Film Studies

Film Studies Overview

Our vision:

At William Edwards school, we consider film to be a major art form and therefore it is important that we offer our students the opportunity to study a medium which has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel. During KS3, students explore media and film in a variety of ways through our bespoke Creative Curriculum (CC).  Here they are encouraged to think critically about the world they live in and to explore contemporary issues alongside the major technological and cultural shifts during the 20th Century.  Responding to these themes both creatively and critically the students develop a range of skills that support their progress towards a more specific study of the the world through GCSE Film Studies.

Our two year GCSE is designed to draw on learners’ curiosity about film. We want to motivate our students to broaden their knowledge of film and film technology from the first moving images in 1895 to the digital environment of contemporary film. The US films they focus on, for example, include mainstream films from the past – produced in the 1950s and late 1970s and 80s, two distinct phases of Hollywood’s development.  We also explore a recent US independent film produced outside the mainstream, giving our students access to less conventional topics and issues. Our GCSE also offers pupils the chance to explore films from different parts of the world.  This includes a Contemporary UK film; a Global English Language film, and a Global non-English Language film: introducing them to a wide variety of cinematic experiences, whilst exploring the characters, their narratives and the issues films raise.

Film production is an important part of the course and provides learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own filmmaking and screenwriting. This is intended to support learners in producing creative films and screenplays as well as enable their production work to provide an informed filmmaker’s perspective on their own study of film.

Students will understand how film – as a medium – shapes our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer, and appreciate it as a form of cultural expression. The focus on the film as a worldwide phenomenon allows students to explore how the film industry operates as a commercial industry on a global scale. During the course we explore the different pathways available to them after GCSE to encourage careers in the film industry, or further analytical/practical study in the future.

Our key objectives are that students will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• how films are constructed and the ways in which meanings and responses are generated through cinematography (camerawork and lighting), mise-en-scène (how sets, locations, props and costume are used in film), editing and sound
• how films can be used – artistically (the aesthetic qualities of film) and as a way of communicating ideas and issues (representation)
• how films are organised into structures – genre (the different kinds of film) and narrative (how films tell their stories)
• the relationship between film and film technology over time
• how to apply their knowledge and understanding of film to filmmaking or screenwriting

As a department we believe that Film Studies is important as an area of study because:

• Alongside the study of such an engaging medium, students will also develop a range of literacy, communication, analytical, production, IT and other transferable skills
• It will enable them to progress successfully to further studies of Film at A level and beyond and provide a foundation for a successful career in the film industry
• through the study of a contrasting, culturally diverse range of films from different contexts students will develop a broad understanding of the world they live in.

Film Studies Curriculum Journey

Film Studies Key Stage 4 Programme of Study

Specification: GCSE Film Studies Eduqas

Name and email address of key post-holder:

Mr N Moore – Department Leader – mooren@wes.swecet.org