FM2 British Horror

Sample Questions

One or more of the following topics will be offered.

Each topic requires the study of at least two films with a focus on how macro elements of film, particularly narrative, construct meanings and raise issues.

What you are assessed on

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film as an audio-visual

form of creative expression together with its contexts of productionand reception and of the diversity in filmmaking across differenthistorical periods and locations.

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding, including some of the common

critical approaches that characterise the subject, when exploring andanalysing films and when evaluating their own creative projects toshow how meanings and responses are generated.

Section B: British Film and Genre

You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Horror or Comedy.

Either

3. How far are the narratives of the genre films you have studied for this topic predictable?

[40]

Or

4. What have you found interesting about some of the messages and values contained in the genre films you have studied for this topic? [40]

Summer 2009

You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Horror or Comedy.

Either

3. How far are the storytelling methods used in the films you have studied for this topic typical of their genre?

[40]

Or

4. How is gender represented in the horror or comedy films you have studied for this topic?

[40]

Winter 2010

You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Horror or Comedy.

Either

3. To what extent are the narratives of the films you have studied for this topic typical of their genre?

[40]

4. How important is the representation of a particular time and place in the films you have studied for this topic?

[40]

Narrative• What is narrative? • How can one affect the narrative of a film?• What different theoretical approaches are there when examining narrative?• Does the narrative conform to or deviate from genre expectations?• What scenes can be used to illustrate wider points about the narrative within each film?Thematic Issues• What is meant by thematic issues?• What themes does each film explore? Does it seem to provide a message?• Is the film distinctly British?• What key scenes are there which highlight key thematic issues?Representation• What is representation?• How are women represented? What age are these women? Distinct class? • Do these representations conform to genre expectations?• What key scenes can be used to illustrate the representation of various characters within each film?Contexts• In what ways do the contexts of each film affect the narrative/thematic issues/representation• If these questions can be answered in detail relating to all films, especially the key scenes aspect, it is a small step

to satisfy the main aspect of the paper- that you engage with a minimum of two films, often comparing and contrasting.