Embedded Files
ALFilm_FXS.mp4Qualification
Qualification
A Level
A Level
Exam Board
Exam Board
Educas
Educas
Why should I study Film studies?
Why should I study Film studies?
Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th century and a major art form of the last hundred years.
Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th century and a major art form of the last hundred years.
Those who study it characteristically bring with them a high degree of enthusiasm and excitement for what is a powerful and culturally significant medium, inspiring a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective.
Those who study it characteristically bring with them a high degree of enthusiasm and excitement for what is a powerful and culturally significant medium, inspiring a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective.
Film Studies consequently makes an important contribution to the curriculum, offering the opportunity to investigate how film works both as a medium of representation and as an aesthetic medium
Film Studies consequently makes an important contribution to the curriculum, offering the opportunity to investigate how film works both as a medium of representation and as an aesthetic medium
What do students say?
What do students say?
"Film studies is a great way of experiencing what goes on behind the scenes of films. Film studies is great fun and is very educational. It’s a great way of expanding your knowledge and learning not only about films but also about things on a bigger scale like feminism, patriarchy, hegemony etc." Nicole Jasrzebska Yr13
"Film studies is an absolutely incredible subject where we pick apart movies and scenes from movies, it is really fun to look at how real world events directly influence the film industry." Alfie Lack Yr13
Enrichment
Enrichment
Filmmaking Workshops: Practical workshops on filmmaking such as screenwriting, directing, and editing.
Guest Speakers: People from the film industry discuss and inspire students with their career paths.
University Taster Days: We visit local universities for students, offering a glimpse into further study opportunities in Film and Media Studies.
Podcasts or Film Blogs: Students have the opportunity to contribute to a podcast or even host it. Perhaps a film blog or podcast, reviewing films and discussing trends, offering a platform for your voice and creative thinking.
What does the course involve and how will I be assessed?
What does the course involve and how will I be assessed?
Film Studies is an exciting two year course made up of both coursework (30%) and exam (70%).
Film Studies is an exciting two year course made up of both coursework (30%) and exam (70%).
You will have the opportunity to learn how to shoot and edit a short film to a high standard, pushing yourself technically and creatively. We use 700d cameras, Manfrotto Tripods, and the Adobe CC package.
You will have the opportunity to learn how to shoot and edit a short film to a high standard, pushing yourself technically and creatively. We use 700d cameras, Manfrotto Tripods, and the Adobe CC package.
Film is an important art-form that has been around for over 100 years. The earliest filmmakers fascinated by the new medium took a documentary style approach and filmed everyday events such as a train arriving at a platform. Film has come on a great deal! But at its heart is the very human desire to tell a story. It is in this idea of story that we find understanding - we make sense of the world. Film, takes the imagination and word and gives it a visual presence
Film is an important art-form that has been around for over 100 years. The earliest filmmakers fascinated by the new medium took a documentary style approach and filmed everyday events such as a train arriving at a platform. Film has come on a great deal! But at its heart is the very human desire to tell a story. It is in this idea of story that we find understanding - we make sense of the world. Film, takes the imagination and word and gives it a visual presence
How is the course assessed?
How is the course assessed?
Exam 70% Coursework 30%
Exam 70% Coursework 30%
Opportunities for progression
Opportunities for progression
Studying A-Level Film Studies offers a range of opportunities for progression, both in higher education and in various career paths. Here are some key progression opportunities:
Studying A-Level Film Studies offers a range of opportunities for progression, both in higher education and in various career paths. Here are some key progression opportunities:
University Courses
University Courses
Many students who complete A-Level Film Studies go on to pursue degrees in related fields such as:
Many students who complete A-Level Film Studies go on to pursue degrees in related fields such as:
- Film Studies: A deeper exploration of film theory, history, and criticism.
- Film Studies: A deeper exploration of film theory, history, and criticism.
- Media Studies: A broader focus on media, including television, journalism, digital media, and advertising.
- Media Studies: A broader focus on media, including television, journalism, digital media, and advertising.
- Film Production: Practical training in filmmaking, including directing, cinematography, editing, and sound.
- Film Production: Practical training in filmmaking, including directing, cinematography, editing, and sound.
- Screenwriting: Specialised courses focusing on writing for film, television, and other media.
- Screenwriting: Specialised courses focusing on writing for film, television, and other media.
- Animation and Visual Effects: For students interested in the technical and creative side of visual storytelling.
- Animation and Visual Effects: For students interested in the technical and creative side of visual storytelling.
- Cultural Studies: Exploring film within the wider context of society, culture, and global trends.
- Cultural Studies: Exploring film within the wider context of society, culture, and global trends.
Many universities, such as those in the Russell Group or specialist institutions like the National Film and Television School (NFTS) or London Film School, offer prestigious programmes in these areas.
Many universities, such as those in the Russell Group or specialist institutions like the National Film and Television School (NFTS) or London Film School, offer prestigious programmes in these areas.
