What’s A Level Film Studies about?
“The idea that a movie should be seen only once is an extension of our traditional conception of film as entertainment rather than art.” Stanley Kubrik
This course is ideal for students who want to explore how and why films are made. A level Film Studies focuses on the analysis and deconstruction of film over a wide historical time frame. It allows you to engage with films from early silent cinema and 1930s Hollywood films to modern and experimental cinema.
Film Studies A level involves studying 12 different films. These are separated into set categories, which are;
- American, British, Global, Independent, Documentary & Experimental
These are analysed via a number of different study areas. Including;
- Film form, context, spectatorship, authorship, narrative, ideology and theoretical debates.
Understanding about the world at the time these films were made is also an aspect of Film Studies and you will consider the deeper social, political and economic contexts of film.
You also explore the work of a wide range of influential film directors, such as Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg & Damien Chazelle.
What sort of work is involved?
Film Studies A level will introduce you to a wide range of film-making processes so that you develop, through discussion, analysis and debate, a wide range of skills for both analysing and making film.
The coursework element allows you to make your own short film or write a script and produce a storyboard for a film. This allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge to a practical production. (See more details below)
You will be expected to think independently and to develop your own ‘voice’, and expand your knowledge outside of the classroom through reading about and watching films. This may involve going to film festivals and exhibitions.
What background do I need?
A passion for a wide range of cinema is ideal for success in Film Studies A level but it is not necessary to have studied either Film or Media at GCSE. It is an academic subject and suits students who have flourished in essay-based subjects like English Literature or History. As a rule, students who have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSE’s 9-4 (equivalent to A*-C) will fare better in this subject.
Where can it lead?
A level Film Studies students can go onto study Film, TV or Media at University. Students have the option to study a practical degree, theoretical degree or a combination of the two. This can lead to a very broad range of professions with many students able to develop skills that will enable them to apply for production roles within the Film, TV and Media industries. Some students opt for careers within Journalism and photojournalism or set up their own production companies.
A good degree in a creative arts subject like Film Studies can also develop a wide range of transferable skills including analysis, visual communication, problem solving, as well as communication, presentation and organisational skills.
One year course?
Due to the range of key film texts that you are required to cover, and the range of theoretical perspectives, it is very hard to take this course in one year and expect to get a good grade. The coursework requirement is particularly difficult to compress.
Assessment
70% of your mark is assessed through two exams at the end of the two-year course. Each are 2 hours in length. One focuses on film history whilst the other focuses on critical approaches to contemporary U.S., Uk and global cinema.
Coursework makes up the remaining 30% of the Film Studies A Level. You can choose to create either a short film (4-5 minutes) or produce a screenplay for a 10 minute short film. The screenplay must also be accompanied with a digitally photographed storyboard consisting of 20 frames. and you must write an evaluation of your production, of between 1600-1800 words.
Article written by David Wheeler, Film Studies at Bath Academy