A-Level Film Studies

You will need 5 GCSE's at grade 5-9 including Maths and English Language

This course uses a combination of theoretical and practical study, and uses a range of teaching methods generally within a classroom environment. You will experience a range of activities including: individual, paired and group work, creative interpretation and independent study skills. Your speaking and listening skills will be developed and encouraged due to a strong emphasis on interactive, student-centered learning. You might also take part in cinema and university visits as a way of developing understanding and appreciation of film. Practical elements will be handled in a workshop environment, offering the use of specialist editing software in a computer room, and access to TV studios/green screens. Resources such as cameras, lighting, microphones and associated equipment are available to learners to film creative projects.

There will be a formal assessment in the style of two written exams in the summer of your second year. Leading up to this you will be assessed in class using a series of methods ranging from Q&A, debate, individual/group tasks and assignments. In addition to this you will be assessed through coursework, which is the production of a creative fictional film or a written screenplay.

English and Maths are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and progress to your dream career. If you have not already achieved grade 9-4 in GCSE Maths and/or English at school, we will support you to improve your skills.

Our A Level programmes allow you to choose multiple subjects, enabling you to study 3–4 A Levels over two years or combine them with equivalent vocational qualifications, with each subject taught for 4 hours and 30 minutes per week across three separate lessons and your timetable determined by your chosen subjects (provided at the start of the academic year).
Although you are not required to be on campus when you do not have a timetabled lesson, we strongly recommend making effective use of our learning facilities and resources during these periods to stay on top of your work.

Initially you will study the American major studio system in the unit 'Hollywood 1930-1990', which looks at classic and modern mainstream cinema. You will follow this up by looking at our own national talents, with acclaimed films from home in the unit 'British Film Since 1995'.

'American Film Since 2005' will focus on smaller independent American cinema as a counterpoint to larger budget popular film making.

Once your analytical skill and confidence has developed, you will then transition into more challenging and unfamiliar material, taking in films from around the world in the 'Global Film' unit, before looking at different methods of film making in the 'Documentary Film' module.

Your final two units will focus on film movements with examples of early 'Silent Film' and also how 'Experimental Cinema' challenges traditional cinematic conventions.

In addition to studied film texts, you will also complete a coursework module that develops your practical skills, where you will either produce your own short film or write your own screenplay to film industry standards.