Subject leaders

Film Studies: Mrs E Evans

Media:  Mr S Johnson

Film Studies - A Level

Film is one of the main cultural innovations of the 20th century and a major art form of the last hundred years. Those who study it characteristically bring with them a high degree of enthusiasm and excitement for what is a powerful and culturally significant medium, inspiring a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective. Film Studies consequently makes an important contribution to the curriculum, offering the opportunity to investigate how film works both as a medium of representation and as an aesthetic medium.

This course offers opportunities to study mainstream American films from the past and the present as well as a range of recent and contemporary British films, American independent films and global films, both non-English language and English language. The historical range of film represented in those films is extended by the study of silent film and significant film movements so that students can gain a sense of the development of film from its early years to its still emerging digital future. Studies in documentary, experimental and short films add to the breadth of the learning experience. Production work is a crucial part of the course and is integral to learners' study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts is designed to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own filmmaking and screenwriting.

Media - CTech

This qualification allows creativity and flair to be harnessed in the design and production of media products used within the industry.

Students will develop conceptual ideas, and visualise these all the way through the production cycle; from planning and pre-production right through to editing, postproduction and presentation of products. They’ll also learn how to analyse target audience requirements, research market demand and bring a media concept alive working in line with legal and regulatory requirements. Students will also gain an understanding of how different businesses and organisations in the media sector work. When it comes to progression or employment, students will learn about the variety of opportunities available to them, and the roles and responsibilities of media businesses and organisations within the sector.