Overview

If you are contemplating a career in Film, Video, Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines etc., this is the perfect course for you.

Film Studies will give you a deeper insight into how film works in the UK and around the world and how audiences are asked/provoked to respond and think when watching films. You get the chance not just to study films and film history, but you learn how to create your own short films, create storyboards and write screenplays.

What will you learn?

You’ll write various essays requiring skills of analysis, interpretation and debate. You will be able to comment on topics like Classic Hollywood cinema from 1930-1990 and American film since 2005, and British film since 1995. You will explore technology and cinema-going, cinema viewing and audiences. You will also learn practical skills to create your own film products such as storyboards, short films and screenplays.

In your first year, you will cover the following units:

• Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study)

• American film since 2005 (two-film study)

• British film since 1995 (two-film study)

In your second year you will cover:

• Global film (two-film study)

• Documentary film

• Film movements – Silent cinema

• Film movements – Experimental film (1960-2000)

Part of this qualification includes a non-exam assessment that is worth 30% of your final grade. For this, you will produce:

• either a short film (4-5 minutes) or a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words), plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay

• an evaluative analysis (1600 – 1800 words).

Who is the course aimed at?

This course is for you if you want to learn about the theory behind how films are created and how they are used to evoke particular responses from the audience. It is particularly useful if you are contemplating a career in Film, Video, Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines etc.

Entry Requirements & Other Info

Entry Requirements

You must have a minimum of five GCSE grades 9-4 and a minimum GCSE average of 5.3. You should also have a grade 4 or higher in GCSE English Language.
Experiences

This course will provide you with the opportunity to visit many leading universities, as well as enjoy films on cinema trips. We have recently partnered with Screen Yorkshire, which will allow our students to access links into the film and television industry that may otherwise be difficult to access. You will have the opportunity to exhibit your work outside of lesson and will also be able to take part in our Upskilling Programme to develop your skills outside of lesson time.
Progression

Film Studies is a good subject to study at University, but can also lead into an apprenticeship. University courses like Film Studies, Film and Television and Filmmaking all work well with A Level Film Studies, but it can also help in relation to degrees like Broadcast Journalism and Media. Apprenticeships can be found but are few and far between, although BBC and ITV are large providers in the region.
Outcomes

Students who complete a qualification in Film Studies go on to a wide variety of jobs. These can include: Film Director, Location Manager, Video Editor, Camera Operator, Special Effects Technician or Teacher, to name a few.