Film Studies

Key Contact:  Prue Bendell prb@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

Syllabus Information:  WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Film Studies

Course Content

The GCSE Film Studies course is designed to draw on learners’ enthusiasm for film and introduce them to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been important in the development of film and film technology. Learners will develop their knowledge of US mainstream film by studying one film from the 1950s and one film from the later 70s and 80s, thus looking at two stages in Hollywood’s development. In addition, they will be studying more recent films – a US independent film as well as films from Europe, including the UK, South Africa and Australia.

Year 10

• Half Term 1: Introduction to Film and Component 2 Contemporary UK Film: Attack the Block
• Half Term 2: Component 2 Contemporary UK Film: Attack the Block
• Half Term 3: Component 2 Global English Language Film: District 9
• Half Term 4: Component 2 Global English Language Film: District 9
• Half Term 5: Component 3: NEA Horror opening Screenplay
• Half Term 6: Component 2 Global Non English Language Film: Girlhood and NEA

Year 11

• Half Term 1: Component 1 Film History & US Film Comparison: Dracula and Lost Boys
• Half Term 2: Component 1 US Film Comparison: Dracula and Lost Boys
• Half Term 3: Component 1 Specialist Writing: Whiplash and NEA
• Half Term 4: Component 1 Specialist Writing: Whiplash
• Half Term 5: Revision of all components

Assessment

Year 10

• Assessment 1: Image analysis
• Assessment 2: Terminology test
• Assessment 3: Timed Practice Comp 2 Exam question on Attack The Block
• Assessment 4: Terminology test
• Assessment 5: Timed Practice Comp 2 Exam question on District 9.
• Assessment 6: PPE
• Assessment 7: PPE
• Assessment 8: Verbal assessment on NEA proposal
• Assessment 9: Terminology test
• Assessment 10: Timed Practice Comp 2 Exam question on Girlhood.
• Assessment 11: Mid NEA review
• Assessment 12: Terminology test

Year 11

• Assessment 1: Terminology test – Film History
• Assessment 2: Timed Practice Comp 1 Exam question on Dracula
• Assessment 3: Timed Practice Comp 1 Exam question on Lost Boys
• Assessment 4: PPE
• Assessment 5: PPE
• Assessment 6: PPE
• Assessment 7: Timed Practice Comp 1 Exam question on Dracula & Lost Boys
• Assessment 8: Timed practice Comp 1 Exam question on Dracula & Lost Boys
• Assessment 9: Timed practice Comp 1 on Whiplash
• Assessment 10: Timed exam practice

Homework

Set three times a half term – a mixture of terminology revision, analysis tasks, wider reading/watching.

KS4 Progression

Through the WJEC GCSE Film Studies course, students explore a diverse range of films, filmmakers, genres and contexts, developing their understanding of how meaning is created through cinematography, editing, sound, mise-en-scène, performance and narrative. They will study films from different time periods, cultures and national cinemas, enabling them to recognise how social, historical, cultural and institutional contexts influence the production and reception of film.

Throughout the course, students develop increasingly sophisticated analytical and evaluative skills. They learn to apply specialist film terminology accurately and make connections between films, genres and wider contexts. Students are encouraged to consider different interpretations and viewpoints, supporting their ideas with precise evidence from the films they study. Alongside their theoretical understanding, students develop practical filmmaking skills through their coursework, applying their knowledge of film language and conventions to create their own screenplay and shooting script for the opening to an original narrative.

KS4 End point

As students progress through KS4, they will have become increasingly confident and independent in analysing and evaluating film. They will have developed the ability to respond effectively to a range of examination questions, construct sustained arguments and apply their knowledge to unfamiliar examples. By the end of the course, students will have developed a broad and critical understanding of film, alongside the creative, analytical and evaluative skills needed to approach the GCSE examinations and practical production work with confidence.

Useful information, links and resources

GCSE Film Studies | Eduqas – exam board page with specification and key documents.

Film Studies Fundamentals – YouTube – very useful YouTube channel aimed at GCSE Film Studies students

StudioBinder – YouTube – film based YouTube channel which has lots of excellent videos on all element of Film.

Crash Course Film Production  – a YouTube channel about Film production and Film History

Film Learning JourneyDownload