A Level Film Studies

What will you study and other information about A-Level film studies

• What will I study?

  The units for this course are designed to give you a developed knowledge of film contexts from around the world, from mainstream Hollywood through to world cinema, the course requires a thorough knowledge of this all-encompassing medium.

  The units are:

  • Varieties of filmmaking (meaning and response; contexts of production). This will address the fundamentals of filmmaking as well as how meaning is interpreted by audiences.
  • Hollywood 1930-1990. You will study two period of Hollywood’s commercial history history: the studio system, and ‘New Hollywood’ American Film. 
  • American film since 2005: You will study one mainstream and independent film from this period. .
  • British film since 1995. You will study two films that represent the exciting movements in contemporary British cinema.
  • Global filmmaking perspectives. You will explore the challenging and varied contexts of world cinema.
  • Documentary film. You will study the methods of documentary filmmaking, as well as innovations in the genre.
  • Silent cinema. You will explore the formative era of cinema through the study of silent cinema from around the world. 
  • Experimental film. A study of cinema which breaks boundaries and pushes audiences.
  • Film production/Screenplay writing. This is a coursework unit that will require you to either create your own screenplay using professional format, or produce an entire short film.
• Equipment and Financial contributions

  Students are encouraged to buy this textbook: 

  WJEC Eduqas Film Studies for A Level & AS Paperback by Lisa Wardle, Ellen Cheshire, Mark Ramey, Jenny Stewart, approx £30, ISBN: 1911208446

• Field trips, projects and employability opportunities

  Over the course of the two years, you will have the opportunity for visits that include:

  • A residential trip to New York (The New York Film Academy workshop; Museum of Moving Images; Iconic Film Location Tour; Radio City Stage Door Tour
  • The Aesthetica Film Festival in York where you will (the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and filmmakers. Previous speakers have included representatives from BBC Films and Film4; Scott Free (Ridley Scott’s production company based in Hollywood); Alice Lowe (British filmmaker and actor) amongst many others.
  • Other talks and events throughout the year from relevant speakers.