One of the most important things to show in GCSE MEdia Studies is that you have an understanding of how the actual media industry works, as well as how the texts they produce function. A useful distinction might be to think of Media SOFTWARE (the texts) and Media HARDWARE (the instituions.) MArxist theory, on the other hand, uses the terms SUBSTRUCTURE (the institutions; the foundation, which is largely hidden) and SUPERSTRUCTURE (the texts - what is visible, the part we see.)

First, a quick internet research task. Consider these clips. You will be assigned one extract to work with. For each clip, be prepared to tell the class:

• What is the clip?
• Who is the product aimed at? How do you know?
  
• Which institution is responsible for making the film?
• What, if anything, do you know about that company?
  
• In what ways is this clip typical of that particular company?
  

QUESTION: WHAT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ARE PRESENTED BY CROSS-MEDIA OWNERSHIP?

USEFUL TERMS -

VERTICAL INTEGRATION
HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION
CONVERGENCE
SYNERGY


Read more about MEDIA CONGLOMERATES here.

BACK TO ANIMATION PAGE

BACK TO GCSE MEDIA PAGE