Art & Design (Film and Video) At A Level

Art and Design at A Level offers a path towards many careers. It is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to undertake further studies in art and design; those who wish to take up a career in which an art and design qualification is either desirable or necessary and those for who art is simply a way of obtaining a qualification through self expression and the acquisition of basic artistic techniques in ceramics, sculpture, painting, fashion and textiles or photography. The course emphasises the view that art is the expression of a wordless language and of colour, form and sensitivity.

Candidates are required to work in one or more area(s) of Fine Art, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas: painting, drawing and mixed media, including collage and assemblage; sculpture (including ceramic sculpture); land art, installation and construction; printmaking, relief, intaglio, screen processes and lithography; photography, film, television, animation and/or video.

For film and video students will be expected to develop knowledge and understanding of: 

•  the development of storyboards, scripting, camera angles, viewpoints, length of shot,  cutting, composition, cropping and pacing which may include computer generated ideas  and developments 

•  qualities of lighting in both studio- and location-based work 

•  various animation processes, including stop-frame, rostrum and 3D modelling 

•  qualities of various film and video formats, for example 16mm film, analogue video and  DV 

•  the use of sound and its interaction with moving images 

• editing, including knowledge of the variety of ways in which images might be juxtaposed  to create appropriate effects 

•  the work of others as a means of extending the film and video vocabulary of the student.

Ashbourne’s Art & Design Department

Ashbourne’s Art department is headed by Gina Fiori, who is one of the most passionate, energetic and enthusiastic teachers students new to Ashbourne will have ever encountered. Gina has a very interesting and broad CV having obtained art degrees in Santiago, Chile and Bruxelles. Every year Gina works tirelessly with her colleagues in the Art, Media and Drama departments to coordinate and put together the annual Christmas college revue, which is now in its ninth year. Sheila Cosgrove has studied Art and Design in New York and Cincinnati and is a graduate of Chelsea College of Art. She also attended Ruskin College, Oxford studying Fine Art. Also making a valuable contribution to photography and graphic design are Jack Sritraipop and Tim Dean, a graduate of the prestigious St. Martin’s College. Tim also holds a PGCE. Jack Sritaipop graduated in Thailand and heads the Photography department. Both Jack and Tim co-teach film and video within the art and design department.

Examination Board

Ashbourne follows the AQA specification for Art and Design, Art and Fashion, Art and Graphic Design and Photography.

Units

A-level Art & Design Unit 1: Coursework

A-level Art & Design Unit 2: Coursework

A-level Art & Design Unit 3: Controlled Test

A range of questions is set by AQA. 4 weeks are allowed for Preliminary Studies. Candidates have a 5 hour Controlled Test, in their chosen option, to produce developmental work. Set by AQA, marked by the Centre, moderated by AQA.

A-level Art & Design Unit 4: Coursework

A-level Art & Design Unit 5 OR A-level Art & Design Unit 6

A-level Art & Design Unit Five: Personal Study: An illustrated written study of an aspect of critical and historical studies in art, craft or design of the candidates’ own choice. Approximately 3000 words. Set and marked by the Centre, moderated by AQA.

A-level Art & Design Unit 6: Coursework (Practical, but with 1000 words written support)

A-level Art & Design Unit Seven: Controlled Test.

A range of questions is set by AQA. 4 weeks are allowed for Preliminary Studies. Candidates have a 15 hour Controlled Test. Set by AQA, marked by the Centre, moderated by AQA.

Possible University Degree Programmes Suited to A-level Art & Design

Students studying Art at A level might reasonably be expected to pursue their studies at undergraduate level in the following areas. Art, Fine Art, Art & Design, Advertising, Architecture, Graphics, Graphic Arts, Furniture Design and myriad other choices and specialisms.