Media Studies Department
The Level 2 Media Studies course
The Level 2 course is very much centered around the theme of 'Audience'. We start by looking at why media producers need to know their audience, how they identify and target their audience as well as what they do to appeal to them. We then look at representation and how a particular group / culture or section of society is represented by the media. What stereotypes does the media use, does this give people messages about how they should be, If so does this create implications or consequences. We look at film genre and how / why it has changed and developed over the last 40 years. Students then get to put what they have learned into practice by planning and producing a double page magazine spread. Students are responsible for their own journalism, photography and computer layout.
The Level 3 Media Studies course
The level 3 course is themed around 'society'. 
We start by looking at the television industry in New Zealand, its organisational structure, the controls that affect what networks do and how these things serve viewers. We then look at film genre and the interaction or influence with society. The boys plan and produce a short documentary film then we finish the year looking at the notion of 'Readings'. This is how one media product, produced with the creator's vision in mind, can be seen or interpreted very differently by the audience. For example the same film can be interpreted as a feminist, historical or psychological text.
'Guerrilla Media' - Using the media to make positive social change
