GCSE Film Studies

Outline of the course Coursework Industry Research (10 marks) 400-500 words Micro Analysis (20 marks) 700-750 words Pitch a film (10 marks) Pre-production (20 marks) Production (30 marks) Evaluation (10 marks) Exam Exploring film (30%) Exploring film outside Hollywood (20%)

FILM STUDIES Industry Research (10 marks) 450-500 words TASKS: Choose a film that you like and want to study (it can’t be superheroes) Research into how the film was made produced, distributed and exhibited

Key terms Produced – who made it and how? Distributed – who sold it and how? Exhibited – why have audiences chosen to see it? Who saw it? Why? Where?

industry research Make sure you have included the following; Production company(s) Budget figures Nationality Main producer(s) Director, cinematographer, editor, sound Screen writer (s) Main cast members Any other important information

Production research questions Find out where the idea for your film came from and who wrote the screenplay Who directed the film? Have they directed any other well-known films? Who starred in the film? What was the budget for the film? Where was the film made? Where did the funding come from? Did funding come from more than one country? Did you find out any other interesting facts about the production of your film?

Distribution research questions Find out who distributed your film Was the film tested? (hint – DVD extras) Did this have any impact on it? What was its release pattern? Globally and nationally/limited or general? Were there lots of prints or did it show on just a few screens? How was the film promoted? Find as many examples of how they tried to draw attention to it. Analyse a trailer for your film. What kind of impression did it create? Was it a true representation of the film? Did the distributor do anything different or unusual to promote the film? What about the release in other media? (DVD, satellite, TV etc)

Exhibition research questions Where (what types) of cinema was your film shown in? Why? What type of cinema is it (MM/I/AH) Was it released in the cinema for a long time? What was the value of the tickets sold? (what box office?) What was the cinema classification (certificate)? Who/what type of audience do you think saw the film?

Mark scheme Level 0-1 Extremely limited, little or no knowledge and understanding demonstrated about film industry. Written communication uneven and extremely limited and inaccurate. Level 2 Basic knowledge and understanding of film industry. Written communication more generally accurate although still limited. Level 3 Reasonable knowledge and understanding of film industry and how it engages audiences. Written communication good. More confident use of specialist terminology. Level 4-5 Excellent knowledge and understanding of film industry and how it engages audiences. Written communication excellent. Confident and well-integrated use of specialist terminology.

The ways in which a film communicates to its audience Micro analysis 650-700 words Analyse the way in which the film language creates meanings. Micro Elements Mise en scene Cinematography Sound Editing The ways in which a film communicates to its audience TASK: Analysis a short sequence from the film (5mins max) using the two of micro elements to help you

Point Evidence Explain Point – lighting is important to the film Evidence – Dark lighting with shadows is used in the film Explain – Tells the audience that something might happen How can this be improved?

Mark scheme 650-700 words A02 A01 Level 1 (0-5 marks) Extremely limited or no ability to explore the chosen film Extremely limited understanding of how films communicate meanings Level 2 (6-11 marks) Basic ability to explore the micro features of the film Basic understanding of how films communicate meanings Level 3 (12-15 marks) Reasonable/good ability to explore the micro features of the film. Key concepts are used appropriately/confidently Reasonable/good understanding of how films communicate meanings to audiences Level 4 (16-20 marks) Excellent ability to explore the micro features of the film. Key concepts are used confidently and are well integrated Excellent understanding of how films communicate meanings to audiences

Pre-production TASK: Choose one of the following pre-production options to be based on the film you outlined in your pitch. Script a short opening scene for the film (approx 500 words) Create a storyboard of approximately 20 frames for a key sequence from the film Design and produce a front page and contents page for a new film magazine, featuring your new film

Pre-production Storyboard STORYBOARD Allows you to visually plan your idea Illustration of scenes coming together You needs to include a variety of shots

Pre-production Film Magazine What’s the purpose of magazine front covers? Grab your attention Make the genre clear Appeal to the target audience Introduce the features inside

Teach-ict.net > video tutorials > Photoshop Teaser posters TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images) Make sure you have included the following; Title Certification – 12A, PG, 15, 18 only Image(s) that represents the genre Appropriate colour scheme for genre Cast names Release date – coming soon Teach-ict.net > video tutorials > Photoshop

Teaser posters

Teaser posters

Teaser posters

character posters Make sure you have included the following; Title TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images) Make sure you have included the following; Title Certification – 12A, PG, 15, 18 only Billing block Image(s) that represents the genre Appropriate colour scheme for genre Cast names Release date

Billing Block Use TOP BILLING as your font Include the following: Production Company Music By Costume Designer Visual Effects Editors Production Design Director of Photography Executive Producer Written By Produced By Directed By Use TOP BILLING as your font

Character posters TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images)

Character posters TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images)

Character posters TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images)

Main posters TASK: Produce a poster campaign for a new film (4 posters, using original images) Make sure you have included the following; Title Tagline Certification – 12A, PG, 15, 18 only Billing block Production logo Image(s) that represents the genre Appropriate colour scheme for genre Cast names Release date One review (if suitable)

Reflective Evaluation TASK: Write a reflective evaluation (700-750) words for preproduction and production combined) highlighting what you have learnt about film language, film organisations and audiences.