A level Film Studies

Film Studies is designed to introduce you to a wide variety of films in order to broaden your knowledge and understanding of film and the range of responses films can generate. This course  offers opportunities to study mainstream American films from the past and the present as well as a range of recent and contemporary British films, American independent films and global films, both non-English language and English language.

Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths.

Specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/en/qualifications/film-studies-as-a-level/#tab_overview

Below are additional resources and a transition task to help prepare you for A Level Film at Cowes Sixth Form 

A Level Film Studies Research task:

Task 1:  Watch the Mark Kermode The secrets of cinema clips. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bbn5pt

Then find a Mark Kermode review for one of your favourite films. Make some notes on what he says do you agree with him?

Task 2:  What is film form?

Watch at least one video and use the micro elements of film form either as revision or to learn about how to analyse film.

https://sites.google.com/apps.ricardslodge.merton.sch.uk/filmform/home?fbclid=IwAR0L6nJJbOdu1O-RLqe03KvoT_OOGkVE09i4JGbSzZyWQl7AXlQhBzQxFHk

Task 3: Watch the Mark Kermode The secrets of cinema the horror episode

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bfp4h7/mark-kermodes-secrets-of-cinema-series-1-5-horror

or British History Film

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tze49

Task 4: Analyse a short sequence from a horror film or a British film focussing on film language. You can choose any horror film or British film.

Read the charts about the key elements of film form. Think about how meaning is created (shot types/sound/lighting/mise-en-scene/editing) using this information and the recommended texts.

Choose a 3-5 minute sequence and apply the key elements of film form to it.

Write a short piece about how meaning is created for the spectator in the sequence you have chosen. Consider the response the director is trying to evoke from the audience.

Wider reading:

Textbook:  WJEC Eduqas Film Studies for A Level & AS Paperback – 17 May 2018 by Lisa Wardle (Author), Ellen Cheshire (Author), Mark Ramey (Author), Jenny Stewart (Author)-we have lots of copies in school

Film Studies For Dummies Paperback – 10 Apr 2015 by James Cateridge (Author)

Or

Film Studies: An Introduction: Teach Yourself Kindle Edition by Warren Buckland (Author)

Focus on the Key Elements of Film Form:

Technical: Cinematography, Editing & Sound

Visual : Mise en Scene, Aesthetics, Performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR_l1vTfaNk&list=PLUxXhSb0YqhaHPgSLm58Av79t7TPkT0HE&index=5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3BcS8Uwl9U

Youtube Channel for Film Studies:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmfNhF1CUaunAnh4x49qnzA/playlists

Crash course Film Production is great for a wide understanding of the film industry

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtPnisE6CrrLO00Qoe67TDpx

BBC iplayer: Short Films, New Talent

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p084qj0y/new-creatives-anoraks

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p083bl3l/new-creatives-dingding-next

Useful websites

https://www.bfi.org.uk/

https://www.intofilm.org/

https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/activities-for-young-people-to-do-at-home?fbclid=IwAR0KPC3Y3rgWGviYRuJ4KXAntyX1S893LMwVTwSESLsAxmyUJ0SRuBYC_U0

Film magazines include:

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine

https://www.empireonline.com/

https://lwlies.com/

Essential Equipment

A4 Lever Archfolder and dividers.