Media Production

This course offer learners experiences in media production and media analysis at the highest level of complexity available in senior secondary courses. Learners are provided with practical and creative opportunities to acquire media skills, knowledge and understanding through a practical and theoretical study of media. Learners develop an understanding of the creative and collaborative processes needed to make media products.

Learners study the practical components of this course in the context of ONE of the following specialised areas:

• Radio (radio/digital media)
• Screen (tv/film/online content)
• Print and Digital Media.

Media consumption and creation is essential to modern communication. Media, in its evolving forms, influences and shapes the way people view themselves and others and plays a crucial role in the creation of personal, social, cultural and global identity.

This production-based course is designed for learners who wish to develop technical media skills and an understanding of the contexts of journalism, advertising and narrative within media. Learners explore the media and media conventions through practical experiences and formal analysis of the media products of themselves and others. Creative and critical thinking skills are a significant component of the course.

Learners work within learning environments that simulate a professional setting in order to develop products in a specific medium. Through acquisition of technical and analytical skills learners will develop the ability to appreciate the operational functions and social implications of their medium of specialisation.

Learners access and utilise media in various forms in their everyday lives. The impact of the media on their lives is significant – often inadvertently shaping their views and cultural understandings.

This course aims to engage learners as makers of media through the development of production skills and through the analysis and implementation of media production processes. The areas of journalism, advertising and narrative provide significant contexts for student learning relevant to potential career pathways, areas of learner interest and complement study across a broad range of areas.

On successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

1. appraise media production processes
2. communicate media ideas
3. use media techniques and technologies in order to create their own media products
4. implement aspects of design and design processes relevant to media works
5. manage media activities by applying appropriate time management, planning and negotiation skills
6. use and identify appropriate production elements and narrative structures in the creation of media products
7. analyse and respond to media issues and the role of media in society
8. use media codes and conventions when making and responding to media works
9. identify target audiences for specific media products.

Learners who have completed Media Production Foundations Level 2 will have been introduced to key knowledge, skills and understandings to support further study in Media Production Level 3. However, Media Production Foundations Level 2 is not a mandatory entry requirement to this course.

Study in Media Production Level 3 may lead to the study of Journalism, Communications and Media study at a tertiary level. Media Production Level 3 may also lead to Certificate III and IV studies through vocational education and training (VET) providers.

Course providers will note that delivery of this course requires specialist equipment. It is required that – depending on the media studied – learners will have access to the following basic items of equipment as a minimum requirement:

Screen (film/TV/online content):

• digital HD video cameras and associated equipment
• editing suite/post production suite (for example AVID, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Protools, Audacity etc.)
• studio and location audio recording equipment 
• studio and location lighting equipment
• graphic software (e.g. Photoshop, After Effects)
• access to appropriate studio space (preferably soundproof, blackout capacity).

Print and digital media:

• desk-top publishing lab (including software such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• digital camera and associated equipment
• laser printing
• scanning equipment.

Radio (radio/digital media):

• audio mixing console/ DAW studio
• telephone interface unit
• microphones and associated equipment
• digital recording devices (studio and location equipment)
• access to appropriate soundproof recording space.

This course has a complexity level of 3.

At Level 3, the learner is expected to acquire a combination of theoretical and/or technical and factual knowledge and skills and use judgement when varying procedures to deal with unusual or unexpected aspects that may arise. Some skills in organising self and others are expected. Level 3 is a standard suitable to prepare learners for further study at tertiary level. VET competencies at this level are often those characteristic of an AQF Certificate III.

This course has a size value of 15.

This course requires the study of four (4) compulsory Units:

1. Journalism
2. Advertising
3. Narrative
4. Production*

The first three Units are delivered sequentially. Each area will be given approximately equal delivery time.

*Production runs simultaneously with all other units but completes the learning sequence.

The practical component of this course involved media making in one specialised format. Accepted specialisations are:

• Radio (radio/digital media)
• Screen (tv/film/online content)
• Print and Digital Media.

Work submitted for assessment must:

• be produced over the duration of one (1) calendar year
• be unique to this course
• not be work submitted for assessment in any other course.

Learners must complete the Work Requirements (as listed in the Course Content section of this document).

UNIT 1: JOURNALISM

In this Unit learners will develop their understanding of journalistic media. The breadth of this area encourages providers to choose learning contexts that are of contemporary relevance and expose learners to a broad range of traditional and 21st century journalistic offerings.

In contexts related to journalism, learners analyse, view, listen to and interact with a range of journalistic genres and undertake extensive research into the representation and reporting of groups and issues within media work. They draw on their knowledge when developing ideas for their own productions.

