What is this course about?

Designed to introduce A level learners to a wide variety of films in order to broaden their knowledge and understanding of film and the range of responses films can generate. This specification therefore offers opportunities to study mainstream American films from the past and the present as well as a range of recent and contemporary British films, American independent films and global films, both non-English language and English language. The historical range of film represented in those films is extended by the study of silent film and significant film movements so that learners can gain a sense of the development of film from its early years to its still emerging digital future. Studies in documentary, experimental and short films add to the breadth of the learning experience.

Production work is a crucial part of this specification and is integral to learners’ study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts is designed to give learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own filmmaking and screenwriting. This is intended to enable learners to create high quality film and screenplay work as well as provide an informed filmmaker’s perspective on their own study of film.

What content is on the course?

The A Level Film Studies (Eduqas) content is in 3 topics:

• Varieties of FIlm Form: American Cinema – Hollywood 1930-1990, American Film since 2005, British film since 1995
• Global filmmaking perspectives: Global Film, Documentary film, Film Movements – silent cinema, Film Movements – Experimental Film
• Production – Screenplay and Storyboard production (NEA): Either a short film or screenplay for a short film. Plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay.

Course Assessment

• Paper One: Varieties of Film Form
• Paper Two: Global filmmaking perspectives
• Coursework (NEA): Production: Screenplay and Storyboard production