1. A LEVEL FILM STUDIES
SEPTEMBER 2018

2. OUTCOMES FOR THIS TASTER LESSON ARE:
Give you an insight into what studying A Level film will be like LHS
Use your understanding of the ‘elements of film to analyse two independent films
Compare how the films represent the key theme of growing up/ identity

3. September 2018 You study a total of 12 films set by the exam board.
It’s 70% Exam and 30% Coursework (Non Examination Assessment)
You will have 2 exams at the end of the two years. Each one is 2 ½ hours long.
For the coursework you have a choice of making a short film (between 4 and 5 minutes) or a screenplay accompanied by a digitally photographed storyboard

4. All films are studied in relation to the following:
The Elements of film
Film as a Representational Medium
Film as an Aesthetic Medium
Film Contexts
We will return to this slide a bit later!

5. Hollywood /

6. Recent Hollywood/ US Independent

7. UK Film since 1995- two films

8. European/ World Cinema

9. Silent Film

10. Experimental film

11. Documentary

12. All films are studied in relation to the following:
The Elements of film
Film as a Representational Medium
Film as an Aesthetic Medium
Film Contexts

13. MISE EN SCENE CINEMATOGRAPHY PERFORMANCE SOUND EDITING
Key film terminology
These words are classified as ’the elements of film.’ How many do you know? Discuss with the person next to you.
MISE EN SCENE
CINEMATOGRAPHY
PERFORMANCE SOUND
EDITING

14. Mise -en-scene
Everything in the frame: setting, lighting, props, costume and make up,
Performance (also part of mise-en-scene)
Performance and movement of characters (including body language) To understand characters and relationships between characters
Cinematography
Lighting and colour, camerawork (angles and movements)
Sound
Dialogue, sound effects, musical accompaniment/ background music
Editing
Shots scenes and sequences: how the film is cut/ put together to create meaning

15. Key theme: Growing up/ Identity
We are going to compare two INDEPENDENT films; one US and one UK. We are going to analyse how the ‘elements of film’ construct the idea of growing up/ identity. UK US
Andrea Arnold (2009)
Richard Linklater (2014)

16. Fish Tank is a 2009 British Drama film written and directed by Andrea Arnold.
It centres around main character, 15 year old Mia who lives with her mother and sister. Mia’s hard partying mum neglects her children in search of her own fun. Mia’s mum’s boyfriend Conor becomes attracted to Mia and has an affair with her (sexual)
Key sequences:

17. SEQUENCE ANALYSIS: Fish Tank
How has the director used the elements of film to construct a representation of identity/ growing up?
Mise en scene (and performance)
Location? Costume/ make up?
Lighting? Props?
Cinematography (can you spot any interesting camera angles or movements?)
Sound (what type of music is used?)
Editing (pace of clip? Fast/ slow?)

18. Boyhood is a 2014 American Independent coming of age drama written and directed by Richard Linklater. Filmed over 12 years with the same cast it’s a story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason.
Key sequences:
1:00:00-1:04:50

19. SEQUENCE ANALYSIS: Boyhood
How has the director used the elements of film to construct a representation of identity/ growing up?
Mise en scene (and performance)
Location? Costume/ make up?
Lighting? Props?
Cinematography (can you spot any interesting camera angles or movements?)
Sound (what type of music is used?)
Editing (pace of clip? Fast/ slow?)

20. Sequence 2: Comparing the two films How do the two films construct similar representations of identity/ growing up?
Answering these questions will help you:
What issues do the children have to deal with?
Are these relatable issues? Do they seem realistic?
What are adult role models like? eg mums/ dads/ stepdads
What conversations do these role models have with their children?
5. How do independent film directors approach film making in a different way to directors of Hollywood blockbusters?

21. Any questions??