Learners are required to demonstrate an understanding of the media in society including:

• historical background
• media in contemporary Australia
• media values and ownership in contemporary Australia
• new media (e.g. technical change, digital age, the internet, convergence).

Learners extend their understanding of production practices and responsibilities in their area of specialisation.

Learners are required to understand and implement safe work practices. Areas of focus will include:

• the identification of potential hazards/sources of injury (including risk assessments)
• correct lifting of equipment
• appropriate placement of equipment
• potential consequences of hazardous situations
• procedures for the reporting of potential hazards/sources of injury
• emergency procedures (such as evacuation plans)
• the obligations of employees and employers regarding workplace safety issues:
  • including legal and ethical obligations.

Key knowledge and Skills:

• Media Language in contemporary Australia and related jurisdictions:
  • codes and conventions of news, current affair, interviews
  • advantages and limitations of different media
  • audience expectations
  • representation
  • purpose and characteristics
  • media distribution
  • encoded meanings: overt and covert messages
  • nature of news and news worthiness
  • genre and modes of address.
• Media related issues in contemporary Australia and related jurisdictions:
  • relevant codes of ethics for specific media
  • bias and equity
  • media ethics and media futures
  • differences in media content including, but not limited to, commercial vs private, tabloid vs broadsheet
  • tabloid journalism
  • media ownership (who owns media?)
  • media ownership (corporate influence)
  • role of Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance
  • comparing representations of the same issue in different media work
  • point of view
  • technological trends including, but not limited to traditional vs digital, digital age, the internet, convergence
  • global access and issues of privacy and accuracy
  • changing audience expectations and values
  • media production and consumption: past and present trends/impact of current trends.
•  Analysis:
  • journalism issues and ethics
  • media communication techniques
  • trends and challenges in journalism
  • reflect upon own and others creative, critical and technical processes and production outcomes.
• Skills and Processes (relevant to specialised format):
  • pre-production, production and post-production processes involved in developing a journalistic product
  • news gathering
  • writing and creating stories
  • presenting and reporting
  • interviewing
  • researching and producing
  • editing (in specialised format) e.g. material selection, justification for omission, transitions
  • technical skills of production.
• Production (in specialised format)
  • Production of news type media products including, but not limited to:
    • news stories
    • newspaper/web based articles
    • news bulletins
    • interviews
    • documentaries
    • profiles.

WORK REQUIREMENTS - UNIT 1

• Two (2) Completed Media Products, Focus: Journalistic pieces
• Pre-production and support material to accompany completed works
• One (1) major written piece (1000 – 1200) focussed on Journalism: e.g. Journalistic Ethics, Documentary/News styles (e.g. Public vs Commercial or Sensationalism or Naturalism etc. with codes and conventions.)

UNIT 2: ADVERTISING

In this Unit the power and influence of media is explored through the context of advertising. Learners develop an understanding of advertising and related influential media settings.

The importance and impact of persuasive communication and target markets are explored through examination and exploration of both qualitative and quantitative advertising materials.

Learners develop practical and analytical skills, including an understanding of the contribution of codes and conventions to the creation of advertising products, the role and significance of selection processes in their construction and the creative and cultural impact of new media technologies including social media.

Key knowledge and Skills:

• Media Language in contemporary Australia and related jurisdictions:
  • commercial codes and conventions of advertising
  • target audience
  • social values
  • classification
  • distribution.
• Media related issues in contemporary Australia and related jurisdictions:
  • audience positioning
  • narrative intention
  • genre choice
  • stereotypes
  • censorship
  • copyright
  • media influence theory.
• Analysis:
  • role of advertising: historical, current trends
  • ethics of advertising
  • trends in contemporary advertising 
  • marketing, communication issues.
• Skills and Processes (appropriate to specialisation):
  • pre-production, production and post-production processes involved in developing an advertisement or commercial
  • creative writing: persuasive writing techniques in script/copy
  • fundamentals of composition: design principles and creative cohesion
  • researching and producing
  • editing in specialised format (e.g. material selection, justification for omission, transitions).
• Production (in specialised format)
  • production of advertising type media products including, but not limited to:
    • commercials/promos
    • print/online advertisements
    • digital and web based radio sweepers
    • product sales
    • propaganda
    • public service announcements.

 WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 2

• One (1) Completed Media Product, Focus: Advertisements for specified target audience
• Pre-production and support material to accompany completed works
• One (1) major written piece (1000 – 1200) examining representations, media influence and the codes and conventions of advertising.

UNIT 3: NARRATIVE

In this Unit learners are introduced to the idea that narratives are intrinsic to media work and the narrative elements of character, setting, conflict and resolution are essential components of storytelling.

