Film Studies

AS/A Level Film Studies is designed to deepen your understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of film, the major art of the 20th century. To succeed you will need a genuine interest in a wide range of films and good, clear, written English; we would recommend that you have at least a B grade at GCSE English Language.

We follow the new WJEC specification visit www.wjec.org.uk to read it in detailing.

There are 2 Modules at AS Level:

Module 1: Exploring Film Form

Assessed through coursework

This module focuses on film form and concentrates on how to “read” a film. You consider the use of cinematography, sound, editing and performance and how we (the audience) understand them. You will also explore a range of genres and consider narrative – how the information in a film is organised into a story. Based on your understanding of how film works you will devise and construct a film sequence of your own.

Module 2: British & American Film

Assessed through an exam

This module focuses on the film industry and the experience of cinema going and film consumption. We examine in detail the cinemas of the USA & the UK, identifying similarities and differences in the ways in which these countries produce, sell and watch films. We will analyse, in detail, one aspect of British cinema history and carry out a comparative study of two linked American films.

AS & A2 Film Studies can be taken with Media Studies – universities are happy to accept both subjects.

If you choose to continue the course at A2 level you will take a further two units:

Module 3: Film Research & Creative Projects

Assessed through coursework

This module gives you the opportunity to carry out some detailed research into an aspect of film that really interests you. You could choose a specific genre of film, or a director, star or producer. You may wish to concentrate on a social, political or cultural theme – the choice is yours. You will also devise and construct a screenplay for a short film or an extract from a longer film.

Module 4: Varieties of Film Experience – Issues & Debates

Assessed through an exam

This module moves beyond the familiar and examines world cinemas. We will consider films from a range of countries and explore the ways in which they differ from the mainstream; we further develop this understanding in a detailed analysis of a specific film. Finally, we consider a range of debates around the idea of spectatorship – including those dealing with early cinema, experimental film and documentary.

What are the results like and where do students to afterwards?

Results are very good – 97% A-E at AS level and 69% A&B, and 100% A-E and 67% A&B at A2 level last year for example. You need to have a variety of skills, imagination, creativity and the ability to evaluate - to achieve a high grade but most importantly you must be interested in films! You can look at results for the past 3 years on our website.

Students go on to a variety of university courses, including Film Studies, Media Studies, Media & Film Production, Journalism, English Literature, Drama, Modern Languages and Engineering.