This document provides guidance for a film studies exam focusing on comparing two American films, specifically the 2001 and 1960 versions of Ocean's 11. It defines key terms like context, values, and messages. It prompts the student to fill out information about the films' genres, characters, narratives, representations, and contexts. It encourages analyzing specific film techniques and story elements to compare the films and explaining any similarities or differences in their themes and ideas.

1. AS Film studies!
FM2 - Section C: American Film, Comparative Studies

2. FM2 Section C -American film: comparative
studies
• This is section C of your exam, the third
essay. "
• It is worth 40 marks and you will need to
spend at least 45 minutes on it. "
• The focus on this section is American Film
and the comparison between at LEAST two
films. "
• We will be focusing on the two Ocean’s 11
films. "

3. Comparison
• You COULD focus on any number of
American films, so long as they can be
compared. "
• The idea of comparing them is to see what
the differences are, what the similarities are
and why there are differences and
similarities. "
• By comparing the two Ocean’s 11 films you
will compare the reasons why the original
film was remade. "
• However, if you wanted to make reference to
other films that have something in common,
you should. "
• What sorts of films might you also include?"

4. Comparison
• There will be 2 possible questions for you to
answer: one will be about the messages
and values of the film; one will be about the
context of your chosen films. "
• Whichever one you answer you will need to
be able to write about at length. "
• What do we mean by messages and values?"
• What do we mean by context?"
• Write down the definitions!"

5. Definitions
• Context: The circumstances that form the
setting for an event, statement or idea and
the terms in which it can be fully understood
or assessed. "
• Values: The regard that something is held to
deserve; the importance or preciousness of
something: “your support is of great value”. "
• Messages: A significant or central theme,
especially one that has significant political,
social or moral importance. "

6. ocean’s 11
• We need to have the key information available regardless of the question."
• Begin by adding genre, characters and actors information. "
• What is ‘narrative’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "
• What do we mean by ‘representation’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "
• What is ‘mise-en-scene’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "

7. Ocean’s 11
• We need to have the key information available regardless of the question."
• Begin by adding genre, characters and actors information. "
• What is ‘Music?’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "
• What do we mean by ‘cultural influences’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "
• What is ‘context’? "
• Fill in the information for the modern film in the box. "

8. ocean’s 11
• We need to have the key information available regardless of the question."
• We’re going to concentrate on the modern version of the film for now and
you will add extra information for the original version for your homework. "

9. Ocean’s 11
• What is the context for the 2001 remake?"
• Think about the range of stars in the film (and all of the things
that accompany them such as the film they’ve been in etc, the
time the film was made, the type if films being made at the
time. "
• What are the messages and values of the 2001 remake?"
• What key themes and ideas are behind this film? What are we
supposed to learn or feel by the time the film is over? "

10. ocean’s 11
• You will need to refer to specific
moments or sections in the films to
compare. "
• The only way to obtain a C grade and
above is by referring to micro elements
of film."
• What micro-elements can we use from
these clips?"

11. ocean’s 11
• What is the overall style of the remake?"
• Write a short analysis of around a page. "
• You have 25 minutes to do so and you should bring in the
knowledge from Section A on audiences and producers as
well as the information from our work today. "
• Try to focus on a range of ideas from your notes and not just
the things you can see and hear. Try to make reference to
the clips in terms of micro elements. Also, consider why this
style has been used-what influenced the film and why?"

12. ocean’s 11
• What are some of the differences
between the two films?"
• Make a list of as many things as
possible before we share these. "
• Why have these changes been made
do you think? Think culturally in many
different ways. "

13. Genre of Ocean’s 11
• What genres do we see and when?"

14. Heist films
• What is a heist film?
What key features would we expect to see in a heist film?"
• Can you name any heist films or films which features
sections of a crime, robbery or safe cracking?"

15. Exam prep
• 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!

16. Exam prep
• 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. Compare the ways in which narrative is used to create
dramatic conflict in the American films you have studied for this
topic. [40]!
• Or"
• 16. How far do your chosen American films portray themes and
ideas in similar ways? !

17. Exam prep
• 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 important is place in contributing to key themes in the
American films you have studied for this topic? [40]!
• Or"
• 16. Discuss similarities and differences in the representation of
masculinity in your chosen American film.!

18. Exam prep
• How far do your chosen American films portray themes and
ideas?!