Film Studies - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• The course provides an excellent introduction to the field of Film Studies.• Entry requirements: six or more grade 5’s at GCSE, including the equivalent to a grade 5 or above in English Language. A GCSE in Film Studies is not required to take the course at A Level.• Many of our students continue their study of film at degree level. A high number also progress into careers related to the film industry, including: film production, film journalism and marketing/distribution.• Film Studies compliments the study of a number of other subjects, including: Art & Design, Business Studies, English Literature, Media Studies and Sociology.• Students may have the opportunity to attend a range of trips, including those to the British Film Institute in London, Warner Bros Studio in London, and Los Angeles.

Course SummaryFilm is possibly the most powerful and ubiquitous media form that has ever existed. However, despite what some people think, film is not merely a populist form of entertainment. While many works may be placed in this category, other films often come closer to status of art. It should also be remembered that the film industry is just that, an industry: a business with the primary goal of making money. While Hollywood is, in many ways, at the forefront of this, most national cinemas have their own equivalent. Regardless of whether you prefer high-budget, low-brow Hollywood blockbusters or Scandinavian art cinema, any film can, and should, be studied. Film Studies is an academic discipline that examines the form, content, historical, cultural and economic aspects of cinema. Taking Film Studies will help you to explore cinema as an audio-visual form of creative expression and to understand the important relationships between the production, distribution and consumption of films.

Specific entry requirementsEnglish Language at grade 5 or above at GCSE. A GCSE in Film Studies is NOT required to take the course.

Progression skills and opportunitiesIn addition to gaining a detailed knowledge of cinema, students are expected to leave the course with enhanced skills in a range of key areas, including: creative thinking, problem-solving, effective

Art, Craft and Design - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• For students planning a career in Art and Design, the A Level course will have the necessary breadth of work for entry onto a Degree or Foundation degree in Art and Design.• Some students study a one year full-time Art and Design Foundation course before progressing to degree level. A few students go directly into work related areas. Typical career options include fine art, illustration, textile design, interiors, fashion design, fashion promotion and three-dimensional design, including jewellery, costume and theatre.• Combines well with many other subjects at A level including other Art, Design or Media A levels.

Course SummaryArt, Craft & Design is a multi-disciplinary course which involves working with a wide variety of techniques and processes. In the first year, the course expands and develops students’ practical skills, knowledge and understanding of materials. Students will learn a wide variety of drawing, printmaking, craft and textile techniques and will create exciting contemporary artwork in two and three dimensions. This is deal if you want to explore processes and techniques from across the department.

During the second year the course seeks to build on the knowledge gained during the first year and develop the ability to work independently through sustained investigations, development of ideas and in depth analysis. Students will work on a variety of briefs but they will be more personally directed and in depth. The conclusion of the 2 year A level course will be for students to present two components of work in the form of a portfolio with an externally set assignment.

Specific entry requirementsIt is recommended that you have a grade 5 or above in an Art or relevant Technology subject. If this is not applicable, you should bring a small portfolio of work to your enrolment interview.

Being open to experimentation and to trying new things, as well as having a creative outlook and a willingness to work hard, is highly valued.

Art, Craft and Design - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• The course provides an excellent introduction to the field of Film Studies.• Entry requirements: six or more grade 5’s at GCSE, including the equivalent to a grade 5 or above in English Language. A GCSE in Film Studies is not required to take the course at A Level.• Many of our students continue their study of film at degree level. A high number also progress into careers related to the film industry, including: film production, film journalism and marketing/distribution.• Film Studies compliments the study of a number of other subjects, including: Art & Design, Business Studies, English Literature, Media Studies and Sociology.• Students may have the opportunity to attend a range of trips, including those to the British Film Institute in London, Warner Bros Studio in London, and Los Angeles.

Course SummaryFilm is possibly the most powerful and ubiquitous media form that has ever existed. However, despite what some people think, film is not merely a populist form of entertainment. While many works may be placed in this category, other films often come closer to status of art. It should also be remembered that the film industry is just that, an industry: a business with the primary goal of making money. While Hollywood is, in many ways, at the forefront of this, most national cinemas have their own equivalent. Regardless of whether you prefer high-budget, low-brow Hollywood blockbusters or Scandinavian art cinema, any film can, and should, be studied. Film Studies is an academic discipline that examines the form, content, historical, cultural and economic aspects of cinema. Taking Film Studies will help you to explore cinema as an audio-visual form of creative expression and to understand the important relationships between the production, distribution and consumption of films.

