Task 1 – Investigate media products

Research phase:

Use research techniques to select examples of media products that have approached

the theme in different ways. You must select at least one media product from each of

these sectors:

• audio/moving image

• print

• interactive media products.

Based on these examples, you should undertake research that covers:

• forms of media products

• the purposes of media products

• types of audiences and how they interpret and respond to media products

• the relationship between media products, their purpose and audience.

1. Children’s Book

• Primary Audience: Kids who will read and enjoy the book.

• Secondary Audience: Parents and teachers who might buy or recommend the book.

2. School Letter

• Primary Audience: Parents who need to know about school updates.

• Secondary Audience: Students who are affected by the information, and teachers who might help explain it.

3. Job Advertisement

• Primary Audience: People looking for a job in that specific field.

• Secondary Audience: Career counselors, family, or friends who may share the ad with job seekers.

4. Health Tips Flyer at a Doctor’s Office

• Primary Audience: Patients who are visiting the doctor.

• Secondary Audience: Family members who come with the patients and may also read the tips.

5. Restaurant Menu

• Primary Audience: Customers deciding what to order.

• Secondary Audience: Staff who need to understand the menu items to help customers.

6. Toy Commercial

• Primary Audience: Kids who would want the toy.

• Secondary Audience: Parents who decide whether to buy the toy.

7. Museum Exhibit

• Primary Audience: Visitors who come to the museum to learn and explore.

• Secondary Audience: Local community groups, schools, or media who promote the exhibit.

8. College Brochure

• Primary Audience: Prospective students considering attending the college.

• Secondary Audience: Parents and high school counselors who advise students.

Each primary audience directly engages with the content, while the secondary audience plays a supportive role, helping or influencing the primary group.

For moving image media products (such as films, TV shows, advertisements, and online videos), genres help categorise content based on themes, style, and audience appeal. Here are the main moving image genres:

1. Fictional Genres (Films & TV Shows)

• Action – High-energy sequences, stunts, and physical confrontations (Fast & Furious).

• Adventure – Exploration, travel, and quests (Indiana Jones).

• Comedy – Light-hearted, humorous storytelling (The Office).

• Drama – Serious, character-driven narratives (Breaking Bad).

• Thriller – Suspenseful and tension-filled (Gone Girl).

• Horror – Designed to scare and create suspense (The Conjuring).

• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) – Futuristic or speculative elements (Blade Runner).

• Fantasy – Magical, mythical, or supernatural worlds (Harry Potter).

• Romance – Love and relationships as the central theme (The Notebook).

• Mystery/Crime – Solving crimes or uncovering secrets (Sherlock).

• Musical – Storytelling through song and dance (La La Land).

• Western – Cowboys, outlaws, and frontier life (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly).

• Period Drama (Historical) – Set in a past time period (Downton Abbey).

2. Non-Fiction Genres

• Documentary – Real-life storytelling about events, people, or issues (Planet Earth).

• Reality TV – Unscripted, real-life scenarios (Keeping Up with the Kardashians).

• Biographical (Biopic) – Dramatized life stories of real people (Bohemian Rhapsody).

• Educational – Informative content designed to teach (National Geographic).

• News & Current Affairs – Real-time reporting on events (BBC News).

3. Advertising & Marketing Genres

• Commercials (Adverts) – Promotional content for products or services.

• Public Service Announcements (PSAs) – Awareness campaigns (e.g., anti-smoking ads).

• Corporate Videos – Business-related promotional or training videos.

4. Online & Digital Media Genres

• Vlogs – Personal video blogs (YouTube influencers).

• Livestreams – Real-time broadcasting (Twitch gaming streams).

• Tutorials & How-To Videos – Educational step-by-step guides (Makeup tutorials).

• Short-Form Content – Quick, engaging videos (e.g., TikTok, Instagram Reels).

For print media products (such as newspapers, magazines, books, and advertisements), genres help categorize content based on themes, style, and audience appeal. Here are the main print media genres:

1. Newspapers & Journalism Genres

• News & Current Affairs – Covers local, national, and global events (The New York Times).

