Specification = FILM STUDIES WJEC AS 42080, A level 6990

Erwin Panofsky wrote back in 1934 - "If all the serious lyrical poets, composers, painters and sculptors were forced by law to stop their activities, a rather small fraction of the general public would become aware of the fact and a still smaller fraction would seriously regret it. If the same thing were to happen with the movies, the social consequences would be catastrophic." Film going is still one of the most common and popular forms of entertainment outside the home, watching videos is one of the most popular home entertainments, so it is quite a good idea to think about studying it. It is also Fun!

The Film Studies course, whether for the A level or just for the AS is intended to deepen your understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of film as the major art form of the twentieth century. You will study Cinema as a medium, as an art form and as a social and economic institution.

Specification

There are 3 courses at AS level:

FS1 Film Making and Meaning - 40% - Coursework
FS2 Producers and Audiences - 30% - Exam 1hr 30mins
FS3 Messages and Values - 30% - Exam 1hr 30mins

You will need to know...

FS1 How films works formally and stylistically to communicate meaning and engage audiences; develop the skills to identify and explore your own responses as a spectator to examples of films. You will need to demonstrate in a practical sense how film is represented in storyboarding or screenwriting.

FS2 How cinema functions as a business and as an institution. You will study the relationship between producers and spectators as consumers. You will look at the role of critics and fans within the social practice of cinema.

FS3 That films contain messages and values, especially how these are represented in English cinema. We study a theme called 'Passion and Repression', with Black Narcissus as the set film. There is also a Close Study of another film which the class chooses from a list: recent successful choices have been Secrets and Lies, Hitchcock's The Thirty-Nine Steps and Dirty Pretty Things.

Successful candidates are likely to have a grade C in English Language and at least 'successful experience' in English Literature. Studying another Arts or Social Science AS or A level is highly desirable.

Should you want to go on to A2 level in 6/2 - and over two-thirds have done since the course began in 2000 - you will take one unit in Foreign Cinema (meaning foreign language but with subtitles), one unit is coursework on topics of your choice and the last synoptic paper covers academic issues which combine all that you have learned with your own, developing views of the film world. You can ask for more details now, or wait until nearer the time.

Access to a TV and video/DVD is likely to prove essential.
Willingness to buy a simple film guide is expected.

Films will be shown once a week and will run during period 6 and after School. Attendance is essential.

Comment from a recent student:

"I remember the description of the course being `You watch a film then write an essay on it', so the course appealed to me as my main strength is English. However, the course never became monotonous as it contains so much variety. It complements most subjects. With touches of history and creativity, none of the lessons could ever be classed as repetitive."