Film Studies

This course can be combined with other A Level or BTEC Certificate courses to make a full programme.

You will study an AS Level in the first year of this course.

On this course you will have the chance to study and enjoy a wide range of different types of film whilst also beginning to produce your own practical work. The course consists of deepening your appreciation of cinema, understanding films in terms of their historical, political and cultural contexts and improving your analytical cine-literacy skills.

At AS you will study contemporary Hollywood and British film and at A Level world cinema and wider film forms (experimental, silent, documentary).

This course is ideal if you enjoy studying, watching and writing about films from different time periods alongside creating your own film based productions.

Assessment is largely written, through both coursework and exams. There are also opportunities to produce your own films as part of the coursework.

We also offer Film and Video A Level in our Art and Design faculty – click here for more information.

What topics will I study?

The first year involves the study of contemporary Hollywood and British Cinema, including the ways in which films create meaning, provoke audience response and deal with social, cultural and political issues. There is also a focus on the industries that produce these films and the spectators who consume them.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Component One – American Film Exam (35% – 1 ½ H) – classic and new Hollywood film alongside American Independent film questions
• Component Two – European Film Exam (35% – 1 ½ H) British film questions alongside non-English language European film questions
• Component Three: Coursework (30%) – create either a film extract or a film screenplay/storyboard extract with an evaluation

The second year involves studying a wider range of cinematic styles, including World Cinema and wider film forms (experimental, silent, documentary). It provides more sophisticated critical approaches for understanding how films construct meaning, as well as developing an appreciation of the history and diversity of film.

Detailed Breakdown

• Component One – Varieties of film Exam (35% – 2 ½ H) – classic and new Hollywood film, modern American film and British film questions
• Component Two – Global Film Exam (35% – 2 ½ H) Global film, documentary film, silent film and experimental film questions
• Component Three: Coursework (30%) – create either a short film or a short film screenplay/storyboard with an evaluation.

You will:

• Deepen your appreciation of cinema and understanding of the historical, political and cultural context of films
• Study contemporary Hollywood and British film, world cinema and wider film form
• Have the opportunity to go on the New York media trip
• Critically analyse film extracts thus developing your cine-literacy
• Develop your own screenplays, storyboards and short films
• Use industry standard equipment, including DLSR cameras and Final Cut Pro

This course goes well in combination with Media Studies, Humanities courses, Art and Design courses and Languages (including English).

Next steps: You could progress onto university level study in film/media theoretical or practical courses, you could attempt to gain employment in the creative industries in a plethora of practical options ranging from screenwriting to all aspects of filmmaking.

You will need eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths). You will need a keen interest in different kinds of film.

You will have access to a Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and state of the art DLSR cameras and Final Cut Pro.

There may be costs involved for possible additional trips and resources.