Film Studies

A Level

Examination Board: WJEC Educas
Specification: 603/1147/2
Course Leader: Dr D Clarke
Contact Email: dclarke@tgschool.net

What Will I Study?

This Film Studies course is designed to ignite a passion for film and encourage broader cultural and historical perspectives on this academic area of study. It encourages you to watch, engage critically with and explore a wide range of film; to develop and sustain confident, personal responses to film via textual analysis and to enjoy a variety of critically acclaimed films across the major genres.

You will study a diverse range of film, including Classical and New Hollywood films, such as Alien and Captain Fantastic, film from the Silent Era (Fritz Lang), experimental film (David Lynch) and British films, such as Trainspotting and Shaun of the Dead. You will learn how film and film practice has a significance in national, global and historical contexts, as well as looking at social, cultural, political and technological contexts. You will learn how films use constructs such as narrative, genre, representation, spectatorship and aesthetics to create meaning by deconstructing and then creating a screenplay and short film to apply your learning. This course is perfect compliment to subjects such as English, History, Psychology, and Photography, as well as other Arts and Humanities subjects. Film Studies is the ideal choice if you want that balance between the academic study of films and creative filmmaking practice.

Entry Requirements

Students should have achieved 5 GCSEs at grades 9-5 including a Grade 5 or above in English. You do not need to have previously studied that Film Studies at GCSE to take this course.

Assessment

70% Examination (2 exams, end of year 13)

30% NEA (coursework)

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through two written papers, each 2 hours 30 minutes, taken in June of your second year and a practical element (NEA coursework).

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes - 35% of qualification

This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films.

Department Staff

Dr D Clarke (DCL) Head of Film & Media Studies Contact