Film Studies

Course summary

Many modern films open with a scene without dialogue and yet, without being explained who is doing what and why, we understand a lot of what is going on. Having watched many different films we have unconsciously developed an understanding of film language. A Level film studies is about studying and understanding that process. It works at all levels: in a scene, the director’s choice of lighting and camera angles, for example, determines our perception of characters. In the film as a whole, we make guesses about characters’ motivations and actions based on our knowledge of other films in the same genre. On the level of the film industry as a whole, we have different expectations about a mainstream Hollywood film or an independent British production. Film studies is a fast-growing subject, both at AS/A Level and in universities. Working on the kind of films they are probably already familiar with, students go beyond passive watching and achieve a deep understanding of the film industry. The course involves studying six modules over two years: each year you will sit two papers and will be required to have working knowledge of a range of film texts. Year 1 (No formal external exam) American Film Hollywood over time comparative study Contemporary American independent film European Film British Film (comparative study) Component 3: NEA Coursework production 30% Production of a film extract or screenplay with storyboard and analysis Year 2 Component 1: written examination, three hours, 35% Section A: Classical Hollywood & New Hollywood Section B: Contemporary American film since 2005 Section C: British film since 1995 Component 2: written exam, three hours, 35% Section A: Global film (two-film study) Section B: Documentary film Section C: Film movement – silent film Section D: Experimental Film.