Film Studies
- LEVEL
- ASSESSOR
- ASSESSMENT
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- AT LEAST 5 GCSES GRADED 4-9 INCLUDING
What is Film Studies?
As both a significant cultural innovation and a major art form over the past 100 years, Film has had a profound impact on contemporary society. Film students look at a range of ways that film has been used, including aesthetic considerations, as a cultural medium, a means of representation, and a driver of technological innovation.
Students will study a range of films from a wide variety of times, countries and genres, made with varying budgets and for a range of reasons. They will examine the ways that films are constructed, the meanings and responses, and the ways audiences respond to films.
Why study Film Studies?
A Level Film Studies is for you if you have a deep love of film and would like to develop a get a more in depth, analytical approach to the their study.
We take into consideration all styles of film, from low budget independent films to the AAA blockbuster films shown in cinemas.
During your time studying Film Studies, you will learn about how screenplays are written, how directors shoot films and how acting styles can portray stories and emotions that words cannot, and you’ll apply these skills to a short film of your own.
You’ll also develop important research, analytical, organisational and essay writing skills that will benefit you beyond the study of film.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Film StudiesCourse Content
See what you will be studying in Film Studies A Level, a comprehensive guide into the topics you will learn and the assessments you will take over the course of your studies.
| COMPONENT 1Varieties of film and filmmaking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEIGHT |
35% (120 marks) |
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LENGTH |
2.5 Hours |
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FORMAT |
Written Exam |
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This component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films.
- Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two Hollywood films, one from the
Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period
(1961-1990). - Section B: American film since 2005 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two American films, one mainstream
film and one contemporary independent film. - Section C: British film since 1995 (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two British films.
| COMPONENT 2 Global filmmaking perspectives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEIGHT |
35% (100 marks) |
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LENGTH |
2.5 Hours |
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This component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their
equivalent).
- Section A: Global film (two-film study)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two global films: one European and one
produced outside Europe. - Section B: Documentary film
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one documentary film. - Section C: Film movements – Silent cinema
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one silent film or group of films. - Section D: Film movements – Experimental film (1960-2000)
One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one film option.
| COMPONENT 3 Production | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEIGHT |
30% (60 marks) |
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FORMAT |
(NEA) |
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This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. Learners produce:
- either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words) plus a
digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay - an evaluative analysis (1600 – 1800 words).
MR M BULLOCK
SUBJECT LEADER FOR MEDIA
Thank you for your interest in Film Studies A level, here at St Paul’s we have outstanding facilities providing you with excellent resources and teachers centred on your development and success.
If you have any questions about Film Studies A Level at St Paul’s, or the paths you may want to take after your studies, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Start Your Film Studies Journey
