Coursework: Summer Project 2018

The summer project is a fantastic opportunity to start planning your Science Fiction TV drama extract.

Your summer project contains compulsory and optional elements; everybody will be researching Science Fiction TV, creating a new TV drama idea and then writing a detailed Statement of Intent. However, if you wish to plan and film your production over the summer while you have time and actors available we would fully support you in this approach.

Summer project tasks

Complete the following tasks on a blogpost on your Media blog called 'Summer Project: coursework planning':

1) Research: Science Fiction TV drama 

Watch the following Science Fiction TV drama clips and write an NCIS analysis of each one.

Doctor Who: Amy Pond meets Amelia Pond



Narrative: How is the story communicated to the audience? What do you think will happen next? Can you apply Todorov's theory of equilibrium to this clip?

Character: How do the characters appeal to the audience? Can you apply Propp's character theory to any of the characters in this extract? Do the characters reinforce or subvert stereotypes?

Iconography: Study the mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). How does the mise-en-scene communicate the narrative and Science Fiction genre?

Setting: How does the setting fit the Science Fiction genre? What audience pleasures might the setting provide for the audience? Think about Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory.


Humans: Series 1 trailer 



Narrative: How is the story communicated to the audience? What do you think will happen next? Can you apply Todorov's theory of equilibrium to this clip?

Character: How do the characters appeal to the audience? Can you apply Propp's character theory to any of the characters in this extract? Do the characters reinforce or subvert stereotypes?

Iconography: Study the mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). How does the mise-en-scene communicate the narrative and Science Fiction genre?

Setting: How does the setting fit the Science Fiction genre? What audience pleasures might the setting provide for the audience? Think about Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory.


Stranger Things: Goodbye Mike




Narrative: How is the story communicated to the audience? What do you think will happen next? Can you apply Todorov's theory of equilibrium to this clip?

Character: How do the characters appeal to the audience? Can you apply Propp's character theory to any of the characters in this extract? Do the characters reinforce or subvert stereotypes?

Iconography: Study the mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). How does the mise-en-scene communicate the narrative and Science Fiction genre?

Setting: How does the setting fit the Science Fiction genre? What audience pleasures might the setting provide for the audience? Think about Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory.


Additional research: optional extension
Depending on your coursework plan and the sub-genre of Science Fiction you are working with, you may wish to research additional Science Fiction TV dramas. You can make optional additional notes on other TV dramas here:


2) TV drama planning and Statement of Intent

Plan out the title and narrative for your new, original Science Fiction TV drama and write your genuine 300-word Statement of Intent. This will be submitted to the exam board alongside your Science Fiction TV drama extract and is worth 10 marks of the overall 60 marks available.

Guidance is provided by AQA in their NEA Student Booklet but we strongly recommend you also look at our Statement of Intent suggested content document too.


Summer project deadline: all tasks above due in first lesson back in September



Summer project: optional extensions

Pre-production tasks
Some students have already expressed an interest in filming their Science Fiction TV drama extracts over the summer break. This makes a huge amount of sense - far more availability of actors, much more time to schedule filming etc. However, if you want to do this, you need to complete the following aspects of pre-production:

Script
Write a script for your Science Fiction TV drama extract. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional scripts).

Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your extract AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the extract in chronological order. 

Mise-en-scene
What iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands this is part of the Science Fiction TV drama genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details. 

Shooting schedule 
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the summer. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Word or Excel or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!

Non-assessed participants
You will need to provide a written record of all non-assessed participants in your production work. Keep a record of everyone involved - actors, camerawork, sound etc. You will also need a keep a record of any non-original sound you used and note it on the Candidate Record Form. Keep these on your blog for easy reference when submitting your work later this year.

Production: Filming 
Once you have completed your pre-production tasks, you can film as planned. If you are unable to film over the summer, we will have time to film this production in the first weeks of September.

Good luck!