This document provides guidance for a past paper practice exam on British and American film studies. It focuses on the comparative study of the films "Goodfellas" and "American Gangster" within the gangster genre. The objectives are to recap prior learning on representation of gender, apply knowledge of critical approaches, and target narrative/representation theories regarding the genre. Students are prompted to consider the influence of environment and family on the development of characters, provide examples analyzing the opening of "Goodfellas," and examples from the films that agree or disagree with views on traditional gender roles. Key terms on misogyny and misandry are also introduced.

1. Entrance Activity
“story of enter_____e and success ending in
precipitate f_______e” (W_______w – 19__)
Similarities
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WHERE? EVIDENCE?

2. Title:
WJEC Film Studies –
Past Paper Practice
Wednesday 6th May 2015
FM2 –
British and American Film (60%) of AS Level)
Section C –
US Cinema Comparative Study –
‘Goodfellas’ and ‘American Gangster’ -
(40 marks)

3. Why?
Aims & Objectives
• YOU WILL re-cap prior
learning.
• YOU WILL gain a better
understanding of the
representation of Gender and
how it reflects the codes &
conventions of the genre and
the zeitgeist.
• Review the learning
AO1
Demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of film as an
audio-visual form of creative
expression together and
AO2
Apply knowledge and
understanding, including
some of the common critical
approaches that characterise
the subject, when exploring
and analysing films.

4. Areas to Target:
• Point of View - Structured, relevant and contains good examples from the films
• Confident understanding - Not just of the films but the Gangster genre as well.
• Narrative and Representation - Theories and critical approaches surrounding the Genre –
KEY!

5. • WHAT are the areas you need to address? – Highlight some of the key language
• When they were made -
YOU COULD argue FOR and AGAINST the stereotypes of the Gangster genre – e.g.
Warren Farrell (1993) – He argues that in the past “both sexes had roles: women's role
was [to] raise children; men's role was [to] raise money."

6. John Locke (17th Century) stated we are all
born with a blank slate (inheriting nothing) and
are shaped by our experiences.
Did the neighbourhood shape Henry?
HOW are the male characters during his
childhood shaping him up to “be a man”?
YOU MUST give examples from the
opening sequence of ‘Goodfellas’
(Watch up until “You broke your
cherry).
YOU SHOULD analyse Henry’s
biological family as well as the
Gangster family.

7. Warren Farrell (19___) – He argues that in the past
“both sexes had r_____s: women's role was [to] r____
c_______; men's role was [to] raise m_______."
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YOU MUST find x1 EXAMPLE from BOTH Texts that agree with and disagree with this
Gender representation in the Gangster genre.
YOU SHOULD note down micro feature evidence to support your understanding.

8. Key terms: Misogyny Misandry
YOU MUST establish WHERE this is represented in EITHER text.
YOU SHOULD note down micro feature evidence to support your understanding.

9. What have you learnt?
Write down x3 examples YOU WILL use in the exam from what you have learnt in
the lesson today.

10. Homework
REVISE for Section A, B & C!