AS Level Film Studies

Why study Film Studies?
“In the sky of the cinema people learn what they might have been and discover what belongs to them apart from their single lives.” John Berger.

Film Studies is a wide and exciting subject to study. Film is widely acknowledged as a major art form of the 20th Century and today film continues to be an important part of most people’s cultural experience. AS Film Studies is designed to build upon your own experience of film – as consumers and creators – and to encourage a recognition of the complexity of this experience within an increasingly globalised environment.

This course allows you to study films and the ways in which they are experienced, the importance of visual representation in today’s global society and the place film has in communicating ideas, attitudes and cultural beliefs, both now and in the past.

You will be encouraged to:

• develop a critical and investigative approach to films, the film industry and film audiences
• study patterns of similarity and difference across a range of films
• recognise the ways in which films represent people, places, ideas, issues and events to different audiences
• recognise and explore the creative possibilities of film and film products
• engage with aesthetic, technical, economic, ethical and moral issues as they arise in their study of film, film audiences and the film industry.

What’s it like studying Film Studies?
I am committed to a variety of teaching styles in order to provide all students with opportunities to work in the ways which suit them best whilst allowing them to develop a wide range of skills. The variety of teaching strategies also means varied and interesting lessons which are student centred. The study of a topic may include:-

• A lecture or teacher-led discussion to introduce key themes
• Class debate and discussion
• Individual and small group presentations
• Pair and group discussion and analysis
• Film screenings
• Note-making and essay writing

A typical exam question:
What aspects of mise-en-scene do you feel most effectively create meaning within your close study film? How has the research into the social and/or cultural context of your close study film influenced your understanding of it?

A typical coursework task:
Screen writing – complete a screenplay for a short film.
Research catalogue – an investigation into the techniques horror films use to scare audiences.

Student Voice:
“Film Studies is a great subject to study. You get the chance to watch films you otherwise would never have heard of and sometimes they surprise you!”

“I enjoy Film Studies simply because I love film. It is one of my greatest passions, and I feel lucky to be able to study it as part of my A Level course.”

“Film Studies teaches you to be critical, and opens your eyes to what is out there.”

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