AS/A2 - WJEC

The course will be of value to those who wish to engage closely with film interpretation, the British and American film industry and film theory.  In the first year, students will acquire a range of analytical skills by studying British and American film, developing an understanding of film language as well as being provided with the opportunity to create a storyboard sequence.  The second year focuses on exploring world cinema texts and critical frameworks as well as offering a practical opportunity for a small scale research project and the production of a screenplay or complete short film.

Course Overview
AS Level
Unit 1 Exploring Film Form; Coursework (40%)
One analysis of the micro elements of a chosen extract from a film
One creative project - either a storyboard sequence or short film

Unit 2 British and American Film; (60%)
2 hour 30 min written paper
Section A: Producers and Audiences of film
Section B: Topics in British Film - Genre (Horror, Comedy), Stars (Ewen McGregor, Julie Christie), Social and Political Contexts
Section C: US Film - Comparative study of 2 films e.g. The Searchers and Unforgiven

A Level
Unit 3 Film Research and Creative Projects;
Coursework (50%)
Small Scale Research Project with an investigation into a specific context like genre, director or performer e.g. Film Noir, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino.

The Creative Project which may be either a complete short film, an extended screenplay or a step outline for a documentary.

Unit 4 Varieties of Film Experience: Issues & Debates; (50%)
2 hour 45 min written paper
Section A: World Cinema topics; National Cinema, International Film Styles Section B: Spectatorship topics; Early Cinema, Documentary, Popular Film Section C: Single Film - Critical Study e.g. Fight Club, Vertigo, Talk To Her

Preferred Entry Requirements
GCSE Grade C and above in English or a Language and Art & Design or Media Studies as well as a genuine interest in a wide range of film genres and film history are all considered a useful preparation.*

*Please note that your enrolment on to a particular course must be approved by the Head of that department.