A2 Film Studies

Film Studies

Film Studies has been taught at Barton Peveril for many years. It is a fascinating academic subject for students who are interested in all aspects of film. The course covers:

• How film has developed over the last 120 years
• How films were made in the past
• How films are made now
• How technology is used to make films
• How different professions and skills are involved in film making
• How films relate to the social and historical contexts in which they are made
• How and why audiences enjoy films
• How films are distributed and exhibited

The specification followed is WJEC.

What Will I Learn on this Course?

• To read films, that is to analyse the way filming and editing techniques are used to achieve effects
• To understand the history of film from the earliest experiments of the Lumiere Brothers and George Melies, through to the most recent Hollywood blockbuster
• To appreciate the way films are produced from pre-production through to marketing and exhibition
• To experience and appreciate a wide range of films, American, British and also World Cinema
• To debate the way audiences respond to a wide variety of films viewed in cinema, on television and on video

Course Content and Method of Assessment

AS

Unit One: Exploring Film Form
The study of the way the film maker communicates with the audience through the use of filming and editing techniques. This includes a close analysis, or reading, of a short sequence from a film, as well as the development of creative ideas for a short film or sequence from a full length film
(Coursework assessment)

Unit Two: British and American Film
This unit has three sections
a) A study of the contemporary US and UK film industries
b) A study of at least 2 British films linked to genre, stars or production companies
C) A comparison of 2 films from a particular genre or on a specific theme
(External Examination)

A Level/A2

Unit Three: Creative Projects
An analysis of the work of a chosen film maker and their distinctive characteristics.
Creative Work - a choice of making a short film, or writing a screenplay.
(Coursework)

Unit Four: Varieties of Film Experience
There are 3 sections to this unit:
a) World Cinema - a study of films from countries such as Mexico, Japan and India
b) Spectatorship - a study of the way spectators understand and interpret films
c) Close study of a single film (External examination)

After the Course

Film Studies gives access to a wide range of opportunities in higher education. You will have acquired and developed a variety of transferable skills which will be appropriate to further academic study or employment.

These skills include researching and presenting information in written and spoken form, analysing and interpreting ideas, producing creative treatments in scripting and storyboarding, working in groups and meeting deadlines.
The course leads to degrees in film, media and television and there are a very wide variety of such courses available in Higher Education. It is also a good preparation for degree courses in Humanities and the Arts.

Subject Combinations

Film Studies combines well with most AS and A level subjects. There is no barrier to studying AS Film with AS Media or Communication Studies. It combines well with English Language or English Literature. Two examples of interesting and challenging programmes:

• AS/A2 Film with English Literature, Media, English Language and History
• AS/A2 Film with Theatre Studies, Spanish, Art and Psychology

Entry Requirements

College entry requirements apply. Students should have a grade C or above in GCSE English.