Film Studies

Exam Board - Eduqas

 What is the course?

Eduqas GCSE Film Studies aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the ways in which meanings and responses are generated through Film. Students will study a culturally diverse range of films from different national contexts and examine how films reflect the social, cultural and political contexts in which they are made.

What will I be taught?

GCSE Film Studies is designed to draw on your enthusiasm for Film and introduce you to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been historically important. You will develop your knowledge of US mainstream film by studying films from the 1950s, 1970s and 1980s thus looking at the stages in Hollywood’s development. In addition, you will study independent films as well as films from Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Which units will I study?

Component 1: Key development in US Film
You will study a series of set texts for a comparative study in preparation for the examination. There is a strong emphasis on the historical context of Film. You will also study an independent contemporary production set by the examination board.
Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style
You will study three separate films set by the examination board: a global non-English film, a contemporary UK film and a mainstream English language film.
Component 3: Production. Non-examination assessment
You will create a two-minute generic production or a screenplay complete with pre-production, planning, research, post production and an evaluative analysis.

Is there a practical element?

30% of the final grade is based on practical assessment consisting of a filmed production or a screenplay with an accompanying analysis.

What skills will I learn?

Analysis is key to Film Studies and you will deconstruct Film using the key concepts of media language, institutions, genre, representation, audience, ideology and narrative. You will also develop extensive skills in the evaluation of Film techniques and then apply these skills to the practical areas of production.

What would be expected of me?

You will be expected to study an array of diverse films using the flowing core study areas: cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing and sound whilst exploring the social, cultural, historical, political and institutional context of the films being studied.

Is there coursework involved in this course?

Yes, 30% of the final grade is based on practical work as detailed above.

How will I be assessed?

70% of the final grade is examination-based, consisting of two papers.
30% is practical, consisting of a filmed production or a screenplay with an accompanying analysis.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of the course?

Once you have successfully completed your GCSE in Film Studies, you could study any number of Media courses at a Sixth Form or college. These courses can also provide a route into Higher Education which could lead to creative careers such as that of producer, designer, journalist or editor.

Teaching Hours: 5 hours per fortnight

To extend learning beyond the classroom, you should consider doing some of the following tasks:

• Create short films either collaborating with friends or working solo to write, direct and produce short films will help you explore filmmaking techniques and explore creative storytelling.
• Enrol in online courses or workshops that focus on specific skills such as screenwriting, cinematography or editing will help build your technical skills.
• Watch classic, independent and foreign films to expose you to diverse cinematic styles and techniques.
• Learn how to use new editing software like Adobe and experiment with effects and build technical expertise.

You can also extend your learning through reading. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

We have a wealth of information on our careers page - Please click here