2009
QUESTION ONE: The relationship(s) between media and wider society
EITHER:
(a) The explosion of new media has not led to an enrichment of ideas. Instead, it has led to unprecedented levels of conformity in mainstream media.
OR:
(b) “[Media] censorship in any form is the enemy of creativity.” Allan Jenkins
OR:
(c) “ ... there is a continuing dissatisfaction with the negative imaging [of Māori] by television, film and the print media.”
Merata Mita
With reference to ONE of the quotations or statements above, analyse the relationship(s) between ONE or more media AND wider society.
QUESTION TWO: The development of a medium and / or the factors that shape a media industry
EITHER:
(a) To remain relevant and successful in this digital era, media industries need to rethink their relationship with consumers.
OR:
(b) “I think if you were a visitor to NZ ... and you watched our commercial television channels, you’d probably be forgiven for thinking you were still in your home country” [eg UK, USA or Australia]. Jim Mather
OR:
(c) “Newspapers... are dying and will die. They have no future whatsoever.”
Roy Greenslade
With reference to ONE of the quotations or statements above, analyse the development of a medium / media industry AND / OR the factors that shape it.
QUESTION THREE: The close reading of media texts
EITHER:
(a) “While genre was / is always about repetition and prediction, it is also about innovation and renewal.”
Sean Redmond
OR:
(b) “All film-making [and / or other media texts] is manipulation of creative elements to try to tell a greater truth.”
Doug Pray
OR:
(c) “The best films [and / or other media texts] burn into our subconscious and become part of our collective experience.”
Robert Sarkies
With reference to ONE of the quotations above, analyse media texts (from any medium) that you have read closely.
2008
QUESTION ONE: The relationship(s) between media and wider society
EITHER:
(a) “Ratings obsessed, focus grouped, lowest denominator media products lead to stupid ideas in the minds of audiences.”
Dr Aric Sigman
OR:
(b) “The media is a massage. We're constantly being stroked, manipulated, adjusted, realigned, and manoeuvred.”
Joey Skaggs
OR:
(c) “broadcasting [and other media] standards matter because when they’re breached someone usually ends up suffering the consequences.” Dominic Sheehan
With reference to ONE of the quotations above, analyse the relationship(s) between ONE or more media AND wider society.
QUESTION TWO: The development of a medium and / or the factors that shape a media industry
EITHER:
(a) “Convergence is changing the ways in which media industries operate and the ways average people think about their relation to media.” Henry Jenkins
OR:
(b) “Television is changing, and it’s changing so fast that it’s hard for the bigger, older, more established companies to keep up.” Oliver Driver
OR:
(c) “The era of the blockbuster is so over. The niche is now ‘king’, and the entertainment industry — from music to movies to TV — will never be the same.” Chris Anderson
With reference to ONE of the quotations above, analyse the development of a medium / media industry AND/OR the factors that shape it.
QUESTION THREE: The close reading of media texts
EITHER:
(a) “Genres tend to evolve by repeating old ideas in new combinations.”
James Naremore
OR:
(b) “A great film is one that frees the viewer from a passive stupor and engages him or her in a creative process of viewing.” Paul Schrader
OR:
(c) “We don’t see things the way they are, we see them the way we are.”
Anaïs Nin
With reference to ONE of the quotations above, analyse media texts you have read closely.
2007
QUESTION ONE: The relationship(s) between media and wider society
The media are powerful. Good or bad, they reflect and influence society’s interests, attitudes and values.
With reference to this statement, analyse the relationship(s) between one or more media and wider society.
You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
QUESTION TWO: The Development of a Medium
QUESTION TWO: The Development of a Medium
When the audience is fed up with the standard stuff and cries out for something different, that’s when innovative things happen in a medium.
With reference to this statement, analyse one or more developments in a medium. You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
QUESTION THREE: The Factors that Shape a Media Industry
The challenge for media industries is to adapt and find ways to remain relevant and profitable as technology and/or society change.
With reference to this statement, analyse the factors that have shaped and / or are shaping one or more media industries.
You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
2006
QUESTION ONE: The relationship(s) between media and wider society
“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.”
Jim Morrison
Analyse the relationship between the media and wider society in the light of Morrison’s statement.
Question Two: Developments in a Medium
“What is required is a complete transformation of the way we think about our product.”
Rupert Murdoch
Analyse developments in ONE medium with reference to Murdoch’s statement.
Question Three: The Role of Production Processes in Shaping Media Texts
“To use technology to create magic is what appealed to me.”
Francis Ford Coppola
Analyse the impact of technology and / or other aspects of production processes in shaping media texts, with reference to Coppola’s statement.
2005
QUESTION ONE: Development Within a Medium
“Progress is impossible without change ...” Albert Einstein Discuss with reference to significant developments in ONE specific medium. You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
“Progress is impossible without change ...” Albert Einstein Discuss with reference to significant developments in ONE specific medium. You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
QUESTION TWO: Trends and Issues
“There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1: 9 Discuss with reference to a significant trend or issue in media. You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
QUESTION THREE: Role of Media in Society
“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth.” Malcolm X Discuss with reference to the role of media in our society. You should refer to a wide range of specific evidence to support your analysis.
2004
QUESTION ONE
From your close reading of media texts, draw conclusions about future developments within a medium. You should refer to specific examples from a number of media texts to support your analysis.
QUESTION TWO
Analyse a media issue or controversy in New Zealand, with reference to its past, present and future. Y should refer to a number of sources and specific examples from media texts to support your analysis.
QUESTION THREE
Analyse the influence of the production process in shaping media texts. You should refer to specific examples from a number of media texts to support your analysis.
