Syllabus Title: Film Studies GCSE

Exam Board: WJEC

Note: This course is only available to students on the EBACC pathway.

Do you love watching films? 

Have you ever thought about making a short film?

Can you name a favourite director? 

How do you feel about films with subtitles?

Film Studies is for students who want to know more, and understand better, about how films get made – in Britain, Hollywood and all over the world.

Film is widely acknowledged as the major art form of the 20th century and today film continues to be an important part of most people’s cultural experience.

This specification is designed to build upon students’ own experience of film – as          consumers and creators – and to encourage a recognition of the complexity of this experience within an increasingly globalised, interconnected environment.

Starting with familiar mainstream films, the specification allows students to study films and the ways in which they are experienced, the importance of visual representation in today’s global society and the place film has in communicating ideas, attitudes and cultural beliefs, both now and in the past.

Content and Assessment

Component 1: Key Developments in US Film

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

35% of qualification

Section A:  US film comparative study

Section B: Key developments in film and film technology

Section C: US independent film

Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

35% of qualification

Component 3: Production

Non-exam assessment

30% of qualification

Progression at Post-16 and Beyond

There are several progression routes that successful students on this course could take at post-16 – many of which are available at our Sixth Form RR6: ‘A’ Levels in Film Studies, Media Studies, Photography, Communication, BTEC Nationals in Creative Media Production, or similar creative or critical courses.

Staff to contact:

Mr Whyte (Head of Film, Media & Photography)