The study of Specialised Media develops knowledge and understanding of traditional, contemporary, and emerging media practices through engagement with media works from a range of different styles, times, places, and cultures. Through exploration of innovation, adaptation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary inquiry, students understand that media stems from traditions, that media is dynamic and changes over time and that media works differ widely in different contexts. They learn as consumers and content creators, by responding critically to media products, concepts, and theories. Through theories of communication and evaluation of media products, students enrich their intercultural understanding.

Media products have the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, excite the imagination, and encourage students to reach their creative and expressive potential. Media builds confidence, empathy and understanding about human knowledge through exploring a range of disciplines and ethical standards. Students learn to become flexible and adaptable, as well as developing self-management skills, entrepreneurial skills, showing innovation and demonstrating leadership and interpersonal skills. They work collaboratively, collectively, and independently, making and responding to media products. Through the creative process and the exploration of other disciplines students develop capacity as problem solvers, risk takers, and critical and creative thinkers. They learn that media exists in process, as much as in finished media products and understand the collaborative contribution of a production team in conjunction with other stakeholders.

The skills and knowledge acquired through the study of Specialised Media prepare students for a variety of pathways such as media (journalism/ film/television/ internet), communications, marketing, advertising, public service, public relations, multi-media producers, business owners and digital developers. While some students may pursue a career in media and related fields, they also participate in media for enjoyment and satisfaction. They experience the pleasure that comes from developing personal skills, knowledge and understandings that can be transferred to a range of careers and situations.

Media forms encompassed by this course include:

• moving image, for example film, television, video, animation
• audio, for example radio, podcast
• print, for example magazine, zine, comic, graphic novel, newspaper, poster
• digital, for example online video and audio, streaming video and audio, podcast, magazine, comic, graphic novel, newspaper, video game, blog, website, app
• convergent or hybridised media: the combination or joining of two or more media forms, such as photography and animation, print productions and a digital game, augmented and virtual reality products.

The Specialised Media course is written under The ARTS Framework 2021: BSSS ARTS Framework

Achievement Standards for ARTS courses can be found within the Framework.

Through the study of the Arts, students learn to express their ideas, thoughts and opinions, as they discover and interpret an increasingly complex technological and interconnected world. The subjects in this Learning Area share common understandings and broad conceptual underpinnings and imperatives.

Innovation in Media

Students learn about innovative media practice and practitioners who break with codes and conventions. They explore the aesthetics and ethics of new technological innovations in media. Students apply their knowledge and skills of innovative media practice through experimentation and problem solving.

Adaptation in Media

Students learn about different media forms and styles for adaptation of stories in a range of mediums to understand how themes and perspectives are represented. They explore forms, techniques, and methodologies of adaptation to reimagine themes and perspectives for a contemporary audience. Students apply the principles of adaptation to develop their own media practice.

Entrepreneurship in Media

Students learn about the connections between media and business. They examine the business aspects of media, opportunities, and risks in the industry. Students explore the tension between the creative and commercial when working within a media brief. They apply their understanding of entrepreneurship to produce authentic media products for a range of purposes and audiences.

Interdisciplinary Inquiry in Media

Students learn about how media products can be used to understand and embrace concepts from other disciplines. They explore styles and techniques in the exploration and representation of information in a variety of mediums to achieve greater effect. Students apply inquiry skills and media practices to position an audience on a chosen concept and synthesize perspectives and draw conclusions to express a point a view.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course. Students must have studied at least THREE standard 1.0 units from this course. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent study unit in each course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Independent study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. Principal approval is also required for a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent unit and the third 1.0 unit in a course of study.

Specialised Media A/T/M/V  (772 KB)

Specialised Media A/T/M/V (332 KB)

The following courses are also available:

• Media
• Studies of Media