Digital Media L2

Why study this subject?

Digital media is around us all the time! Would you like to know how TV, films and games are made and how the media collects information on you, the audience? Are you interested in making your own media products such as magazines, websites, posters and short films? Do you work well when you are being assessed by coursework as well as exams? If the answer is ‘yes’ and you would like a course which blends academic study with creative and practical work, then CTEC Digital Media is the course for you!

Course description/the areas of study

50% - 2 exam units

50% - 4 NEA units

Exams: Exams are taken in January and can be taken again so that you can achieve the best possible grade. In Year 12, you will be examined on your understanding of how the 7 different areas of the media work and how media institutions use audience data to target, and make meaning for, specific audiences. You will learn about the different ownership models within media industries as well as distribution and advertising. In Year 13, your exam will focus on the planning and pre-production stages of media products which will draw on the tasks you will have completed as coursework. You’ll be tested on your understanding of various pre-production and planning documents and how they can be used effectively.

Coursework portfolio: You will work on different project briefs to create your coursework portfolio and will analyse target audience requirements and research market demand in order to bring your own media concepts to life. You will create print products such as magazines and posters and can opt for moving image or print based products when creating websites for a cross-media campaign.

Skills: You will develop a range of technical skills required for deconstructing media products, in addition to the transferable skills of being able to research, analyse and think critically. Creative skills include; photo and video creation and editing; website design; use of Adobe Photoshop and similar; film editing and using still and video cameras.

Future opportunities:

You may wish to go on to study Digital Media Design, Graphic Design, and TV or Film production at university as a practical degree. A vocational route could lead directly into careers in the media industry in a range of roles such as Support Researcher, Media Editor, Programme Researcher, Studio Assistant, and Media Internship. Previous students on the course have gone on to local universities to study graphic design and marketing courses.