1. Contemporary English Language Film
This is an exam topic. You answer one question from a choice of
two, analysing two films in relation to a key concept. You must
refer to both films in your answer, and be able to explain how
technical elements construct the specified concept using specific
examples from the films.
Frameworks for analysis
• Representation Refers to the processes of constructing images of different people, places and ideas
in films.
• Messages and values Refers to the way messages and values are communicated to film audiences.
• Genre Refers to the process of classifying films as being of one type or another by audiences and
institutions, for example, 'horror' or 'action adventure'. Generic codes and conventions are employed
in the construction of films, enabling the audience to label and categorise them.
• Narrative Refers to the development of a ’story’, the roles and relationships of the characters
within it, the situations and dilemmas they confront and the methods utilised for problem-solving
within narratives.
• Theme Refers to the overarching ideas conveyed in a film. Examples of common film themes
include moral dilemmas, conflict, racism, love, betrayal and redemption.
• Style Refers to the deployment of techniques in film production – for example the use of
chiaroscuro lighting in film noir.
• Authorship This refers to different conceptualisations of authorship – this can be applied to
directors, producers, cinematographers, sound designers and stars together with the influence of
different types of film companies and production studios.
Micro-technical elements
• Cinematography - the use of camera shots, angle, movement, composition, and lighting.
• Editing - the organisation of sequences to construct meaning. This should include transition
of image and sound, continuity and non-continuity systems, cutting (shot/reverse shot, eyeline
match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway, insert).
• Sound - diegetic and non-diegetic sound, synchronous/asynchronous sound, sound effects,
sound motifs, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing,
sound perspective, and soundtrack (score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient
sound).
• Mise-en-Scène - production design, location, studio, set design, costume and make-up,
properties, colour design, casting.
Foundation Portfolio in Film
For the first part of the coursework for AS Film Studies you write an essay comparing two
contemporary English language films of your choice in relation to one or more of the key concepts.
Both films should be from broadly from the same genre, and must be different to the ones studied for
the first exam topic. Only one of the films can be a Hollywood film. Both films must have been
produced within the last 10 years.