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Film Studies
What is FILM STUDIES ?
“Media and Film contribute £8 million an hour to the UK’s economy”
(Source: Gov.uk)
Subject Lead: Mr Kurt Dettman
Film Studies is not simply the appreciation of Film as a globally-loved and celebrated artistic form, but prepares students practically, for a line of work within one of the UK’s largest and most important employment sectors.
Film not only offers students the ability to appreciate new cultures; learn about the history and evolving technologies of film-making, but also to understand the ideologies and aesthetics – the beliefs and beauty contained within every film text: beliefs that shape the way we think and react to the world around us. This within an ever-growing technological and media-driven world.
What you will Study:
WJEC Eduqas GCSE in FILM STUDIES
The WJEC Eduqas course in GCSE Film Studies is designed to draw on students’ enthusiasm for film and introduce them to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been iconic in the development of film and film technology. Students will develop their knowledge of US mainstream film by studying one film from the 1950s and one film from the later 70s and 80s, thus looking at two stages in Hollywood's development.
In addition, they will be studying more recent films – a US independent film as well as films from Europe, including the UK and South Africa. Production is an important part of this specification and is integral to students’ study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts is designed to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own practical filmmaking assignment.
How you will be assessed:
Component 1: Key Developments in US Film (Hollywood)
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 35% of qualification
Students will study up to three US films: two US mainstream films and one US independent film.
- Section A: a comparative study of a US film produced between 1930 & 1960, and a US film produced between 1961 & 1990:
King Solomon's Mines (1950) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or
Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Grease (1978) or
Rear Window (1954) and Witness (1985) or
Rebel without a Cause (1955) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) or
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
- Section B: The Evolution of Film and Film Technology: the history of film and how the industry has changed.
- Section C: US independent film: films outside of mainstream, Hollywood:
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) or Juno (2007) or The Hurt Locker (2008) or Whiplash (2014) or Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style.
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 35% of qualification.
Students will study three global films produced outside the US: one global English language film; one global non-English language film; one modern UK film: District 9 (South Africa, 2009), Tsotsi (South Africa, 2005) and Attack the Block (UK, 2011)
Component 3: Practical Production Non-examined, practical assignment
30% of qualification
Students plan, film and edit a short film (2-2 and a half minutes) from a choice of genres: crime; sci-fi; war; horror; the teenage film or the musical.
