St. Mary's

Film Studies Curriculum Map

Year 1 Curriculum Map

Introduction to Film form and styles

Key elements of film form
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise-en-scène
• Aesthetics
• Performance
• Use of subject-specific terminology

Comp 2: Sec B Film 1: European film.

Comp 1: Section C. Film 2: British film 1

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of film form (AO1)

Social, historical, and political contexts

Representation

Narrative structures

Introduction to spectatorship
Film form and micro-elements
Representation of social groups
Narrative theories
Ideology
Contextual analysis (British social and political context)

Comp 1 Section C British Film 2

Comp 1: Sec A. Film 4: Classical Hollywood (1930 – 1960)

Comparative understanding of British cinema and narrative development and structure

Ideological readings and critical approaches

Classical Hollywood narrative conventions

Auteur theory
Film form and genre conventions
Social and historical contexts of Hollywood

Comp 1: Sec A. Film 5: New Hollywood (1961-1990)

Comp 1: Sec B. Film 6: Contemporary American independent film

Changing narrative structures Auteur theory(development) Ideology and representation

Comparison with Classical Hollywood
Film form and micro analysis
Independent Production contexts
Spectatorship and audience positioning.

Coursework

Learners are required to create an individual production consisting of: EITHER (i) a short film of between 4 and 5 minutes OR (ii) a screenplay for a short film of between 1600 and 1800 words

Evaluative analysis Learners must complete an evaluative analysis of their production of between 1600 and 1800 words and make reference to all short films selected for study from the compilation set by WJEC (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes).

AO3 Apply knowledge and understanding of elements of film to the production of a film or screenplay.

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of film

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of elements of film to: • analyse and compare films, including through the use of critical approaches • evaluate the significance of critical approaches • analyse and evaluate own work in relation to other professionally produced work

AO3: Practical application of film form through production work

Year 2 Curriculum Map

Global Film

• Study of a non-English language film
• Cultural, social, and political contexts
• Representation of national identity
• Film form and aesthetics beyond Hollywood

Contemporary US Film

• Study of a recent US film
• Narrative structures and genre conventions
• Representation of social groups
• Film language and ideology

Film Movements – Silent Cinema
• Silent film as a historical movement
• Development of film form and visual storytelling
• Performance styles and editing techniques
• Influence on modern cinema

Film Movements – Experimental Film

Non-linear and non-traditional narratives

• Innovation in film form and structure
• Auteur influence
• Challenging audience expectations

Documentary Film

Documentary conventions and styles

• Representation of reality and truth
• Ethical considerations
• Filmmaker intent and audience response

Exam preparation and Revision

• Component 1 revision (Sections A, B & C)
• Component 2 revision (Sections A–D)
• Exam technique and timed responses

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of film

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of elements of film to: • analyse and compare films, including through the use of critical approaches • evaluate the significance of critical approaches • analyse and evaluate own work in relation to other professionally produced work