ASSESSMENT

The assessment objectives (what the examiner is looking for)

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of film.

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of elements of film:

analyse and compare films, including through the use of critical approaches

evaluate the significance of critical approaches

An example question for this paper:

Section A: Global film (two-film study) Either, 1. (a) With close reference to the two films you have studied, explore how either performance or mise-en-scène create meaning. [40]

How you could answer this question...

You could consider how either performance or mise-en-scène create meaning by exploring their connotations or they may relate their discussion to a wider appreciation of the narratives and thematic concerns of the films. Either approach is acceptable. Remember that lighting is part of cinematography.

If you were discussing performance you could include the following:

• a discussion of performance in terms of, for example, casting, the use of voice and non-verbal gesture, performance style, interaction between actors and the broader 'choreography' of movement
• a consideration of how these aspects of performance convey meaning, communicating messages and values to spectators
• a recognition that aspects of performance may give rise to multiple connotations and consequently different meanings and competing interpretations.
• Band 5 responses may consider the ideological implications of performance.

If you were discussing mise-en-scene, you could include the following:

• A discussion of mise-en-scène in terms of, for example, setting, costume, props and staging
• a consideration of how these aspects of mise-en-scène convey meaning, communicating messages and values to spectators
• a recognition that aspects of mise-en-scène may give rise to multiple connotations and consequently different meanings and competing interpretations.
• Band 5 responses may consider the ideological implications of mise-en-scène.

Another example question could be...

With close reference to the two films you have studied, explore how either editing or sound create meaning. [40]

How you could answer this question...

You could consider how either editing or sound create meaning by exploring their connotations or they may relate their discussion to a wider appreciation of the narratives and thematic concerns of the films. Either approach is acceptable.

If you are discussing editing you may include the following:

• a discussion of editing in terms of, for example, the shot to shot relationships of continuity editing, montage editing, examples of stylised forms of editing and visual effects created in post-production
• a consideration of how these editing convey meaning, communicating messages and values to spectators
• a recognition that aspects of editing may give rise to multiple connotations and consequently different meanings and competing interpretations.
• Band 5 responses may consider the ideological implications of editing.

If you are discussing sound you may include the following:

• a discussion of sound in terms of, for example, parallel and contrapuntal sound, diegetic, non-diegetic sound, foley sound, examples of expressive uses of sound the relationship between dialogue and ambient sound and the uses of multi-track sound mixing and layering
• a consideration of how these sound convey meaning, communicating messages and values to spectators
• a recognition that aspects of sound may give rise to multiple connotations and consequently different meanings and competing interpretations.
• Band 5 responses may consider the ideological implications of sound.