Assignment title: Dystopia

Unit 9 Characteristics and contexts in media communication

Unit titles: Unit 10 Engaging with an audience in creative media production

Assessor Nicola Dew

Monday 3rd September

Assignment launch date:
This project has a number of interim deadlines. Check the dates
in the submission list and the attached schedule.
Assignment deadline:
Submissions are due at 4pm on the appropriate date.
UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology

The year is 2025. Society is very different; social values and practices have changed and that has had
an impact on the messages portrayed in the media.
To help us understand this strange new world we will be taking inspiration from current day media
products which envision a dystopian future.
As a group you will be able to discuss and define your dystopian future. Your production company will
then develop a number of products for audiences in this future world.
To prove your company is ready to take on this project you have been asked to produce a 60 second
response to the initial brief.
Once this has been completed you will be asked to produce:
 An advert for a cosmetic or toiletry product which offers a solution to a problem. This will be
featured on an online platform so you have been asked for a 10 second and 4 second version.
 A 12-minute multi-camera magazine show suitable for family viewing. This will include at least
two VTs.
 A 2-3 minute drama for 18-25 year olds on a platform like BBC3 or 4OD
You will be allocated a production team for each of these products. There is also an outline schedule
attached.
What you need to do… (Top tip! many of the skills will be learnt in class so good attendance is essential)

Submission list
60 second response 3rd-7th Sept 
E
1 Initial research into dystopia
Research to confirm definitions, contextual examples, etc
E
2 Evidence of generating ideas
Mindmaps, notes about context, genre, platform; characters, plot or scenario;
sketches of key scenes etc
E, M
3 Planning of 60 second response to brief
Pre-production paperwork to include (as a minimum) synopsis, storyboard, camera
booking, call sheet, risk assessment.
E
4 60 second response to the brief
M
Edited VT uploaded to YouTube and embedded on weebly. This should be
E&D
accompanied by a short (250 word) evaluation of how well you think you met the
initial brief.
Contextual research into dystopia 10th – 21st Sept
5 Research into dystopia
E
Secondary research into what dystopia means and what sort of predictions have been
made about society in the future (eg historical, technological, political, social,
environmental); primary research into what audiences predict, and what they fear.
6 Critical reflections on contextual examples
E
You will be given viewing notes which ask you to reflect on particular themes in the
products we watch in class. Aim to write 200-300 words per product. You should do
the same for other examples of dystopian films or programmes you watch as part of
your own research.
Advert 24th Sept – 5th Oct
7 Contextual research into advertising
E
Analysis of the structure and techniques used in a range of adverts; comment on how
E&D
you could apply these.
8 Audience research
E
Primary and secondary research into the relationship of your audience to the type of
M
products you intend to advertise.
E&D

9 Advert planning
Pre-production paperwork to include (as a minimum) synopsis, moodboard,
E
storyboard, location recce, camera booking, call sheet, risk assessment. This should
M
show how you plan to get your message across in the full 10 second version and in
the 4 second cut.
E&D
10 Completed advert
E
Individual edits of the advert –10” and 4” version. These should be uploaded to your
M
YouTube channel and embedded on weebly. Include at least 3 screen shots of the
editing process with a commentary on techniques used.
E&D
11 Evaluation
E
Critically reflect on how well your advert meets the brief (presenting a solution to a
problem for this particular audience). Consider the technical quality of the finished
product. You should also reflect on the feedback from peers and tutors; did the
product meet your original intentions?
 Magazine show 8th Oct – 23rd Nov

