Why study A level film studies?
Why should you study film? Film is the major mass art form of the 21st century and the future looks set to see it grow. Film is an integral part of our culture. It is not only fascinating to look at how films are constructed and how they affect us, but also to ask what they tell us about our society, our understanding of the world around us, and how this differs from nation to nation and culture to culture. You will be studying cinema in all its diversity from animation to classics, from horror to comedy.
We will look at how film is produced, how it communicates meaning, and how it impacts us as individuals and as a society.
Level: A level
Board: WJEC
Head of department:
Mr Ferguson
Entry requirement: Grade 6 GCSE English; five grade 5s at GCSE including maths
How will A level film studies be delivered and assessed?
| Component | Topic | Assessment |
| Varieties of film and filmmaking | Classical and new Hollywood films | 2 hour 30 minute written exam (35%) |
| American film since 2005 | ||
| British film | ||
| Contextual analysis and spectatorship | ||
| Global filmmaking perspectives | Global non-English language films | 2 hour 30 minute written exam (35%) |
| Documentary film | ||
| Silent cinema | ||
| Experimental film (e.g., Surrealist, avant-garde) | ||
| Critical and theoretical approaches | ||
| Production | Screenwriting or short film production | Non-exam assessment (30%) |
| Reflective analysis (1,600–1,800 words) | ||
| Application of understanding from components 1 and 2 |
