MediaMag Conference Notes Summary

Chewing Gum for the Brain

Why Do People talk such rubbish about Media Studies

The speakers introduced his lecture talking about how Homer Simpson is the inspiration for Media Studies.  He then continued his lecture talking about school and parents views on the educational system. Angry parents have accused schools of “dumbing down” English lessons by showing clips of The Simpsons in lessons. The Independent Newspaper also created a headline regarding Media Studies, titled: Tories to tackle Media Studies Menace. Barnaby Lennon, the Head of Harrow School labelled Media  Studies as a worthless qualification, and also stated that : “worthless qualifications give false hope to state pupils”. The lecturer also spoke of an online Media Studies blog, titled “Media Studies is shit!”, where the bloggers speak about how they “want William Shakespeare in classrooms, not Ronald McDonald.” The Independent also spoke about how Media Studies, being a soft subject, has students shunning Science and Maths in order to study Media. One of the lecturers closing points was about how people have argued that studying Media Studies at A-Level and University will not get you a job.

Online Media, Cleggmania, and the Cowell Factor

The topic of the debate is all about democracy. The lecturer introduced the debate by talking about someone called Tony Benn, whom had been in parliament for up to 50 years. He also spoke about how he had big ideas that changed the world.  He then introduced Simon Cowell, more famously known as the judge on X-Factor and Britains got Talent. He then spoke about how Simon Cowell, just by being a judge and a tv star, may have more power than some of the world’s biggest politicians. He then spoke about how converged media is a lot more interactive. Media Studies is also used to create video games, which was the lecturers next point. He spoke about how todays video games are designed using modern media facilities. He then introduced a book by someone called Danny Gilmore, titled We The Media, which connotes that media studies has become a vital part of todays society.  Nick Clegg is a name that is mainly notified as being a major part of todays Government. He then introduced something known as Cleggmania.  For one of his finishing points, he refered back to the beginning of his lecture, where his PowerPoint Presentation showed a picture of Susan Boyle, the lady from Scotland who became world famous for her performances in Britains got Talent. He closed his lecture talking about how he used a picture of Susan Boyle, because she became famous via television, but she has no power. 

Perfecting your Production Work

The 3^rd Lecturer spoke to us about how Media Studies can be perfected by following some simple tips for Media Studies success. The lecturer began by talking about how any Media Studies project needs to be carefully planned before beginning it.  Their next point was how all planning needs to be recorded, perhaps in a book. This allows the planning to be referred back to when the production begins. They then began to talk about using storyboards can help make a media production easier, as it gives the producer an idea of what each frame will contain, and can therefore make production easier and quicker. The next point was about how using Blogs can also help Media  Production a lot easier. These allow you to easily share information with other members in your production team.