AS Level Film Studies

A Level Film Studies is a lively and academic subject that engages you with an interest in film and allows you to develop your enjoyment of films by learning and applying some of the critical and academic approaches to studying films. On this subject you will develop your skills in reading and analysing films, study how contemporary film industries operate and consider how film can be used as a medium for the communication of messages and to generate meanings for audiences. Five Reasons to Study this Course at Chichester 1. Lively and enthusiastic learning environment and lessons. 2. Highly engaged and enthusiastic students. 3. A range and variety of different films and film types can be studied. 4. Develop an appreciation for films in ways you hadn't considered. 5. Beat your friends and family in any discussions or arguments about film! What will I Study? The AS year centres around British and American cinema. You will be taught how to read and analyse the formal elements of films, known as Micro Features (camera work, sound etc.) and analyse how these generate meanings and provoke audience responses to films. You will also learn about two of the most important film concepts that feature throughout the academic year, Genre and Narrative, and how these are important in how films are sold to audiences as well as how audiences gain understanding of films through these. You will also be taught about the British and American film industries and important film issues that have impacted upon these industries, the types of films that get made, how they are sold to audiences, how and where we watch films etc. Finally, you will study films from a specific British film genre and conduct a Comparative Study of two US films to gain understanding of how these films communicate messages about people, places and issues. How will I be Taught? Lessons usually consist of a mixture of teacher input and lecturing, class discussions, group work and class debates. A range and variety of learning materials and resources are used during lessons to engage you and encourage debate about the films and topics being studied. In class assessments and activities take a variety of forms, including Q&A, written assessments (such as essay and past exam questions) and individual or group presentations. How will I be Assessed? Assessment is divided between two items of coursework (40%), an analysis of a film sequence and a creative project, and one exam (60%) which is sat at the end of the academic year. The topics covered for the exam include Producers & Audiences, British Film Topics and US Film Comparative Study. What our students say? " Film is a stimulating subject and helps develop creative, analytical and communication skills. It's particularly good to study this subject at a time when the film industry in the UK is doing so well. I would really recommend it".