Liam James
GCSE Results:
English Literature: B
English Language: B
Mathematics: B
Science (single): C
Resistant materials: C
Economics: C
Hobbies:
Young Enterprise
Writing Poetry
Making short videos
Making short videos
Media Interests:
The film industry has always been a huge part of my life as i have grown up with film, adverts, music videos, TV programmes and loads more. It is a topic that is always brought up with people my age group, always talking about the latest movie or episode. Although I love 3D, graphics and a great plot in a film, I always seem to be more touched by a really good, capturing music video.
My favourite music genres are metal, rock and acoustic music, and these genres seem to make music that illustrates real life a lot more than others. Musicians usually touch the hearts of their listeners easier because they write about what has happened in their lifetime. Emotion is used a lot more in these genres, and general slow songs. 3 examples of good, capturing music videos and songs in these genres are;
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Avenged Sevenfold - So Far Away
Bullet For My Valentine - Bittersweet memories
Print Media:
I genuinely do not read the newspaper unless I am in a situation where I am waiting to be called in to a dentist for an appointment, or I'm waiting for my kebab. I genuinely pick up a sport newspaper because I am a huge Manchester United fan and always enjoy gossip on what's happening with players in the premier league. I do not read gossip magazines because I believe they are a waste of time and full of lies.
I prefer going onto the Internet because my phone is always with me, so I can look at articles on my phone whenever I want. The Internet is also much faster to use and it is free.
I prefer going onto the Internet because my phone is always with me, so I can look at articles on my phone whenever I want. The Internet is also much faster to use and it is free.
Radio Media:
I genuinely only listen to the radio when I am in the car with my parents, and even then I usually put headphones on. I know this is a stereotypical teenager thing to do, but I enjoy my music more than what most radio stations play. However, if the news is on in the car then I will listen to it, because I enjoy knowing what happens in the wider world.
Music Industry:
Favourite genres are metal, rock and acoustic music. Unfortunately, I have never learnt an instrument. I have tried learning guitar but that didn't turn out too well, and I certainly can't sing. So, I do not belong in a band.
I do access my music through the Internet, I use You Tube all the time when I am at home. I usually download music from iTunes, but if I have no money, I will download music illegally. I prefer to not do this because the music usually isn't in good quality and I hate not giving artists their well earned money, even if they are already millionaires. I think illegally downloading music off the Internet is wrong. However, some people can't afford to pay money to people (who are already extremal well off) for 3 minutes of sound.
Music, along with television, is one of the biggest factors effecting the clothing industry. I always see people wearing dark clothes, who clearly listen to heavy metal/metal core/death metal etc. Music clearly influenced these people into buying these clothes, and it can inspire people into being unique. In public, you also see "indie" people. This is a new term. These people listen to people and bands that are quite different to normal music, such as Mumford and Sons, Bastille and more. They dress in a unique way, each one of them trying to be different, which is quite funny because they all look the same. They wear brighter, baggy clothes and usually wear a beanie hat.
Another influence on clothing is bands. I have T-shirts with my favourite bands on. Music influenced me into buying these cloths, because I have a love for my genres.
I do access my music through the Internet, I use You Tube all the time when I am at home. I usually download music from iTunes, but if I have no money, I will download music illegally. I prefer to not do this because the music usually isn't in good quality and I hate not giving artists their well earned money, even if they are already millionaires. I think illegally downloading music off the Internet is wrong. However, some people can't afford to pay money to people (who are already extremal well off) for 3 minutes of sound.
Music, along with television, is one of the biggest factors effecting the clothing industry. I always see people wearing dark clothes, who clearly listen to heavy metal/metal core/death metal etc. Music clearly influenced these people into buying these clothes, and it can inspire people into being unique. In public, you also see "indie" people. This is a new term. These people listen to people and bands that are quite different to normal music, such as Mumford and Sons, Bastille and more. They dress in a unique way, each one of them trying to be different, which is quite funny because they all look the same. They wear brighter, baggy clothes and usually wear a beanie hat.
Another influence on clothing is bands. I have T-shirts with my favourite bands on. Music influenced me into buying these cloths, because I have a love for my genres.
Video Games:
I am a video game fanatic. I enjoy strategy games that take a long time to complete, and I enjoy working as a team. My favourite video game of all time is Age of Empires III. I started playing Age of Empires when i was 7 years old, and have had a love for it since. In this game you start off with no army and very little resources, and you build up your resources to build your economy and army. You focus on either army or economy, and if you are good, you can focus on both.
