Film Studies- AS/A2 WJEC
Why choose Film Studies?
Film Studies is a very exciting subject that is suitable for anyone with a broad interest in film. It involves the close analysis of films and the decisions made by film directors, and also the study of the film industry as a whole. The course deals with messages and values in British and American cinema, as well as offering an opportunity for students to write and direct their own work.
What will students learn?
* How features such as editing, narrative, lighting, camerawork and colour are used by film directors to create meaning.
* Producers and audiences, including the funding, production and marketing of films.
* British film and genre.
* The role of stars in British film.
* A close study of film production companies such as Ealing and Working Title.
* A comparative study of two American films.
How will the student be assessed at AS Level?
FM1 - Exploring Film Form - 40%
* This is the coursework element and divides into two sections:
* One analysis of how films convey meaning through the analysis of the micro elements of film form such as camera work, lighting, editing, sound.
* One creative element, for example, students might create a short film or sequence from a film.
FM2 - British and American Film - 60%
* This is a 2 1/2 hour written exam paper. There are three questions one from each section.
* Section A: examines the cinema as an industry and the parts played by producers and audiences.
* Section B: covers themes and messages in British cinema.
* Section C: covers Hollywood and American Independent Cinema. Students are asked to compare and contrast two films.
What are the entry requirements?
No prior Level 2 qualification is required in Film Studies though sound written and oral communication skills are essential.
What opportunities exist after this course?
Film Studies is widely acknowledged as a rigorous academic subject. It leads naturally to degree courses, which involve critical analysis such as English, Media Studies and Journalism.
"I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians"
Francis Ford Copolla.
