New and digital media offers media institutions different ways of reaching audiences.
Consider how and why media institutions are using these techniques. (48 marks)

To connect, to create, to share creativity or thought, to discuss, to collaborate, to form
groups or to combine with others in mutual interests or passions. If you can’t see the
point of any of those things, you will not see the point of Facebook.’
(www.guardian.co.uk)
What opportunities and/or disadvantages do new and digital media have for audiences?(48 marks

New and digital media has offered significant advantages and disadvantages for audiences, and in the last 20 years the advances that is has made have resulted in society being connected in a way that it never has been before.  I am going to write with a focus on how new and digital media have impacted on the film industry audience, and what sorts of opportunities it has offered them.

One advantage that new and digital media offers film audiences is the chance to see things that are more technologically advanced, for example 3D and HD offer the audience a different and perhaps more exciting experience.  IMAX screenings of the new Bond film were booked out almost 3 months in advance for its' opening weekend, and Skyfall took £53.4 million in its' first 10 days:  a record that beat the previous winner The Dark Knight Rises.  Audiences go to the cinema to be entertained and to escape, and IMAX offers them this on a different level.

Audiences are able to interact with other members of the public more reguarly and in more depth now, and whereas previously discussions about films would be between friends and would take place in person, they now take place on the internet.  Youtube offers a forum for fans to discuss (U+G social interaction) and find out what other people think, and under trailers fans often contribute their thoughts and engage in debates and discussions about ideas.  For example, people commented on how 'awesome' Taken 2 was, and two people had begun a conversation about it and a discussion about which was better, Taken 1 or Taken 2.  In essence, this is an example of free marketing, as the audiences themselves are chatting about the films and therefore are likely to go on to have real conversations about it, or to post something on a social media site where likeminded people would also be keen to watch it.  Interestingly, in this same example, one person had gone on to post a site where you could watch the entire leaked film.  This exposes a disadvantage of new and digitla media as it means people can view films online and illegally and therefore could mean that people don't pay to go and see it at the cinema, which could have a negative impact on its' takings. 

Access to Media is now much easier, and this makes watching films and trailers much easier.  People are able to download films or to sign up to companies such as 'Love Film' and they never have to leave their homes to visit a shop to rent or buy a DVD if they don't want to!  This is obviously an advantage for audiences as it means they can be more flexibile and they can acquire films more easily.  This is also a disadvtange as it impacts on shops and businesses and means that audiences miss out on human contact in some way.

This is a key disadvtange of new and digital Media:  it means that audiences no longer need to have contact with anyone, ever, at any point.  This means that they are able to live a life encased in their own world, and to create any persona for themselves, and interact with people on a daily basis, whilst never actually meeting up with anyone.  The dangers of this are clear as it means that people sometimes believe that they can act in any way that they please and are able to say whatever they want.   Internet trolls have become more and more present in recent years and this is largely due to people believing that the internet is a kind of cloak over who they really are.  Therefore whilst the internet has offered a certain amount of freedom to audiences and has given them more power to interact with the things that they love and meet new people, it has also given people the power to be anyone that they want, and this can be a dangerous thing. 

To connect, to create, to share creativity or thought, to discuss, to collaborate, to form
groups or to combine with others in mutual interests or passions. If you can’t see the
point of any of those things, you will not see the point of Facebook.’
(www.guardian.co.uk)
What opportunities and/or disadvantages do new and digital media have for audiences?(48 marks)

Advantages

1. Easier for the regular person to voice their opinion.  For example with trailers and comments on youtube.  SPECIFIC EXAMPLE FROM YOUR CASE STUDY.
2. find out information more easily eg:  views, trivia, information about the films.  For example, wikapedia articles.  IMDB for miscellaneous information. 
3. You can share your life with people.  For example on Twitter and with photos.  Social interaction and discussion.
4. Validation of your existence and self esteem booster.
5. if you want to be famous it's easier.
6. You can share your interests and meet other people who have the same passions as you.  youtube posting comments back and forth.  Vital BMX - so people with a similar niche interest can easily find groups of likeminded people. 
7. For some people they may see it  as freedom to act in a way that they want and to be able to say what they want.   Gives people confidence because they can be anyone that they want.
8. Allows another platform to access Media - you can watch things on the internet more easily. 

Year 12 Homework: Answer this question, using examples from your case study.

 

How far have improvements in technology made a difference to the quality of
audience experience?

 

•Cinemas you can get 3D or imax experienced – different type of experience.

•HD and 3D TVs  - interact with it more.  More like a cinema experience if you want it.

•Technology less expensive but better

•Social networking – communicating about a film, brings audiences together.

•Watch it anywhere at anytime.

•You can review films yourself – there’s a forum for audiences.

•Really easy to make videos now

•More platforms that you can watch things on, easier to create content for a certain audience and advertise it. 

Year 13 Homework due on Friday November 9th

 Answer onto the blog:

‘To connect, to create, to share creativity or thought, to discuss, to collaborate, to form
groups or to combine with others in mutual interests or passions. If you can’t see the
point of any of those things, you will not see the point of Facebook.’
(www.guardian.co.uk)
What opportunities and/or disadvantages do new and digital media have for audiences?(48 marks)

Hello all students!  Everyone is going to complete one of these questions in a lesson next week, so spend some time preparing them ready for a practise exam style case study question.

It is important to be as prepared as possible as early as possible, which is why we're focusing on this now.  Make sure to research your case study fully so that you're ready for the question when we do it in class. 

AS Questions:

How far have improvements in technology made a difference to the quality of
audience experience?
In your answer you should:
! provide a brief outline of your case study
! evaluate the impact of new technologies (eg red button, file-sharing, 3D) on the
audience’s ability to interact with and/or enjoy media products from your case
study
! support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media
platforms. (32 marks)

How far have improvements in technology made a difference to the quality of
audience experience?In your answer you should:
! provide a brief outline of your case study
! evaluate the impact of new technologies (eg red button, file-sharing, 3D) on the
audience’s ability to interact with and/or enjoy media products from your case
study
! support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media
platforms. (32 marks)
.........................................................................................................................................................

A2 Media Studies

Question 6
0 6 New and digital media offers media institutions different ways of reaching audiences.
Consider how and why media institutions are using these techniques. (48 marks)OR
Question 7
0 7 ‘To connect, to create, to share creativity or thought, to discuss, to collaborate, to form
groups or to combine with others in mutual interests or passions. If you can’t see the
point of any of those things, you will not see the point of Facebook.’
(www.guardian.co.uk)
What opportunities and/or disadvantages do new and digital media have for audiences?(48 marks)

Year 12 Cover Work Wednesday November 7th

Please complete the following activities:

1.  Find three fansites about your case study texts and post specific comments from them onto your blog.
2.  Find two examples of UGC (user generated content) on youtube and post them onto your blog.  If possible, embed the videos so we can actually watch them on your blog.
3.  Make sure that you are following everyone else's in the class and that you are also following the year 13 blog as well. 
4.  Brainstorm answers to the following question 'Do you believe that audiences have more power than the institutions that create the texts?'