AS & A2 Level Film Studies

AS & A2 Level Film Studies

About the Course
Subject
A Levels
Study Mode
Full-time

Introduction 2 years full-time
Film Studies is an academic and practical course that is both challenging and enjoyable.
AS Film Studies builds upon your own personal knowledge of cinema, focusing upon both the role of the spectator and the producer. You will analyse the style and content of films as well as examining both world cinema and domestic cinema. The course is assessed through one examination and two pieces of coursework.
For your examination in June you will be given the opportunity to study film stars, to identify their appeal to different audiences by analysing marketing materials and their body of work. By studying the creation of big budget and independent films, from pre-production through to exhibition, you will gain a greater understanding of the film industry in general. You will also be studying the distinctive characteristics of a range of output from the British film production company Working Title. This will enable you to identify the relationship between styles and themes across a variety of films. Finally, you are required to analyse the gangster genre by comparing two US films, Goodfellas and The Departed. This will enable you to identify the ways that the genre has developed over time.
The coursework element consists of one analytical essay, as well as creating your own feature film on paper, either producing a photographed storyboard or outline of key sequences from your original film.
The A2 Level provides you with the opportunity to develop the academic and practical skills gained in the AS. Again you will be assessed through one examination and two pieces of coursework. For the examination you will study two Mexican cinema films, Y Tu Mama Tambien and Amores Perros, which will be supplemented by the study of at least one supporting film. You are also required to complete a critical study of the film Fight Club as well as an analysis of emotional responses in shocking cinema. This will be a detailed analysis which will encompass cumulative learning from the entire course.
The coursework consists of an individual research project which will be based on one focus film and two other related films, linked together by a specific framework of your choosing. You are also required to complete a screenplay or extended outline of a thirty minute documentary film arising from an area investigated from your research project.