• Investigative Journalism – In-depth reporting on important issues (The Guardian Investigations).

• Editorial & Opinion – Personal viewpoints and analysis (The Times Opinion Section).

• Feature Writing – Human interest stories, interviews, and lifestyle pieces (National Geographic).

• Tabloid & Sensationalist – Entertaining, exaggerated, or celebrity-focused (The Sun).

• Sports Journalism – Reporting on sports events and athletes (ESPN Magazine).

• Financial & Business Journalism – Covers economy, finance, and business trends (Forbes).

2. Magazine Genres

• Fashion & Lifestyle – Trends, beauty, and celebrity culture (Vogue, Cosmopolitan).

• Entertainment & Pop Culture – Film, TV, and music industry coverage (Rolling Stone).

• Science & Technology – Innovations and discoveries (Popular Science).

• Health & Fitness – Wellness, nutrition, and exercise (Men’s Health).

• Travel & Adventure – Destination guides and travel experiences (National Geographic Traveler).

• Automotive – Car reviews and industry news (Top Gear Magazine).

• Gaming – Video game news, reviews, and guides (Game Informer).

• Home & Garden – Interior design, architecture, and gardening (Better Homes & Gardens).

3. Book Genres

Fiction

• Literary Fiction – Focuses on deep themes and character development (To Kill a Mockingbird).

• Mystery & Thriller – Crime-solving and suspense (Sherlock Holmes).

• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) – Futuristic and speculative storytelling (Dune).

• Fantasy – Magical and mythical elements (Harry Potter).

• Romance – Love-centered narratives (Pride and Prejudice).

• Horror – Designed to scare (Stephen King’s It).

• Historical Fiction – Stories set in real historical periods (The Book Thief).

Non-Fiction

• Biography & Autobiography – Life stories of real people (The Diary of Anne Frank).

• Self-Help & Personal Development – Advice and motivation (Atomic Habits).

• Science & Nature – Explaining the natural world (A Brief History of Time).

• History & Politics – Real-world historical events (Sapiens).

• Business & Finance – Money management and entrepreneurship (Rich Dad Poor Dad).

• Travel Writing – Personal travel experiences and guides (Eat, Pray, Love).

4. Advertising & Marketing Genres (Print Ads, Posters, Flyers)

• Commercial Advertising – Selling products/services (e.g., Coca-Cola magazine ads).

• Public Service Announcements (PSAs) – Awareness campaigns (e.g., anti-smoking ads).

• Political & Advocacy – Promoting social or political causes (e.g., election posters).

Interactive media products engage users by allowing them to interact with the content in real-time. These can include video games, apps, websites, VR experiences, and social media platforms. Here are the main interactive media genres:

1. Video Game Genres

• Action – Fast-paced gameplay with combat or movement (Call of Duty).

• Adventure – Story-driven exploration (The Legend of Zelda).

• Role-Playing Games (RPGs) – Deep narratives and character progression (The Witcher 3).

• First-Person Shooter (FPS) – Combat from the player’s perspective (Doom).

• Survival Horror – Scary, tense atmosphere with resource management (Resident Evil).

• Simulation – Real-world activities like farming, flying, or life simulations (The Sims).

• Sports & Racing – Competitive games based on real sports (FIFA, Gran Turismo).

• Puzzle & Strategy – Logic-based challenges (Tetris, Civilization).

• Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) – Online multiplayer worlds (World of Warcraft).

2. Websites & Digital Platforms

• E-Commerce – Online shopping and transactions (Amazon, eBay).

• Social Media – Platforms for communication and content sharing (Facebook, Instagram).

• News & Information – Interactive journalism and real-time updates (BBC News).

• Educational & E-Learning – Online courses and interactive lessons (Khan Academy).

• Entertainment & Streaming – Interactive content like quizzes, polls, and videos (Netflix, YouTube).

• Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) – Immersive experiences (Google Earth VR).

