Film Studies provides an enjoyable, fascinating insight into how films generate meanings and responses, and the development of this significant art form over time. Students develop their abilities to express their ideas about a diverse range of films, whilst appreciating how film works both as a powerful form of representation and as an aesthetic medium. Students study a range of influential mainstream and independent American and British films from the past and the present, as well as more recent global films, both non-English language and English language. Production work is also a significant part of this course; students can showcase their creative skills too, by creating high quality film work for their NEA.

Enrichment

Our students plan and create their own films and are regularly used around the school to create short films for publicity purposes.

Trips and Events

We often attend screenings of films studied on the course and have previously visited Warner Brothers studio tour to experience the planning and preparation that goes into creating a film

Subject Leader: Mrs R Hayward – (rhayward@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk)

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 5 – A Level Film Studies

Exam Board: Edexcel

Year 12

Component 1: Varieties of Film

• Hollywood 1930-1990 (Comparative study) Casablanca & Bonnie and Clyde
• American film since 2005 (two-film study) Boyhood & LaLa Land
• British film since 1995 (two-film study) Shaun of the Dead & Trainspotting

A total of six feature length films = 35% of qualification

 Year 13

Component 2: Global Filmmaking Perspectives

• Global film (two-film study) Pan’s Labyrinth & City of God
• Documentary film Amy
• Film Movements: Silent Cinema Buster Keaton
• Film Movements: Experimental Film Pulp Fiction

A total of four feature length films, with a reference to a compilation of short films = 35% of qualification

Students will begin their NEA at the end of Year 12, and complete at the beginning of Year 13:

Component 3: NEA (non-exam assessment)

One production and its evaluative analysis. You will produce:

• A short film (4-5 minutes)
• An evaluative analysis (1600-1800 words)