Codes and conventions are tools used in the construction and deconstruction of narratives. The way they are applied can be analysed in terms of genre and style.

Learners discuss the way producers construct preferred meanings and viewpoints through the selection of technical, symbolic, written and audio codes, and consider how multiple meanings are interpreted by different audiences. Audiences actively construct meaning and are engaged by texts through the manner in which narratives are organised, and respond to the narratives in different ways.

Production and story elements structure an audience’s experience of narratives and contribute to the ideas communicated by the text. The nature of the viewing experience also contributes to audience reading and appreciation of narrative texts. Learners understand and demonstrate how selection processes construct meaning, realism and viewpoints in a range of media.

Key knowledge and Skills:

• Media Language:
  • basic narrative elements e.g. character, setting, conflict, resolution
  • target audience
  • common codes/style rules of genre
  • classification
  • distribution
  • dramatic structures.
• Media related issues:
  • audience positioning
  • narrative intention
  • aesthetics, narrative and theme in media texts
  • copyright and fair use
  • new and emerging technologies.
• Analysis:
  • differing styles of storytelling techniques
  • power and persuasion
  • construction of and deconstruction of narratives
  • multiple meanings and audience interpretation.
• Skills and Processes (appropriate to specialisation):
  • pre-production, production and post-production processes involved in developing a narrative product
  • creative writing: persuasive writing techniques in script/copy
  • fundamentals of story telling
  • communication of ideas to achieve particular effects
  • editing (in specialised format) e.g. material selection, justification for omission, transitions
  • technical skills of production.
• Production (in specialised format):
  • production of narrative type media products including, but not limited to:
    • short films
    • documentaries
    • camera based, stop motion animations
    • magazines
    • booklets
    • radio drama.

 WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 3

• One (1) Completed Media Product, Focus: Narrative work composed or adapted to create an original work
• Pre-production and support material to accompany completed work
• One (1) major written piece (1000 – 1200 words) examining genre related to the elected media form, specialised production techniques, forms of direction, editorial, composition and production.

UNIT 4: PRODUCTION

In this Unit learners employ media technologies and processes in their specialisation to produce major and minor works.

Through the completion of production exercises, learners:

• develop an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of specific production equipment, processes and applications
• acquire skills to enable the use of specific media technologies
• explore aesthetic and structural qualities and characteristics of media products in media forms
• develop an understanding of the issues associated with planning, carrying out and completing a range of media tasks (including assignment tasks, class-based project work and self-initiated projects). This will include:
  • developing an understanding of planning procedures and their significance for successful outcomes and meeting deadlines
  • developing skills in relation to personal time and resource management
  • developing skills in cooperation and the organisation of personnel.

Learners analyse and demonstrate in their area of specialisation:

• media preproduction processes which will include:
  • methods of research to support the selected media form, style and/or genre, codes and conventions
  • methods for concept development for an individual or a distinctive media product; for example, story boarding, mood boarding, treatment writing and scripting
  • strategies to identify the function and purpose of the proposed product
  • ways an audience may consume and be engaged by a media product and strategies to identify
  • audience characteristics.
• media production processes which will include (as appropriate for specialisation):
  • methods of recording audio in field and studio locations
  • direction
  • methods for lighting in studio and on location
  • methods of filming/photography appropriate to the product and context for desired effect
  • appropriate formatting and layout.
• media postproduction processes which will include (as appropriate for specialisation):
  • techniques and practices appropriate to editing the proposed production form
  • proof reading and associated quality management processes
  • appropriate methods for presenting media works
  • methods for mastering audio components of media works
  • appropriate export and publication methods.

Learners’ production skills inform the development of their media production designs and the subsequent media products developed. Learners document their planning and evaluation processes, and use this information to support the development of their media products.

Learners discuss and articulate the connection between production elements and:

• target audience
• creative intention
• codes and conventions used
• genre and stylistic intentions.

This Unit of study culminates in the development of a major folio using specific media production skills and technical competencies related to the learner’s area of specialisation.

Folio information:

Using media production design techniques and practices, learners will produce a range of completed products that constitute a folio. Additional folio guidelines and requirements for external assessment can be found on the TASC website www.tasc.tas.gov.au

WORK REQUIREMENTS – UNIT 4

• One (1) Completed body of work (1 Major and 2 minor pieces*)
• Support Material.

* specific folio guidelines and requirements for external assessment can be found on the TASC website www.tasc.tas.gov.au

Summary of Minimum Work Requirements

Criterion-based assessment is a form of outcomes assessment that identifies the extent of learner achievement at an appropriate end-point of study. Although assessment – as part of the learning program – is continuous, much of it is formative, and is done to help learners identify what they need to do to attain the maximum benefit from their study of the course. Therefore, assessment for summative reporting to TASC will focus on what both teacher and learner understand to reflect end-point achievement.

