Film Studies (AS and A Level

Why study Film Studies?

Many consider film to be the main cultural innovation of the 20th century and a major art form of the last hundred years. Those who study it bring with them a high degree of enthusiasm and excitement for what is a powerful and culturally significant medium, inspiring a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective. Pupils will investigate how film works both as a powerful form of representation and as an aesthetic medium. Exploring narrative and visual culture, this AS suits all students and can benefit those who use analytical skills such as in English, History of Art, and History.

AS Course content

Component 1: American film: This component assesses knowledge and understanding of three American films, one each from Hollywood 19301960, 1961-1990, and a contemporary American independent film. 90-minute exam, 35% of the qualification.

Component 2: European film: This component assesses knowledge and understanding of two British films and one non-English language European film. 90-minute exam, 35% of the qualification.

Component 3: Production: Coursework is a crucial part of this specification and is integral to learners’ study of film. Pupils will apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own screenwriting (1,500 words) or make their own filmed scenes (three minutes). This enables learners to create high-quality screenplay work as well as provide an informed filmmaker’s perspective on their own study of film. 30% of the qualification.

A Level Course content

Component 1: Varieties of Film and Filmmaking: This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six films: two Hollywood films (one from 1930-1960, the other from 1961-1990), two American films produced since 2005 and two British films produced since 1995. 2½ hour exam, 35% of the qualification. Component 2: Global Filmmaking Perspectives: This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five films: two global films, one documentary film, one example of silent cinema and one example of experimental film (1960-2000). 2½ hour exam, 35% of the qualification.

Component 3: Production: This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. Students produce either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1,600-1,800 words) plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay and evaluative analysis (1,600-1,800 words). 30% of the qualification.

Core study areas

Area 1. The key elements of film form: cinematography, mise-en-scène, narrative, editing and sound. How filmmakers use these elements, and how students interpret them in relation to relevant contexts and other critical approaches and debates, underlies the formal study of film. In turn, these formal studies have a direct impact on learners’ own work as screenwriters.

Area 2. Meaning and response: how film functions as both a medium of representation and as an aesthetic medium.

Area 3. The contexts of film: social, cultural, political, historical, and institutional, including production.

Board: WJEC. Studied over two years with exams at the end of Year 2. Worth up to 20 UCAS points.

Who can give me more information? Ms Ellis

p.ellis@sherborne.com