This document provides an overview of the GCSE Film Studies course, outlining the key areas of study, assessment objectives, coursework requirements, and exam structure and content. The course is divided into three study areas - film language, film organizations, and film audiences. Students will complete four pieces of coursework worth 50% of the grade, focusing on topics like textual analysis, film pitching, pre-production, and film production. The remaining 50% comes from two exams, one exploring disaster films and the other exploring a non-Hollywood film through character analysis, sequence analysis, and a creative response.

1. GCSE Film Studies An overview of your course

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11. Why Film Studies? During this course you will have the chance to study, discuss and explore films you already know and films which feature people and places you might not have experienced before. You will learn more about how films are made and sold, and have the opportunity to experiment with a range of creative processes in film production and marketing.

12. Key Study Areas You will approach the course through 3 study areas: Film Language Film Organisations Film Audiences

13. Film Language You will study and explore the elements that create meaning within a film and how they are organised in order to tell a story to their audience.

14. Film Organisations You will study and explore the film companies which make, sell and screen the films we watch.

15. Film Audiences You will study and explore the ways in which you respond to the films you watch and the issues raised by films made for a range of different groups of people.

16. Assessment Objectives (AO) There are 4 key Assessment Objectives you will be expected to demonstrate that you have achieved in the activities and coursework you complete: AO1 – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how films communicate meanings, evoke personal responses and engage the audience. AO2 – Explore, respond to and reflect on a range of films and topics, including your own pre-production and production work, using key film concepts and appropriate terminology. AO3 – Demonstrate planning, research and presentational skills. AO4 – Use creative and technical skills to construct film products.

17. How is the course organised and marked? You will be expected to produce four linked pieces of coursework which will give you 50% of your overall marks. At the end of your course you will complete two written examinations which will account for the other 50% of your course.

18. What do I have to do for my coursework? Film exploration: industry (5 marks) Textual analysis (20 marks) Film Pitch (10 marks) Pre-production (20 marks) Production (35 marks) Reflective analysis (10 marks)

19. Film exploration: industry (5 marks) You will begin by researching a film that you have enjoyed. You will explore its Production (who made it and how), distribution (who sold it and how) and exhibition (who saw it, why and where). You will present this as a short report which will summarise all of your research findings.

20. Textual Analysis (20 marks) After completing your research on your chosen film you will then think about they way in which the film creates meanings and how we respond to those meanings. You will chose a particular sequence from your film and complete a written analysis on the meanings it creates.

21. Film Pitch (10 marks) You will work individually with a specific target audience in mind and create a pitch for your film idea for potential backers who might help you produce and fund your film. The pitch must be presented to your class and must include a written piece of 150 words.

22. Pre-production (20 marks) Once you have completed your pitch you must complete the following pre-production tasks based on the film your have outlined in your pitch: Write a short script for the opening scene of the film (500 words) Create a storyboard (20 frames) for a key sequence in the film Extension Task - Produce a marketing campaign for the film (at least 4 items)

23. Production (35 marks) This piece of coursework calls for you to produce a film-based product, using the appropriate film format, codes and conventions. You must produce one of the following: A short sequence of no more than 2 minutes for any section of a film A homepage and at least one more linked page for a website which promotes a new film (with original images) A poster campaign for a new film (at least 4 posters with original images)

24. Reflective Analysis (10 marks) Your reflective analysis requires you to analyse and evaluate each piece of your coursework. You will be asked to explain the knowledge AND skills you have learnt by completing each piece of coursework.

25. What do I have to do for my exams? The exams are not tiered, so you will all sit exactly the same papers and have an equal chance of achieving the highest grades. Exam 1: Exploring Film (1 hour 30 mins) Exam 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood (1 hour)

26. Exam 1: Exploring Film This exam will last 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will be expected to answer four questions about film genre in four sections. This will account for 30% of your overall marks. You will focus on the disaster film genre.

27. Exam 1: Exploring Film Section 1 The questions in Section 1 will relate to a sequence from a disaster film. At the start of the exam you will be shown a clip from a disaster film 3 times on which you will be expected to make notes and answer questions.

28. Exploring Film Section 2 The questions in Section 2 will focus on the genre itself. You will be expected to call upon examples from disaster films you have studied in class and use them to compare the sequence you watched in Section 1 with other disaster films you have watched.

29. Exploring Film Section 3 In Section 3 you will be given a print-based resource which relates to the disaster film from Section 1. You will be asked to study the resource and to identify its typical features. You will need to analyse the layout, images, text and colours used and comment on why or how they have been used. You will also need to discuss how this resource material appeals to its target audience.

30. Exploring Film Section 4 In this section you will have the chance to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of genre in a creative way. The questions in this section will give you the chance to show the importance of genre in terms of audience appeal and how it is used by the organisations which produce and market films.

31. Exam 2: Exploring Film Outside Hollywood This exam will last 1 hour. You will be expected to answer three questions, in three sections, about a film made outside of Hollywood. This will account for 20% of your overall marks. You will focus on at least one film made outside of Hollywood chosen from a set list.

32. Exploring Film Outside Hollywood Section 1 This part of the paper will require you to describe and discuss the kinds of characters, narratives, themes and issues that have been explored in your chosen film.

33. Exploring Film Outside Hollywood Section 2 In this section you will have to focus carefully on an important sequence from your chosen film and describe in detail the ways in which key themes and issues are represented. You will be expected to analyse the mise-en-scene, camera movement, framing, editing and sound of the sequence from your chosen film.

34. Exploring Film Outside Hollywood Section 3 This section gives you the chance to respond in a creative way to the chosen 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.