Film Studies (OCR)

A Level Course Outline

Who should study this course?

This course is attractive to students who have a keen interest in moving image products and processes by situating them into broader cultural and historical perspectives.

It would complement any subject combination, including English Literature, Psychology, Sociology, History, Politics, as well as Photography and Art. Anyone who wants to study the way in which the mass media influences our daily lives should study this course.

What does the course aim to do?

Film Studies is designed to harness and develop your analytical skills through the analysis of a diverse range of film including: documentary; film from the silent period; experimental film; and short film. Using an historical framework the syllabus utilises case study film texts to focus on: the institutions that made them; how and why they were made; who they were made for and the rules that govern their production. These approaches will be combined with an understanding of the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts.

Students will also be able to research, plan and develop film production skills through practical work.

Which topics will I study?

A-level Film Studies engages students with the in-depth study of film products. Students are introduced to the contexts and concepts of film making and how they are used to create meaning.

There are three components to the Film Studies syllabus

• Film History
• Critical Approaches
• Non Exam Assessment

FILM STUDIES A Level Specification
Paper One Examination Film History 35% of A level Exam	Film History The silent period 1930-1960 1961-1990. Experimental film (European surrealist film) and either German expressionism or French new wave.	Assessed in May/June
Paper Two Examination 35% of A level Exam	Critical Approaches to Film Learners must study at least one set film from each of the categories below: Contemporary British; Contemporary US; Documentary ;Non-European non-English language; English language (non-US); US independent.	Assessed in May/June
30% of A level Exam	Coursework Coursework production Production of a 5 minute short film Evaluative analysis of the production in relation to professionally produced set short films.

What Skills Will I Develop?

• You will be able to use the media for your own benefit and gain knowledge of issues that affect the production of different media.
• You will be able to analyse moving image texts, understanding the reasons for technical elements and their use.
• You will develop your writing and presentation skills during the course and will be able to assimilate information and present it in a clear and concise way.

Structure of the Course

This course will be taught for 6x 1hour lessons per week. The course will involve a substantial amount of essay writing, so please be prepared for this.

Course Textbook

A Level Film Studies: The Essential Introduction, (2020), Casey-Benyahia, S, White, J and Gaffney, F.

Further Reading

The Oxford Guide to Film Studies (2002), Hill and Church-Gibson