GCSE FILM

STUDIES

HANDBOOK

The Exam board for GCSE Film Studies is WJEC

Whatever your taste in Film, if you love watching and talking about films then this GCSE is perfect. During the course students will have the chance to study and discuss films that they already know a lot about; films made in Hollywood and Britain. They will also have the opportunity to explore films which feature different people and places. They will learn more about how films are made and sold, and have the chance to experiment with the wide range of creative processes involved in making and marketing films.

The aims of the course are to encourage students to:

Develop their interest and enjoyment of film in its national and global contexts and begin to develop an appreciation of cultural diversity through the close study of a wide range of films

Develop a critical and investigative approach to films, the film industry and film audiences

Study patterns of similarity and difference across a range of films

Recognise the ways in which films represent people, places, ideas, issues and events to different audiences

Recognise the ways in which film technologies shape film productions

Recognise and explore the creative possibilities of film and film products Engage with aesthetic, technical, economic, ethical and moral issues as

they arise in their study of film, film audiences and the film industry.

Director of Media: Mr G Bell

A GUIDE: WHAT IS FILM STUDIES ANALYSIS?

The most important aspect of any Film Studies course is learning how to analyse films using the

appropriate terminology.

People generally have a good understanding of the different conventions used by film-makers. There

will be sophisticated audiences aware of how different aspects of film language make them feel as a

member of an audience; so in learning film language they will be merely putting technical terms to

this unspoken understanding.

An introduction to film language starts with the basic differences between:

Macro elements of film language Micro elements of film language The macro elements of film language are key concepts of the whole course. It is important to emphasize to students that all their work in Film Studies is in some way linked to these.

Narrative

Genre

Representation

Micro elements are the smaller details by which audiences make meaning of narrative, genre and representation. These are:

Camerawork

Editing

Sound

Mise en scene

Special effects

For analytical purposes these areas are separated but students should always be making links

between areas of their learning.

MACRO ASPECTS OF FILM LANGUAGE

Many references have already been made as to how the study of micro aspects of film language can

be used to gain knowledge regarding genre and/or narrative. As key concepts it is important to make

connections between elements of learning with GENRE, NARRATIVE and REPRESENTATION. The

study of macro elements of film language should also be used as a stepping stone into Paper 1.

It is important for you to be able to define, recognize and analyse film genre. The best way to do this

is to compare different films and the conventions they use. You should watch as many extracts from

a variety of films, including ones that are not easily identifiable as one particular genre, to make you

aware of the complexities around genre and how it is not a rigid concept.

SIMPLYFIED...

GCSE Film Studies course is 50% coursework and 50% Examination and they’re arranged as follows: EXAM Paper 1: Exploring Film (1 hour 30 minutes, 30%) Four compulsory questions focusing on one film genre. These questions will assess knowledge and understanding of film language and key industry and audience issues. • Question 1: Response to a film extract chosen from the genre candidates have studied (questions based on film language) • Question 2: Response to genre elements of study, considering all aspects of film language • Question 3: Response to aspects of the marketing and promotion of films • Question 4: A series of creative tasks assessing the knowledge and understanding of films in relation to audience and industry. Areas of study • Superhero films • Gain awareness of the contemporary film industry (mainly Hollywood) and of the audiences for film.

What parents can do to help:

Parents can assist in ensuring students visit the cinema on a regular basis, particularly for the release of any Hollywood films which are derived from the Superhero genre.

Parents can also assist with further reading; exposure to Empire magazine for example can be very useful.

Engaging in conversation about film with your son/ daughter will assist them with developing their use of film terminology.

EXAM Paper 2: Exploring Film outside Hollywood (1 hour, 20%) Three compulsory questions on one film produced outside Hollywood, chosen from a list prescribed by the Awarding Body. Questions will be based on: • characters, narratives, themes and issues in the film chosen • the way people, places, events and issues are represented in the film and • a creative question involving individual responses to the film (e.g. reviews, blogs, website entries). Areas of study Candidates study one film produced outside Hollywood from a prescribed list in terms of: • the characters and narrative of the film chosen • the issues raised by the chosen film • the representation of people, places, events and issues

What parents can do to help:

Paper 2: Exploring Film outside Hollywood

Assisting your son/ daughter with gaining exposure to films produced outside of Hollywood would allow them an advantage in this area.

Ensuring that they have access to their case study text (Bend it Like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha, UK/Germany/US, 2002) would also set them in a positive position for preparing for this examination.

Discussions and performing research on British culture would also be of an advantage in order to prepare students to discuss the socio-cultural nature of the selected film.

