Exam Tips

AS Level Media G322: Section B:
Institutions and Audiences
Tips on how to write a good answer for this part of the exam….

1. Link your response to the question:
e.g. ‘Another key issue is the power of institutions and critics, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, to influence and preside over what the film audiences go to see at the cinema.’

2. Debate & weigh up both sides of the argument:
e.g. ‘However’, ‘having said this’, ‘an exception to this is the film……..released in……..’

3. Explain which industries/ institutions you are going to discuss:
e.g. ‘Issues faced by the British film production company Thin Man Films, set up in…….. by …………., are that it………’

4. You must refer in depth to your case study, including the other companies linked with Film4
 Celador
 Fox Searchlight (part of NewsCorp)
 Pathe
 Warp Films
 Optimum Releasing

5. You must mention a variety of different films to support your points/ ideas:
 Slumdog Millionaire
 Four Lions
 On a lesser basis – Avatar, Charlotte Gray, King’s Speech, Transpotting, Brass Eye (TV)

6. Mention specific audiences and how they are targeted
 -through age/ gender/ time era/ taste/ lifestyle/ location
 -do British audiences prefer British films? Is this a misconception?
 Mention the threat of Digital Cinema to all institutions:
o Growth of internet
o Downloading/ live streaming/ file sharing
o Piracy
o DVD sales
o Cost/ inflation/ credit crunch
o IMAX cinema/ digital reels



 Engrain your essay with your own point of view and ideas.