Film Studies

A level Film Studies is designed to introduce A level
learners to a wide variety of films to broaden their
knowledge and understanding of film and the range of
responses films can generate. Students have
opportunities to study mainstream American films
from the past and the present as well as a range of
recent and contemporary British films, American
independent films, and global films, both non-English
language and English language. The historical range
of film represented in those films is extended by the
study of silent film and significant film movements
so that learners can gain a sense of the development
of film from its early years to its still emerging digital
future. Studies in documentary, experimental and
short films add to the breadth of the learning
experience.
Production work is a crucial part of this specification
and is integral to learners’ study of film. Studying a
diverse range of films from several different contexts
is designed to give learners the opportunity to apply
their knowledge and understanding of how films are
constructed to their own filmmaking and
screenwriting. This is intended to enable learners to
create high quality film and screenplay work as well as
provide an informed filmmaker’s perspective on their
own study of film.