GCSE Film StudiesGCSE Film Studies

Course OverviewCourse Overview

50%

Exploring & Creating

20%

Film Outside Hollywood

Exam: 1 Hour

30%

Exploring Film

Exam: 1 Hour 30 mins

Coursework

Exploring Film – Paper 1Exploring Film – Paper 1

The exam aims to develop:

• Skills in film analysis

• Knowledge of genre conventions

• Awareness of how audiences are targeted

Assessment – Paper 1Assessment – Paper 1

4 Compulsory Questions:4 Compulsory Questions: Respond to an unseen moving image stimulus.Respond to an unseen moving image stimulus.

One Question on Film LanguageOne Question on Film LanguageOne Question on GenreOne Question on Genre

Respond to a still image stimulus.Respond to a still image stimulus.One question on marketing/promotionOne question on marketing/promotion

Creative TaskCreative TaskSeries of small tasks assessing films in Series of small tasks assessing films in relation to audience and industryrelation to audience and industry

Set genre for first examination in Summer 2009 and last examination in 2012 will be Disaster films.

The unseen extract -The unseen extract - film language film language

This question will expect students to This question will expect students to discuss aspects of film language such discuss aspects of film language such as:as:

The use of camera shots and The use of camera shots and movementmovement

The mise-en-scThe mise-en-scèènene The pace and type of editing usedThe pace and type of editing used The significance of soundThe significance of sound

Exploring GenreExploring Genre Exploration of the ‘typical ingredients’ of Exploration of the ‘typical ingredients’ of

specific genres – what we have come to like specific genres – what we have come to like and expect.and expect.

Focus upon: setting, themes, characters, props, Focus upon: setting, themes, characters, props, narrative and plot, style.narrative and plot, style.

Students should look for patterns of variation Students should look for patterns of variation as well as repetition.as well as repetition.

Begin to build to a more complex definition of Begin to build to a more complex definition of genre as something that is dynamic and open genre as something that is dynamic and open to change.to change.

Focus on the ways in which films mix genres. Focus on the ways in which films mix genres.

Independence DayIndependence Day What typical aspects of the disaster

genre are evident in this sequence?

EXAM QUESTIONS –a. Identify one camera shot.b. Say why it is used.c. How are camera shots and editing

used to emphasise the dramatic events in this sequence?

Deep Impact – question 2Deep Impact – question 2 What typical aspects of the disaster genre

are evident in this sequence?

What typical disaster movie themes can you identify?

What relationships and characters are important? Why? How is the film narrative ‘resolved’?

Most Disaster Movies have a linear narrative Most Disaster Movies have a linear narrative that leads up to and away from the central that leads up to and away from the central disaster. disaster.

When the disaster is towards the end of the When the disaster is towards the end of the film the narrative is even simpler, a ‘will they film the narrative is even simpler, a ‘will they won’t they’ countdown to doom or escape won’t they’ countdown to doom or escape provides the narrative.provides the narrative.

‘ ‘High concept’, little need for plot details as High concept’, little need for plot details as disaster bound to happen disaster bound to happen

Characters and their relationships run Characters and their relationships run alongside the disaster and maintain ‘human alongside the disaster and maintain ‘human interest’.interest’.

Disaster conventionsDisaster conventions

Themes & IssuesThemes & Issues

RelationshipsRelationships Self-sacrifice/redemptionSelf-sacrifice/redemption Working togetherWorking together Nature & people’s arroganceNature & people’s arrogance Greed/cutting cornersGreed/cutting corners

Characters & StarsCharacters & Stars The heroThe hero. . The reluctant hero.The reluctant hero. The bad guy.The bad guy. The bad guy turned good.The bad guy turned good. The self doubter.The self doubter. The kid(s).The kid(s). The strong woman.The strong woman. The damsel in distress. The damsel in distress. The bureaucrat. The bureaucrat. The voice in the wilderness.The voice in the wilderness. The support.The support. The victimsThe victims These characters more often than not are thrown together These characters more often than not are thrown together

and forced to work out their differences in order to survive. and forced to work out their differences in order to survive. Many of these characters are simple, what is called ‘one Many of these characters are simple, what is called ‘one dimensional’. dimensional’.

Industry responseIndustry response

The third question will expect students to The third question will expect students to respond to a stimulus and show respond to a stimulus and show knowledge of the industry in their knowledge of the industry in their response.response.

The focus will be on industry issues raised The focus will be on industry issues raised by a print-based stimulus (production, by a print-based stimulus (production, marketing, exhibition issues?)marketing, exhibition issues?)

Again students should show awareness of Again students should show awareness of genre conventions but also industry genre conventions but also industry conventionsconventions

Teaser Teaser postersposters

What genre What genre conventions conventions are being are being used to draw used to draw audiences to audiences to this teaser this teaser poster?poster?

What typical industry conventions are being used to sell this DVD of TITANIC?

WAR OF THE WORLDSWAR OF THE WORLDS

How are images used to promote How are images used to promote ‘War of the Worlds’ in this ‘War of the Worlds’ in this homepage?homepage?

What other information is given that What other information is given that helps to sell the film to audiences?helps to sell the film to audiences?

Creative questionCreative question

The final question on the exam paper The final question on the exam paper gives students an opportunity to be gives students an opportunity to be creative WHILST proving their knowledge creative WHILST proving their knowledge of industry and genre conventions.of industry and genre conventions.

Reassure them artistic skills are not as Reassure them artistic skills are not as important as imagination and knowledge.important as imagination and knowledge.

Students must keep an eye on timing, Students must keep an eye on timing, and mark allocations (spend more time and mark allocations (spend more time on questions with higher marks!)on questions with higher marks!)

Possible tasksPossible tasks

Design a film posterDesign a film poster Design a homepageDesign a homepage Opening of a film magazine articleOpening of a film magazine article Come up with a new disaster filmCome up with a new disaster film Storyboard a sequenceStoryboard a sequence A section of a scriptA section of a script

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

This paper brings together students’ This paper brings together students’ knowledge of:knowledge of:

film languagefilm language

film industryfilm industry

film genrefilm genre The best grades will be achieved by The best grades will be achieved by

the students who see the the students who see the connections between all three.connections between all three.