BBFC background and cases

Main blogging is on the MediaReg blog (BBFC tag), eg this overview post.
A new overview will be added.

SAMPLE BBFC RATING: THE 12A

Question: why is there is a separate 12A for cinema only (12 for DVD/Blu-Ray)? [BBFC guide]

THE BBFC WEBSITE
Very student-friendly, and also intended to be highly parent friendly, this has details on every new rating, detailed explanations of the current ratings, and case studies on controversial rulings.
For now, visit the site and note:

1. the names of each BBFC age rating
2. the key differences between the 12/12A, 15 and 18 rating: focus on the issues of SEX, VIOLENCE, SWEARING

UCAS Personal Statements, CV, Letters of Application

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UPDATE: A DB FRAMEWORK
This is purely a suggestion; I'm not saying this is how all personal statements should be set out. Indeed, several of my suggested points appear on a list of cliches - though I don't think there's much to be gained from stressing over attempting to achieve originality given the sheer scale (100s of 1000s each year) of PSs issued each year. Hopefully, though, it will help you get going if you're stuck or struggling.

There are lots of documents in this post - and looking afresh at the UCAS guide below, its not a million miles from my own suggested framework!

I've used 'soft' and 'hard' as very loose terms to roughly denote more personal attributes evidenced through leisure and extra-curricular activities (soft) and direct academic credentials evidenced mainly through academic achievement and activity in school (hard), though these certainly overlap. A good PS requires a decent amount of both: you're establishing that you are equipped to cope with HE and more independent living, working with many new people, as much as your capacity to read, research and pass exams.

I've numbered these as well to indicate one possible structure; you may have more than one paragraph from any one of these points, or, depending on the course you're applying for, may think it better to combine more than one into one paragraph. Just pick out what you think will benefit your application.

1: PERSONAL ANECDOTE - Common but useful starting point
My passion for/interest in x is longstanding/was sparked by... [FROM SOFT/PERSONAL TO HARD/ACADEMIC] More recently my commitment to x has been reflected in ... (eg, my own wider reading, such as the writing of x, which I found especially intriguing because... [you could also compare with a writer/theory you disagree with])
Is this a subject that excites you? Are you passionate about it? Is it a recent 'discovery' (that's okay!) or a longstanding interest? Was there a specific event that triggered this? Has some recent learning, reading or experience reinforced this? Be specific if so! You could briefly indicate why you think this is the best subject for you; where it might take you (and maybe expand on this in a final paragraph). You could include brief points on the range of possible specialisms within the field as a positive in and of itself, and/or indicate a possible focus for you.

2: DEVELOP THE HARD ACADEMIC CREDENTIALSPick out key skills, attributes demonstrated in ANY of your courses: writing, research, finding your own resources, reports, presentations, lab work, design, creative thinking, group work, collaboration, meeting tight deadlines, organising your work, wider reading, asking questions - not just being a passive learner, self-assessment: recognising your subject weak spots & showing determination (outline strategy) to overcome these, making cross-curricular links (synthesising ideas not formally linked by your teacher/subject is a strong indicator of academic prowess).

Draft points like these in detail at first then start thinking about the word limit. Don't set out to write the statement from scratch, organise a set of notes and possible points, be clear on the detail, and gradually whittle away extraneous points or detail to fit within the word limit and achieve a balanced, flowing PS.

3: BACK TO SOFT-ISH: OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Strip-mine your leisure activities for useful transferrable skills and positive characteristics. Don't underestimate any pursuit, hobby or interest. Think about leadership, working with a team, delegating, organisation (arranging meetings, taking minutes etc), working with public/others more broadly, reliability, dealing positively with challenging people/behaviours, inspiring younger people, work-life balance to maintain a healthy approach to academic work, a creative/expressive outlet, media & communication skills (articles for school newsletters/local paper, blogging, sports reports, social media for a group/organisation/club, posters, photography, a YouTube channel...), communicating with other organisations, campaigning (don't detail the politics too much, focus on the skills and commitment/energy/roundedness/engagement this shows), balancing competing commitments, technical/ICT skills...

4: WORK EXPERIENCE/PAID WORK

May be part of above paragraph or separated if its especially pertinent for your course/career path. Most of the above points apply too, and my points below can apply above!!! If you're praised by an employer use that - be clear on what attributes have been highlighted. What responsibilities have you been entrusted with? Have you shown a long-term consistency, reliability, commitment? You can make direct links to the subject: how this has informed or expanded (inspired?!) your learning; brought to life theory x or writing by x or a case study? Have you faced and overcome any specific challenges? Have you shown any initiative? Are you demonstrating general maturity, self-reliance, independence, financial self-responsibility, a capacity for juggling workloads - all of which point to your suitability for the tough challenges of university as a young independent adult?

