Film Studies

Course summary

Are you passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking? Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th Century and a major art form of the last 100 years; are you now ready to take your interest in film further to explore all aspects of this innovative medium? Join us in our ever-evolving and deepening passion for classical Hollywood, new Hollywood, Global and European film, British film and beyond. We will investigate how film works both as a medium of representation and as an aesthetic medium. Lessons are led by your readings and interpretations of films followed by regular timed assessments to help prepare for the required exam rigour. Production work is a crucial part of this specification and is integral to your study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to your own film making and screenwriting. This will enable you to create high quality film and screenplay work as well as provide an informed filmmaker's perspective on your own study of film. We encourage research and debate as core principles for the successful academic reading of film. Film selections are subject to change depending on teachers’/students’ interests each year. Students are expected to purchase their own copies of all films studied and examined. Recent choices include: ‘Casablanca’ ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ ‘This Is England’ ‘Shaun of the Dead’ ‘Trainspotting’ ‘Captain Fantastic’ ‘Boyhood’ ‘No Country for Old Men’ ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ ‘City of God’ ‘Amy’ ‘Pulp Fiction’ Buster Keaton Shorts Sunrise.