Media Studies A Level
Film & media
Film Studies A Level
Film Studies A Level When do I start studying for this qualification? September 2020. For how long will I study? For two years. What is this course about? This course will give students an opportunity to combine creative work with an academic exploration of a broad range of film – from Contemporary American Film to Asian New Wave. You will analyse and compare films using established critical approaches and evaluate the significance of Film Movements and Film Theories. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of film form to the production of your own Short Film or Screenplay. You will develop the skills necessary for preparation for a wide range of degree subjects and career choices. What topics will I study? Coursework: You will learn how to write screenplays and how to make films, including sound recording and mixing, camera work and
editing. You will have the option of presenting a final film production or screenplay with an evaluation of your work in comparison with specific professional film productions. The coursework is worth 30% of the total mark. Exams: The remainder of the course will be assessed by two exams which will test your knowledge of topics including: • Classic and New Hollywood • Contemporary American • Mainstream Film and American Independent Film • British Film since 1995 • European and World cinema • Documentary • Silent Film • Experimental Cinema How will my work be assessed? Coursework units are internally marked, with reference to the set assessment objectives, and externally moderated. Exams are externally marked. What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course? It is essential that you have a love of film and cinema: We study film, not
television or print. You need to be prepared to study a wide range of films. You do not need to have existing film-making skills or knowledge of film: Be prepared to be challenged, you will see and think about film in a different way. What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed? You will need to develop the ability to be enquiring and analytical when studying film and to develop the skills to examine personal and critical responses to texts. Are there any specific entry requirements? You need to have a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C including a grade 4 in English Language. What do students say about this course? “I like the fact that I have been given the opportunity to work to my own interests and strengths.” “We are frequently given individual advice on our work. We are also given the chance to express and develop our own viewpoints.” “Discussions are lively!” “It’s given me the chance to broaden and develop my love of film.”
What are the lessons like? A range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Group work, individual tutorials, research tasks, discussions, group and individual presentations. For some of the course there are individual, practical, ILT or research based tasks. Full screenings and film extracts are used to illustrate all aspects of the course. 1:1 support is available to all students. What have I got to do in order to do well? Work will be assessed by your teacher throughout the year. Act on the written and verbal feedback given to help you improve. Watch and learn by exploring the work of a range of filmmakers. Keep to all deadlines for written work and manage time efficiently for practical tasks. Be prepared and equipped for all lessons. Learn thoroughly all exam topics.
Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them? Of the three Media qualifications we offer: A Level Film Studies offers the opportunity to explore a range of film styles, understand critical debates in Film and complete a relevant practical task. There is a mix of exams and coursework. A Level Media Studies enables you to explore and understand how the Media work and complete a relevant practical task. There is a mix of exams and coursework. The CAMTEC in Digital Media enables you to understand film making and produce several different types of film, working on pre-production, filming and postproduction techniques. Most assessment is through coursework, although there is one examined unit. There are different entry requirements. Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one? This is a subject that complements a diverse range of other subjects, or can broaden an interest in Media and the Arts. A qualification in Film Studies can demonstrate knowledge of film as a creative and technical product. It also demonstrates the ability to analyse and evaluate cultural products from specific social, historical and political contexts.
What do people do with A Level Film Studies? Many students go on to study film, media or cultural studies or to study film as part of a combined degree at university. Career opportunities exist in the film industry, teaching, and any jobs that require thoughtful, adaptable and skilled people. Film Studies A Level can also accompany many other subjects and can form part of an application to a huge range of university courses and career paths.
Media Studies
A Level
When do I start studying for this qualification? September 2020.
range of media products including film, television, music, videos, magazines,
For how long will I study? For two years.
the internet, newspapers, video games and advertising.
What is this course about? Media Studies encourages you to think critically about the messages you receive daily from the mass media.
Theoretical frameworks: You will be taught to understand media texts using the four main theoretical frameworks: • Media language • Representation • Media industries • Media audiences
The syllabus covers film, newspapers, magazines, video games, radio, television and advertising. We look at media institutions - who owns which companies and how are they run - the outputs they produce (newspapers, TV, films, websites etc) and the audiences who watch or read them. There is a practical production unit in which students are asked to create media products in video, print or e-media. The course develops skills which are a valuable preparation for a wide range of degree subjects and career choices. What topics will I study? Analysis skills: You will learn how to analyse a
Practical production work: You will be asked to create a media product for the coursework project either in print, video or online. Your product must demonstrate the research, planning, shooting and editing skills you have developed on the course. How will my work be assessed? The media production coursework unit will be worth 30% of the marks. It will be internally marked and externally moderated. The remainder of the course will be assessed through two examinations sat at the end of the second year, both externally marked.
What skills and interests do I need beforehand to be a successful applicant for this course? An interest in and awareness of what is happening in the media across film, television, print and the internet. You should enjoy research work and the challenge of working independently. You need to be prepared to tackle difficult theoretical issues and read up on current media issues and debates What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed? You need to develop the ability to question and criticise the media and to develop your own independent response to texts. You must be willing to learn the practical and technical skills needed to create original media products. You will need to produce quality practical coursework and write coherent and analytical essays. You need to understand and apply media concepts, theories and debates. Are there any specific entry requirements? You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C including a grade 4 in English Language. What are the lessons like? A range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. These include detailed textual
analysis of media products such as magazines and films, and in-depth studies of specific areas of media such as film, TV and advertising. More conceptual areas such as genre and representation are covered in greater detail in the 2nd year. Independent research through books and the internet is part of A Level coursework. There is substantial practical coursework throughout the two years. 1:1 support is available to all students. What do students say about this course? “It has completely changed how I look at the media. Now I analyse everything I watch.” “It was fun learning to use the cameras and making my own film trailer. At first I was worried about using the computers to do the editing but I quickly got the hang of it.” “Media Studies has made me more confident that I can write essays and do well.” “The hardest part is learning to use the long words and theories to discuss what we have seen.”
What have I got to do in order to do well? Watch and learn by exploring media developments across film, TV, print and internet. Keep to all deadlines for written work and manage time efficiently for practical tasks. Devote substantial time to coursework assignments. Learn thoroughly all exam topics. Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them? A Level Film Studies is closely related but focuses on the medium of film.
Art, Photography, Performing Arts, Drama and Dance. Students more interested in the business of technological aspects of the media often take IT or Business Studies alongside. What do people do with A Level Media Studies? Many students choose to study the media further and go on to take academic degree courses in film, media and cultural studies. Others decide to take more practical degree courses in subjects such as television production, journalism and video editing.
Level 3 CAMTEC in Digital Media is the equivalent of one A Level.
If you decide not to continue your study of the media any further, an A Level in Media Studies will still support your application to a huge range of unrelated university courses and career paths.
It enables you to understand film making and produce several different types of video, working on pre-production, filming and post production techniques. It has different entry requirements.
It is very difficult but not impossible to progress straight from an A Level in Media Studies to working in the media. Most media careers will expect you to have studied at a higher level.
Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one? This is a subject that complements a diverse range of other analytical subjects such as Film Studies, English, History, Law, Criminology and Psychology, or can broaden an interest in Media and the Arts in combination with Fine
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