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Develop practical film production skills whilst refining your analytical ability
Develop practical film production skills whilst refining your analytical ability
Develop practical film production skills whilst refining your analytical ability
A Level Film Studies requires you to achieve at least the minimum entry requirements for your chosen pathway plus a grade 5 or higher in GCSE English Language. The minimum entry requirements will be discussed at open events and at your college interview.
A Level Film is a great option if you are wanting to progress onto prestigious universities and opens up excellent job prospects in the creative film industries. Film Studies focuses on the aesthetic qualities of film: the narrative structure and the use of cinematography, editing, light and sound, and how all these different elements combine to create meaning and generate a strong emotional response. You will study mainstream, Hollywood films, as well as a broad range of British, foreign and experimental film. Our approach is similar to English Literature – we focus on developing a critical understanding of film from a number of different perspectives; genre, narrative, film language, representation and social, cultural and historical contexts.
If the analysis of films and the development of critical thinking, research skills and creative skills sounds like an exciting prospect then Film Studies at Wyke Sixth Form College is very much for you.
The Film department offers you a unique experience due to the extensive facilities and resources we have available. The department has two rooms of edit suites offering Premiere Pro & Photoshop for working on coursework projects. These are used in industry and allows you to prepare your skills for future study or work placements. The department offers bookable kit to loan including a vast range of DSLR cameras, a drone, dollies, tripods, sliders, a bookable photography studio and much more to make a technical production. The department does not expect you to purchase your own kit to be fully immersed in the film production.
The course is made up of 3 components.
Written examination: 2 ½ hours, 120 marks (35% of qualification)
Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (Comparative study)
You will answer ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to TWO Hollywood films, one from the Classical Hollywood period (1930-1960) and the other from the New Hollywood period (1961-1990).
Focus films:
Classical Hollywood – Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958), PG
New Hollywood – Alien (Scott, 1979), 15
Section B: American Film since 2005 (two-film study)
ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to TWO American films, one mainstream film and one contemporary independent film.
Focus films:
Mainstream film – Joker (Phillips, 2019), 15
Contemporary Independent film – Promising Young Woman (Fennell, 2015), 15
Section C: British Film since 1995 (two-film study)
ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to TWO British films.
Focus films:
This is England (Meadows, 2006), 18
Fish Tank (Arnold, 2009), 15
Section A: Global Film (two-film study)
You will answer ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to TWO global films: one European and one produced outside of Europe.
Focus films:
European Film – Pan’s Labyrinth (Del Toro, Spain, 2006), 15
Outside of Europe – City of God (Mereilles, Brazil, 2002), 18
Section B: Documentary Film
You will answer ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to ONE documentary film.
Focus film: Amy (Kapadia, UK, 2015), 15
Section C: Film Movements – Silent Cinema
You will answer ONE question from a choice of two, requiring reference to ONE silent film.
Focus film: Sunrise (Murnau, US, 1927), U
Section D: Film Movements: Experimental Film (1960-2001)
Experimental Film - Memento (Nolan, US, 2000), 15
Non-exam assessment, worth 60 marks (30% of qualification)
ONE production and its evaluative analysis. You will produce a screenplay for a short film (1600-1800 words) plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay [40 marks].
The A Level course is delivered over 2 academic years. You will receive 4 hours 40 minutes of lessons per week, although you are also expected to complete work independently outside of lessons. Each group is taught by one teacher and the focus within lessons will be very much upon applying the concepts taught within the classroom to accounting based problems. This will be backed up by thorough and regular classroom-based assessment.
To help prepare yourself for this course, we recommend that you visit the Media and Film department at one of our open days which run from October to January each year. We also recommend that you attend taster sessions in Film Studies at our Wyke Start taster event in July. Summer work will also be available for you to complete following Wyke Start helping to prepare you for your first few weeks on the course.
Wyke Sixth Form College hold train to teach information events which offer you a great insight into this course. If you are interested in attending one of these events, please complete this form and we will be in contact with the key information.
Please note that the applications for this course can be submitted by following the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page. Applications are made through the University of Huddersfield rather than Wyke Sixth Form College. We look forward to meeting with you.
Wyke Sixth Form College hold train to teach information events which offer you a great insight into this course. If you are interested in attending one of these events, please complete this form and we will be in contact with the key information.
A Level Film Studies a great choice if you are wanting to progress on to prestigious universities and open yourself up to excellent job prospects in the creative film industries or media sector.
At Wyke Start, our 2-day taster event in July, each of your subjects will set you some work to complete to help prepare you for the course. The work is available to download on https://www.wyke.ac.uk/wyke-start-summer-work
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We work closely with the BFI Film Academy to run career workshops for you to attend. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the Film and Television industry as well as develop hands on practical skills. The BFI also run residential courses which are specialised and concentrate on specific areas such as animation, programming, documentary or craft skills so there is something for everyone and a great way to build your film portfolio and advance your CV.
You will also have the opportunity for extra-curricular events such as the Berlin Trip where you can experience what it’s like to attend a film festival and access a range of short and full feature films to enrich your knowledge of film. This is a great way for you to meet industry professionals and even take part in director Q&A sessions. We have seen many global films whilst attending the film festival which broadens your appreciation of film, Bollywood, Chinese and Japanese films have been popular with students in the past.
We have excellent links with the local community and our students work closely with The University of Hull and meet film lecturers and screen writers. You will have the opportunity to attend a screenplay writing workshop.
