TPS Film Studies

Course Overview

This Film Studies course has been designed to ignite a passion for film and encourage broader cultural and historical perspectives on this academic area of study.  You will watch, engage critically with and explore a wide range of film; develop and sustain confident, personal responses to film via textual analysis; and enjoy a variety of critically acclaimed films across the major genres. These include films from different cultural perspectives, films from the Silent Era to the present day, and different forms of film, including documentary, shorts and experimental.

Course Content

The three units for this qualification are:

Unit 1: Film History:  Assessed by 2 hour written exam.

You will develop your knowledge of film form through the study of at least 3 US set films from The Silent Era, 1930-1960, 1961-1990.  Plus the study of 2 set films from two major European film movements or stylistic developments:  Experimental Film (European Surrealist Film) plus German Expressionism or French New Wave.

Unit 2: Critical Approaches to Film.  Assessed by 2 hour written exam

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of key critical approaches to film and of  narrative, genre, representations and spectatorship by studying at least one set film from each of the following:  Contemporary British, Contemporary US, Documentary, Non-European Non-English Language, English Language (Non US), US Independent.

Unit 3: Making a Short Film: Non Examined Assessment

You will study one compilation of short British fiction films and demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills through the production of a 5 minute short film or a 10 minute screenplay for a short film (incorporating a digitally photographed storyboard). Plus an evaluative analysis of the production in relation to professionally produced set short films.

Course Entry Requirements

5 or above in GCSE English Language or Literature

Course Specification

OCR H410 https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/316666-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-film-studies-h410.pdf

Homework

At A Level, students are expected to complete a minimum of  5 hours of study a week on top of their allocated lesson time.