5: WHY THIS SUBJECT/WHY I'M SUITED FOR UNI

Tying things together and quite a direct pitch to course selectors (possibly building on your opening paragraph too). Summing up - some reiteration of earlier points is fine. Throwing in a specific academic point (maybe a field of research/critical thinking you especially look forward to exploring in depth) and stressing your intellectual curiosity; plain hunger for learning, is advisable! Why would a tutor conclude after a year that you've been a positive addition to and presence on the course - what personal attributes make you well equipped for the challenges of HE? What suggests you're ready to forge your own path? What will you do that means you'll take better advantage of the diverse opportunities HE study brings than candidate x with the same grades? Strongly express your enthusiasm, desire and commitment. Have you made it clear and explicit WHY you want to pursue this subject? Familial links to an industry/profession are a perfectly valid point, but make sure there's a clear personal voice and choice expressed!

I hope that helps. There is much more learned guidance in the documents below!Don't be afraid to approach subject teachers - we are all rather over-stretched, but most will endeavour to help you nonetheless!

KEY DOCUMENTS

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You should be able to download and save these documents, but you can also read them directly from the blog. You can go fullscreen, and also zoom in or out.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS
PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHEETS

SUMMER TERM 2 JUNE - JULY 3

TBC

SUMMER TERM 1 APR 20 - MAY 20

TBC

SPRING TERM 2 FEB 24 - APR 3

TBC

SPRING TERM 1 JAN 7 - FEB 14

TBC

AUTUMN TERM 2 NOV 5 - DEC 20

TBC

AUTUMN TERM1 SEPT 4-OCT 25

TBC

BLOG final post order, final tweaks

Included elsewhere in Word; you should also carefully check the indicative list of links lists/gadgets from this post to complete a final tidy up. That final tidy up should include looking for posts with zero/limited illustration, poor layout, glitches in font size, vids/docs that are private or have been taken down, and spelling mistakes in post titles (eg 'coventions' - I'll name no names!!).

FINAL BLOG POST ORDER SHOULD BE...

HELLO...A LOOK BACK
A brief overview of what the blog's about, what's in it; highlights and challenges; what you're proud of; the best stuff on the blog! A short video (group or individual) including a few screenshots is best.

VITAL CHECK...Be sure to check all embedded material is accessible by examiner/me - and NOT set to private (or blocked by YT).

VIDEO FINAL CUT: ARTIST - TITLE
Make sure to include a list of final improvements from the last rough cut! BRIEF aud feedback is ALWAYS useful, + including this would help indicate you have been paying attention to this critical aspect.
Include a short statement of THE TARGET AUDIENCE (sub-heading!!), including any blog links you think useful.
A links list of rough cuts would help emphasize the journey.

TIME-SAVING TIPFeel free to copy/paste links lists (ie, NOT from edit mode) to save time on providing useful links!!!

FINAL WEBSITE + SOCIAL
As with all texts, there should be a list of final improvements/changes from the last draft (always try to briefly explain/justify why), + some aud feedback, no matter how limited.

You should provide two user-friendly docs to showcase your site (+ a nice big hyperlink!!!):

1. Ppt with screenshots, labelled as necessary (eg HOME PAGE PT2)
2. A screen recording video with simple commentary. Try to make this INDIVIDUAL even if you each just re-record your own voiceover from the same footage.

As the 2 really should be tightly integrated, you should do the same for each social media (in this case, each person responsible for curating a social should provide this for sharing). Feel free to recycle/re-edit these for the Eval Q on techs. Give a links list for drafts.

FINAL DIGIPAK
As with all texts, there should be a list of final improvements/changes from the last draft (always try to briefly explain/justify why), + some aud feedback, no matter how limited. Don't forget to provide a links list of digipak drafts - a short video with transitions between iterations of the digipak is a simple way of showcasing the journey.

If you present your digipak as it would be for a printing firm (so 2 panels are 'upside down'), also provide a copy where they all face the same way up. If necessary add a smaller pic with clear labels indicating outer rear panel etc, though this should be obvious from the design.

EVAL Q1 CONVENTIONS + REPRESENTATIONS
Split into 2 posts if you prefer.
All Eval posts need to start with a large size statement of the Q being answered.
If sharing resources in a group you should state clearly what each person, especially YOU, has contributed.
If its a long post, then do as I do and provide an IN THIS POST sub-heading with bulleted list of content.

EVAL VID SCRIPTSThere are multiple good examples of this, and they do help secure marks (eg Evie's, Sophie's): either in blog post style or (preferably!!) as an embedded doc, especially if you bold+pink terms, these are very helpful to the marker.

EVAL Q2 AUDIENCES + DISTRIBUTION
See points on Q1!