Could you clarify the requirements of the pre-production? Is it simply planning for the
production? Are hand drawn pre-productions acceptable?
The pre-production must be an artefact. For an audio-visual production, this may be a storyboard or
a screenplay, for example. For a print based production, the pre-production might consist of a front
cover and contents page of a magazine, CD/DVD covers etc. These are examples, rather than an
exhaustive list. Pre-productions must be completed using DTP and not hand drawn (see
exception below).
Are hand drawn storyboards acceptable for pre-production?
Storyboards can be hand drawn or produced using digital photography (but not screen grabs from
the finished production).
Do storyboards have to cover the whole production?
Storyboards should be about 15 frames long. If candidates are producing, for example, a music
video, they should submit a storyboard for a chosen sequence from the music video.
Should the research conducted for the pre-production be submitted?
Pre-productions should be informed by research undertaken, but the research must not be
submitted and can only be assessed as part of the report (A04).
For a CD cover pre-production, is a front and back cover sufficient?
Yes, this meets the minimum requirements, but an additional insert can allow more scope to
address aspects such as star image, text, typography etc. and to demonstrate advanced technical
and creative skills.
How should work be assessed when it is uneven?
The candidate’s technical and creative skills are being assessed for the pre-production, so
adjustments would need to be made if one were significantly poorer than the other. Please justify
your marking on the MS2/1 form.
What would candidates have to submit for pre-production if they did webpages for MS2?
There are different options. It may depend on what the webpages are for – for example a website
for a music star/group could have a CD cover or magazine front page and content’s page promoting
that star as a pre-production; a website for a (fictional) TV programme could have a TV script.
Some centres, however, ask their candidates to submit a detailed home page and another linked
page for pre-production and then a further 2/3pages for the production (similar to magazines).
What script format do you want submitted for MS2 (script or screenplay)?
There is no one script format that we require. What we do ask is that candidates have been taught
script-writing as a skill and have researched how to lay out a script. This should be referred to in
their responses. Many centres use the BBC Writers' Room format for TV scripts. It is also
important that candidates understand clearly the differences between Film scripts, TV scripts and
screenplays and use the appropriate format.
Can candidates submit a marketing campaign as a production?
An entire marketing campaign exceeds the requirements for production (2 – 3 pages for print) and
candidates should be advised against trying to complete too many pieces in order to maintain a
consistent quality.
Where a group audio-visual piece is relatively short (such as a film trailer), it is strongly suggested
that candidates submit an individual poster in addition to the group piece so that a candidate may
display the necessary creative and technical skills.
How many pages does a DVD cover count as?
A DVD front and back cover is classed as 2 pages. But candidates are encouraged to complete a
poster as well. Productions should be 2 – 3 pages.
Is it acceptable for candidates to work together on filming and then produce an individual
edit for an audio-visual production?
This is acceptable and can ensure a clear individual contribution for assessment.
Can you have groups of four working on AV productions?
It is possible – but each candidate must have a clearly defined technical role (camera, editing or – in
some cases – sound or lighting). Marks should be awarded to each individual candidate based on
their technical and creative competence – not on the finished production itself. Experienced has
demonstrated, however, that small groups work best.
Is it possible for candidates to submit gaming work? What are the requirements?
This could take different forms – from producing games' covers to producing pages for a gaming
magazine. If there is a candidate who would like to produce a section of an actual game and has
the necessary coding skills, please contact the WJEC to discuss pre-production and production
possibilities.
If a student produces a strong piece of production work that follows conventions but is very
simplistic (e.g. Vogue cover/fashion pages with an emphasis on photography), how do we
assess that in comparison with other, more detailed, production work?
Production work is assessed according to both technical and creative competence. It should also
be informed by the research the candidate has undertaken. Consequently it is perfectly possible to
produce a piece of work which is (deceptively) simple. However, this does require both planning and
creativity – just like a page which might appear more complex because there is more on it.
If my candidates are creating documentaries for production, should they include a script?
The script would not be their pre-production.
This is not necessary. It is not assessed and is not needed for moderation – but it is very good
classroom practice.
If pairs are working together on MS2 production and they both want to do cinematography
and editing, can we specify that student A has done the first one minute 30 seconds and
student B has done the second one minute 30 seconds.
Yes.
Should how the research has informed the pre-production be explicit?
The report should discuss research undertaken and then explain how the research has informed the
pre-production (A04).
Should the evaluation part of the report focus purely on the production?
Yes. The evaluation part of the report links only to the production and should discuss the strengths
and weaknesses of the production only through a comparison with existing media products.
Is a bibliography useful for MS2?
This is a good way of teaching the skills and preparing for MS3.
Can candidates be briefed to create an advertising text for a very specific audience/event e.g.
the Superbowl?
Candidates should have a clear idea of the audience for the text that they are producing and a
specific audience is a good idea. However, we would recommend that centres do not use existing
events such as the Superbowl because these events already have extensive advertising
campaigns. Do, please, check with WJEC if you require more guidance on a specific brief.
Why must work be submitted on paper (print) or DVD (AV) for MS2 & MS3 when quality can
be compromised, especially footage shot in HD? Can it not be submitted electronically?
Currently moderators are not set up to receive work electronically. Hopefully this may be an option
in the future. For print work – it is essential to print out to ensure that images are not pixelated and
that the sizing is accurate.
Shouldn't we be looking at conventional texts when leading candidates in MS2? The
Budweiser campaign, for example, is out of the candidates' league?
Centres are free to use whatever texts they want in their teaching. However candidates should not
be set an MS2 brief to produce an advertising campaign for an existing product.
What are the rules regarding re-submission of MS2 coursework?
According to the JCQ guidelines, 'candidates may submit new, amended or enhanced work'. The
complete folder with new coversheet etc. must be re-marked and internally standardised where
necessary. The candidate is treated as part of the current year’s AS cohort for moderation sampling
purposes. The candidate is entered for the unit and for a cash-in at A Level, at which point the
higher of the two coursework marks is automatically picked up.