Why study Film?
Film is the fastest growing A level in popularity and is becoming more widely recognised. Films are an important cultural medium and the course offers access to diverse historical, social and national cultures ranging from the familiar to the unfamiliar. There is no other subject like it given that it is a marriage of technical and creative processes and will equip students with analytical skills not likely to be encountered in other subjects.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow WJEC specification for Film Studies
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘Exploring Film Form’. This unit involves investigating how films work and how why they have the effect they do on their audiences. Students focus on the micro features of film. They look at details such as editing and sound and identify how these construct meaning and contribute to the sensory impact of the film.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called ‘British and American Film’ This unit focuses on two aspects of Film Studies: producers and audiences and the relationship between them and the role of macro features of film in constructing meanings. Through studying films from the national cinemas of the USA and the UK students will develop an awareness the narrative and genre characteristics of the UK and US films. They will start drawing conclusions about the interrelationship between producers and audiences with a particular focus on aspects of the film industry and audience behaviour.
Unit 3
A2 unit 3 is called ‘Film Research and Creative Projects’ This unit contributes to synoptic assessment and focuses on two projects related to the production of meaning; one is research based and one is creative
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is called ‘Varieties of Film Experience – Issues and Debates’ This unit also contributes to synoptic assessment. Understanding will be fostered through: studying complex films from different contexts, exploring spectatorship issues in relation to a particular type of film and applying key concepts and critical approaches gained through the course to explore one film in a synoptic manner.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Students produce an analysis of how the micro aspects of a chosen extract from a film of their choice produce meanings and responses. They also produce a creative project based on a film sequence or short film.
Unit 2
Students answer three questions: one a response to some stimulus material, one based on ‘Topics in British Film’ and the last based on a comparative study of two US films.
Unit 3
Students produce a small-scale research project and a creative project.
Unit 4
Students answer three questions: one on World Cinema, one on spectatorship topics and one a critical study of a selected film.
How is the course structured?
Units 1 and 2 are studied concurrently. The pattern is repeated in the A2 year.
When do the exams take place?
Assessments are entered in Spring and examinations are sat in June. There might be an opportunity to resit examined units in January of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Dennis Fulcher
(BSc Hons (Kingston) MA (London) PGCE (Greenwich) Media and Social Sciences (HoD), Psychology, Sociology, Film, Politics and Law)
Dennis is the College’s polymath and Head of Humanities. Originally a graduate in Sociology, Dennis has also completed a Masters in Government and Political Studies, a PGCE and a Diploma in Print Journalism. He is also a teamleader for Government and Politics examiners. Dennis is a lifelong film enthusiast.
Beyond A Level for Film Studies
There are a wide range of courses in the field of Film studies, Media, and Film, Radio and TV production. Opportunities for employment are good but the industry is competitive and demand for jobs will always exceed supply because of the assumed glamour of working in the industry.
Textbooks
A2
Title - A2 Film Studies (Essentials),
Author - Casey Benyahia, Gaffney and White
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Studies-Essentials-Sarah-Casey-Benyahia/dp/0415454360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275926056&sr=1-1 |
