Coursework: Summer Project 2026

1) Research: TikTok videos

You need to write a 150-word close-textual analysis of SIX TikTok videos that will inform your production work. The TikTok videos you analyse are up to you but focus on a different aspect of media language for each one (see guidance below).  

TikTok videos

TikTok Video 1: Narrative
How is narrative used in the TikTok video and what impact does this have on the audience? Can you apply any narrative theories to the story in the TikTok video?

Get ready with me video - @jennierubyjane

The use of narrative is successfully used in order to attract fans of Blackpink/Jennie's music, due to the use of the soundtrack which can be argued to be used as a convention of adverting to promote her new song. Moreover, the impact this leaves the audience is a glimpse into her personal life, creating intimacy and making her seem more relatable despite her celebrity status. Additionally, Todorov’s narrative theory can be partially applied, as the video begins with an equilibrium and progresses towards the completed preparation. Also Barthes' theory which can be applied by the video creating enigma code and leaving the audience questioning, 'where is she getting ready for?' which creates a sense of curiosity and anticipation. 

TikTok Video 2: Camerawork (shots, angles, movement)
Look for particular camera shots and movement - remember that movement is a critical convention of most music videos and performances and camerawork can contribute to this. 

Music Promotion video - @travisscott

Firstly the video starts off in dark/moody colours and transitions to a night vision camera of the artist sat in the car, smoking, and faced away from the camera which carries connotations of mystery, power, as creating a darker atmosphere through the change of camera type(from normal camera to a night vision camera). The setting changes with the environment being outside, at an eye level camera angle, which contrasts from the first scene where here he seems more friendly and at ease, suggesting his personality can change depending on the setting. The use of close-ups of his necklace and bracelet suggests his wealth and star power he has because of his music career, the same chain is seen on him most times and common in his music videos which indicates this is a symbol of him which makes him instantly regonisible when someone sees/hears his music. This supports Goodwin’s music video theory, where he argues that star image is an important convention, as artists are repeatedly represented through recognisable visual features. The jewellery therefore reinforces Travis Scott’s established identity and makes him more recognisable to his audience.

TikTok Video 3: Mise-en-scene
What do you notice about the use of mise-en-scene to create meanings for the audience? Use CLAMPS to help you here and think in particular about how mise-en-scene is used to communicate the genre of music and the personality or brand identity of the band/artist.

Kpop Dance video - @jypestraykids

The use of mise-en-scene in this dance video by Hyunjin successfully creates meanings to audience. This is evident through his costume, which is very casual- something typically seen in kpop dance music videos. This establishes the genre of the video as apart of tiktok/kpop style dance, by following current trending dances and songs on the app. Moreover, the lighting is very dim, moody and almost cozy, creating an intimate atmosphere and making the video feel more personal. The simple setting allows the audience to focus on Hyunjin and his choreography, reinforcing his star image as a performer. Additionally, the use props/ setting in the background has a lot of music equipment and is also very artistic, which creates the impression of a creative and professional environment, linking the setting to his identity as a musician and performer. This makes the video feel authentic and personal rather than overly produced, appealing to his existing fanbase.

TikTok  Video 4: Editing

For editing, analyse pace, transitions, the number of shots and juxtaposition. How does the video create pace and excitement - or does it create a different effect for the audience?  

Album Teaser video - @jypestraykids

The opening of the video is a CGI video of a coffee cup spinning with the album name' This and That' and the group's name, is silent and fast pace which creates tension paired with excitment such as what is this concept? what are the song names?. The cup all sudden dropped and the lid opens which also the title of the songs in the album shows. The sudden change in movement creates a sense of surprise and makes the reveal more engaging. The use of fast cuts and CGI transitions maintains the pace of the video, while the contrast between the silent opening and the sudden reveal creates juxtaposition. This encourages fans to continue watching and builds anticipation for the album's release.

TikTok  Video 5: Music Video Conventions

Think back to our Introduction to Music Video and our work on Andrew Goodwin's theory on music video conventions as part of the Ghost Town CSP. How many key conventions of music video can you find in your fifth TikTok example?

