WHAT THE EXAM BOARD EXPECT OF YOU...

Pre-production (15% of final grade):

This piece will focus on planning techniques and will allow candidates to demonstrate their
knowledge and understanding of media practices.
Candidates will be expected to produce a short pre-production piece which will reveal their
ability to plan for a production using appropriate methods of delivery.
Pre-production tasks include script writing, storyboarding, set designing, newspaper and
magazine mock-ups, web page design, flow charts for interactive computer games, concept
drawings and treatments.
Candidates will be required to support their pre-production work in one of the following
ways:
(a) By producing a short written evaluation of between 400 and 600 words (with a
tolerance of 350 - 750 words). This report will outline any research undertaken,
justify the work in terms of its target audience and explain how it relates to current
media output.
(b) By presenting a short oral report of 5 to 10 minutes which outlines any research
undertaken, justifies the work in terms of its target audience and explains how it
relates to current media output. Candidates will need to submit a transcript of 400-
600 words (with a tolerance of 350 - 750 words) for moderation.

Marking Criteria for Assignment 2: Pre-Production

AO Level Descriptors: THE AUDIENCE RESEARCH

Level 1
1-3
The pre-production task will reveal an appropriate use of planning
techniques for the medium selected. The supporting evidence will be
characterised by a basic account of the way in which the candidate went
about the task. The explanation of the audience research will be simple
with a basic knowledge of how the text relates to current media practices.

Level 2
4-6
The task will reveal appropriate use of the key presentational elements of
the planning technique chosen; for example a clear understanding of how
generic conventions and narrative codes work. The supporting evidence
will be characterised by a clear sense of purpose which demonstrates that
they have explored issues about the target audience in relation to current
media output.

Level 3
7-9
The task will reveal that there has been a thoughtful and creative use of the
key presentational elements of the planning technique chosen. The
supporting evidence will reveal evidence of audience research which
justifies the candidate's approach in terms of media competition and
marketing strategies.


AO Level Descriptors: THE ACTUAL PRE-PRODUCTION PIECE (storyboard, mock-up...)

Level 1
1-3
Presentational skills will be basic but the piece will reveal a simple use of
appropriate conventions and a basic understanding of genre and narrative.
The approach to the audience will be straightforward although, in places,
the language selected may be inappropriate for the intended target group.

Level 2
4-6
The task will reveal sound presentational skills and evidence of the use of
appropriate conventions. The language used will reveal an understanding
of the relationship between the text and the audience.

Level 3
7-9
The task will demonstrate a developed sense of the appropriate conventions
of their planning activity. The presentation of the piece will be of a high
order and the better candidates will be innovative and creative. There will
be evidence of a more sophisticated understanding of the link between the
piece and its target audience.

AO Level Descriptors: THE EVALUATION

Level 1
1-4
Candidates will have implicit recognition of the need to plan in an
organised manner. There will be evidence both in the task and their
evaluative responses of the ability to describe what they have done in a
simple way.

Level 2
5-8
Candidates will offer a clear explanation and justification for the way they
went about their task. Their account will demonstrate the ability to
recognise and evaluate the constraints which may affect their ideas and
proposals. They will be able to recognise typical modes of audience
address and evaluate their own ideas in the light of them.

Level 3
9-12
A sense of justification will be a key feature at this level. Candidates will
critically reflect on their ideas in terms of what their planning techniques
offer their target audience. The best candidates will reveal an ability to
reflect on the originality of their approach and discuss the possible
constraints on their planning proposals.

Back to Pre-production page

Back to GCSE Media page