CTEC Digital Media

Introduction – why choose this subject?

By completing this course, learners will gain an understanding of how different media institutions operate to create products that appeal to specific target audiences. They will develop knowledge and understanding of the pre-production, planning and production processes and go on to create a media product. Learners will also develop transferable skills such as planning, communication, adaptability and leadership. They will gain an opportunity to broaden their knowledge, understanding and skills in key areas such as developing ideas for TV, script writing, and advertising media.

The course opens a vast range of further education and career opportunities for students. It allows students to explore opportunities in careers such as film production, journalism, TV, radio, graphics, web development, advertising and marketing, theatre, and many others.

How is the course examined?

This course is based on 50% coursework and 50% exam.

Unit 1 - Externally assessed - Media products and audience (90GLH)

The aim of this unit is for you to develop your understanding of how different media institutions operate in order to create products that will appeal to specific target audiences.

Unit 2 – Externally assessed - Pre-production and planning (90GLH)

By completing this unit, you will understand the pre-production process the creative media industry follows when creating a product. You will learn how to carry out research in the planning stage of a media production and about the various acts of legislation that need to be considered.

Unit 3 - Internally assessed - Create a media product (60GLH)

The aim of this unit is for you to develop knowledge and understanding of the production processes of producing a media product from one of the following:

• Print-based product
• Audio-visual product
• Audio product

Unit 20 – Internally assessed - Advertising campaign (60GLH)

You’ll understand advertising campaigns and how audio-visual, print based or audio advertising media are used within them. You’ll plan an advertising campaign for a product or service, selecting the appropriate media components to produce it. You’ll produce original media components for incorporating into a campaign, considering the market and its target audience, as well as legal and ethical constraints, to ensure that all components comply with the required codes and conventions.

Unit 21 - Internally assessed - Plan and pitch for a media product (30GLH)

By completing this unit you will be able to generate ideas for your own TV show based on a client brief, pitch your ideas to a client, and be able to respond to feedback to prepare your idea for pre-production.

Unit 22 – Internally assessed - Scripting for media products (30GLH)

By completing this unit you will understand scripts and the part they play in a range of media products. Learners will be able to generate a range of ideas and then use one of these ideas to produce a script for a media product, in response to a client brief.

Equipment

Students will require general stationary, including drawing equipment as both coursework and exam preparation requires students to complete drawing.

A ring binder for each exam unit.

Homework

Students are given weekly independent tasks to complete throughout the course. This can be either exam preparation or coursework tasks.

Learning outside the classroom

There is an opportunity for various trips over the duration of the course, along with filming and media projects set outside the classroom.