Film Studies

Why do we enjoy film so much? Why should we 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.

In Film Studies we 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.

Film Studies will be strongly focused on the study of a range of films, their context, and an examination of the film industry itself – its stars, directors, critics and producers.

Method of assessment

Year 13

Exam: Component 1 – Varieties of film and filmmaking (2 hours 30 minutes, 35%)

Exam: Component 2 – Global filmmaking perspectives (2 hours 30 minutes, 35%)

Coursework: Component 3 – Production (30%)

Year 12 coursework 

  • Option 1: Film Extract (2.5-3.5 minutes) OR
  • Option 2: Screenplay Extract (& 15 frame digital storyboard)
  • Evaluative Analysis (1000-1500 words)

A level coursework:

  • Option 1: A short film (4-5 minutes) OR
  • Option 2: Screenplay for a film (1600-1800 words) & a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay
  • Evaluative Analysis (1600-1800 words

Topic areas covered

Year 12

  • Classical Hollywood (1930-1960) and new Hollywood (1961-1990)
  • American independent film
  • British film
  • Non-English language European film

Year 13

  • Hollywood (1930-1990)
  • American film since 2005
  • British film since 1995
  • Global film
  • Documentary film
  • Film movements – silent film
  • Experimental film (1960-2000)

 

Level: A level

Board: WJEC

Head of department:
Mr Ferguson

Teachers:
Mr S Bullivant (lead teacher)
Mrs P Marsh