Why study Film?
This course is for anyone who has a keen interest in cinema or the media in general, and wants to learn how to understand the language of film, how films are made, and how the film industry works.
What is the course about?
The course is concerned with the following:
- How films are constructed – their narrative form.
- How meaning is created in films – the use of sound, editing, cinematography and composition.
- The characteristics of different types of films: thrillers, romantic comedies, horror, science fiction.
- How people are presented in films: such as gender stereotypes or national identity
- How the film industry works: its structure, production, distribution and exhibition.
- How Hollywood dominates the film world.
- Major film movements
- Censorship.
- Ways of analysing films.
Skills obtained by studying Film Studies
The Film Studies course provides more than just knowledge of the subject: it provides training in critical thinking, and training in a variety of skills which are highly relevant to your future employment. Skills of research, analysis, communication and judgement are highly valued in a wide range of careers, including media subjects such as television, advertising, media production and journalism, as well as the areas of retail and commercial management, the civil service, the tourist industry, local government, industrial management, the law, and marketing.
Where will the study of Film Studies lead?
- Naturally, the course provides a firm foundation for anyone who wishes to study Film, Media, English Literature (Film is given as an option on most English and English Literature courses) or Theatre Studies (such as television or film acting) at university, or who has a serious interest in pursuing a career in the film or media industry.
- It is of value to anyone wishing to embark on a career in the media generally (television, radio, production and research, newspaper or magazine journalism).
- And is considered a valued grounding subject in many other communication and service industries (retail and commercial management, the civil service, tourism, law and marketing).
- Film studies can augment and enhance the study of, for example, English Literature, Theatre Studies and Psychology.
Summary of scheme of assessment
AS Units
Unit 1 Exploring Film Form
This Unit is concerned with how narrative structure, editing, lighting, cinematography and sound are combined to create meaning in film. Films studied here are a combination of student and teacher selected films.
Unit 2 British and American Film
This Unit is concerned with:-
- the development and structure of the American and British film industry (production, distribution, exhibition).
- how meaning is constructed through narrative and genre
- your personal response to films
A2 Units
Unit 3 Film Research and Creative Projects
This Unit enables students to apply what they have learnt in Unit 1 in two ways. Firstly, students will undertake a research project based on a chosen film or director. Secondly, they will produce a creative piece of work which may cover Film Journalism, screenplay or the making of a short film.
Unit 4 Varieties of Film Experience – Issues and Debates
This Unit is concerned with major world film movements, such as Bollywood or Japanese cinema, and also covers International film styles such as German or Soviet Cinema, French New Wave or Dogme 95; and will explore the ways in which such film movements differ from mainstream commercial cinema.
Assessments/Examinations
Unit 1 : Exploring Film Form
- One analysis of how micro aspects of a chosen extract from a film of candidates’ choice produce meaning and responses (1500 words)
- One creative project based on a film sequence or short film.
Unit 2 : British and American Film
Three questions, one from each section
Section A : Response to stimulus material set by Awarding Body based on producers and audience of film.
Section B : Topic on British Film
Section B : US Film – Comparative study of two films
Unit 3 : Film Research and Creative Projects
- small scale research project
- creative project
Unit 4 : Varieties of Film Experience
Three questions, one from each section:
Section A : World Cinema topics
Section B : Spectatorship topics
Section C : Single Film – Critical Study