3. Mobile Apps & Interactive Software

• Gaming Apps – Mobile-friendly games (Candy Crush).

• Utility & Productivity – Tools like calendars, notes, and task managers (Google Keep).

• Health & Fitness – Interactive workout and tracking apps (MyFitnessPal).

• Augmented Reality (AR) Apps – Overlaying digital objects in real life (Pokémon GO).

4. Interactive Storytelling & Media

• Interactive Films & TV Shows – Viewers make choices that affect the outcome (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch).

• Visual Novels – Text-based narratives with decision-making (Doki Doki Literature Club).

• Choose-Your-Own-Adventure – Books and apps where users guide the story (Twine-based games).

5. Online Advertising & Marketing

• Interactive Ads – Clickable, animated, or video-based advertisements (Google Ads).

• Gamified Marketing – Brands using interactive experiences to engage customers (McDonald's Monopoly).

Media products are created to serve a variety of purposes. Here are the main types of purposes for media products:

1. Informative Purposes

• To educate or inform the audience about a particular topic, event, or issue.

• Examples: News articles, documentaries, educational videos, public service announcements.

2. Entertaining Purposes

• To engage and amuse the audience.

• Examples: Movies, music, video games, comedy shows, TV series.

3. Promotional Purposes

• To market or advertise products, services, or events.

• Examples: Advertisements, trailers, branded content, social media campaigns.

4. Persuasive Purposes

• To influence or change the audience's opinions, attitudes, or behaviors.

• Examples: Political campaigns, advocacy videos, opinion pieces, propaganda.

5. Social Purposes

• To create or strengthen a sense of community or cultural identity.

• Examples: Social media platforms, community radio, cultural festivals.

6. Aesthetic Purposes

• To express creativity or evoke emotions through art.

• Examples: Art films, photography, poetry, experimental media.

7. Educational Purposes

• To teach specific skills or knowledge.

• Examples: Online courses, tutorials, instructional manuals.

8. Documentary Purposes

• To record and archive real events, places, or people.

• Examples: Historical documentaries, biographical films, photojournalism.

9. Entertainment-Education (Edutainment)

• To educate while entertaining the audience.

• Examples: Infotainment programs, animated learning series, gamified learning apps.

10. Inspirational Purposes

• To motivate and inspire action or change.

• Examples: Motivational videos, success stories, inspirational speeches.

11. Commercial Purposes

• To generate profit or revenue.

• Examples: Subscription-based services, pay-per-view content, monetized platforms.

Each type of media product may serve one or multiple purposes depending on its content, target audience, and context.

Interactive

Visual Design

What does the game look like?
The game uses bright, colorful graphics inspired by the cartoon’s art style. Characters like Bluey and Bingo are 3D versions of their animated selves, and the environments look like the places from the show, such as their house and the park.

What kind of animations are included?
The animations are smooth and fun, just like the TV show. Characters wave, jump, and dance, adding to the playful vibe.

Gameplay and Interaction

How do players interact with the game?
Players can control Bluey and other characters, exploring the world, completing mini-games, and solving simple puzzles. There are also activities like drawing, hide-and-seek, and musical games.

Who is the game designed for?
It’s made for kids and families who enjoy the Bluey show. The controls are easy to use so younger players can have fun too.

Sound and Music

What kind of sounds or music are in the game?
The game features cheerful music from the TV show, along with sound effects for jumping, running, and playing. The characters talk in their familiar voices.

Message and Theme

What is the game about?
The game is about imagination, fun, and family bonding—just like the show. Players can create their own adventures while learning teamwork and problem-solving.

Why do people enjoy playing it?
People enjoy it because it’s wholesome, creative, and full of fun activities that bring the Bluey world to life.

Creative Thinking

How could the game be improved?
It could include a multiplayer mode where two players can play as Bluey and Bingo at the same time. Adding more levels or activities based on popular episodes would also make it more exciting.

What makes this game special?
It captures the heart of the Bluey show and lets players feel like they’re part of the Heeler family.