Subject Information - Film Studies at AS Level
VISION / AIM
The medium of film will enable our students to view the worlds of others through windows and explore their own identity through texts which mirror their own experiences. In a world dominated by the moving image, film studies will curate an engagement with films of the highest quality, as well as diversity.
What a perfect complement to studying English and English Literature at the highest level possible for GCSE, since students will study a range of texts from around the world and develop both their analytical and creative skills.
As in the past, we are planning to join the team at the British Film Institute for an AS Film Study day, as well as to look at opportunities to watch content on the big screen. There are also plans to screen student films at FHES.
Resources and support materials can be found on Google Classroom.
Further information can be requested from Mrs O Awojobi, Lead Teacher, oawojobi@fhes.org.uk
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
Year 10 |
Exploring film language at a micro and macro level. Lessons will develop the acquisition of subject-specific terminology for AS Film Studies. |
Classical and New Hollywood. (Component 1 Section A.). This unit will explore one film from the Classical Hollywood Era in comparison to one from the New Hollywood Era. These films will be studied in-depth, in relation to contexts, particularly those affecting the film industry in Hollywood. Students will also target essay writing skills at AS level standard. This section will form the content for the Year 10 summer mock examinations. |
Independent American Film (Component 1 Section B) and European film - not in the English Language - (Component 2 section B) An in-depth study of single film texts in relation to contexts and exploring spectatorship. Non-Examined Assessment (NEA): Students will begin their NEA (creating a film sequence or screenplay plus digital storyboard). Students will also write an evaluative analysis to explore how their film creates meaning and how other films have influenced their own work. |
Year 11 |
British two-film study. (Component 2 Section A.) Students will explore their two chosen film texts in detail in relation to context and the specialist area of study: narrative. This study will form the content for their first set of year 11 mock examinations. The internal NEA deadline falls just after the end of the autumn half-term. |
Revision of Components 1 and 2. Spring mocks will cover the entire Component 1 Paper. |
Final revision for Components 1 and 2 and final exams. |
KEY SKILLS
|
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Analysis |
Using subject specific terminology; writing about how film creates meaning and generates responses; analysis of representations; analysis of aesthetics; informing analysis with an understanding of contexts (social, cultural, political, historical, production). |
In addition to the skills in year 10, students will also write an evaluative analysis of 1000-1250 words. They will learn how to evaluate their own production against professionally produced work and give a well-focused account of their creative aims and intentions. They will also apply their knowledge and understanding of film elements in order to analyse and evaluate their own work. |
Application of Critical Approaches |
The application of spectator theories: understanding the films as constructs with spectators who might respond differently as a result of social and cultural factors. |
The application of narrative theories: writing about narrative construction and exploring formalist and structuralist approaches to the study of narrative alongside how elements of film language can have a narrative function. The application of an understanding of genre as a principal structuring element of narrative. |
Essay Writing |
Writing confident thesis statements; how to reference a film; developing a discursive approach; making comparisons. |
Writing sophisticated and conceptual thesis statements; writing a cohesive exploration of the question and thesis statement; making detailed and sophisticated comparisons; referencing critical theories. |
Practical Skills:
|
Students will learn how professional film-makers achieve visual and audio outcomes in order to inform their own work. There will be opportunities for students to experiment with film-making at home. Students will be guided through the conventions of a screenplay and storyboards as well as software / web programmes to help format their work. Visualisation skills. |
Students will need to meet a deadline for their film extract (2.5-3.5 minutes) or screen play (1200-1400 words). |
AS LEVEL FILM STUDIES EXAM BOARD
Exam Board |
Eduqas |
|
NEA |
From a selection of briefs. Worth 30% |
|
Paper 1 |
American Film (35%) |
Section A: Hollywood: 1930 - 1990. A study from a choice of set texts exploring one film from the Classical Hollywood era and one film from the New Hollywood era. As well as analytical skills, students must compare the two films and consider their context. Section B: Contemporary American Independent Film. This includes a specialist study area: spectatorship. |
Paper 2 |
European Film (35%) |
Section A: British film. A two-film study involving the specialist study area: narrative. Section B: Non-English Language European film. |
Link to the Specification |
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/bcblp4oy/eduqas-as-film-studies-spec-from-2017-e-17-03-2020.pdf |