Film Studies

We would expect students to have met the expectations for entry to 6th form and to have a grade 5 in Film Studies if studied. We welcome conversations with individual students about their suitability for the course.

Why you should study Film Studies: 

GCE A LEVEL FILM STUDIES SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking
Written examination: 2½ hours
35% of qualification


This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films.
Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990).
Section B: American film since 2005 /2012 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two American films, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film.
Section C: British film since 1995 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two British films.


Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Written examination: 2½ hours
35% of qualification

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their equivalent).
Section A: Global film (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two global films: one European and one
produced outside Europe.
Section B: Documentary film
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one documentary film.
Section C: Film movements – Silent cinema
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one silent film or group of films.
Section D: Film movements – Experimental film (1960-2001)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one film option.


Component 3: Production
Non-exam assessment
30% of qualification

This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. Learners produce:
• either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words) plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay
• an evaluative analysis (1600 - 1800 words)

Over the summer, it would serve you well to familiarise yourself with the three core study areas and the two additional study areas that will be linked to specific films. What follows is some basic links to reading, viewing and activities that should make you feel more confident and ready for induction in September. Work your way through the links making Cornell notes (video explanation of Cornell notes)(Improving Cornell notes with visuals) and doing activities where and when appropriate. Remember. This is just an introduction to get you thinking and getting ready for all the learning that is to follow. You are not expected to start in September knowing all this material.

In year 12, the core study areas are:

The key elements of film form

Area 1. Cinematography

mise-en-scene

Editing and some editing techniques

Sound (Sound match up)

Performance

Area 2: Meaning and response (Including Representation and Aesthetics)

Area 3: The context of film (social, cultural, historical, political and institutional)

The additional study areas are:

  1. Spectatorship
  2. Narrative (including critical approach's genre)

 

After a suitable induction, looking at Key Elements of Film Form, we will begin the course by applying the core study areas in relation to:

  •  Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking
    • American film, Section A: Classic Hollywood
      • You might watch some films by Alfred Hitchcock or visit the BFI website to read around the period.
  • Component 2: Global Filmmaking Perspectives
    • European Film
      • You might watch some classic European films. Find out more by visiting the BFI website.
  • Component 3: Production
    • You’ll have a choice of writing a short screenplay(with or storyboard) or making a short film. This will be followed by a written Evaluative Analysis of your production.
      • You might use the summer break to read some film scripts; learn the codes and conventions (c&c); find some free film script software to try out; watch some free short films online; make a few short films using what you’ve learnt about the core areas of study.

I don’t know why, but I’ve always loved this simple site that shows you the basics:

Love this simple site and the suggested reading at the bottom is a good little list to start your wider reading. The Site.