Mr G Bell

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GCSE Film Studies

Coursework Handbook

Mr G Bell

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Checklist

Film exploration Page (i) industry research 10 marks 3 (ii) micro analysis 20 marks 3

Production (i) pitch 10 marks 5 (ii) pre-production 20 marks 7 (iii) final production 30 marks 9 (iv) evaluative analysis 10 marks 11

Mr G Bell

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Film Exploration: Industry (10 marks)

Begin by exploring a film that you have particularly enjoyed and do some brief research into

how it was produced, distributed and exhibited. This initial work should then lead into a

more detailed consideration of the ways in which the ‘micro’ elements of film language

communicate meaning.

The work for this short analysis (350-750 words) is designed to consolidate knowledge and

understanding of the ways in which the ‘micro’ elements of film language create meaning

and response in an extract from a film chosen by the student.

This research should focus on the production of the film-

who made it and how?

The distribution of the film – who sold it and how?

And the exhibition of the film – why and where have audiences chosen to see it?

(i) Industry research (10) AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how films communicate meanings, evoke personal responses and engage audiences.

Mark Description

1 2

Limited, little or no knowledge and understanding demonstrated about film industry. Written communication uneven and limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

3 4 5

Basic knowledge and understanding of film industry. Written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

6

7

Adequate knowledge and understanding of film industry and how it engages audiences. Written communication adequate. Appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

Good knowledge and understanding of film industry and how it engages audiences. Written communication good. More confident use of appropriate specialist terminology.

8 9

10

Excellent knowledge and understanding of film industry and how it engages audiences. Written communication excellent. Confident and well-integrated use of appropriate specialist terminology.

Mr G Bell

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Industry Research

Film Year of release:

Production details: include –

Production company(s) / funding sources

Source material / property

Budget figures

Nationality

Main producer(s)

Director, cinematographer, editor, music

Screen writer(s)

Main cast members

Any other important production information (any issues with filming?)

Distribution details: include –

Distribution company in UK & USA

Marketing budget]Test screening information

Release pattern

Examples of its marketing & promotion

What other media is it available on?

Any other important distribution information (difficulties getting a deal?)

Exhibition details: include –

Types of cinema show in (independent? Mass market?)

How long was it on for

Box office figures

Classification

Who were its main audience

Success (compared to DVD)

Special exhibition types (Imax)

Any other important exhibition information (did any cinemas keep it on longer? Why?

Mr G Bell

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Industry Research - Example

Film The Wrestler

Year of release: 2008

Production details: include – The film as produced by Protozoa Pictures, Wild Bunch and Saturn Films with an estimated budget of 7 million dollars, financed by Winchester Capital Partners. It was filed between January and March 2008 it is an American film and is a original screenplay written by Robert Siegel. It was produced by Darren Aronofsky and Scott Franklin. Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) also directed it, Maryse Alberti did cinematography, Andrew Weisblum edited and Clint Mansell (Pop Will Eat Itself) did the music. Its main stars are Mickey Rourke (Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson), Marissa Tomei (Cassidy) and Evan Rachel Wood (Stephanie Robinson). Nicolas Cage was originally set to star in the movie. On February 9, 2008 filming took place in the New Alhambra Arena for the upcoming movie which included man CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling) alumni, along with the Necro Butcher, who will be playing a major part in the film Reportedly, bother Bruce Springsteen and Mickey Rourke were paid no money for their contributions towards the film. Due to the film’s modest budget, W. Axl Rose donated the use of Guns ‘n’ Roses ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ free of charge for the final match.

Distribution details: include – The UK distributor is Optimum Releasing and Fox Searchlight Pictures in the USA. I could not find the details of its marketing budget, probably as it is still out and they are still spending it. I did find out it cost Fox Searchlight $4m for the distribution rights when they saw it at the Toronto film festival. I did not find any mention of test screenings other than film festivals. I was released in the USA in December 2008 and nationwide release in the UK in mid January 2009. It has been promoted with posters, magazine articles and the cast and crew attending premiers, festivals and interviews, although this has created a ‘buzz’ it is still ongoing and there may be more activity if it wins an Oscar. The wrestler won the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film festival. It also appeared at the New York film festival.

Exhibition details: include – The Wrestler was shown in all three kinds of cinema (multiples, independent and art-house). Its success in festivals/awards and subject matter gave it wide appeal. It has been on for nearly a week and may last the Oscars on the 24th February. So far its box office has been $2,822,41 in the US, UK figures are not available yet. It is classified as a 15 in the UK. As already mentioned it seems to have a wide audience appeal as it is a story about an underdog and is showing in all kinds of cinemas. I think it is a successful film as it will probably cover its production and marketing costs and has won many awards: 2 Golden Globes, 1 Golden Lion Award (Venice) and 5 critics awards. It has been nominated for 2 Oscars which might keep it in cinemas a bit longer. The taglines on its cinema posters were – ‘Never give up without a fight’ and ‘Love. Pain. Glory’.

