A-Level Film Studies

A Level Film Studies

Specification: WJEC (Educas)

Method of Assessment: two written exams and one non-exam assessment 

Course Overview:

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (35%)

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (35%)

Component 3: Short Film Production Non-exam assessment (30%)

Units Studied:

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking

- Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (Comparative study)

- Section B: American film since 2005 (two-film study)

- Section C: British film since 1995 (two-film study).

The examination focuses of the core study elements alongside theories surrounding spectatorship, narrative, ideology and Auteur.

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives

- Section A: Global film (two-film study)

- Section B: Documentary film

- Section C: Film movements- Silent cinema

- Section D: Film movements- experimental.

The examination focuses on the core study elements alongside theories surrounding narrative, auteur, critical debates and filmmakers.

Component 3: Short Film Production Non-exam assessment

The coursework involves researching existing short films, planning, creating and evaluating the completed product.

Entry Requirements:

Students require a grade 5 or above in English Language GCSE and English Literature GCSE.

If it has been taken students require a grade 6 in Film Studies GCSE.

Students who have not taken Film Studies require a grade 6 in a related subject such as Media GCSE.

Reading Materials / Resources:

Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (1996). Film Art: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill Inc. US. ISBN: 978-0070066342.

Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (1994). Film History: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill Inc. US. ISBN: 978-0073386133.

Ross, E. (2015). Filmish. SelfMadeHero. ISBN: 978-1910593035.

Kramer, P. (2016) The General (BFI Film Classics). BFI Publishing. ISBN: 9781844579150.

Guerrero, E. (2001) Do the Right Thing (BFI Modern Classics) BFI Publishing. ISBN: 9780851708683.

The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011 documentary), directed Mark Cousins. Information is here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2044056/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Cousins, M. & Macdonald, K. Ed. (2006) Imagining Reality: The Faber Book of Documentary. (Revised ed.) Faber. ISBN: 9780571225149.

Winston, B. (2013) The Documentary Film Book. BFI/Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 9781844573417.

DVD extras

Web resources such as articles on visual effects e.g. Ex-Machina http://www.dneg.com/dneg_vfx/ex-machina  and Jurassic World e.g. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/See-How-Jurassic-World-Looked-Visual-Effects-Were-Filled-109617.html

Side by Side, (2012 Documentary), Christopher Kenneally. Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3788088601?ref_=tt_ov_vi

Career Opportunities:

Film Studies A Level can be continued at University level or at specialist collages. Students can become involved in the theory or practical elements of Film. Film Studies shows that a student is creative, academic and artistic. Future career paths could be Journalism, Filmmaker, Advertising and working within the Education sector.

For more information, please contact Ms Begum c/o sixthform@harristottenham.org.uk

Please mark FAO and contact name in the subject of the email.