COMPONENT 1 FILM HISTORY
Film Form in US Cinema from the Silent Era to 1990
Set Films:
The Silent Era: Sunrise (F. W. Murnau)
1930–1960: Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock)
1961–1990: ET (Steven Spielberg)
Students will study the micro-elements of film form and the construction of meaning and response by both filmmaker and spectator
European Cinema History
Set Films:
Experimental film (European surrealist film): Un Chien Andalou and L’age d’Or (Luis Bunuel)
AndGerman Expressionism: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Robert Weine)
Students will study set films from two major European film movements.
COMPONENT 2 CRITICAL APPROACHES TO FILM
Contemporary British and US Film
Set Films:
British Film: Skyfall (Sam Mendes)
US Film: Hunger Games (Gary Ross)
A comparative study of two set in terms of genre, narrative, representation and critical debates encompassing the significance of the digital in film, viewing conditions and Auteurism
Documentary
Set Film: Stories We Tell (Polley)
One set documentary film in depth with particular reference to the micro-elements of film form and the construction of meaning and response by both film-maker and spectator.
Students will also study the significance of the following two, contrasting filmmakers’ theories of film in relation to the set documentary film
John Grierson
D.A. Pennebaker
Ideology
Set Films:
US Independent: Whiplash (Damien Chazelle)
English language (non-US): District 9 (Neill Blomkamp)
Non-European non-English language: The Battle for Algiers (Gilo Pontecorvo)
This section is synoptic and requires students to study the ways in which film shapes and is shaped by ideology. You will compare three films that are thematically linked. The thematic category is conflict
COMPONENT 3 NON-EXAMINED ASSESSMENT: MAKING SHORT FILM
Students will produce an individual short film or screenplay for a short film) and carry out an evaluation of your production .
Your short film will demonstrate an understanding of the short film form. In preparation you will analyse a series of short films
Year 12
Autumn Term
Introduction to Film Language
Practical Filmmaking Skills
Sunrise
Vertigo
ET
Spring Term
Experimental Film
Un Chien Andalou, L’age d’Or, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
Summer Term
Contemporary US and British Film:
Hunger Games and Skyfall
NEA: Making Short Film
Year 13
Autumn Term
NEA: Making Short Film
Documentary: Stories We Tell
Ideology: Whiplash, District 9, Battle of Algiers
Spring Term
Revision: Component 1 Film History
Summer Term
Revision: Component 2 Critical Approaches to Film
Assessment at Key stage 5
Internal:
End of topic assessments
1 x mock examination in year 12
2 x mock examination in year 13
Internally assessed and Externally moderated:
Non Examined Assessment (NEA)
External: 2 x 2 hour examination papers
How can parents help support their child’s learning?
Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. Film Art: An Introduction.
Film History: An Introduction.
Enrichment opportunities
Making a podcast
Warner Bros Studio Tour Trip
Visiting speakers
Filmmaking, graphic design
Post 16 course/s (exam board and code)
