STARTER TASK In your groups/pairs1. Define what creative is.2. Define what creative isn’t.3. Identify three ways in which the digital technologies /using conventions of real media texts you have used - have allowed you to be creative.

CREATIVITY

Unit G325:Theoretical Evaluation Of

Production

SESSION AIMS What are you learning today?

The aim of this session is to introduce you to theories of creativity and discuss ways in which you demonstrated creativity in your project work.

What must you be able to do by the end of the lesson? You must be able to explain how your creativity developed from your AS Preliminary Task to your AS Main Task

Why are you doing this? This will allow you to answer Question 1a), Section A – Theoretical Evaluation of Production, which is part of Unit G325: Critical Perspectives In Media.

How will I demonstrate what I have learned? As homework, you will apply what you have learned to your AS Foundation Portfolio coursework in the form of a slideshow/mash up/ prezi or other presentational software and upload to your blog.

WHAT IS CREATIVITY? “The making of the new and the rearranging of the old” (Bentley, 1997).

• According to Bentley’s definition of creativity does the work you produced for your AS project count as creativity?• Explain why/why not?• You have two minutes to complete this task.

WHAT IS CREATIVITY?• David Gauntlett has written extensively about creativity and the idea that “making is connecting”. His main argument is that “through making things, and sharing them with others, we feel a greater connection with the world, and more engaged with being more active in the environment rather than sitting back and watching.” (2003) According to Gauntlett’s definition of

creativity does the work you produced for your AS projects count as creativity?

You have two minutes to complete this task.

WHAT IS CREATIVITY?Creativity involves thinking or behaving imaginatively . The imaginative activity is purposeful – set against or defined by a meaningful objective. The processes must generate something original. Paul Roberts (2006)

According to Robert’s definition of creativity does the work you produced for your AS projects count as creativity?

Explain why/why not? You have two minutes to complete this task.

CREATIVITY AND THE SET BRIEF Did your set briefs allow you to be

creative? If so how? Did the set briefs limit or constrain your

creativity? If not, why not? – You could talk about

media language – how did you use generic conventions/micro elements to be creative?

Did you expand upon, or consciously reject generic conventions?

CREATIVITY AND TECHNOLOGYBanaji, Burn & Buckingham have researched into the extent to which technology makes us more creative. They conclude that “creativity is not an inevitable consequence of using technology.”(Banaji, Burn and Buckingham, 2006).

Do you agree /disagree – Why?

PLENARY Explain how your creativity developed

from the preliminary student magazine to the main project the music magazine

Or… Explain why your creativity didn’t

develop (If you have time left write an essay plan for your homework assignment).

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT In your own experience, how has your

creativity developed through your coursework - planning, research, production and post production?

Refer to specific and detailed examples from your products.

Remember the focus of this question is your skills development.

Use as much media theory (Bentley, Gauntlett and Buckingham) and terminology as possible.

Post this work to your blog.

CREATIVITY ASSIGNMENTHere are the questions you need to ask yourself when completing your assignment.

What do you understand by ‘creativity’ and to what extent have you been creative?

How have you tried to facilitate and encourage your own creativity?

Did you experience limits/blocks on your own creativity?

How easy/difficult was it to be creative while still working to the brief?

Did working within conventions stifle your creativity?

To what extent did you need to work with others and ‘bounce ideas’ off other people to be truly creative?

How much of your creativity was about trying to picture things in your mind’s eye?

How much of your creativity was about trial and error?

To what extent was a lack of confidence an issue in terms of your creativity?

To what extent was a lack of technical competence/confidence an obstacle to your creativity?

WHAT AM I DOING NEXT LESSON? Research and Planning.– This will allow

you to answer Question 1a), Section A – Theoretical Evaluation of Production, which is part of Unit G325: Critical Perspectives In Media.