Film Studies

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This subtopic focuses on the foundational elements of film language, particularly cinematography, and how technical choices such as camera shots, angles, lighting, and movement create meaning and influence audience response. Students learn to identify and analyse these techniques within film sequences, understanding their role in constructing narrative, mood, and character. Practical application involves articulating how filmmakers use visual decisions to convey themes and evoke specific interpretations.

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Content of Contemporary Lives (01)

This component focuses on the study of three contemporary set films featuring children and young people, providing a vehicle for learners to engage with key concepts including representation, narrative, aesthetics, and the various contexts in which films are made.

Representation

This component focuses on the study of three contemporary set films featuring children and young people, providing a vehicle for learners to engage with key concepts including representation, narrative, aesthetics, and the various contexts in which films are made.

Aesthetics

This component focuses on the study of three contemporary set films featuring children and young people, providing a vehicle for learners to engage with key concepts including representation, narrative, aesthetics, and the various contexts in which films are made.

Contexts

This component focuses on the study of three contemporary set films featuring children and young people, providing a vehicle for learners to engage with key concepts including representation, narrative, aesthetics, and the various contexts in which films are made.

Narrative

This component focuses on the study of three contemporary set films featuring children and young people, providing a vehicle for learners to engage with key concepts including representation, narrative, aesthetics, and the various contexts in which films are made.

Content of Development of US Film (02)

Component 02 focuses on the development of US film from 1930 to the present day. Learners study three set US films, covering Hollywood studio film (1930–1960), US mainstream genre film (1961–present), and US independent genre film (1961–present). The component also covers significant historical developments in film technology and industry, and the application of micro-elements of film form (cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing, sound) and specialist writing on film.

The micro-elements of film form

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Cinematography (including lighting)

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Mise-en-scène

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Editing

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Sound

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Specialist writing on film, including film criticism

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Hollywood Film (1930–1960)

This topic focuses on the study of one compulsory set Hollywood studio film from the period 1930–1960. Learners must analyze the film's construction, including the micro-elements of film form, and understand the institutional, technological, social, cultural, political, and historical contexts in which it was made.

Genre and generic conventions

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Iconography

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Characters

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Narratives

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Themes

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

The significance of genre

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Key developments in the history of film and contexts

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Institutional contexts

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

US Genre Film (1961–present day)

Section B of Component 02 focuses on US Genre Film from 1961 to the present day. Learners study two set genre films, one from the US Mainstream category and one from the US Independent category, with at least one film produced between 1961 and 1990. The study develops knowledge of genre conventions, iconography, characterisation, narrative, themes, and the significance of genre to producers and audiences, alongside institutional contexts.

Significant Developments in Film

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

The rise of Hollywood

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

The development of sound

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

The introduction of colour film

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

Widescreen technology

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

3D film

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

Portable cameras

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

Steadicam technology

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

The role of computer generated imagery (CGI) in film

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

Silent film

Section C of the Development of US Film component requires learners to gain a high-level knowledge of the most significant developments in the history of film from the Silent Era to the present day.

Content for non-examined assessment: Exploring Film Genre (03/04)

Exploring Film Genre (Component 03/04) is a synoptic, non-examined assessment (NEA) where learners produce a genre-based extract from a film or screenplay and an evaluative analysis of their work in relation to professionally produced work of the same genre.