FILM STUDIES
As a student of Film Studies you will undertake a systematic study of cinema and film. Film is arguably the most influential and culturally significant art form of the present. It is certainly the only new art form produced in the Twentieth Century.
This course is ideal for students who want to explore how and why films are made. A Level Film Studies focusses on the analysis and deconstruction of film over a wide historical time frame. It allows you to engage with films from early silent cinema to 1930s Hollywood films, to contemporary and experimental cinema.
Film Studies A Level involves studying 12 different films. These are separated into set categories, which are; American, British, Independent, Global, Documentary, Experimental and Silent Film. These are analysed via a number of different study area frameworks, including: film form, meaning and response, context, spectatorship, narrative, ideology, authorship, critical debates and theoretical debates. You work with your peers to debate and pull apart the set film texts and to develop a sophisticated contextual understanding of the world at the time these films were made. Film Studies requires that you develop an inquisitive mind and consider the deeper social, political and economic contexts of those films.
You also explore the work of a wide range of influential film directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Lee and the Coen Brothers. Film Studies A level also takes in the forefathers of cinema by evaluating the impact of key pioneers on the film industry including The Lumiere Brothers, DW Griffiths, Charlie Chaplin, and Sergei Eisenstein.
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
| Component | Component Title | Component Weighting |
| Component 1 | Varieties of film and filmmaking | 35% |
| Component 2 | Global Filmmaking Perspectives | 35% |
| Component 3 | Production | 30% |
Exam board: EDUQAS
Component 1 is examined in the summer term of Year 13. You will study six films in total and have three essays to write covering two films for each question. The exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes
Component 2 is examined in the summer term of Year 13. You will study 5 films in total and have four essays to write. One question covers two films, and the rest are one film questions. The exam lasts for 2 hours and 30 minutes
Component 3 is internally assessed (externally moderated) coursework. You will have the choice of making a short film or a screenplay alongside a reflective analysis. Typically, students start this project towards the end of Year 12 once they have developed a good understanding of different film techniques
PRE-REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDYING FILM AT A LEVEL
A passion for a wide range of cinema is essential 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.
IS A ONE YEAR OPTION AVAILABLE?
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.
GOOD SUBJECT COMBINATIONS
This subject can fit with a wide range of subject combinations and offers transferable skills giving it wider flexibility. As it is has both practical and theoretical elements it can fit with subjects that are essay based and practical. Examples of subjects that it works well with are English Literature, History, Sociology, Art, Media, Drama, Photography, Graphics.
WHAT DEGREES CAN IT LEAD TO?
Typically, students will progress onto theoretical or practical Film or Media related courses having studied Film at DLD College london. However due to the transferable skills that are developed during the two years students have flexibility to progress onto a wide range of Arts, Business and Humanities courses dependent on what other A Levels they have chosen.
WHAT CAREERS CAN IT LEAD TO?
The development of deeper critical and creative thinking gained by studying film can enhance many different career paths and is a much sought after transferable skill in employment and further study
• Film is one of the most relevant subjects today.
• Every nine days as much moving image is uploaded to YouTube as the BBC has broadcast in its entire history
• Employment in the screen industries has risen by 20% since 2009
Career paths for students of film includes practical avenues such as Film-Making, Directing, Producing and Editing but also allows you to move into more theoretical pathways such as Film Criticism, Journalism, Teaching and Education.
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS
Below is an indication of some of the universities our students have gone onto to study film:
• Ravensbourne
• University of Bristol
• University of Greenwich
• University of Nottingham
• University of the Arts London
EXTRA CURRICULAR/TRIPS/ACTIVITIES
We have Film and Media Academic Society which we encourage all of our students to join. This allows our students to develop their skills and knowledge by working with Media A Level students and Creative Media BTEC Students. We also have influential speakers from the industry attend the society for example Prof Dana Polan at NYU and the film critic and journalist Helen O’Hara.
Examples of trips we have taken are Harry Potter Studios, BFI Film Festival, IMAX, Prop Exhibition.
We regularly work with the One Day Film School to enhance our students creative skills.
RECOMMENDED READING
The course text book is:
The revision guide is:
If you have not studied film before this book is recommended to read prior to starting the course:
We recommend that you subscribe to Sight and Sound Magazine and visit the BFI website
https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound
Useful Podcasts
https://play.acast.com/s/filmstobeburiedwith
https://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts?q=kermode
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
To study A Levels, your current or pending exam results should be equivalent to or higher than GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in at least 5 subjects, with one of these subjects being GCSE English, and a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 5.5.
At the start of each academic year of study students following an A Level course without a pass at Level 5/Grade C in GCSE or IGCSE English Language or with an Academic English score below 6.5 overall must join an Academic English training course for the duration of the academic year which will be timetabled alongside A Level lessons.
If your level of English is not sufficient to meet the entry criteria for the A Level programme you will normally be offered a place on the one year Academic Preparation Course (pre A Level) in order to bring your English skills up to the required level.
Once registered on the course the student will be asked to complete a micro essay to help the subject leads to tailor their planning to their needs.