Most video games are violent. This can have a massive effect on some people if they engage in violent video games too much. An example of this is when a man in America stole a truck and almost killed a few people because he "wanted to see what it was like to play Grand Theft Auto in real life". Because some people spend a lot of time playing Call of Duty and Battlefield, they can be influenced into thinking war is brilliant and exciting, especially if the person playing it is a lot younger.
Most video games are violent. This can have a massive effect on some people if they engage in violent video games too much. An example of this is when a man in America stole a truck and almost killed a few people because he "wanted to see what it was like to play Grand Theft Auto in real life". Because some people spend a lot of time playing Call of Duty and Battlefield, they can be influenced into thinking war is brilliant and exciting, especially if the person playing it is a lot younger.
New Technologies:
Modern technology is expanding dramatically. You can literally find anything out whenever you want and wherever you are, if you have 3G or FIFI. This has changed the whole idea of research and developing ideas. This has not only benefited me, but most people in my generation. Modern technology allows people like me to witness and understand things that are happening half way across the globe, with news on TV, newspapers and much more. Poverty is so widely known now because the media have gained a way to let the public know about it.
Social networking is special. You can add people you were friends with 15 years ago and have a conversation with them. People meet on websites like Face book and end up getting married. I can talk to over 300 people whenever I want just by sending them a message. The app on my phone allows me to see a message whenever I get it. I have an iPhone, and this allows me to use iMessage to people with other iphones. IMessage is basically free texting, making it a lot cheaper to stay in contact with people.
Finding out information about films, television programmes, the music industry etc is extremely easy. All you do is type into google the name of the film or song and it will give you information on it. If you are looking for release dates, the you literally type that in after the name of the film and you will have what you need.
My ability to create my own media texts is so much easier today, than it was 30 years ago. I can use a computer and the software on the computer to create my own media text, and make it look professional.
Social networking is special. You can add people you were friends with 15 years ago and have a conversation with them. People meet on websites like Face book and end up getting married. I can talk to over 300 people whenever I want just by sending them a message. The app on my phone allows me to see a message whenever I get it. I have an iPhone, and this allows me to use iMessage to people with other iphones. IMessage is basically free texting, making it a lot cheaper to stay in contact with people.
Finding out information about films, television programmes, the music industry etc is extremely easy. All you do is type into google the name of the film or song and it will give you information on it. If you are looking for release dates, the you literally type that in after the name of the film and you will have what you need.
My ability to create my own media texts is so much easier today, than it was 30 years ago. I can use a computer and the software on the computer to create my own media text, and make it look professional.
Television:
I do not watch much television anymore. I spend most of my time socialising with my friends and doing homework. However, I do watch football, and i do support Manchester United, so my favourite channels are Sky Sports 1-4.
Although I do not watch television channels, I still watch programmes. My favourite television genre is drama/thriller. I love series' such as Game of Thrones, Dexter and Luther. I love this genre because it adds suspense and you can never wait for the next episode. They generally have better actors in them, and the plot is usually more enjoyable.
Although I do not watch television channels, I still watch programmes. My favourite television genre is drama/thriller. I love series' such as Game of Thrones, Dexter and Luther. I love this genre because it adds suspense and you can never wait for the next episode. They generally have better actors in them, and the plot is usually more enjoyable.
Memorable TV programmes:
Game of Thrones
Luther
Dexter
True Blood
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad
Feature Films;
Drama/Thriller/Action films are the best genres. They generally produce better actors and unlike series', I prefer action because the plot cannot be as long as a series. High-budget films are usually in these genres and this makes them more enjoyable.
Outstanding films:
Now you see me - This film has amazing graphics and the storyline is just awesome. You don't know who is controlling the main characters until the end and this film is very aesthetically pleasing. There is mind games and action in this film and the director made it outstanding to watch.
Forrest Gump - everyone has seen this film. Dramas like this are just amazing. This has one of the best story lines a film could have and the romance throughout the film reaches out to female audiences, whilst the brief war scenes reach out to the men. His story from childhood to adulthood touches all the viewers hearts and as the film goes on, Forest gets a little older and the director allows this to influence the viewers and make them feel so much emotion, it is breathtaking.
The Green Mile - Although I usually do not like films which contain a character with supernatural powers, it really did not matter. John Coffey was presented by the director as loving and caring, but in the film, to most other people, he was a monster. Because of the era this film was set, the audience knows that, in the back of their mind, it won't end well for the loving African-American. He was played my Micheal Duncan extremely well and the storyline of this film is just breathtaking. Me and my dad were in tears.
