Film Studies (A Level)

Film Studies is an academic study of film designed to develop an understanding of a diverse range of cinema. It will explore film practice within a social, political and cultural context, applying critical approaches to a range of cinema. Film will also be studied as an aesthetic art form via a series of key analytical techniques. Across the two years you will study a wide range of cinema exploring key movements, as well as complete a creative piece of coursework.

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Welcome to the Department

Welcome to the Media and Film Department - if you would like to find out more about the department, the resources we have available and the other courses you can study with us please watch the video filmed by our students.

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?

Over the two years you will complete three separate units as detailed below.

Component 1: Varieties of Film & Film Making*

A) Hollywood 1930 - 1990 - Casablanca (1942) and Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

B) American Cinema since 2005 - Joker (2019) and Captain Fantastic (2016)

C) British Film since 1995 - Under the Skin (2013) and Fish Tank (2009)

*Please note some films are subject to change following releases of new options from the exam board

Component 2: Global Filmmaking Perspectives*

A) Global Cinema - Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and City of God (2002)

B) Documentary Film - Amy (2015)

C) Film Movements - Silent Cinema - Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)

D) Film Movements - Experimental Film - Fallen Angels (1995)

*Please note some films are subject to change following releases of new options from the exam board

Component 3: Production (Coursework)

In the production unit you will develop your creative skills, building on your knowledge of cinema and film as an aesthetic art form. You will study a range of short films as part of your research and then produce your own short film and evaluation. This will be in one of the following formats:

Either

A short film (4-5 minutes)

A screenplay for a short film (1800 words) AND a digitally photographed storyboard for a section of the film

PLUS

An evaluative analysis making reference to the short films studied as part of your research.

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