Exam Tips

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

1. Get coloured pencils, fine liner and ruler
2. Make sketches and diagrams where appropriate
3. Dont bring your own prelease into the exam- you will get a clean copy

Tasks:
(Question four) In the production task, it will either be:
   - Storyboard
   - Designing DVD cover
   - A front cover of TV listings magazine
   - Website homepage (BBC Sherlock website will help!)

• Always a 'code and conventions' question
• There will be certain words in the pre-release that are repeated in questions
• Treat question 1 as a debate (Always pretend to have a genuine, desperate need!)
• Question 2/3 will be a pitch
• If a 'successful question' is not there, still add why and justify your opinion
• Your venn diagram is key
• You're expected to be able to talk about 3 different crime dramas in great detail, make sure you know characters, narratives, episodes, settings etc.
• You should have independant shows that you can relate to but detail is not essential
• State similarities between shows
• Relate back to two different theories (See theory post)

Use the term 'proliferation' meaning an increased amount of
e.g.- "Over the last ten years, there has been a proliferation of shows, platforms and channels."

Put attention to...

• Character types
  (know in detail about all main character, what is there vice/flaw- e.g. Luther is too obsessed with his ex wife that it interfers with his work)
• Settings and the importance of the settings
• Know set pieces and iconography
• Know your jargon/terminology
• Write in role!!
• Be passionate about what you're saying
• Make it believable
  (on iplayer/on demand, BBC3 ----> BBC is successful)
• Use a specific audience when creating your own drama
• Rationale- always give your reasons behind things
• Think of other forms of marketing
  (e.g. interactive app available whilst watching the show, Inuniverse marketing e.g. Sherlock and Watsons blog- SOCIAL MEDIA!)