This document is an examination paper for the British and American Film section of a GCE AS/A level Film Studies exam. It provides instructions for students taking the exam, which will last 2.5 hours. It outlines the three sections students must choose one question from to answer, which are Producers and Audiences, British Film Topics, and American Film - Comparative Study. Resource materials are also provided for the first section relating to independent films and new technologies changing audiences.

1. GCE AS/A level
1182/01
FILM STUDIES
FM2
British and American Film
A.M. WEDNESDAY, 19 May 2010
21⁄2 hours
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
In addition to this examination paper, you will need:
• Resource material
• a 12 page answer book.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer three questions, one from each section.
Write your answers in the separate answer book provided.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
Each question carries 40 marks.
The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question.
You are reminded that assessment will take into account the quality of written communication
used in your answers.
JD(S10-1182-01)

2. 2
FM2: British and American Film
Answer three questions – one from each section.
Section A: Producers and Audiences
Choose one question from this section.
Either
1. Study the items in Part A of the resource material, which includes:
– a poster and information for the independent film In Bruges
– an extract from an article on independent US films
– information on independent film in the United States.
Use this material, together with your own studies, to answer the following question:
How do independent films sometimes achieve success? [40]
or
2. Study the items in Part B of the resource material, which include:
– an extract from the iTunes website
– internet information on LOVEFiLM
– internet information on the release platform of a new film.
Use this material, together with your own studies, to answer the following question:
How far are new technologies changing the way audiences watch films? [40]
(1182-01)

3. 3
Section B: British Film Topics
Choose one question from this section.
British Film and Genre
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following:
Horror or Comedy.
Either
3. To what extent do the films you have studied for this topic try to narrate specifically ‘British’
stories? [40]
or
4. In what ways do genre conventions determine how particular characters are represented in the
films you have studied for this topic? [40]
British Film and Stars
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following:
Julie Christie or Ewan McGregor.
Either
5. In what ways does the presence of your chosen star contribute to the making of meaning in
the films you have studied for this topic? [40]
or
6. ‘We have expectations of stars which are often fulfilled in their films.’ How far is this true of
your chosen British star? [40]
British Film and Production Companies
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following:
Ealing Studios or Working Title.
Either
7. How important is genre in giving a specific identity to the films you have studied for your
chosen production company? [40]
or
8. How far can it be argued that your chosen production company has a particular set of British
values or attitudes? [40]
(1182-01) Turn over.

4. 4
British Film: Cultural Study
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following:
Swinging Britain 1963-1973 or Thatcher’s Britain: the 1980s.
Either
9. In what ways does the dramatic power of the films you have studied for this topic depend on
the clash between conflicting values? [40]
or
10. How far do the narratives of the films you have studied for this topic challenge typical
representations of gender? [40]
British Film: Social-Political Study – ‘Living with Crime’
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer.
Either
11. How far do the films you have studied for this topic use suspense in order to capture the
feeling of ‘living with crime’? [40]
or
12. How are criminals represented in the films you have studied for this topic? [40]
British Film: Identity Study – ‘Borders and Belonging’
You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer.
Either
13. In what ways are borders – either real or symbolic – central to the narrative of the films you
have studied for this topic? [40]
or
14. What are some of the different ways in which power is represented in the films you have
studied for this topic? [40]
Section C: American Film – Comparative Study
Choose one question from this section.
You should compare a minimum of two American films in your answer.
Either
15. How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established
narrative and/or genre conventions? [40]
or
16. How far do the American films you have studied for this topic express similar messages and
values to one another? [40]
(1182-01)

5. GCE AS/A level
1182/01-A
FILM STUDIES
FM2
British and American Film
A.M. WEDNESDAY, 19 May 2010
21⁄2 hours
Resource Material for use with Section A
01
1182 01A
CJ*(S10-1182-01A)

6. 2
PART A
Study the items in Part A, the resource material for use with Section A, Question 1.
Item 1: a poster and information for the independent film In Bruges (2008)
US UK
Opening Weekend (£) £268,000 £343,760
Box Office Takings to
£4.6 million £4.7 million
June 2008 (£)
Budget (estimated) £8.9 million
After excellent box office takings for an independent film in both the US and UK, In Bruges,
released in February 2008, starts to show profit within four months. With high DVD sales
expected, In Bruges is set to make a big profit.
- box office and budget figures, imdb.com
(1182-01A)

7. 3
Item 2: an extract from an article on independent US films
The Indie Game
The secret to success is a Hollywood star.
By Edward Jay Epstein
Posted Monday, Sept. 12, 2005
Even after securing the money, and making the movie,
the indie producer faces one further challenge:
getting the movie into American multiplexes.
But if an indie movie has a Hollywood star, it can
improve its chances, especially in those festivals -
such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto - that
depend on celebrity stars for publicity.
03
-www.edwardjayepstein.com/indie
1182 01A
Item 3: information on independent film in the United States
Independence Day - independent films gaining in popularity
In the past few years, a growing segment of moviegoers has been drawn
to independent films - with not an explosion, avalanche, or Julia Roberts to
be found in the scripts.
The number of independent films released in theaters has doubled in the
past decade - from 165 in 1990 to 338 last year. And there are now two
cable channels devoted solely to broadcasting independent films, the
Sundance Channel and the Independent Film Channel (IFC).
- www.findarticles.com
(1182-01A)
Turn over.

8. 4
PART B
Study the items in Part B, the resource material for use with Section A, Question 2.
Item 1: an extract from the iTunes website
Go from the silver screen to any screen. Rent or buy your favorite movies on your computer,
iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple TV. Then play them anywhere you want. iTunes helps you build
a go-anywhere, open-anytime multiplex.
- www.apple.com/itunes/whatson/movies.htm
Item 2: internet information on LOVEFiLM
How LOVEFiLM DVD Rental works:
• Choose from over 65,000 titles
• We deliver it by 1st class post straight to your door
• Watch it at your leisure with no late fees
• Return it in the pre-paid envelope provided
Sign up now for your 14 day FREE trial!
www.lovefilm.com
(1182-01A)

9. 5
Item 3: internet information on the release platform of a new film
Straight to your laptop ...
Paramount Pictures is releasing what it says is the first studio-backed feature film to premiere
online. On Dec 19, the studio will make the latest instalment in the Jackass franchise available
through Blockbuster’s Movielink service.
• From Dec 19, Jackass 2.5 can be streamed free for one week
• From Dec 26, the movie can be downloaded from pay-to-own sites such as iTunes
and Amazon’s Unbox
• From Jan 1, streaming sites will let viewers watch the movie for free
• From February, Jackass 2.5 reaches cable and satellite TV on-demand services.
- www.last100.com
(1182-01A