Unit 2: Narrative across media forms

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Fictional and non- fictional narratives are fundamental to the media and are found in all media forms. Media industries such as journalism and image making are built upon the creation and distribution of narratives constructed in the form of a series of interconnected images and/or sounds and/or words, and using media codes and conventions. New media forms and technologies enable participants to design, create and distribute narratives in hybrid forms such as collaborative and user-generated content, which challenges the traditional understanding of narrative form and content. Narratives in new media forms have generated new modes of audience engagement, consumption and reception.

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In this unit students further develop an understanding of the concept of narrative in media products and forms in different contexts. Narratives in both traditional and newer forms include lm, television, sound, news, print, photography, games, and interactive digital forms. Students analyse the in uence of developments in media technologies on individuals and society, examining in a range of media forms the effects of media convergence and hybridisation on the design, production and distribution of narratives in the media and audience engagement, consumption and reception

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Students undertake production activities to design and create narratives that demonstrate an awareness of the structures and media codes and conventions appropriate to corresponding media forms.

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Area of Study 1 Narrative, style and genre

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In this area of study students explore and examine how narratives construct realities and meaning for audiences. Narratives are constructed and shaped referencing a rich production history. This includes the personal and distinctive style of media professionals who play leading roles in the construction of the narrative, the selection and manipulation of media codes and conventions that stem from a range of cultures and histories, and the influence and constraints of contextual factors affecting the creation, construction and distribution of the narrative.

Notions of audience, engagement, consumption and reception play a key role in understanding how a narrative is formed. Audiences are able to articulate their personal preferences in the type/s of narratives they engage with, consume and read. These preferences are related to the construction of narratives. Students study at least two narratives in two different media forms to gain an understanding of the construction of narrative.

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Outcome 1

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On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the intentions of media creators and producers and the in uences of narratives on the audience in different media forms.

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To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.

Key knowledge

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• the development and communication of a distinctive style by media creators and producers in the construction of narratives in different media forms

• the manipulation of media codes and conventions by media creators and producers in the construction of narratives in different media forms

• the influences of historical and cultural context on the construction of narratives in different media forms

• the influences of institutional, economic, social and/or political factors and constraints on the work of media professionals

• notions of audience and engagement and how these influence the construction, production, distribution, consumption and reception of narratives

• the in uence of narratives on audience engagement, consumption and reception in different media forms

• media language.

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Key skills

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• analyse the distinctive style of media creators and producers in different media forms

• analyse the structure of narratives in different media forms

• analyse the influences of historical and cultural context on the construction of narratives in different media forms

• analyse the influences of institutional, economic, social and/or political factors and constraints on the work of media creators and producers in different media forms

• analyse and reflect on the way personal values relate to individual interest and engagement in narratives in different media forms

• analyse the influence of narratives on audience engagement, consumption and reception in different media forms

• use media language.

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     Area of Study 2      Narratives in production

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• Narratives are created through a production process that involves the conceptualisation and development of ideas, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. The production and distribution of narratives involves skilled use of media technologies, often in collaboration with others, where each individual undertakes speci c roles and responsibilities required at each stage of the production. While the production of narratives is a creative process, they are produced for speci c audiences and are constrained by the contexts in which they are produced, distributed, consumed and read. Students apply their theoretical learning to create and construct narratives in the form of media exercises that demonstrate one or more concepts covered in Area of Study 1.

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• Outcome 2

     On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply the media production process to create, develop and construct n       narratives.

 

    To   this     outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 2. Key knowledge

• media production processes and their relationship to speci c media forms

• construction of narratives using the media production process

• the roles and responsibilities required in different stages of the media production process

• technical skills used in the operation of media technologies

• ethical, legal and community constraints in the production and distribution of media products

• media language appropriate to the design, production and evaluation of media products.

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Key skills

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• design and produce narratives using the stages of the media production process

• undertake roles and responsibilities within the media production process

• apply technical skills in the operation of media technologies

• develop and produce narratives within ethical, legal and community constraints

• use media language appropriate to the design, construction, production and evaluation of media productions.

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• Area of Study 3 Media and change

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• Developments in media technologies have dramatically altered the media landscape and the relationship between the media and its audiences. Media convergence and hybridisation collapses traditional media boundaries and signi cantly alters the ways audiences engage with, consume, read, participate in, in uence and are shaped by the media. Digital technologies, interactivity, immersive content and participatory practices have become a feature of creation, production, distribution, engagement with, consumption and reception of the media. Media industries and institutions have adopted and adapted aspects of convergence to build and maintain audience share through new forms of interaction. All engagement with media is creatively, culturally and economically situated. Audiences are media consumers, producers, and products, often simultaneously. This is particularly evident in social media where public and personal communication is combined. Such platforms facilitate convergence between communities and commercial opportunities that are developed, built and maintained through common interests and creativity. New media can be conceptualised combining information and communication within the social contexts in which they operate. Changes in the media have social, emotional and ethical consequences for individuals and society. New media forms, products and processes are often controversial and may be mistrusted or devalued by existing media institutions, some audience segments and groups in society. Students examine the technologies, processes of production, characteristics, distribution, engagement with consumption and reception of media products in new media forms. Students investigate the relationship between emerging and pre-existing media forms, products and institutions. They evaluate the impact of developments on individuals, society and culture.

 

     Outcome 3

 

     On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the in uence of new media technologies on society, a                       audiences,    the individual, media industries and institutions. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge         and key skills outlined in Area of Study 3.

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Key knowledge

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• the nature and forms of new media technologies and their relationship to traditional media technologies and forms

• characteristics of digital media audiences

• the ways audiences interact and engage with the media as a result of the growth of digital technologies across media forms

• the in uence of technological development, media convergence and hybridisation on society, audiences, the individual, media industries and institutions

• social, ethical and legal issues in the media industry in the last two years.

 

Key skills

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• identify the nature and forms of new media technologies and discuss their relationships to traditional media technologies and forms

• discuss the chara

• cteristics of digital media audiences

• explain the ways audiences interact and engage with the media as a result of the growth of digital technologies across media forms

• analyse the in uence of technological development, media convergence and hybridisation on society, the individual, media industries and institutions

• analyse social, ethical and legal issues in the media industry in the last two years.

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Assessment

 

The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on whether the student has demonstrated the set of outcomes speci ed for the unit. Teachers should use a variety of learning activities and assessment tasks that provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate the key knowledge and key skills in the outcomes. The areas of study, including the key knowledge and key skills listed for the outcomes, should be used for course design and the development of learning activities and assessment tasks. Assessment must be a part of the regular teaching and learning program and should be completed mainly in class and within a limited timeframe. All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based. Procedures for assessment of levels of achievement in Units 1 and 2 are a matter for school decision. For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit. Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit may be selected from the following:

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• audiovisual or video sequences

• radio or audio sequences

• photographs

• print layouts

• sequences or presentations using digital technologies

• posters

• written responses

• oral reports. Where teachers allow students to choose between tasks they must ensure that the tasks they set are of comparable scope and demand.