Mr G Bell

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Film Exploration: film analysis (20 marks)

The analysis should focus on a short sequence (approx. 5 minutes) from a film of your own

choice. In order to allow a deeper, more detailed analysis you should also be encouraged to

focus on one or two ‘micro’ elements e.g. Sound and editing.

The micro elements of film language are:

• mise-en-scène - setting, costume & props, lighting/colour, performance, gesture & body language • cinematography – framing, camera angles and movement, shot size, focus • sound - diegetic and non-diegetic, parallel and contrapuntal, sound bridges, ambient sound and sound effects • editing – types of edits, pace of editing and special effects.

(ii) Micro analysis of a film sequence (20) AO2: Explore, respond to and evaluate a range of films and topics, including their own preproduction and production work, using key film concepts and appropriate terminology.

Mark Description

1 2 3 4 5

Limited, little or no ability to explore chosen film. Written communication uneven and extremely limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

6 7 8

Basic ability to explore the micro features of film. Written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

9 10 11

Uneven ability to explore the micro features of film. Written communication more generally accurate although still with some inaccuracies.

12 13

Adequate ability to explore the micro features of film. Key concepts and appropriate specialist terminology emerging. Written communication adequate. Appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

14 15

Good ability to explore the micro features of film. Key concepts and appropriate specialist terminology used with more confidence. Written communication good. More confident use of appropriate specialist terminology.

16 17 18 19 20

Excellent ability to explore the micro features of film. Key concepts and appropriate specialist terminology confidently used and well-integrated. Written communication excellent. Confident and well-integrated use of appropriate specialist terminology

Mr G Bell

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Selling an Idea – Pitch and Pre-production (30 marks)

These two linked pieces are designed to enable an understanding of the ways in which films

are created and sold. You will have already completed your initial research and analysis

focussing on a film that you have chosen, the following two elements of the coursework

gives you the chance to explore ideas for your own film. You should work on your own with

a specific target audience in mind.

Pitch (10 marks)

You need to be thinking about your own films and coming up with brief synopses.

The first task is to create a pitch for their film in order to attract potential backers who may

want to help fund and produce the film.

The sales pitch should be about 150 words long and should begin with a ‘log line’. You must

have an audience in mind for your film and have a clear idea of the places in which to show

it when it’s finished. The pitch needs to convey a lot of information in a short time. You

should also be aware that investors will need to be provided with a brief outline of the story

and an indication of its genre. You will also want to know what kind of audience it appeals

to, if it’s like any other films, and what stars may be best suited to the main roles.

Introduce to industry – you are screenwriters who want to have their screenplay made into

a film.

What is the first thing you should do?

Write the screenplay, or test the idea before wasting time and energy on writing something

that may not be produced. Time is money in any business context. They need funding in

order to develop their ideas. Screenwriter may have less than a minute to convince a

producer that their idea is bankable and worth pursuing. Building on successful commercial

enterprises; make reference to other successful film, specific stars as ‘shorthand’ to allow

producer to visualise film. Ideas about combining two successful films or stories eg.’Romeo

and Juliet’ meets ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’

Mr G Bell

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Pitch (10) AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how films communicate meanings, evoke personal responses and engage audiences.

Mark Description

1 2

Limited, little or no knowledge and understanding of how to pitch a film. Written communication uneven and limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

3 4 5

Basic knowledge and understanding of how to pitch a film. Written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

6

7

Adequate knowledge and understanding of how to pitch a film. Written communication adequate. Appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

Good knowledge and understanding of how to pitch a film. Written communication good. More confident use of appropriate specialist terminology.

8 9

10

Excellent knowledge and understanding of how to pitch a film. Written communication excellent.

Mr G Bell

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Pre-production (20 marks)

Once you have completed your sales pitches you will complete the following pre-production

task on the film you have outlined in the pitch:

Create a storyboard of approximately 20 frames for a key sequence for the film

Magazine – front page of a film magazine and the contents pages

Marketing Campaign – at least 4 items to assist in the release of your film, they could be: teaser poster, screen saver, display items for the cinema, tie-in products and/or film merchandise.

Here’s an example of how to tackle the storyboards for your pre-production:

Storyboard

You really need to look at films and list the shots used in a 20 shot sequence. This is useful

as you might assume you know how to construct a film storyboard sequence but do not

include the range or number of shots that a real film would. You may also make the mistake

of thinking every shot has to be massively different from the last, rather than the more

subtle shot changes that real films include.

You should be aiming to cover as many different shot types as possible in your 20 frames as

the task is ultimately about showing your knowledge of film storytelling (not artistic ability).

