A Levels - A Level Film Studies

This A Level Film Studies programme aims to deepen your understanding and enjoyment of film as a major art form of the twenty-first century. In particular it looks at the relationship between the film, society and the individual by exploring how films create meanings and produce both intellectual and emotional responses. In order to do this you will engage with a wide range of different kind of films and develop skills of observation, critical analysis and personal reflection.

This programme is also creative, practical and student-centred with opportunities to plan, shoot and edit your own short films. Students who have an interest in Media Studies, Arts, English, Social Science and Humanities subjects will find points of contact with A Level Film Studies.

During your A Level studies, you will explore:

- A diverse range of film, including documentary, film from the silent era, experimental film and short film.

- The significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts.

- Film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical and technological contexts).

- How films generate meanings and responses.

- Film as an aesthetic medium.

- The different ways in which spectators respond to film.

Assessment takes the form of a mixture of internally-assessed coursework and creative projects and externally-marked exam papers.

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking

Written examination: 2½ hours

35% of qualification

For this component, learners must study:

Section A Two Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990) (comparative study).

Section B Two American films produced since 2005, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film (two-film study).

Section C Two British films (two-film study).

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives

Written examination: 2½ hours

35% of qualification

For this component, learners must study:

Section A Global Film Two non-English language films, one European and one from outside Europe (two-film study).

Section B One documentary film.

Section C Film Movements One film option from a 1920s silent film movement.

Section D One film option from an experimental film movement.

Component 3: Non - exam assessment: Film Production

Non-exam assessment

30% of qualification

Students are required to plan and create their own production. The production may take the form of either a short film or a screenplay for a short film. The screenplay must be accompanied by a digitally photographed storyboard of a key sequence from the screenplay in order to demonstrate how the screenplay will be realised. Learners must also provide an evaluative analysis of the production.

5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4, including English Language and Maths.

PLUS

Grade 5 required in GCSE English Language.

This A Level in combination with other subjects contributes as a qualification to gain entry to Higher Education courses in areas such as: Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Communication Studies, Media Production, Television Studies and Literature.