Research and Planning Essay

Over the space of the two years that I have been studying media, I have learned and developed many different skills that are necessary to the course, including research and planning.

One of the skills I learned at AS was textual analysis. This involves being able to identify a feature of a text and be able to explain why and how it contributes to the text. During AS, I did a maximum of 6 textual analysis pieces on music magazines that I had chosen. This was to help me remember how to structure my own magazine when I began to create it. However, in A2, I began to go into more detail, creating analysis such as film crits, with more detail and information. I have also developed a better understanding of what textual analysis includes and have therefore, been able to apply it more to my work this year. This year, it has also been more creative as I have used more influences in my analysis. Overall, my skill in textual analysis has developed exponentially over the past two years and has allowed me a greater understanding of media texts.

Another skill I have developed over the two years is audience research. In AS, audience research was quite minimal in that it only included the opinions of friends and people that I knew. This was not helpful towards my magazine as the genre of magazine I was producing did not appeal to the people who were providing my research. However, this year, my audience research has been much wider and has included online surveys and social media, therefore, making it more applicable to my trailer as it was from the target audience that I wanted to appeal to. Overall, the skill has been developed over the two years to be more creative as it includes more influences and repetition of existing opinions.

Another skill I have developed over the two years is mood boards. During AS, I produced a total of one overall mood board for my music magazine, along with a colour palette. This was just to show my inspiration and style for the magazine that I was producing. During A2, however, I have created a total of four mood boards that show costume, props, location and overall design. This has enabled me to produce a more creative trailer as there are more choices and influences in the piece than there were the year before.  Overall, the skill has been developed over the two years and has allowed for me to go into kore detail as the knowledge that I have has been built on.