Film Studies A Level

For entry into the Sixth Form to study 3 A' Levels, students are required to achieve 5 grades at 9-5 (or where applicable A*-C) including English Language and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above.

In exceptional cases, students that do not reach the entry criteria based on their attainment in English or mathematics will be admitted to the 6th form with the addition of GCSE retake classes in the appropriate subject to their timetable. This based on 6th form discretion.

While we would encourage students to study 3 A levels, in exceptional cases and following conversation at interview we may support a student to study 4. All students will have the option to study for Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside their A levels.

A grade 6 is recommended in any subject that a student wishes to continue at A Level. Students are welcome to discuss entry criteria for specific subjects and to ensure that their subject choices match their goals and aspirations.

Students wishing to study Mathematics require a grade 6 and in Further Maths require a Grade 7 in the subject at GCSE.

Film Studies

EDUQAS/ WJEC 603/1147/2

Have you see our promo video? https://youtu.be/kKlTgi92jIQ

Film Studies is an exciting new course which combines analysing existing films with the opportunity to make films yourself. As part of the course, you’ll study a range of films from different time periods and genres; then you’ll use what you’ve learnt to develop your own film making skills.

Why should I choose Film Studies?

Over the last 15 years our media consumption habits have been transformed by the digital revolution; media and film play a bigger part in our lives than ever before. Film and media literacy is therefore vital: as film consumers, we need to be discerning, insightful and informed. We need to understand how films texts are made, what they are trying to achieve and the messages and values that are being promoted.

In addition to this, the digital revolution means that the citizens of today need to be able to produce media texts themselves; the lines between media producers and media audiences have been blurred. Choosing A level Film Studies will offer you the exciting opportunity of developing these skills that are essential to life in a digital world.

Which other subjects go well with A level Film Studies?

By its very nature, Film Studies complements other creative courses such as Art, Graphic Design, English Language and Literature Combined, English Literature, Drama and Photography. Also, the study of audience works well with Psychology, Sociology and Business Studies.

HoW is the course taught?

We aim to make lessons as interactive, varied and engaging as possible. To that end, we employ a range of teaching methods; these include: group work, paired work, student led presentations and teacher led discussions. Students will also spend time developing their practical skills through filming and editing. All CNS A levels have 12 hours of contact time over two weeks. For each hour of lesson time, we expect you to spend one hour engaged in independent study. Teaching will be divided between two skilled and experienced teachers.

How will I be assessed?

A level Film Studies is 70% exam and 30% non-exam assessment (coursework).

A Level course content

A level film combines the study of existing film with the opportunity to create your own film. We’ll assess your grasp of the theory by asking you to put the theory into practice through film making tasks. The course comprises the following components:

Varieties of film and film making – 35%

This component of the course will involve studying six British and Hollywood feature length films from the 1930s through to the present day. The types of films studied may include: Vertigo (Hitchcock), Apocalypse Now (Coppola), Inception (Nolan) and Winter’s Bone (Granik), This is England (Meadows) and Fish Tank (Arnold).

Global film making perspectives – 35%

This component focuses on five feature length films which include: global film, documentary film, silent cinema and experimental film. Films studied may include: Mustang (Ergüven), House of Flying Daggers (Zhang) The Arbor (Barnard) and the films of Buster Keaton and Pulp Fiction (Tarantino).

Production – non-exam assessment – 30%

For the NEA, you’ll be researching, planning and producing a short film of between 4 and 5 minutes. You’ll also evaluate this work assessing: narrative structure, cinematic influences and impact on the audience.

What grades and skills do I need? Do I need to have studied Film or Media at GCSE?

Film Studies is a demanding subject; you won’t be spending the year watching films and eating popcorn! You need to be creative and analytical, practical and academic. You also need to have the ability to work independently as well as with others; you need to be able to think visually and write analytically; you’ll be given big projects to manage and need to work hard to understand difficult terms and concepts. You are likely to struggle if you do not achieve a 5 in English and Literature at GCSE.

It helps if you’ve studied Film or Media at GCSE, but it is not a requirement: we begin with an induction unit to give you a great foundation in the skills, knowledge and understanding you’ll need.

Most importantly, you must be enthusiastic about the media. Our best students are those who: love watching films; enjoy engaging with a range of media; have their own YouTube channels; enjoy making media in their own time. Our strongest students may never have used a camera or edited a film before, but they can’t wait to learn.

Where could this A level lead?

A Level Film Studies is a fantastically wide-ranging course and as a result our students go on pursue a variety of careers. The course is excellent preparation for HE courses in Media Studies, Media Production, Film Studies, Cultural Studies, English and other arts-based courses. We also have students move straight into working in film and the Media. We have ex-students working in advertising, TV production, journalism, web design and graphic design. Creative industries is a sector that continues to grow in the UK. We now have the two huge film studios – Leavesden and Pinewood each have 35 sound stages meaning that many Hollywood blockbuster are now made in Britain. According to www.gov.uk the UK’s Creative Industries generate nearly £9.6million per hour! This means there are lots of job opportunities out there for you to grasp! We aim to get students exploring these opportunities by having visiting speakers from the media industry and by building links with organisations such as the BBC.