COURSEWORK One film exploration into a film of their own choice, consisting of two tasks:

(i) industry research (350-500 words) (ii) an analysis of micro elements in a short sequence from the film (350-750 words)

[15% of controlled assessment] One production consisting of four tasks: a pitch and preproduction for the film on which the final production is based and an evaluative analysis of the final production (350-500 words or equivalent) [35% of controlled assessment].

The production consists of four tasks: (i) pitch for an imaginary film (ii) preproduction from a list of options based on the pitch (iii) final production from a list of options based on the pitch (iv) evaluative analysis of the final production.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

PowerPoint could 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’.

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.

What parents can do to help:

Internal Assessment: Whilst students are undertaking their controlled internal coursework

parents could offer support by ensuring that their son/daughter are

coming to lessons prepared and are meeting interim coursework

deadlines which are set in place to allow students to manage their coursework

effectively.

Student planners should also be closely monitored to ensure open channels of

parent teacher dialogue.

Overall grade boundaries based of 2013 examinations:

A* A B C D E F G U

200-177 176-156 155-135 134-115 114-95 94-76 75-57 56-38 37-0

To achieve the highest marks the exam board are looking for

‘excellence’

Excellent knowledge and understanding of the film industry

Excellent use of specialist film terminology

Excellent ability to explore key features of films

Excellent communication skills

Excellent ability to demonstrate planning, research and presentational skills

Performance Descriptors are provided to give a general indication of the standards of achievement likely to be demonstrated by candidates awarded particular grades.

Grade C

Candidates will be able to demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of how films communicate meanings, evoke personal responses and engage audiences within the context of externally assessed work on the set genre and on films produced outside Hollywood as well as within the context of their exploration of a film (controlled assessment). An adequate awareness of industry issues will be evident.

They will be able to explore, respond to and reflect on a range of films and topics, including their own production, making adequate use of key film concepts and terminology. Explicit use of the appropriate specialist terminology will be evident but is likely to be inconsistent.

At this level, candidates will be able to demonstrate adequate planning, research and presentational skills in their production. Similarly, creative abilities and technical skills will be adequate.

Grade A

Candidates will be able to demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of how films communicate meanings, evoke personal responses and engage audiences within the context of externally assessed work on the set genre and on films produced outside Hollywood as well as within the context of the exploration of a film (controlled assessment). Excellent awareness of industry issues will be evident and at this level candidates will demonstrate an excellent understanding of the representation issues underlying films produced outside Hollywood.

They will be able to explore, respond to and reflect on a range of films and topics, including their own production, making excellent use of key film concepts and terminology. Explicit and well-integrated use of the appropriate specialist terminology will be evident.

At this level, candidates will be able to demonstrate excellent planning, research and presentational skills in their production. Similarly, creative abilities and technical skills will be excellent.

What parents can do to help:

Useful Websites http//www.imdb.com http//www.bfi.org.uk http//www.screenonline.org.uk http//www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk http//www.britishpictures.com http//www.en.wikipedia.org http//www.script-o-rama.com http://www.mediaed.org.uk http//www.film.guardian.co.uk Course text book: GCSE Film Studies for WJEC (2008, Newman, Fairclough, Garvey, Patrick: Heinemann) Further Reading: Abrams, Bell and Udris (2001), Studying Film (Arnold) Clark, Jones, Malyszko, Wharton (2007), Complete A-Z Media and Film Studies Handbook (Hodder Arnold) Fairclough, Garvey, Newman and Patrick, (2008, 2nd edition due for publication in 2011) GCSE Film Studies (Pearson/Heinemann) Lacey (2005), Introduction to Film (Palgrave) Monaco (2004), How to Read a Film (Oxford) Superhero Films: Relevant reading: Liam Burke (2008), Superhero Movies (Pocket Essentials) Eric Lichtenfeld (2007), Action Speaks Louder: Violence, Spectacle and the American Action Movie, (Wesleyan University Press) David Hughes (2003), Comic Book Movies (Virgin Film) Filmography: Any Superhero film – Superman, Spiderman, X-Men, Avengers, Iron Man, Hulk,

Captain America, Thor, Batman, Fantastic Four.

Finally...

WWW.CVEAFILMSTUDIES.WEEBLY.COM

Castle View has its very own Film

Studies website; this is updated

regularly and contains everything

a film studies student needs to

be independent at home when

studying this GCSE. This includes:

Superhero film resources

and revision materials

Bend it like Beckham film

clips and PowerPoint

presentations

Help sheets for coursework

Links to useful websites

And even full length feature films to stream from home

A blog, to be able to chat with others from class to class.

Help form to email teacher directly for help with work or revision

All students have a Film Studies Glossary,

essentially a dictionary of film studies specific

terminology, if studied can help achieve the

highest grades. Students have a glossary in school

and have been provided with one for home.

These are also downloadable from the website in

case they are misplaced