Distance learning resources for media and film studies
11 January 2021
Hints and tips - 5 minute read
This blog was originally published on 16 April 2020
John Hibbert - Subject Advisor for Film and Media Studies
In this blog I’ll be highlighting some online media and film resources that might be useful to support distance learning activities.
GCSE Media Studies resources
Our website has guides and factsheets which students can access covering a number of exam topics including:
We also have downloadable student worksheets on the music topic and to support students with preliminary activities for the NEA.
BBC Bitesize covers all nine of the media forms and the key areas of the media theoretical framework. The Coombe Media & Film Studies YouTube channel has some really helpful revision videos for both GCSE Media papers.
A Level Media Studies resources
We have factsheets on the set film, radio and video game products for the Media Industries and Audiences topic.
There is a factsheet on the required academic ideas and arguments, and a resource showing how they can be applied to LFTV Drama.
We also have a range of student worksheets and activities accompanying our delivery guides for the news and LFTV drama topics.
The essential media theory website has a number of resources and worksheets focused on the set media theorists. Crash Course have a Media Literacy playlist which covers relevant topics including media ownership and media influence.
The BBC’s Media Show podcast and the Media section of The Guardian website are both good ways for students to keep up to date with key media issues. Radio 4’s Thinking Outside the Boxset series is a useful look at the impact of new technologies on narrative and audiences for television drama.
The Media Insider YouTube channel covers lots of key concepts for both GCSE and A Level Media Studies. The Guardian Education Centre has some really useful resources and suggested activities for teaching news media.
A Level Film Studies resources
We have a range of delivery guides which include suggested activities and key information for all the exam topics. There is also a guide to the European Film Movements and downloadable student worksheets for the Contemporary British and US Film topic.
The Unspooled podcast has episodes focusing on a number of the set films including Do the Right Thing, Vertigo and Sunrise. Cinephilia & Beyond is a good source of articles, interviews and resources on a range of film topics covering some set films. It also includes a section on short films which may be useful for students completing research for the NEA.
No Film School have a YouTube playlist of video essays covering topics including the French New Wave and German Expressionism.
Crash Course is also a useful source of video guides for A Level Film Studies with YouTube playlists on Film History, Film Production and Film Criticism looking at a number of key concepts, skills and set films.
BBC iPlayer’s Focus on Film section includes Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema series, interviews with the directors of a number of set films, and the Inside Cinema series of short films looking at different movie tropes.
The Business of Film Radio 4 documentary series covers a range of issues in film production and may also be useful for A Level Media students too.
The Yale Film Analysis Guide is really helpful for developing students’ understanding of the micro-elements of film form, and would also be useful for A Level Media students looking at media language in television drama and music videos. Film Sound is a useful source of explanations of a wide range of sound techniques.
Developing practical skills
To help Media and Film students develop their understanding of practical skills BBC Academy and Vimeo's Video School both have lots of useful guides. RocketJump Film School has a series of playlists covering different elements of film production and includes helpful guides to a range of techniques.
Indie Film Hustle have lots of blogs on practical techniques and key filmmakers and film movements. Screen Skills have a range of job profiles and information to help students research potential career paths.
General media and film resources
For more general activities both Into Film and Film Education have a wide range of guides and suggested tasks. The BBFC website has a student guide and range of activities (including rate your own trailer!) which will help students understand film regulation.
Future Learn have a number of online courses which could be used as independent learning or transition projects. Their courses include Film Distribution, Gender Representation in the Media and Games Development Careers.
There are lots of online platforms, apps and free to download software which students can use to develop their media production skills. Options for image editing include:
https://www.gimp.org/
https://www.photopea.com/
https://glimpse-editor.org/
https://www.getpaint.net/
https://pixlr.com/
Stay connected
Let us know if you can add any suggested distance learning resources to the comments section below. If you have any questions please do email us at media@ocr.org.uk or call us 01223 553998. You can also follow and tweet us @OCR_Media_Film where we’ll be sharing any other useful resources we come across.
About the author
John Hibbert – Media and Film Studies Subject Advisor
John Hibbert has worked at OCR since April 2018 as Subject Advisor for Media and Film Studies. Prior to joining OCR John taught a range of Media and Film Studies qualifications in secondary schools, and was a head of department for the last eight years. Predictably, in his spare time he is a keen filmgoer, and in addition enjoys reading and miserable indie music.
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