Our aim in GCSE and GCE Film Studies is to broaden knowledge and understanding of the film industry in the hope of young people using films as a way to stimulate reflection on their own lives and place in the world as global citizens. Film education allows young people to experience a range of political, social, cultural and historical contexts. We explore how film can present a certain ideology, why spectators may respond emotionally to film and how films are constructed. Additionally, film can offer openings for learners to express their own practical interests as potential film-makers with the vision of them going into the film industry at some level after completing a film based course at University. But overall, to have a life-long love and understanding and appreciation of film.
The induction of the course focuses on deconstruction of film elements; cinematography, sound, editing, mise en scene and performance. We focus on the specialist topics of genre forms, representational issues and narrative and ideology, applying them to set texts.
Our lessons begin with a retrieval task to assess the embedding of prior knowledge. Due to the nature of the course our lessons contain dual coding, often teacher led with examples from film texts. We encourage student debate and questioning to develop critical thinkers.
Students are guided through analysis with the What How Why structure, this is modelled to them and before they complete during independent practice. This structure enables them to reach the relevant exam criteria of demonstrating knowledge and understanding of elements of film and applying knowledge and understanding including being able to analyse and compare. The NEA develops production skills as well as being able to evaluate and analyse their work compared to professionally produced work.
Film is a powerful tool in shaping our understanding of the world. Our film curriculum features films from different global and historical contexts. Learning through film creates empathy and enriches cultural capital in our students.
We measure the impact of our curriculum by monitoring our students’ progress.
Knowledge checks are given every two weeks to check understanding of the topics, students are provided with instant feedback so they can identify areas of improvement.
Formative assessments are handed back with teacher feedback and a marking criteria sheet, this allows students to respond to the feedback and assess what they did well and areas that they need to improve. Time is given in lessons to review assessments and improve based upon feedback.
An introduction to the key concepts of film including film form. We study film through the ages, starting with silent cinema by looking at American Silent comedy. Moving through history e view the Golden Age of Hollywood and the Classical era, exploring the context of the era and the style, this is compared to New Hollywood and how the style of film develops dependent on context. We study contemporary American cinema, exploring spectatorship in mainstream and independent film. At the end of year 12 we study British cinema and explore the ideological perspectives of film.
Year 13 allows us to experiment with different movements and styles of cinema. The year is introduced with Global cinema and a look at a European and Global film. We move onto studying documentary and debate the supposed factual element of film. Our final topic is experimental cinema as we study how filmmakers play with and break established film conventions.
The course also features a Non Exam Assessment which allows students to produce their own short film as either a film production or screenplay and evaluate the success of their product.
