Download
1 / 20
220 likes | 480 Views
Sten Studios present. In association with “No Budget Films”. A “Welsh Board” film. GCSE Film Studies. The course. 4 pieces of linked Coursework (50%): 1. Film exploration: industry (5 marks):
E N D
The course • 4 pieces of linked Coursework (50%): 1. Film exploration: industry (5 marks): • You will explore a film you have watched and enjoyed and do some brief research into how it was produced, distributed and exhibited. You will then complete a coversheet summarising your findings. 2. Textual (micro) analysis (20 marks): • You will analyse how the film’s language is used to create certain meanings and how we respond to those meanings – how we “read” part of that film.
The course 3. Selling an idea: pitch and pre-production (30 marks): • You will write 2 linked pieces thinking about the ways in which films are created and sold. You will have the chance to put forward your own ideas for your own film, with a specific target audience in mind. • Pitch(10 marks): You will write a sales pitch of about 150 words long for potential backers who might help to fund and produce your film. It will begin with a log line. • Pre-production (20 marks): You will then do one of the following pre-production options based on the film you have outlined in the pitch: • Write a short script for the opening scene of the film (approximately 500 words). • Create a storyboard of approximately 20 frames for a key sequence for the film. • Produce digitally a design for a front page and contents page for a new film magazine, featuring the new film. • Produce a marketing campaign for the film (at least 4 items).
The course 4a. Production (35 marks): • You will produce a polished film-based product, using the appropriate format, codes and conventions. If you choose to make your own sequence for a film, you may work in groups of no more than 4. However, if you do work in a group you must be very clear about your role and responsibilities within the group. Your written analysis must also underline your specific contribution to the making of the film. All the other production options must be completed individually. The option choices are: • Create a short sequence of no more than 2 minutes for any section of a film. • Produce a homepage and at least one linked page for a website which promotes a new film. • Produce a poster campaign for a new film. • Produce a press pack for a new film. • Produce a feature about a new film for a film or school/college magazine.
The course 4b. Reflective Analysis (10 marks) • When researching and creating your pre-production and production pieces, you will note down what you have done, how your ideas changed and adapted as you developed your work and what you have learnt creatively and practically (in your Film Studies exercise book). • In this final analysis, you will use these notes to reflect on what you have done and what you have learnt about the main study areas (Film language, film organisations and film audiences) through your coursework.
Watch this trailer for a famous 1975 film... How does the film-maker grab your attention and build tension? Jot down your ideas....
The course • 2 exams (50%): 1. Exploring Film (1 hour 30 mins – 30%): • You will answer four questions about film genre. This will focus particularly on disaster films. You will have studied at least two disaster films in class and noticed an discussed the similarities between them in terms of characters, narrative structures and how disaster films communicate with audiences. You’ll also look at films which play around with those genre conventions and patterns. • SECTION 1 will ask you questions about a sequence from a disaster film that will be shown 3 times at the beginning of the exam. • SECTION 2 will ask broader questions to allow you to compare the sequence to other disaster films you have studied. • SECTION 3 will ask you to study print-based material relating to the disaster film and identify typical features. You will analyse layout, images and text and how or why they have been used plus how they appeal to the target audience. • SECTION 4 will ask you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of genre in a creative way. Your pre-production and pre-production coursework will help you here. You will focus on genre in terms of audience appeal an dhow it is used by the organisations that produce and market films. • In all of these questions, you will need to demonstrated your understanding of genre. You may be asked to identify the typical features of the disaster film, e.g. codes and conventions, camera techniques, characters, narrative structures and audience appeal.
The course 2. Exploring Film Outside Hollywood (1 hour – 20%): • You will focus on at least one film made outside Hollywood, chosen from a set list. You will have an hour in which to answer 3 compulsory questions. • SECTION 1 will ask you to describe and discuss the kinds of characters, narratives, themes and issues that have been explored in your chosen film. • SECTION 2 will ask require you to focus carefully on an important sequence from your close study (chosen) film and describe in detail the ways in which key themes and issues are represented. • SECTION 3 gives you the chance to respond in a creative way to the film and to show your understanding of a range of the ways in which films are marketed and reviewed. You may, for example be asked to write a review of your chosen film for a specific target audience, publication or media platform. Although this question invites you to think about producers and audiences, your personal responses to the themes, issues and performances within the film is really important. Remember, critics do not necessarily like the films they review but they always analyse the film’s language and give clear reasons for their personal response.
Key terms • As we go through, you will keep a note of key terms in the back of your exercise book. • We can start this now as we have already met some...What do you think these terms mean? Production = The various stages that a film has to go through before it is ready to be“sold”. Distribution = The process by which a film is released. Exhibition = Where and how films are screened. Pitch = A short explanation of ideas for a film delivered to an agent or producer. Backer(s) = The companies or individuals who fund a film’s production. Log line = A one-sentence summary. Codes and conventions = Features that are repeated within film genres.
Film LanguageHow films communicate You will be able to: • Use the basic “language” of Film Studies. • Describe how we “read” films, rather than just watch them. • Describe different devices film-makers use to help them tell a story.
Film LanguageHow films communicate OPENINGS: • What is the aim of a film-maker/director when creating the opening of a film? • What is the role of the opening of a film (think about the opening of any other narrative, like a short story, a play or a novel)? KEY TERM: narrative = a story or account of connected events. The term also refers to the way the story is told, i.e. the narrative structure.
Film LanguageHow films communicate • Watch this opening... • What happens in the opening that draws you into the rest of the film? • What visual aspects stand out? • Is music used? • How do you think the opening is supposed to make you feel?
Film LanguageHow films communicate Have a look at this still form The Perfect Storm (2000). How are expression and angle used to create tension in the audience?
What do you think of this? • "A bomb is under the table and it explodes: that is surprise. The bomb is under the table but it does not explode: that is suspense.“ - Alfred Hitchcock
Film LanguageHow films communicate GENRE = A type or category of film which has certain predictable codes and characteristics (shared features/patterns).
Film LanguageHow films communicate • Look at these two film posters. Choose one and write a list of things in the poster that tell what kind, or genre, or film is being advertised. • What are the similarities and differences between the two posters?