E&D
12 Contextual research into multi-camera magazine shows
E
Analysis of the codes and conventions appropriate to this format. Comment on how
you could apply these.
E&D
13 Audience research
E
Primary and secondary research into how to appeal to a family audience; research
M
into what might interest or concern this audience in the context of your dystopian
future.
14 Multi-camera planning
You will be allocated tasks in production meetings.
E
If you have been put into one of the teams producing VTs you will need to show M
evidence of planning these: synopsis, storyboard, script, camera booking, call sheet,
risk assessment.
You will also need to show your contribution to the planning of the studio elements
such as studio floor plans, lighting plans, notes on set design, studio risk assessment,
running order, studio script, camera cards, plans for motion graphics titles etc,
Make sure all documents are clearly labelled with the name of the originator.
15 Completed multi-camera show
The show will be recorded as-live so you will not need to edit it. However you will
need to upload a copy of the show to YouTube and embed it on weebly.
E&D
16 Evaluation
E
Critically reflect on how well your advert meets the brief (presenting a solution to a
M
problem for this particular audience). Consider the technical quality of the finished
product. You should also reflect on the feedback from peers and tutors; did the
product meet your original intentions?
Developing a dystopian drama 15th Oct – 23rd Nov
E&D
17 Contextual research into dystopian drama (film or TV)
E
Analysis of the social, historical and political contexts appropriate to these sorts of
M
drama. Comment on how these impact on the dystopian context you would like to
explore.
18 Audience research
E
Primary and secondary research into this particular audience and what might interest
M
or concern them.
19 Summary of your dystopian context
E
Description of the social, historical and political conditions in your dystopian world.
You could evidence this in writing but you should also include visual elements such
as moodboards, location recces, prop, set and costume design or any other elements
which feed into your mise-en-scene.
20 Synopsis, script and pitch
E
Individually, produce a synopsis (summary) of your 2-3 minute story. Develop a draft
script (2-3 pages). Include these, along with the summary of your dystopian context,
in your pitch (Powerpoint or similar).
Evaluate your pitch, explaining how well you think you conveyed your idea (200
words) and how this impacted on the way it was received.
 Producing a dystopian drama 26th Nov – 21st Dec
21 Drama planning
E
Pre-production paperwork to include final script, storyboard, location recce, camera
M
booking, call sheet, risk assessment. Make sure your documents are clearly labelled
with the name of the creator.
E&D
22 Completed drama
E
Upload your individual edit of the drama to YouTube and embed it on weebly. Include
M
at least 3 screen shots of the editing process with a commentary on techniques used.
23 Evaluation
E&D
Critically reflect on how well your drama meets the brief (BBC3 or 4OD audience).
E
Consider the technical quality of the finished product. You should also reflect on the
M
feedback from peers and tutors; did the product meet your original intentions? How
well does it convey a context different from that of Britain in 2018?
Overall, what have you learned from the dystopia project and how will this inform your
personal development?
Bibliography 3rd Sept – 21st Dec
24 Full bibliography in Harvard format.
E
You should reference ALL research for EVERY stage of the project, whether primary
or secondary.
E = English; M = Maths; E&D = Equality and Diversity

 Attendance is essential as most practical tasks will take place during lesson time.
 All research, reflections and evaluations of work should be presented on Weebly
 ALL research should be academically referenced using the Harvard system.

OUTLINE SCHEDULE
Week beginning:
3rd Sept 60 second response
10th Sept Contextual research
17th Sept
24th Sept Advertising
1st Oct
8th Oct
15th Oct Magazine show / developing a dystopian drama
22nd Oct
HALF TERM
5th Nov
12th Nov Magazine show / developing a dystopian drama
19th Nov
26th Nov
3rd Dec Dystopian drama
10th Dec
17th Dec
Learning outcomes & assessment criteria:
Unit Learning outcome
Unit 9 1. Understand the
Characteristics characteristics and context
and contexts in chosen for a chosen media
media and and communication activity.
communication
2. Be able to use knowledge of
the characteristics and
context of a media and
communication activity.
3. Be able to use evaluation in
support of creative media
production
Unit 10 1. Understand the audience for
Engaging with a chosen creative media
an audience in production activity
creative media
production
2. Be able to plan and
implement a creative media
production activity for an
identified audience.
3. Be able to use evaluation in
support of creative media
production for an identified
audience.
Assessment criteria
1.1 Analyse the characteristics and context for a
chosen media and communication activity.
1.2 Interpret research activity to develop ideas for
creative media production.
2.1 Use knowledge of characteristics and context to
plan and develop creative solutions for a chosen media
and communication activity.
2.2 Apply practical skills, knowledge and understanding
of characteristics and contexts to produce creative
solutions for a chosen media and communication
activity.
3.1 Critically evaluate creative solutions against
identified characteristics and context for a chosen
media and communication activity.
3.2 Critically reflect on learning to inform personal
development.
1.1 Analyse the characteristics of the audience for a
chosen media production activity.
1.2 Interpret research activity to develop ideas and
creative proposals for a chosen audience
2.1 Demonstrate independence in decision-making in
planning and developing creative solutions.
2.2 Select appropriate media and processes to
communicate ideas for an identified audience.
3.1 Critically evaluate creative solutions against
identified audience characteristics.
3.2 Critically evaluate and reflect on learning to inform
personal development.