Sneak Preview of Music video - @jypestraykids

The opening of the video starts off with Bang Chan playing the guitar on the streets, with a mic, which transitions to a close up of his face, suggesting his identity as a musician and performer. This follows Goodwin’s theory through the use of performance and star image, as the close-up places emphasis on the artist and allows the audience to recognise and connect with him. Moreover, the scene transitions to a rainy scene under a bus stop with Lee Know under, which follows the same camera angles with the first  clip, creating visual continuity between the two scenes and helps establish a consistent visual style. Moreover, the video cuts to an interior diner or bar scene featuring a stylised, low angle shot of the artist. This unconventional framing aligns with Goodwin’s concept of genre characteristics, as the neon lighting and moody atmosphere establish a nocturnal urban aesthetic. This follows to the studio where Han and I.N are recording/ making music which reinforces their star power as kpop idols, supported by Goodwin's theory. Furthermore, the scene showing the artist taking off his shirt, followed immediately by a tight close-up of his face, leans into the sexualisation of the artist as a component of star image. According to Andrew Goodwin, the deliberate use of the performer's body and intimate facial framing builds visual appeal, captures the audience's attention, and enhances the emotional or sensual mood of the music video. Then it shows flashes of what is coming up in the music video, which suggests to audience what will be seen to them soon, creating curiousity and excitment. 

TikTok 6: Visual effects, intertextuality or product placement

Choose a TikTok video that has interesting visual effects or intertextuality and analyse the effect this creates and how it is constructed. Alternatively, you could look at product placement here and see how a band or artist has incorporated a brand or product into their video. 

You can start adding TikTok links to this shared document that should help with research and, of course, or you are free to select videos of your choice. You may wish to write more about one video than another but as long as you have 800+ words of TikTok video research in total you will be fine. Feel free to use bullet points if this is helpful.

Travis Scott shoe release - @jumpman23 / @cultured

The video starts off with a glimpse of his mother, whose speech continues, and shows Scott smiling when his mother speaks to him about how proud she is of his success. The camera then transitions to his hands, which suggests a more personal and intimate representation of the artist. The speech ends with, "show the real you, not Travis Scott, you" which creates binary his public star persona with his personal identity. This makes the audience feel more connected to him as an individual before the product is introduced. The shoes are then shown alongside clips of his success, associating the product with his achievements and celebrity status. This makes the product placement feel more meaningful, as the shoes become connected to Scott’s personal journey rather than simply being presented as an advertisement. Finally, the last clip shows him jumping across a crowd, with flashing lights focused on him while wearing the shoes, reinforcing his power and star status. The product therefore becomes associated with success, popularity and Travis Scott’s identity, making it more appealing to his audience.

2) Planning: THREE TikTok video treatments

A treatment is like a script for a TikTok video - it tells the band or artist exactly what will happen in the video and the kind of style or effect the video will have. You'll need to choose what songs you are going to use at this point - remember, you can use an existing artist's work but it needs to be appropriate for the brief. 

Keep in mind, the brief does not stipulate the number of TikTok videos, only the total runtime of 3 minutes of video content in total.

For this aspect of your summer project, write a basic treatment that gives your reader a good idea of what your TikTok videos will look like. The most important thing is to keep in mind the brief - one of the TikTok videos must promote the soft drink. Other TikTok videos can feature any of the following:

• personal information from the artist
• replication of a social media trend (e.g. 'bees in a trap' video, ice-bucket challenge) extracts from podcasts, press conferences, red carpet appearances and/or promotional interviews
• clips from a music video
• any other content you feel is appropriate 

Start each of your THREE treatments with the following key details: 

1) Artists and song(s) you will use for video. 

2) Original name for artist you have created - MUST be completely original

For example, Ed Sheeran - Shape of You is the artist and song you plan to use but your original name for your artist will be John Smith - Shape of You.

3) Statement of Intent

Write the first draft for your genuine 500-word Statement of Intent. This will be submitted to the exam board alongside your media products and is worth 10 marks of the overall 60 marks available.

