The document provides an introduction to the AS Film Studies course, which is split into two modules: FM1 - Exploring Film Form and FM2 - British & American Film. [FM1] focuses on micro elements of film like cinematography, mise-en-scene, performance, sound, and editing. Students will analyze a film extract and create a short film or storyboards. [FM2] involves studying audience, industry, and genres in a final exam. The document discusses different views of cinema as a mirror, window, or escape and uses film examples to illustrate these concepts. It also explains how films can reflect the social issues and fears of their time.

2. Welcome to
AS Film
Studies
What skills do you think you will develop studying film studies?
What do you think we do in Film Studies?

3. The AS Film Studies course is split in to two distinct
sections
FM1 – Exploring Film Form (40%)
FM2 – British & American Film (60%)
Today we will introduce both modules and sample the
topics we will be looking at over the next academic year

4. FM1 – Exploring Film Form (40%)
This unit is coursework based
The unit will focus on the Micro
Elements of film and how
meaning is constructed
You will be required to complete
the following:
In-depth analysis – 1,500 word analysis of a
film extract of your choice
Creative Project – You must plan, produce and
edit a short film or create a series of digital
storyboards

6. What will we
Micro Elements be studying?
You will learn how to ‘read’ a
film and analyse how directors
can use the micro elements
Cinematography Mise-en-scene
Performance Sound
Editing
On your handouts note down a
definition for each of the terms

7. Micro Elements
We will identify how the micro elements are
manipulated and contribute to sensory impact
of the film
Reflecting on our individual responses to films
and explore the relationship between films and
their spectators
You will then use your knowledge of the micro
elements to create a short film or storyboard
sequence
Any Questions?

8. Film Studies
Using the paper provided make a list of your top ten
favourite films – try and provide a reason why these films
have made your list
There Will Be Blood Spinal Tap Unforgiven
Blade Runner
Star Wars Trilogy
In The Mood For Love
Vertigo
Dr. Strangelove
The Godfather Part II
Gladiator

9. Why do we go to the
Working alone, note down answers to the
cinema?
following questions:
1. What is the purpose of cinema?
2. Why do people go to the cinema?
3. Why role, if any, does film serve in
modern society?

10. Silver Screen... or Mirror?
French Film Critic Andre Bazin claimed that
the cinema screen had different meanings
for different people
Some, he said, saw the screen as a Mirror
Others thought the screen was a window
on the world whilst others felt it was an
escape hatch
“The more we see the screen as a mirror
rather than an escape hatch, the more
we will be prepared for what is to come”
What do you think Bazin was
saying with this statement?

11. What is film?
On your handouts provide an example of one film that be can
described as:
1. A mirror
2. A Window
3. An Escape Hatch
Watch the trailer for the ‘Monster Camp’ and
answer the following question:
According to Bazin’s definitions what is the
purpose of Monster Camp?
Be prepared to explain your answers

12. Any Questions?

13. FM2 – Exam
You will sit the AS Film Studies examination in May 2013 Topics
and will be answering questions on the following areas:
Section A – Audience & Industry
Section B – British Film
Section C – Genre Study

14. What is film?
Film has always been used to discuss and highlight issues that
are important to the society that made it
For example –
Invasion of the Body Snatchers was written during the Cold
War between the USA & USSR
The films director Don Siegel stated that the
aliens in the film represented Russian
communists trying to infiltrate the USA during
time of war
The aliens are depicted as foreign invaders who
pose a threat to the USA – this is how many
people saw Communists during this time

15. What is film?
Watch the Trailer for ‘The Terminator’ and
answer the following questions:
1. Is this film a Mirror / Window / Escape
Hatch
2. What do you think the film is about and
what is James Cameron trying to say?
James Cameron stated that he wrote Terminator Director:
after a nightmare in which a machine attempted to James Cameron
kill him
He said the film reflected peoples fears that we had Budget:
become to dependant on technology and if we were $6,400,000
not careful its development may spiral out of our
Box Office:
control $78,019,031

16. Any Questions?