Apprenticeships and Vocational Training
Apprenticeships and Vocational Training
There are vocational routes into the film and media industry that do not necessarily require a university degree:
There are vocational routes into the film and media industry that do not necessarily require a university degree:
- Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeships: Offering hands-on experience in areas such as production, post-production, and digital marketing.
- Production Apprenticeships: Programs with film studios, broadcasters, or production companies where students can learn on the job.
- Film Set Runners and Assistants: Many students start in entry-level roles like runners or production assistants to build up experience and industry contacts.
Careers in the Film and Media Industry
Careers in the Film and Media Industry
A-Level Film Studies provides students with critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills that are transferable to many roles, such as:
A-Level Film Studies provides students with critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills that are transferable to many roles, such as:
- Film Director: Overseeing the creative aspects of a film, guiding the crew and actors.
- Film Director: Overseeing the creative aspects of a film, guiding the crew and actors.
- Producer: Managing the financial and organisational aspects of film production.
- Producer: Managing the financial and organisational aspects of film production.
- Screenwriter: Writing scripts for film, television, or web series.
- Screenwriter: Writing scripts for film, television, or web series.
- Cinematographer: Focusing on the visual aspects of filmmaking, such as camera work and lighting.
- Cinematographer: Focusing on the visual aspects of filmmaking, such as camera work and lighting.
- Editor: Working on post-production to shape the final cut of a film.
- Editor: Working on post-production to shape the final cut of a film.
- Film Critic/Journalist: Writing about films, analysing trends, and contributing to magazines, newspapers, or websites.
- Film Critic/Journalist: Writing about films, analysing trends, and contributing to magazines, newspapers, or websites.
- Publicist or Marketing Professional: Promoting films, handling publicity, and managing social media campaigns.
- Publicist or Marketing Professional: Promoting films, handling publicity, and managing social media campaigns.
Further Education and Short Courses
Further Education and Short Courses
- Specialist Short Courses: Students can develop specific skills in areas like editing, animation, or sound design through short courses offered by institutions such as the British Film Institute (BFI) or FutureLearn.
- Specialist Short Courses: Students can develop specific skills in areas like editing, animation, or sound design through short courses offered by institutions such as the British Film Institute (BFI) or FutureLearn.
- Postgraduate Study: After completing a university degree, students may pursue postgraduate qualifications in film-related areas, such as a Master’s in Film Theory, Cinematography, or Digital Media.
- Postgraduate Study: After completing a university degree, students may pursue postgraduate qualifications in film-related areas, such as a Master’s in Film Theory, Cinematography, or Digital Media.
Freelance Opportunities
Freelance Opportunities
The film industry also offers opportunities for freelance work:
The film industry also offers opportunities for freelance work:
- Freelance Filmmaking: Many filmmakers start independently, working on short films, documentaries, or corporate videos.
- Freelance Filmmaking: Many filmmakers start independently, working on short films, documentaries, or corporate videos.
- Content Creation: In the era of digital media, A-Level Film Studies students can create content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Vimeo, allowing for an independent career in digital storytelling or vlogging.
- Content Creation: In the era of digital media, A-Level Film Studies students can create content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Vimeo, allowing for an independent career in digital storytelling or vlogging.
Teaching and Academia
Teaching and Academia
- Teaching: With further qualifications, students may choose to teach Film Studies at secondary or higher education levels.
- Teaching: With further qualifications, students may choose to teach Film Studies at secondary or higher education levels.
- Research: Those who are passionate about film theory and history may pursue a career in academic research, contributing to the scholarly understanding of film.
- Research: Those who are passionate about film theory and history may pursue a career in academic research, contributing to the scholarly understanding of film.
Transferable Skills
Transferable Skills
Even if students do not pursue a career directly in film, the skills gained from studying A-Level Film Studies—critical analysis, research, storytelling, teamwork, and creative problem-solving—are highly valued in careers such as:
Even if students do not pursue a career directly in film, the skills gained from studying A-Level Film Studies—critical analysis, research, storytelling, teamwork, and creative problem-solving—are highly valued in careers such as:
- Advertising: Crafting compelling visual stories for brands and products.
- Advertising: Crafting compelling visual stories for brands and products.
- Journalism: Analysing and reporting on current trends in film and media.
- Journalism: Analysing and reporting on current trends in film and media.
- Public Relations: Working in media relations, managing communications for clients in entertainment or other sectors.
- Public Relations: Working in media relations, managing communications for clients in entertainment or other sectors.
A-Level Film Studies opens many doors, both within and beyond the film industry, by developing a wide range of creative and analytical skills.
A-Level Film Studies opens many doors, both within and beyond the film industry, by developing a wide range of creative and analytical skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Subject Link
Subject Link
Mr Barrett
Mr Barrett
rbarrett@fxs.org.uk
Page updated
Report abuse