This works best when you focus on a pivotal scene rather than a conversation between two

characters which relies heavily on shot-reverse-shot.

The most important features of a storyboard for showing your knowledge of film storytelling

are the technical directions and instructions on how the storyboard would translate to the

screen. Storyboards should include the following:

Shot Duration (make sure this is realistic)

Camera Distance (is this an accurate description of the shot?)

Camera Angle (is this correctly labeled?)

Dialogue

Sound Effects (has this been carefully considered? – Films are very rarely completely silent!)

Mr G Bell

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Preproduction (20) A03: Demonstrate planning, research and presentational skills.

Mark Description

1 2 3 4 5

Limited, little or no ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication uneven and limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

6 7 8

Basic ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

9 10 11

Uneven ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication more generally accurate although still with some inaccuracies.

12 13

Adequate ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication adequate. Appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

14 15

Good ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication good. More confident use of appropriate specialist terminology.

16 17 18 19 20

Excellent ability to demonstrate planning, research and/or presentational skills. Written communication excellent. Confident and well-integrated use of appropriate specialist terminology.

Mr G Bell

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Production (35 marks)

This piece of coursework allows you to create a polished film- based product which uses an

appropriate format and demonstrates an understanding codes and conventions. You will be

producing:

Produce a homepage and at least one linked page for a website which promotes a new film

Magazine Feature (you cannot do this if you have a magazine front cover as part of pre-production) minimum of 2 pages including interviews, an article, biographies and at least 2 original captioned images from your film production.

Poster Campaign (you cannot do this if you have a marketing campaign as part of pre-production) at least 3 different posters for your new film

Here’s an example of how to tackle the web page for your production:

Web Page

The task is designed to show your knowledge of the design and content of promotional

websites rather than your ability to construct a fully operational site.

You should aim to produce 1-2 web pages. Links to pages must be made clear (and you may

well include links to pages that they have not produced. Research into a range of official film

websites will provide plenty of ideas, common features include:

Synopsis

Gallery (Images/posters)

Production diaries

Information on characters

Information on stars

Games

The web page can be hand drawn (using 1 A4 side per page). If you do choose to draw your

site by hand you should still attempt to show typical website conventions (blue underlining

of hyperlinks, frames etc.)

PowerPoint could also be used by using 1 slide to represent 1 page. One advantage of this is

that it allows you to create active links and buttons that can be clicked on to navigate

around the ‘website’.

Mr G Bell

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(iii) Final production (30) A04: Use creative and technical skills to construct film products.

Mark Description

1-8 Limited, little or no ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication uneven and limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

9-12 Basic ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

13-17 Uneven ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication more generally accurate although still with some inaccuracies.

18-20 Adequate ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication adequate. Appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

21-23 Good ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication good. More confident use of appropriate specialist terminology.

24-30 Excellent ability to use creative and technical skills to construct film products. Where relevant: written communication excellent. Confident and well integrated use of appropriate specialist terminology

Mr G Bell

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Evaluative Analysis (10 marks)

When researching and creating your pre-production and production pieces it was advisable

you kept a working notebook in which to note down the processes and stages involved in

the creation of your production piece.

You should describe what you have done, how ideas changed and adapted as work

developed and what you have learnt creatively and practically. This notebook will then be

used to inform the final analysis which requires you to reflect on what you have learnt

about the main study areas (film language, film organisations and film audiences) through

your coursework.

iv) Evaluative analysis (10)

AO2: Explore, respond to and evaluate a range of films and topics, including their own and production work, using key film concepts and appropriate terminology.

Mark Description

1 2

Limited, little or no ability to evaluate what film and production used technical skills and genre conventions and demonstrates on understanding of film study areas (film language, organisations and audiences). Written communication limited with high proportion of inaccuracies.

3 Basic ability to evaluate how the final production uses technical skills and genre conventions and demonstrates an understanding of film study areas (film language, organisations and audiences). Written communication basic with some inaccuracies.

4 5

Uneven ability to evaluate how the final production uses technical skills and genre conventions and demonstrates an understanding of film study areas (film language, organisations and audiences). Written communication more generally accurate although still with some inaccuracies.

6

Adequate ability to evaluate how the final production uses technical skills and genre conventions and demonstrates an understanding of film study areas (film language, organisations and audiences). Written communication adequate. The use of key film concepts and appropriate specialist terminology emerging.

7

Good ability to evaluate how the final production uses technical skills and genre conventions and demonstrates an understanding of film study areas (film language, organisations and audiences). Written communication good. The use of key film concepts and appropriate specialist terminology will be confident and well-integrated.

8 9

10

Excellent ability to evaluate what and production reveal about film study areas. Written communication excellent. The use of key film concepts and appropriate specialist terminology will be confident and well-integrated.