Create. Analyse. Understand the Power of Media.

What is Media and Why Should I Study It?

VCE Media explores the art of storytelling, the power of media industries, and the relationship between creators and audiences. It’s a subject for students who are curious about film, photography, podcasts, animation, zines, or game design and who want to critically engage with the media they consume every day.

The course balances:

  • 60% theory work (media analysis, history, industry and audience contexts)
  • 40% practical work (your own creative media production folio)

What Will I Study in Year 12 Media?

Over the course of the year, you will complete:

  • Two theoretical outcomes, each assessed through a School-Assessed Coursework (SAC) task
    Each SAC contributes 10% to your final study score

  • Three practical outcomes, forming a major media production folio known as the SAT (School-Assessed Task)
    This folio is worth 40% of your final study score

  • A final written exam, assessing your understanding of media theory and your own media production process
    The exam is worth 40% of your final study score

Theoretical Outcomes

Unit 3: Narratives and Their Contexts

Guiding Question: How does the context of a narrative influence its construction and audience engagement?

  • Analyse a feature-length film in detail.
  • Explore how media codes and narrative conventions are used to construct meaning.
  • Examine how the cultural, political, institutional and historical context of the film shapes its production and audience interpretation.

This SAC is worth 10% of your final study score.


Unit 4: Agency and Control in and of the Media

Guiding Question: Who holds the power – the media or its audiences?

  • Investigate key media communication theories (past and present).
  • Explore contemporary case studies on how audiences use, resist or are influenced by media.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of media regulation in Australia.
  • Analyse ethical and legal implications in real-world media examples.

This SAC is also worth 10% of your final study score.

Practical Outcomes

Unit 3 &4 Media Production Process: The SAT Folio

Worth 40% of your total study score, this is where you bring your own media vision to life.

You’ll work in one of the following media forms:

  • Short Film / Video
  • Animation
  • Photographic Series
  • Print Publication (Zine or Magazine)
  • Podcast / Audio Production
  • Computer or Web-based Game

Your media production folio is assessed across three major stages:

1. Research, Development and Experimentation (Unit 3)

How do media creators explore and refine ideas?

  • Analyse media products for inspiration
  • Experiment with codes and conventions
  • Test technical processes in your chosen media form

2. Pre-Production Planning (Unit 3)

How do creators plan for effective production?

  • Finalise your media concept
  • Develop planning documentation (scripts, shot lists, layouts, storyboards, timelines)

3. Production & Post-production (Unit 4)

How do you realise your intention?

  • Create your finished media product
  • Reflect on your process, decisions and challenges

Together, these stages make up your School-Assessed Task (SAT) worth 40%.

Unit 4 End-of-Year Exam

The Media exam is worth 40% of your study score and includes:

  • Extended responses on Narratives and Their Contexts
  • Extended responses on Agency and Control in and of the Media
  • Analysis of your Media Production Process

You’ll be expected to reflect on both theoretical concepts and your own creative practice.

How Much Homework Will I Have?

All Unit 3 & 4 subjects recommend 3–5 hours per week of homework/study.

  • Theory homework may include watching films, reading, note-taking, research and short written tasks.
  • Most of your time outside class will be spent developing your SAT folio – including research, planning, and producing your media product.

What contributes to my study score?

Narratives and their contexts SACs = 10%

Agency and control in the media SAC = 10%

Media production SAT folio = 40%

Exam = 40%

How do I satisfactorily complete the unit?

To satisfactorily complete Units 3 & 4 Media, you must:

  • Attend classes consistently
  • Complete all required coursework, SACs, and SAT stages
  • Show evidence that you have met the outcomes for each unit:
    • Written tasks and theory SACs
    • Media Pre-production folio (Unit 3)
    • Final Media Product (Unit 4)

Why Choose Media?

VCE Media is ideal if you:

  • Enjoy analysing and making films, photography, podcasts or visual media
  • Want to develop skills in storytelling, critical thinking and digital production
  • Are considering further study or a career in:
    • Film, TV or Radio
    • Digital Media Production
    • Journalism & Communications
    • Animation or Game Design
    • Visual Arts or Design
    • Marketing, Advertising or Content Creation

Give me all the details I want to know more:

VCAA Media Studies

PHSC VCE Media Studies Wiki Page

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