The standard of achievement each learner attains on each criterion is recorded as a rating ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’, according to the outcomes specified in the standards section of the course.

A ‘t’ notation must be used where a learner demonstrates any achievement against a criterion less than the standard specified for the ‘C’ rating.

A ‘z’ notation is to be used where a learner provides no evidence of achievement at all.

Providers offering this course must participate in quality assurance processes specified by TASC to ensure provider validity and comparability of standards across all awards. To learn more, see TASC's quality assurance processes and assessment information.

Internal assessment of all criteria will be made by the provider. Providers will report the learner’s rating for each criterion to TASC.

TASC will supervise the external assessment of designated criteria which will be indicated by an asterisk (*). The ratings obtained from the external assessments will be used in addition to internal ratings from the provider to determine the final award.

The following processes will be facilitated by TASC to ensure there is:

• a match between the standards of achievement specified in the course and the skills and knowledge demonstrated by learners
• community confidence in the integrity and meaning of the qualification.

Process – TASC gives course providers feedback about any systematic differences in the relationship of their internal and external assessments and, where appropriate, seeks further evidence through audit and requires corrective action in the future.

The external assessment for this course will comprise:

• a two hour written exam assessing criteria: 1, 2 and 3
• the presentation of a folio of work in a specialised field of study assessing criteria: 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

For further information see the current external assessment specifications and guidelines for this course available in the Supporting Documents below.

The assessment for Media Production Level 3 will be based on the degree to which the learner can:

• 1. communicate media ideas and information*
• 2. analyse journalism and its role in society*
• 3. analyse advertising and its role in society*
• 4. implement appropriate design and production processes*
• 5. use techniques, technologies and skills relevant to media production*
• 6. apply narrative structures in media products *
• 7. create finished media products*
• 8. use time management, planning and negotiation skills

* denotes criteria that are both internally and externally assessed

Media Production Level 3 (with the award of):

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT

COMMENDABLE ACHIEVEMENT

SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT

PRELIMINARY ACHIEVEMENT

The final award will be determined by the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification from 15 ratings (8 from the internal assessment, 7 from external assessment).

The minimum requirements for an award in Media Production Level 3 are as follows:

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT (EA)
12 ‘A’ ratings, 3 ‘B’ ratings (5 ‘A’ ratings, 2 ‘B’ ratings from external assessment)

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT (HA)
6 ‘A’ ratings, 5 ‘B’ ratings, 4 ‘C’ ratings (3 ‘A’ ratings, 4 ‘B’ ratings from external assessment)

COMMENDABLE ACHIEVEMENT (CA)
5 ‘B’ ratings, 9 ‘C’ ratings (3 ‘B’ ratings, 3 ‘C’ ratings from external assessment)

SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT (SA)
13 ‘C’ ratings (5 ‘C’ ratings from external assessment)

PRELIMINARY ACHIEVEMENT (PA)
8 ‘C’ ratings

A learner who otherwise achieves the ratings for a CA (Commendable Achievement) or SA (Satisfactory Achievement) award but who fails to show any evidence of achievement in one or more criteria (‘z’ notation) will be issued with a PA (Preliminary Achievement) award.

The Department of Education’s Curriculum Services will develop and regularly revise the curriculum. This evaluation will be informed by the experience of the course’s implementation, delivery and assessment.

In addition, stakeholders may request Curriculum Services to review a particular aspect of an accredited course.

Requests for amendments to an accredited course will be forwarded by Curriculum Services to the Office of TASC for formal consideration.

Such requests for amendment will be considered in terms of the likely improvements to the outcomes for learners, possible consequences for delivery and assessment of the course, and alignment with Australian Curriculum materials.

A course is formally analysed prior to the expiry of its accreditation as part of the process to develop specifications to guide the development of any replacement course.

The accreditation period for this course has been renewed from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2025.

During the accreditation period required amendments can be considered via established processes.

Version 1 – Accredited on 21 November 2016 for use from 1 January 2017. This course replaces Media Production (MED315112) that expired on 31 December 2016.

Version 1.1 – Renewal of accreditation on 13 August 2017 for use in 2018.

Accreditation renewed on 22 November 2018 for the period 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2021.

Version 1.2 - Renewal of Accreditation on 14 July 2021 for the period 31 December 2021 until 31 December 2025, without amendments.

GLOSSARY

LINE OF SIGHT- Media Production Level 3