AS Film Studies FM2 – British and American Film

Outline 2 ½ hour exam worth 60% of your grade Mon 17 th May 3 questions – Producers and Audiences, British Film, US film comparative study Each question worth 40 marks

Timing Today: Recap of films, exam technique, essay planning, homework essay in Tomorrow: Mock exam on British film, timed conditions Next week: Exam and essay feedback, mock on all 3 on Weds 5th and 6 th May – Feedback on mock, Final revision on everything, coursework grades given 8 th May - Year 12 study leave 13 th May - Exam All films are available to watch again in the 6 th form library viewing room. See Mrs Doherty.

Films recap In groups discuss the film you have been given and present back to the class on: A) Plot and narrative – what actually happens? B) Characters – who are the important characters? Why? C) Themes – What do the films suggest about British society and the treatment of “outsiders” in British society?

General Revision Tips Know the films inside and out so that the information you give is accurate! Get key quotes to prove your points Representations within the film – how are the messages within the films portrayed through the characters and narrative? Research background to the film and the director, what does the director say? Why did he /she make the film? Critical reception – what did people say about the films when they came out? Find some reviews!

FM2 Exam Essay writing skills

Exam timing and mark allocation 2 1/2 hours 3 essay questions, each worth 40 marks 50 mins on each

Before the exam…. Re-read your notes. You have been given notetaking sheets, go over them. From these notes make revision note cards or write key concepts, ideas, quotes on post it notes (if that helps you). Use the notes in the handbook to remind you of the films but make sure you watch them again before the day! Plan and do practice questions. Time yourself. You may have revised well but if you don’t know how to structure an essay it won’t matter! Using the internet research as much background information to the films as you can. Start with IMDB.com

Question Choice This could be crucial to how well you do in this exam. You have a choice of 2 questions, you answer only 1 of them. The first question will focus on narrative and thematic issues, the second will be more broadly based around representation.

Planning Start off the essay with a plan This can be as simple as a list of bullet points that indicate the areas you wish to cover Also note any references or examples you want to use But don’t spend longer than 5 minutes, time is of the essence in this exam!!

Introduction & Conclusion Each essay needs a clear introduction and conclusion Your intro needs to address the question specifically and describe the approach to the question you are offering Your conclusion should offer a summation of your argument and NOT introduce new points

Introduction How do the films that you have studied represent the hardships that those from different ethnicities might face in British society? Task: write an intro to these questions….

What lies between… What lies in between the intro and conclusion should be systematic and develop your ideas. Each paragraph should feed into the next- the examiner does not want to read rambling and disjointed writing Avoid repeating yourself and ensure that whatever you do write is fully backed up by references to textual detail.

How to structure paragraphs Try to make sure that each of your paragraphs follows the structure below: 1.Open with a topic statement – a sentence that identifies the point you are trying to make 2.Follow with a clear textual example 3.Elaborate on your original topic sentence 4.To close the paragraph try to refer to the viewer/audience’s response to the issue you have raised

PEE on your page! P oint E vidence E xplain

Organisation is key How you organise your essay is up to you, but here are some tips: You might consider structuring your paragraphs by ‘area’ (representations, themes, etc) rather than by film. Remember to compare and contrast the films Refer to film title, director, and year when first mentioning. When discussing an issue allow your paragraphs to explore the key areas of the debate. One key area/point/ idea per paragraph. Avoid too many personalised statements ‘I think…’ Continue referring back to the title of your essay and connect your content and movement of argument to the original task.