Film Studies provides students with the exciting opportunity to sample a vast array of films from around the world, from Hollywood classics to British independent films, European cinema and global films from Turkey, Mali, Cameroon and Hong Kong. The course provides learning across a broad range of texts in many genres and styles, including silent film and documentary. Students deepen their understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of cinema by exploring the language of film through its constituent parts such as cinematography, lighting, mise-en-scène, sound, and editing. Film Studies is also a subject that by its nature requires students to consider the ethical, social, and cultural issues expressed in film.
The course encourages students to develop strong skills of critical analysis and personal reflection as well as developing their creativity and practical skills. In particular the course explores the relationship between the film and the spectator by exploring how films create meanings and produce emotional responses. Additionally, the aesthetic qualities of film are emphasised as integral to a study of the interaction between films and spectators. Students discuss issues such as censorship and the portrayal of gender, nationality, ethnicity and class stereotypes.
For coursework students have the option of making their own short films, or writing screenplays accompanied by digital images in the form of a storyboard.
The course content is divided into three units:
Component 1: Varieties of film
Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Component 3: Production
This is the practical coursework component and requires candidates to produce one 4-5 minute film OR a screenplay and digital storyboard (1600 – 1800 words). Both options also require a 1600 – 1800 word evaluative analysis of the product.
Assessment involves both coursework (30%) and two written examinations of two and a half hours each (35% each). Students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of both theory and practical skills. Students are expected to apply a range of critical approaches such as ideological critical studies, auteur critical approaches and filmmakers’ theories (for documentary). Core study areas for all films include an understanding of the key elements of film form (cinematography, lighting, mise-en-scene, editing and sound), issues of representation and film contexts, including institutional production.
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