Film Studies

Course summary

Why study the subject Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th century and a major art form of the last one hundred years. Studying A Level Film Studies will ignite a passion for film, building upon the knowledge and understanding of film that you have developed since childhood. It will encourage an enthusiasm and excitement for exploring what is a powerful and culturally significant medium, inspiring a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective. Production is a crucial part of the course, giving you the opportunity to put into practice the filmmaking ideas you have studied, producing high quality short films and screenplays. Course Structure Core study areas across all components 1. The key elements of film form 2. Meaning and response 3. The contexts of film Skills Acquired • Understanding of the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts • The ability to explore how films generate meanings and responses • The ability to evaluate the different ways in which spectators respond to film • Practical film-making skills such as how to operate a camera and edit footage • Effective research and communication skills • Critical thinking • The ability to project manage, organise your time effectively, and work to deadlines Students suited to the course Film Studies is suitable for those who have a lively interest in all types of film and the cinema experience. Furthermore, a desire to explore how a film is mediated and produced, through practical production and ideology. You will have a keen interest in practical film making and a creative flair for visual storytelling. Working collaboratively with others and engaging in on-going research and wider reading throughout the course, you will need to have organisational skills. Discussion and debate will be a key element of the course, so you should enjoy expressing your opinions and justifying them through references to film theory and the film texts studied. A significant proportion of the course will be assessed through analytical essays, thus a strong foundation in English skills will be beneficial. What other subjects it combines well with Film Studies works well alongside subjects such as English Literature, Art and Design, Photography and History amongst others. Career or HE the course leads to Film Studies can help with the analytical skills required in a range of professions. Students of this subject may choose to follow a course in a similar area at degree level leading to career paths in filmmaking, working within digital media and animation. Within the film, TV and video industries, potential job roles include film/video/television editor, camera operator, photographer, art director, TV or film producer or production assistant, runner, location/props manager or programme researcher. In addition, some business areas, such as advertising, marketing and communications, can also utilise the creative and analytical abilities of Film Studies students. The research and communication skills you develop, and the ability to project manage and organise your time effectively will make you attractive to employers in a wide variety of fields.