It should explain:

• the ways in which you will apply knowledge and understanding of media language and media representation to your products
• how your products will target the intended audience
• the industry context they are created for
• how you will exploit the opportunities for digital convergence between the products

We also strongly recommend you look at our Statement of Intent questions to consider document too (you'll need to log in with your Greenford Google account to read this). 

This is just your first draft of the statement so try and keep it under 500 words if you can. That will leave a bit of room to add later when you do your next draft.

4) Ignite presentation

Prepare a 5-minute, 20-slide presentation using the Ignite format in which you present your coursework project. In effect, this is your statement of intent in presentation format. You must cover:

• Your TikTok videos and website pages concept: your new original artist, genre, song and TikTok video treatments. Then, your print brief: title and logo for the artist's website, name of own branded new soft drink etc.
• Media language: how you will use TikTok video conventions and website conventions - e.g. camerawork, editing, typography, layout and mise-en-scene to create meanings for your audience. 
• Media representations: how you will use or subvert stereotypes in your TikTok video and web pages; applications of representation theory; social and cultural contexts - how your coursework will reflect contemporary media culture and society. 
• Media audiences: your target audience demographics and psychographics; audience pleasures - why they would enjoy your TikTok video and web pages; audience theory if relevant. Consider merchandise for your music artist which could be made available through their website e.g. www.spreadshirt.co.uk (could be embeded on a web page)
• Media industries and digital convergence: the potential record company that would promote your artist; the retail providers where you can purchase the artist's own branded new soft drink; the brand identity for your artist (consider the type of social media platforms they would feature on); how fans would engage with your products etc.

Ignite presentations have very specific rules: you must create exactly 20 slides with each slide set to 15-second auto-advance. This means your presentation will be exactly five minutes followed by questions and comments from the class. You will deliver your presentation on your coursework planning in the first week back in September.

Your Ignite presentation will be marked out of 30 on the following criteria (each worth a possible 5 marks):

1) Research (through the presentation AND your blog - make sure it is posted before you present) 
2) Coursework concept
3) Language: terminology and theory
4) Representations / social and cultural contexts
5) Audience and Industry / digital convergence
6) Presentation delivery

You can find more information about Ignite presentations - including examples - in this Ignite presentation blogpost here. 

Summer project deadline: all tasks above due in first lesson back in September

Summer project: optional extensions

Pre-production tasks

Some students in previous years expressed an interest in filming their video production over the summer break. This makes a huge amount of sense - far more availability of actors, much more time to schedule filming etc. If you do want to film over the summer, make sure you complete the following pre-production tasks here:

Product sketches

As it will appear in one of your TikTok videos and one of your web pages you may want to consider sketch/design your own branded new soft drink and bottle that will be promoted by your music artist.

Website wireframes

Sketch out the design of your home page and two related web pages. One page should should included promotional content for the new soft drink. 

TikTok video planning and treatment
This is effectively your script for your TikTok videos. There is guidance/links above on how to write a great TikTok video treatment.

Storyboard 
Sketch out a selection of critical shots from your TikTok videos, take a photo of the storyboard and upload it to your blogpost. What visual style are you trying to create? Storyboard sheets can be downloaded from here.

Shot list
Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your TikTok videos AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Google Docs to set out your shot list - you can find a film example here. It makes sense to organise your shot list by scene or location rather than a huge list of every shot in the TikTok video in chronological order. 

Mise-en-scene
What iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre you are working in? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or Microsoft Word - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details. 

Shooting schedule 
Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the summer. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Google Docs or Google Sheets or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it! 

Non-assessed participants
You will need to provide a written record of all non-assessed participants in your production work (both video and print). Keep a record of everyone involved - actors, camerawork, sound etc. You will also need a keep a record of any non-original sound and note it on the Candidate Record Form - so this means the song for your music video. Keep these on your blog for easy reference when submitting your work in Year 13.

Production: Filming and photography

Once you have completed your pre-production tasks, you can film or carry out photoshoots as you wish.