VCE Media Exam Revision

Mr. Calen Robinson

Learning Intentions:
● Definitions of the most common VCE Media command term and how they are ranked from highest
order thinking to lowest order thinking

● Noun phrases or nominals and how to use them to begin written responses

Success Criteria:
● Students successfully match terms to definitions and rank them correctly from highest order thinking
to lowest order thinking

● Students correctly use noun phrases or nominals to begin written responses

Ice Breaker Activity:
Unit 2 students please share the Unit 4 students please share the
following: following:

● Your name ● Your name

● Your favourite media form and ● The media form you used to
why create your SAT project
● What media are you currently ● A summary of your narrative in
consuming three words
Command Terms Practical Activity:
In pairs:
● Match each command term
with its definition
● Rack each command term
(and it’s definition) from
highest order thinking to
lowest
● Attach them to the template
Note: you and your partner will
need to justify your decisions
Noun phrase or nominal
A noun phrase, or nominal (phrase), is a phrase that has a noun or pronoun as its
head or performs the same grammatical function as a noun.

Including a noun phrase or nominal at the start can transform written responses.

Noun phrases can become quite complex, but their basic structure involves a noun
as the core element with modifiers and determiners to add detail and context.
Wonder Woman (2017) nominals:
● Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman...
● Gal Gadot's portrayal in Wonder
Woman...
● The success of Wonder Woman at
the box office…
● The feminist ideologies in Wonder
Woman...
● Patty Jenkins' direction of Wonder
Woman...
● The iconic 'No Man's Land' scene in
Wonder Woman…
● The impact of Wonder Woman on
the superhero genre…
● Patty Jenkins' vision for Wonder
Woman…
● The strong female lead in Wonder
Woman…
● The empowering message of
Wonder Woman…
● The cultural significance of Wonder
Woman…
Wonder Woman (2017) nominals:
● Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman...
● Gal Gadot's portrayal in Wonder
Woman...
● The success of Wonder Woman at
the box office…
● The feminist ideologies in Wonder
Woman...
● Patty Jenkins' direction of Wonder
Woman...
● The iconic 'No Man's Land' scene in
Wonder Woman…
Key: Noun | Determiner | Modifier
● The impact of Wonder Woman on
the superhero genre…
● Patty Jenkins' vision for Wonder
Woman…
● The strong female lead in Wonder
Woman…
● The empowering message of
Wonder Woman…
● The cultural significance of Wonder
Woman…
Ms Marvel (2022) nominals:
● The collaborative vision of Adil &
Bilall, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen
Obaid-Chinoy in Ms. Marvel…
● Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's*
contribution to the series' cultural
relevance in Ms. Marvel…
● Adil & Bilall's* influence on the
series' visual language in Ms.
Marvel…
● Adil & Bilall's* approach to action
sequences in Ms. Marvel…
● The diversity and representation in
Ms. Marvel…
● The exploration of identity and
belonging in Ms. Marvel…
● The role of Iman Vellani as Ms.
Marvel…
● The coming-of-age themes in Ms.
Marvel…
● The fan and critical reception of Ms.
Marvel…
Ms Marvel (2022) nominals:
● The collaborative vision of Adil &
Bilall, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen
Obaid-Chinoy in Ms. Marvel…
● Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's*
contribution to the series' cultural
relevance in Ms. Marvel…
● Adil & Bilall's* influence on the
series' visual language in Ms.
Marvel…
● Adil & Bilall's* approach to action
sequences in Ms. Marvel…
Key: Noun | Determiner | Modifier
● The diversity and representation in
Ms. Marvel…
● The exploration of identity and
belonging in Ms. Marvel…
● The role of Iman Vellani as Ms.
Marvel…
● The coming-of-age themes in Ms.
Marvel…
● The fan and critical reception of Ms.
Marvel…
Unit 2 Questions
Question 1 (6 marks)

Analyse two different media creators’ styles across two different media forms.

In your response you could refer to one or more of the following:

● the creators use of codes and conventions;
● the cultural and/or social and/or political context.

Question 2 (4 marks)

Explain one ethical issue in the production and distribution of a media product.

Question 3 (6 marks)

Discuss how media consumption has changed over time. Refer to two different media forms.
Unit 4 Questions
Question 1 (6 marks)
Analyse how two media codes functioned together to create and communicate meaning in a
media narrative you studied this year.
Question 2 (4 marks)
With reference to the media production development stage, explain how you explored and
developed one skill relevant to your chosen media form.
Question 3 (6 marks)
Theorists have long developed arguments and put forward ideas on the relationship between the
media and its audiences. The dynamic nature of this relationship has forced a change in these
arguments and ideas.
Discuss this with reference to both the production and consumption of media.
Discuss how one media code is used to develop one media convention in a media product
you studied this year. (4 marks)

Sample response

Key: Introduction | Evidence | Analysis

In the Parasite’s Birthday Party sequence, the code of acting, shown through Song Kang-ho’s facial
expressions is used by Bong Joon-ho to develop Ki-taek’s character. The convention of character is initially
used to show Mr Kim as an entrepreneur who believes that hard work and a good plan guarantees upward
social mobility. However, Mr Kim’s beliefs are tested throughout the film and finally come to a crescendo
when Mr Park holds his nose at the smell of Guen Sae. Song Kang-ho’s facial expressions change from
representing Ki-taek’s shock and disbelief to emphasising his resolute anger when he relaxes his upper lip
and eyebrows while maintaining a determined gaze. This subtle change in Song Kang-ho’s facial
expressions shows the audience that Mr Kim’s character has developed because he has lost his belief in
the promise that hard work and a good plan leads to upward social mobility since his efforts to impress
Dong-ik have neither helped him progress economically or gain Mr Park’s respect.
Discuss how a media product studied this year was shaped by its production context.
(6 marks)

Sample response

Key: Introduction | Evidence | Analysis

Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 film Parasite was shaped by South Korea’s historical economic context as well as institutional
changes in Korean and global entertainment industries. Themes of inequality portrayed in Parasite through the
representation of interactions between the semi-basement dwellers and the opulent Park family reflect Korea’s
highly skewed wealth disparity, where 10% of Koreans hold 66% of the nation's wealth. The basement dwellers -
both the Kim family and Guen Sae - represent the bottom half of Koreans who hold just 2% of the nation’s wealth.
The use of vertical space through the codes of camera and mise en scene represent this class divide in the
opening shot when the camera cranes down below ground level to situate the Kim’s semi-basement apartment in
relation to their above-ground neighbours. Changes in the global media landscape, such as increased distribution
avenues for non-English language films and investment from non-Korean companies in Korean media industries
helped increase recognition of Bong Joon-ho’s work outside of Korea. This led director Bong to work closely with
translator Darcy Paquet in the production phase to ensure his Korean-language film would communicate
effectively to English-speaking audiences. Parasite also had the backing of CJ ENM, a multi-billion dollar Chaebol
company which has financed some of the most successful Korean media products including Park Chan-wook’s
2003 film Old Boy, enabling Director Bong to cast some of Korea’s best actors. This production context helped
shape Parasite as a text that was designed to engage global audiences.