Film Studies AS and A Level

Course Code: S0704 Minimum Age: 16 Maximum Age: 19 Course Length: One year for AS and two years for a full A Level Full Description:

A Level Film Studies will develop your understanding of films and their social, historical and artistic importance. You will learn about the film-making process, from the early pioneers through to modern day mainstream and non-mainstream cinema and be encouraged to analyse films critically.

The focus in the first year is on British and American films and how they often embody societal concerns and anxieties. Students also complete a series of research projects and case studies that investigate the producers of film and the shifting nature of film spectatorship.

World Cinema and the Silent Movie era are studied in year two. Students also complete a single film study and a research project on a film style, film actor or director of their choice.

The course will also enable you to put theory into practice. You will make films in both years of the course, working to briefs agreed with your teacher. You will have creative freedom to experiment in a range of different film styles and genres, from Wallace and Gromit style Claymation, to documentary film, single camera drama pieces and avant-garde films. You will have access to; High Definition digital video cameras, non-linear editing suites, the College’s TV studio and the Adobe Creative Suite for postproduction effects, including Adobe After Effects. Experienced staff will offer technical and production advice plus guidance throughout the course.

Students’ completed films are shown at the annual Oscars Night at The Forum in Norwich.

You are likely to do well in this subject if you enjoy watching films, not just for their content but also for the meanings behind them, and if you are keen to learn about films from the entire history of cinema. You will also need to be creative and well-organised to complete your practical work successfully.

Assessment is through project work and written examinations.

A Level Film Studies is useful for anyone wishing to take an arts or humanities subject at degree level, and can lead to careers writing about or making films.

Film Studies can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with; English, Drama and Theatre Studies or Photography. We do not generally recommend combining Film Studies with Media Studies as this can lead to a narrow A Level programme.

Entry Requirements:

• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English.

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.