MEST 4

As ever it was excellent to see those of you who attended yesterday's lessons.

In brief the pressure will begin to mount shortly on you and while things are generally quiet for most A2 courses can I recommend that you really apply your self to the research which needs to be done.

Research is a many headed beast which needs slaying (excuse the metaphor) and there is more than one way to slay that beast. The basis of YOUR research is investigation and exploration, these are the key words for you.

This might mean reading a range of texts from books on media (in all its forms), periodicals and magazines, daily newspapers, blogs, academic websites etc. and making notes on what you read (photocopying relevant pages, printing important passages AND annotating them). But mainly thinking about what you are reading and letting it lead you in new directions. Don't be afraid of not knowing yet exactly where you are going. Be open to discovery. Most importantly read, read, read and think about it.

Another relevant way for you to research will be to watch a variety of texts - ones which you think might be relevant. Watch some completely and other just watch extracts. If you have some vague idea of a genre: say martial arts films. Look up some lists of these and pick a few. REMEMBER: YOUR PRIMARY TEXTS MUST BE NO MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD (dating back to when you began the AS - therefore not earlier than September 2004) but you can have other texts which are older and give you the opportunity to look at historical contexts. You don't have to pick a FILM or TV programme, a specific music video or advert. You can look at an director, an actor, a genre, a form, or any number of other ways of exploring CONTEMPORARY MEDIA.

At this stage unless you are clear about what you are doing (and even if you have a good idea) be open and explore and that means watch and read a LOT.

I am expecting you to update your blogs regularly with your progress in the form of a developing bibliography and notes. I would also strongly recommend that you use the favourite website function on your own blog to keep track of the sites that you will need to revisit, that have found most useful etc.

GOOD LUCK!

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