Film Studies

Course summary

Course details may be subject to change. If you are interested in studying A Levels at New College Durham please just complete one application form and you will be able to choose your subjects once you have had your interview. You do not need to apply for each of the subjects you are interested. Do you have a genuine interest for film? By studying this subject you will develop your knowledge and understanding of how different genres of film encode meaning for their audience and how they function as a business within wider institutions. You will produce a photographed storyboard for a film scene. This involves studying cinematography, editing, sound and mise en scene and demonstrating how they can be used to create meaning for an audience. You will also engage with screenplay writing by studying codes and conventions of narrative and genre. As well as these practical skills you will also study theoretical concepts behind film, focusing on production, textual analysis, representation, institutions and audiences, and the British film industry in comparison to Hollywood. Study Aims This exciting A-Level program aims to provide learners with a knowledge and understanding of: ➢ A diverse range of films, including documentaries, films from the silent era, experimental films, and short films. ➢ The significance of film and film practice in national, global, and historical contexts. ➢ Film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical, and technological contexts) ➢ How films generate meanings and responses ➢ Film as an aesthetic medium ➢ The different ways in which spectators respond to the film. Modules Studied ➢ Varieties of film and filmmaking - this component assesses knowledge and understanding of six feature-length films. You will sit a written examination (2½ hours) which makes up 35% of the qualification. ➢ Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study) - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990). ➢ American film since 2005 (two-film study) - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two American films, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film. ➢ British film since 1995 (two-film study) - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two British films. ➢ Global filmmaking perspectives - this component assesses knowledge and understanding of five feature-length films (or their equivalent). You will sit a written examination (2½ hours) which makes up 35% of the qualification. ➢ Global film (two-film study) - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to two global films: one European and one produced outside Europe. ➢ Documentary film - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one documentary film. ➢ Film movements – Silent cinema - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one silent film or group of films. ➢ Film movements – Experimental film (1960-2000) - One question from a choice of two, requiring reference to one film option. ➢ Production - This component assesses one production and its evaluative analysis. You will engage in a practical assessment which makes up 30% of the qualification. For this assignment, you will produce either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words), plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay, and an evaluative analysis (1600-1800 words).