The Green Mile - Although I usually do not like films which contain a character with supernatural powers, it really did not matter. John Coffey was presented by the director as loving and caring, but in the film, to most other people, he was a monster. Because of the era this film was set, the audience knows that, in the back of their mind, it won't end well for the loving African-American. He was played my Micheal Duncan extremely well and the storyline of this film is just breathtaking. Me and my dad were in tears.
I prefer to watch films at home in my room due to my comfortable chairs and huge TV. I enjoy my own space and can do what I like in it. I usually watch Netflix from my Xbox 360 game console.
My favourite cinema is the cinema in Dubai mall (I used to live in Dubai) due to its gold tickets which are more expensive, but you get a huge comfortable chair and get to order your food before you go in, and they will bring it to you just after the film starts. The cinema was only 10 minutes from my villa when i lived there, which only costed about £4 to get there via taxi.
I prefer to watch films with my family because my friends talk too much and watching them on my own is boring because I can't discuss it afterwards.
Media Producer?
I have made a few vines but that's about it. I have edited a few game clips before and uploaded to You Tube, but I took them down afterwards and deleted my channel because I was doing my GCSE's at the time and needed to focus on them. They were also really bad.
Conclusion
I do not find many things offencive. People have opinions, I accept that, even if I disagree with them. I have never properly been offended by a film, music video or anything like that, but i have however been offended by a few news reports. For example, a while ago, American troops were recorded euranating on fallen Afghan troops. I watched the clip on You tube after seeing a dubbed version on Sky News. I was outraged. Things like this, things that discriminate other cultures or shows lack of common sense towards other human beings really gets under my skin and makes me angry. I do not get offended easily but stories like this enfuriate me. I was offended.
The most exciting media text I have ever heard would most probably be watching a man jump from a hot air balloon and break the dound barrier before pulling his parrashoot. This was an amazing accomplishment and I am glad to have seen it live on YouTube.
Game of Thrones has changed my attitude about many things. Most TV shows and films are all happy these days, and do not illustrate to their audiences what real life is actually about. Game of Thrones is unique because there aren't happy endings. The people you are rooting for to win this epic war just will not win. The person you enjoy watching and becomes your favourite actor, dies. It shows what life is really like. Not everything goes your way and it shows how people react to things that happen. It demonstrates what life was really like 500+ years ago, even if it is set in a different world. Game of Thrones uses amazing acting and quotes to teach the audience. For example “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” by George R.R. Martain (Author of Game of Thrones).
If I were asked to construct a media text, the medium I would choose would be a music video on where I used to live, Great Yarmouth. I would show all the drugs they do there, showing the poor conditions the UK is letting people live in. I would use one of the songs my friend has written (he only writes depressing songs) and I will show why Great Yarmouth has the highest teenage pregancy rate in the whole of Europe.
The most exciting media text I have ever heard would most probably be watching a man jump from a hot air balloon and break the dound barrier before pulling his parrashoot. This was an amazing accomplishment and I am glad to have seen it live on YouTube.
Game of Thrones has changed my attitude about many things. Most TV shows and films are all happy these days, and do not illustrate to their audiences what real life is actually about. Game of Thrones is unique because there aren't happy endings. The people you are rooting for to win this epic war just will not win. The person you enjoy watching and becomes your favourite actor, dies. It shows what life is really like. Not everything goes your way and it shows how people react to things that happen. It demonstrates what life was really like 500+ years ago, even if it is set in a different world. Game of Thrones uses amazing acting and quotes to teach the audience. For example “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” by George R.R. Martain (Author of Game of Thrones).
If I were asked to construct a media text, the medium I would choose would be a music video on where I used to live, Great Yarmouth. I would show all the drugs they do there, showing the poor conditions the UK is letting people live in. I would use one of the songs my friend has written (he only writes depressing songs) and I will show why Great Yarmouth has the highest teenage pregancy rate in the whole of Europe.
I chose media studies as an A level because I was never given the option to take it as a GCSE. I never got to take it as a GCSE because I used to live abroad. It was not an option as a GCSE at my old school in Dubai, so when I left Dubai after year 10, I re-did year 10 in Muscat, Oman hoping to take it then, but they also did not do it. I have always been interested in film and producing film, especially the editing side of it. Another reason is that Media opens a lot of doors for where I can go after A levels and I still do not have a clue where I want to go.
My sisters best friend did media A level and she said it was amazing and really interesting. She also said there is a lot of group work, which is what I like so I thought this course was right for me.
(draft 2)
Liam James
