Answer 56

A creative director leads the creative team, [1] developing the direction of the campaign [1], pitching ideas to the client [1] and checking the campaign meets the client requirements [1]

Question 57

Describe two ways that a director contributes to the creation of a film [4]

Answer 57

Film directors are the creative lead [1] whose vision, look and style for the film will need to be met. [1] In pre-production, the director works with a script or screenwriter [1] and appoints the director of photographer and casting director [1]. They work with a storyboard artist [1] to plan the production [1]. During production, they work closely with camera crew [1] to capture the best shots [1]. They also work closely with actors [1] to bring out their best performance. [1] In post-production, they lead the editing process [1] which is revealed by producers before being signed off for release. [1]

Question 58

Identify one print publishing product that might be used to promote a new film [1]

Answer 58

Poster [1], magazine advert [1], billboard [1]

Question 59

A bus company has commissioned a set of posters to reduce the amount of chewing gum being left on their buses. Explain one way in which this purpose could be achieved. [2]

Answer 59

The poster could promote passengers [1] to make use of their bins provided. [1] The poster could inform passengers [1] of the cost of removing chewing gum. [1] A photo showing disgust at chewing gum stuck to clothes [1] could influence passengers to consider their actions. [1]