A Level Film Studies
A Level Film Studies explores our role as the spectator and the psychology behind audience response. We study an exciting range of films from diverse national and cultural backgrounds. For example, we study films from classic Hollywood cinema starring screen icons such as Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe, to new Hollywood, with challenging films from directors such as Spike Lee, Christopher Nolan and Danny Boyle. We also study Independent Cinema, Global Cinema and case studies on British Cinema, Silent Cinema and Documentary Film.
FIRST YEAR: We’ll look at:
- The language of Film and how it influences the audience
- The different components of Film; what we see, hear and the way Film represents the real world
- How these components work upon us as spectators and how our responses differ according to: who we are, where we are and what we seek from a film
- The British, Hollywood and World Cinema industries, mainstream and independent cinema, historical and modern cinema
SECOND YEAR: We’ll look at:
We’ll turn to look at the wider context of world cinema, documentary, and different, theoretical approaches to cinema.
In both years there will be opportunities to produce creative work in the form of a screenplay or moving image piece to apply your knowledge of film form.
All students studying A Levels should have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 – 5 in academic subjects, including English Language at grade 5. Two of these should be grade 6.
Film Studies AS and A Level are assessed through a combination of exam and controlled assessment. Coursework is worth 30% and is a mixture of critical analysis and creative work. There are two examinations worth 35% each in both AS and A Level, with a focus on the different case study films.
Most A Level students go on to study at university. Students who have studied Film can expect to follow the subject on to degree level, or study a related subject from English Literature to Sociology, or a creative subject such as Film Production, Photography, or even Music.
The study of Film is far-reaching with skills that complement many careers such as television, journalism, arts administration, marketing, teaching and private sector or charities.
SAM CLARE
- BA (Hons) Film Studies from the University of Wolverhampton
- Over 10 years’ experience lecturing Film and Media Studies
- His favourite director is Wong Kar-ai
EMMA KIERAN – ALUMNI STUDENT
B grade in Film Studies A Level
A & B grades in Media & English Language