Follow your passion for Film with this exciting 2 Year A-level course. The Film industry is booming and many top universities now offer high quality Film Production degrees. Our Film Department is very well established, with over a decade successfully delivering Film Studies A-level. We have a history of outstanding results. Our teachers are film experts, with qualifications in Film Studies.
There is so much more to Film Studies than simply watching films. When watching a film, we might regard it as relaxation or escapism. However, the in-depth study of film involves coming from a very different starting point. As well as gaining an appreciation of film as an art form in terms of its visual storytelling, studying film can enhance your understanding of the world in terms of competing values, attitudes and beliefs. Our course also incorporates a creative production element where you will be able to put what you have learnt into practice by making a short film or writing a screenplay.
Topics Studied
The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to introduce learners to a wide variety of films in order to broaden their knowledge and understanding of film. Learners will explore:
- A diverse range of 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 and the different ways in which spectators respond to film.
- It also aims to enable learners to:
- Apply critical approaches to film
- Apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting
This specification offers opportunities to study mainstream and independent American and British films from the past and the present as well as more recent global films, both non-English language and English language. The study of silent film and significant film movements (such as new wave cinemas in Europe and Asia) allows learners to see the development of film from its early years to its still emerging digital future. Studies in documentary, experimental and short films are also on offer.
The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to introduce learners to a wide variety of films in order to broaden their knowledge and understanding of film. Learners will explore:
- A diverse range of 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 and the different ways in which spectators respond to film.
- It also aims to enable learners to:
- Apply critical approaches to film
- Apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting
This specification offers opportunities to study mainstream and independent American and British films from the past and the present as well as more recent global films, both non-English language and English language. The study of silent film and significant film movements (such as new wave cinemas in Europe and Asia) allows learners to see the development of film from its early years to its still emerging digital future. Studies in documentary, experimental and short films are also on offer.
Methods of Teaching & Learning
The course combines a close study of film sequences and whole films with practical film-making activities.
Studying Film enables you to see the world in a different light and develop a wide range of transferable skills for further education, work and life:
- Creative Thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Emotional Intelligence
- Film Analysis
- Textual Analysis
Students of Film Studies are the students of the future, gaining the skills needed to develop successful careers and great academic minds.
The course combines a close study of film sequences and whole films with practical film-making activities.
Studying Film enables you to see the world in a different light and develop a wide range of transferable skills for further education, work and life:
- Creative Thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Emotional Intelligence
- Film Analysis
- Textual Analysis
Students of Film Studies are the students of the future, gaining the skills needed to develop successful careers and great academic minds.
Methods of Assessment
Practical
30% coursework. Students can choose between creating a 5-minute short film or writing a screenplay and making a digital storyboard for a short film. This is followed by a 1600-word evaluation of the work.
Examination
Worth 70% of the total marks.
The first exam is 2.5hours / 35% of qualification
- Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)
- American film since 2005 (two film study)
- British film since 1995 (two film study)
The second exam is 2.5hours / 35% of qualification
- Global film (two film study)
- Documentary film
- Film movements – silent cinema
- Film movements – experimental film
Practical
30% coursework. Students can choose between creating a 5-minute short film or writing a screenplay and making a digital storyboard for a short film. This is followed by a 1600-word evaluation of the work.
Examination
Worth 70% of the total marks.
The first exam is 2.5hours / 35% of qualification
- Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)
- American film since 2005 (two film study)
- British film since 1995 (two film study)
The second exam is 2.5hours / 35% of qualification
- Global film (two film study)
- Documentary film
- Film movements – silent cinema
- Film movements – experimental film
Resources
We are fully equipped with a range of professional standard cameras and all students have access to Adobe Premiere, the industry standard editing software.
Additional costs
Students may be asked to pay for some external film-screenings and visits.
We are fully equipped with a range of professional standard cameras and all students have access to Adobe Premiere, the industry standard editing software.
Additional costs
Students may be asked to pay for some external film-screenings and visits.
Enrichment
We run trips to local screenings at venues such as The Watershed and Everyman cinemas. Several students have been successful in joining the BFI Film Academy, where student’s work with professional mentors to produce a short film or a documentary film.
We run trips to local screenings at venues such as The Watershed and Everyman cinemas. Several students have been successful in joining the BFI Film Academy, where student’s work with professional mentors to produce a short film or a documentary film.
What next?
Film is one of the most relevant subjects today. Did you know that 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 grown by over 20% since 2009 and will substantially outpace the economy wide increase of 3% if the skills shortages in this area are fulfilled. Career paths for students of Film may, of course, include practical avenues such as Film-Making, Directing, Producing and Editing but a qualification in Film Studies also allows you to move into more theoretical pathways such as Film Criticism, Journalism, Teaching and Education.
Film is one of the most relevant subjects today. Did you know that 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 grown by over 20% since 2009 and will substantially outpace the economy wide increase of 3% if the skills shortages in this area are fulfilled. Career paths for students of Film may, of course, include practical avenues such as Film-Making, Directing, Producing and Editing but a qualification in Film Studies also allows you to move into more theoretical pathways such as Film Criticism, Journalism, Teaching and Education.
Where can this course lead?
You might also be interested in
