General exam advice section a

1. General Exam Advice
Section A – Producers and Audience

2. Advice on Section A
• You must use information on our case study films
so know the details!!!! You don’t have to refer to
them all – pick the best three that suit the
question. You can also use other films you know
well
• When you choose the question you want to
answer spend five mins brainstorming everything
you know about the topic THEN look at the
resources (five mins).
• Plan what you are going to include and the
structure (five mins)
• Writing time – 45 mins

3. Advice in Section A - Resources
• You need to use the resource material as a spring
board for debate. Discuss the resource material
and you can challenge it!
• You don’t have to deal with every item at length
but you should try to focus on one key
conclusion/fact/idea for each resource. Interpret
it!
• Be selective
• Don’t rely on the resource material – you must go
beyond it!

4. What does the stimulus material
suggest?

5. Advice on Section A
• You must talk about the British Film Industry
• Know how it is different to the US Film
Industry
• Use examples of British film, don’t just talk
about US examples!
• Use terminology
• Personal engagement with the question –
central argument, own experiences

6. What is the examiner looking for?
• Level 4 candidates will be distinguished by an excellent knowledge
and confident understanding of the subjects studied for this unit.
They will display an excellent understanding of, and a lively
engagement with, the issues raised by the question set, and
display a very good ability to select relevant material. This will
involve as appropriate: an excellent ability in interpreting stimulus
material, recognising key points; an excellent ability to provide
appropriate material from their own studies.
• References made to both stimulus material and candidates' own
study material will be both accurate and relevant to the argument
developed. The work will be well-structured. There will be a clear
and authoritative 'voice' developing in the candidate.
• Quality of written communication will be excellent. It will be
fluent, well-structured and accurate, showing signs of
sophistication.

7. Advice from Exam reports
• The best answers used the resource material for
productive and engaged responses and
demonstrated evidence of understanding of the
British and American Film Industries.
• Many candidates did not take the opportunity to
bring in their own knowledge or debate what the
resource material suggested. Responses were
often completely or heavily reliant on this
material with little interpretation.

8. Advice from Exam Reports
• Unfortunately, many candidates described the
resource materials, often repeating the text
verbatim.
• There were some excellent uses of personal
experience and prepared case studies that
were expertly applied to the resource material
and the questions, developing some
extremely engaging responses.

9. Advice for Exam Reports
• Whereas case studies may well anchor teaching,
it is recommended that opportunities for
individualized, personal learning are also
provided.
• Many candidates were able to use their own,
often detailed, case studies and examples to
support points made and to develop their
answers. There was evidence of candidates
carrying out independent research into key areas
for this section which was good to see