The Media Department

Film Studies at Key Stage 5

Exam board: WJEC

Why study Media Studies?
Perhaps the most popular of all media forms; cinema has the ability to evoke tremendous emotion within its audience. This coursewill enable you to explore howthe great film makers are able to do this, both by close analysis of films, and by creating your own short cinematic pieces.

What will you study?
AS
Unit FM1: Close studies of themicro-elements of film and how these have an impact upon the audience. Students will then create a short film sequence to reflect upon this study.
Unit FM2: An examination of both theUK andUS film industries, and also the relationship between them. This will lead to a closer study of British film and representations of crime, and a comparative study of two American films.

A2
Unit FM3: Students will complete a small research project of a film of their choice.
Unit FM4: There are three sections to this unit: a specialist study of how World Cinema represents urban conflicts; an examination of how popular film evokes an emotional response; and a critical study of one of the films offered by the exam board.

Method of assessment
The course is equally split between coursework and examination. The coursework assessments will be done in a
combination of production work, written assignments and presentations.

Future prospects
This course is heavily weighted towards further study of film at university. The practical skills gained could be of use on other Media courses or within the film industry.