Please note: The Foundation Portfolio examples provided in this resource have recently been checked and the comments adapted to fit the revised mark scheme for examination from 2024.
The candidate’s marks are at the bottom of level 3 for AO2, low level for AO3i, and ii, securely in level 3 for AO3iii, and level 2 for AO3iv therefore, overall, we can say that the portfolio fulfils the assessment criterial for level 3.
AO2 The candidate analyses and evaluates
their own work demonstrating some clear understanding of how meaning is
created. They clearly engage with all four questions, even though the
development of each is variable. There is some clear understanding of key
concepts.
AO3The finished product shows some
evidence of being the outcome of the candidate’s research and is convincing as a
film opening. Its meaning is apparent to the viewer. The appropriate use of
elements relating to film production is generally clear and effective in
places. The production is mostly finished to a high standard. The
ability to research and plan a media product is clear. There is some evidence of decisions and
revisions as part of the process, indicating a clear
sense of the development of the production.
Digital creative tools are limited with only one
application employed to produce the Creative
Critical Reflection
Overall, the portfolio presented in the blog below is a clear example of what is expected at this level.
There are a satisfactory number of blog posts which are clearly dated and
follow a clear path from the start of the project to the final product and
reflection. However, some of the preliminary materials are not relevant to the final outcome (see examiner notes within the
blog),
The content of some of the posts lean towards being
descriptive rather than analytical or discursive, but overall their contribution to the process of production is clear.
Research has been completed but is not always relevant to the final product.
Planning is just about clear, but could have included a wider range of tasks to move
this strand firmly into level
3. In order to produce a sophisticated
portfolio candidates should complete a range of thoughtful, detailed, and
relevant planning activities, e.g. recce reports, casting sessions, scripting
and screenplay production, test shots (especially for any effects used),
storyboarding, risk assessments.
The final production clearly moves the candidate’s overall
assessment from being level 2/3 to being a secure/high
level 3, and is readable as a film within its genre. The final production
is the strongest element of this portfolio and if the rest of the candidate’s
submission was to this standard their mark would have been higher.
The Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) is just about clear in content, but could be improved by a greater
creative use of a range of digital applications to demonstrate the candidate’s
knowledge and understanding. The required questions have been addressed but
lack a real sense of detail expected at higher levels. Short responses to the
questions do not allow learners to fully
demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the process of production.
A useful exercise in preparation for both the practical work to come and the AS Level exam. However, the preliminary task does not in itself form part of the assessment and as such should not occupy so too much of the blog.
The assessed part of the blog really starts here. For this portfolio we have given some credit for the preliminary exercises in so far as they can be seen as part of the research and planning process and show skills development. This blog, however, contains far too much preliminary material and not enough assessed material directly focused on the set brief.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Media Studies
AO2 The candidate analyses and evaluates their own work demonstrating some clear understanding of how meaning is created. They clearly engage with all four questions, even though the development of each is variable. There is some clear understanding of key concepts.
AO3 The finished product shows some evidence of being the outcome of the candidate’s research and is convincing as a film opening. Its meaning is apparent to the viewer. The appropriate use of elements relating to film production is generally clear and effective in places. The production is mostly finished to a high standard. The ability to research and plan a media product is clear. There is some evidence of decisions and revisions as part of the process, indicating a clear sense of the development of the production. Digital creative tools are limited with only one application employed to produce the Creative Critical Reflection
Overall, the portfolio presented in the blog below is a clear example of what is expected at this level. There are a satisfactory number of blog posts which are clearly dated and follow a clear path from the start of the project to the final product and reflection. However, some of the preliminary materials are not relevant to the final outcome (see examiner notes within the blog),
The content of some of the posts lean towards being descriptive rather than analytical or discursive, but overall their contribution to the process of production is clear. Research has been completed but is not always relevant to the final product. Planning is just about clear, but could have included a wider range of tasks to move this strand firmly into level 3. In order to produce a sophisticated portfolio candidates should complete a range of thoughtful, detailed, and relevant planning activities, e.g. recce reports, casting sessions, scripting and screenplay production, test shots (especially for any effects used), storyboarding, risk assessments.
The final production clearly moves the candidate’s overall assessment from being level 2/3 to being a secure/high level 3, and is readable as a film within its genre. The final production is the strongest element of this portfolio and if the rest of the candidate’s submission was to this standard their mark would have been higher.
The Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) is just about clear in content, but could be improved by a greater creative use of a range of digital applications to demonstrate the candidate’s knowledge and understanding. The required questions have been addressed but lack a real sense of detail expected at higher levels. Short responses to the questions do not allow learners to fully demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the process of production.