Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??
Discussion for A-Level students and for those choosing their A-Level subjects.
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Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??Hi,
My name is Hansel and this is my first time on this forum. So heres the deal, i want to do media as a career when I'm older whether it being directing, editing or vfx or compositing I'm not quite sure exactly right now but i want to do media. I currently make creative type music videos on youtube which have a fair amount of views (Check me out if you want ) Im academic in all my subjects and I'm currently finishing year 10 but I have no idea which subjects to choose for A level and where to do it. I want to go to a place that specialises in media. And is BTEC the only way to go? What subjects should I do along the side and where is the best place I can do this? I live 30 mins from london and wouldn't mind traveling anywhere there every day.
Thanks a lot
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??Don't know a huge amount about this, but one of my friends was really interested in going down the same route, so I'll tell you as much as I know...
If you're intending to do A Levels, media studies is NOT the way into the media - it's a poorly respected A Level, but you could do it as a fourth if you really wanted to.
I have no idea what kind of subjects you like, but English Literature, Music, and Modern Languages (for a broad cultural knowledge) are all possibly relevant subjects and all very well regarded, but only do them if you like them.
IT or Computing could be useful, but I know IT is also often blacklisted
Maybe try and get some work experience, extra curricular etc - my friend made a Leavers DVD for the end of yr 11 which was brilliant and is going to look really good on her CV.
I know i didn't answer all your questions, but I hope that some of that is helpful
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??Sorry, this is not completely correct. The OP says he wants to go into media when he is older so doing media studies will be really helpful. I know people who have got into unis such as York and Sussex and they both did media studies A-level and also someone I know got an unconditional offer from her A2 media studies coursework.(Original post by Butterfly9595)
Don't know a huge amount about this, but one of my friends was really interested in going down the same route, so I'll tell you as much as I know...
If you're intending to do A Levels, media studies is NOT the way into the media - it's a poorly respected A Level, but you could do it as a fourth if you really wanted to.
I have no idea what kind of subjects you like, but English Literature, Music, and Modern Languages (for a broad cultural knowledge) are all possibly relevant subjects and all very well regarded, but only do them if you like them.
IT or Computing could be useful, but I know IT is also often blacklisted
Maybe try and get some work experience, extra curricular etc - my friend made a Leavers DVD for the end of yr 11 which was brilliant and is going to look really good on her CV.
I know i didn't answer all your questions, but I hope that some of that is helpful
I do media studies at the moment and had to make a film opening for AS and now a trailer for A2 - having English will be useful with media but the other subjects you choose doesn't matter.
Yet the main point I stress is to get experience in some sort of media. This could be filming a sports day at school or work experience in some sort of industrial place - this means when you would go for an interview at uni you would have lots of things to talk about and show you are passionate about the subject.
good luck! -
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??Hi thanks alot for your responses
. I already have experience in making videos and obviously want to gain loads more (it would help if u had a look at my youtube stuff jus so you know the kinda level im working towards http://www.youtube.com/wowzakid123), but as with what subjects im also very interested in the best places for media near london if you could help in any way.
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??Generally for media they tend to take any subjects but some may ask for media and/or English and some may even ask for a portfolio of the media work you've done(Original post by wowzakid123)
Hi thanks alot for your responses. I already have experience in making videos and obviously want to gain loads more (it would help if u had a look at my youtube stuff jus so you know the kinda level im working towards http://www.youtube.com/wowzakid123), but as with what subjects im also very interested in the best places for media near london if you could help in any way.
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??English.
Maths.
Physics.
?
To AS (Media Studies, Art, Chemistry, anything that really takes your intest).
My Dad's friend who did a Physics degree, got into film production. He was the one that filmed the opening to Star Wars 4 (first film produced, Luke etc), with the rolling text. The "In a galaxy far far away" That was actually a rolling screen. Media studies teaches you nothing. Physics and Maths are GOOD.
Don't think media studies helps at all.Last edited by acedlol; 09-07-2012 at 11:50. -
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??thanks alot, but i've also been looking at the foundation diploma at ravensbourne. Not sure whether to do that and improve my craft and get more pinpointed at what i which area i want to go in, or do a levels instead?
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??You don't really need any formal qualifications, you just need to be good, make good connections and have a good portfolio!(Original post by wowzakid123)
thanks alot, but i've also been looking at the foundation diploma at ravensbourne. Not sure whether to do that and improve my craft and get more pinpointed at what i which area i want to go in, or do a levels instead?
A Levels would be a good back up plan but if you don't think you'd be able to concentrate and do well, I'd go with doing a more media type thing and just go all out.
I got A*A*A*AAABBB at GCSE and at AS in January I got CDUU because I just took subjects that I thought would "look good", that my parents pushed me into etc so its really not worth doing something that you're not going to have the motivation to do well at.
Just had a watch of your videos btw, love the cupboards one! I really want to get better at my filming and editing, do you have any good advice or places to learn rather than just trial and error? -
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??sorry im really late to respond, but thanks alot for your help The Dream
and thanks alot for ur comments on my vids but yh for me it was just tryin new stuff and ur curiosity and creativity lets u create some cool stuff, but really it needs a crap load of patience and determination cos they take aaaaageeess to make. Youtube tutorials are pretty much the manual btw
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Hi my name is Gretel and I worked for the BBC as part of my work experience to document how an old woman decorated her house to lure children into it.(Original post by wowzakid123)
Hi,
My name is Hansel and this is my first time on this forum. So heres the deal, i want to do media as a career when I'm older whether it being directing, editing or vfx or compositing I'm not quite sure exactly right now but i want to do media. I currently make creative type music videos on youtube which have a fair amount of views (Check me out if you want ) Im academic in all my subjects and I'm currently finishing year 10 but I have no idea which subjects to choose for A level and where to do it. I want to go to a place that specialises in media. And is BTEC the only way to go? What subjects should I do along the side and where is the best place I can do this? I live 30 mins from london and wouldn't mind traveling anywhere there every day.
Thanks a lot
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Re: Want to go into media as a career, what and where do i do A levels??I think media studies should be a compulsory part of secondary curriculum - the lack of media awareness in so many people is a massive problem - it'd be nice if a little bit more awareness of how messages get spun, the culture of press releases and how the opinions of the producers of media influences how and what message is presented.(Original post by acedlol)
Don't think media studies helps at all.
The media is such a massive part of everyday life and how people build up their picture of the world around them and yet study of it gets dismissed as useless