Specific entry requirementsEnglish Language at grade 5 or above at GCSE. A GCSE in Film Studies is NOT required to take the course.

Progression skills and opportunitiesIn addition to gaining a detailed knowledge of cinema, students are expected to leave the course with enhanced skills in a range of key areas, including: creative thinking, problem-solving, effective

communication and self-management. While the course is largely theoretical, and not designed as a gateway into the film industry, many of our ex-students are now working in a range of film-related roles, including: film production, films journalism and marketing/distribution. Many of our ex-students have continued their study of cinema at university, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Universities attended by our ex-students include: Bournemouth University; King’s College, University of London; University of Southampton; Southampton Solent University; and University of Warwick.

How is the course assessed?Assessment focuses on a number of key assessment objectives. These assess a student’s ability to:• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a diverse range of film, including documentary, film from the Silent Era, experimental film and short film. • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical and technological contexts).• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how films generate meanings and responses.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film as an aesthetic medium.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different ways in which spectators respond to film.• Apply critical approaches to film.• Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting.

Students’ on-going progress will be monitored via a range of formative assessments including: written essays, presentations and verbal responses to directed questioning.

Students’ final grades will be determined via their performance across the following three written exams (worth 35% each) and a coursework portfolio (worth 30%).

What topics will I be studying?The first year will serve as an introductory course in the study of Film, designed to deepen students' understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of cinema. At the root of this is the recognition that films are constructed – using a range of elements, such as cinematography, mise-en-scène, sound and editing – and follow grammatical patterns that we learn to read. Close consideration of how filmmakers choose to employ these elements is an integral part of the formal study of film. Equally important is how we respond to the works filmmakers create, both as spectators and as learners studying relevant contexts, applying critical approaches and engaging in critical debate.

During the course, students will study of a more diverse range of films, from a range of national and historical contexts. During the second year, students will also be introduced to a more sophisticated range of analytical and critical approaches to help them in their understanding of how films construct meaning and provoke a diverse range of emotional responses.

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment?An A Level in Film Studies does not require any specialist materials or equipment. However, students are required to attend every lesson with the basic tools to they need to study at this level; this includes carrying A4 paper and a selection of pens.

Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, Royal School of Needlework, UCA (Farnham,Epsom), UAL (Kingston, Camberwell), Manchester Metropolitan, Bournemouth, Falmouth,Brighton, Winchester and UWE (Bristol).

How is the course assessed?The course is divided into 18 Units which are all equally weighted. 9 units are completed in year 1 for the Subsidiary Diploma and 9 units in year 2 to complete the Extended Diploma which is equivalent to 3 A levels. Each unit is marked at Pass, Merit or Distinction.

What topics will I be studying?• Painting and Drawing• Printmaking• Textiles• Digital and film photography• Illustration• Typography• 3D Design• Contemporary Fine Art• Digital Art• Branding

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment?The studio fee of £125 per year covers most of the materials that students will require. Students may wish to purchase additional craft materials to develop additional skills within their area of interest. There will be the opportunity to take part in a residential trip.

communication and self-management. While the course is largely theoretical, and not designed as a gateway into the film industry, many of our ex-students are now working in a range of film-related roles, including: film production, films journalism and marketing/distribution. Many of our ex-students have continued their study of cinema at university, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Universities attended by our ex-students include: Bournemouth University; King’s College, University of London; University of Southampton; Southampton Solent University; and University of Warwick.

How is the course assessed?Assessment focuses on a number of key assessment objectives. These assess a student’s ability to:• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a diverse range of film, including documentary, film from the Silent Era, experimental film and short film. • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical and technological contexts).• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how films generate meanings and responses.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film as an aesthetic medium.• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different ways in which spectators respond to film.• Apply critical approaches to film.• Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting.

Students’ on-going progress will be monitored via a range of formative assessments including: written essays, presentations and verbal responses to directed questioning.

Students’ final grades will be determined via their performance across the following three written exams (worth 35% each) and a coursework portfolio (worth 30%).

What topics will I be studying?The first year will serve as an introductory course in the study of Film, designed to deepen students' understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of cinema. At the root of this is the recognition that films are constructed – using a range of elements, such as cinematography, mise-en-scène, sound and editing – and follow grammatical patterns that we learn to read. Close consideration of how filmmakers choose to employ these elements is an integral part of the formal study of film. Equally important is how we respond to the works filmmakers create, both as spectators and as learners studying relevant contexts, applying critical approaches and engaging in critical debate.

During the course, students will study of a more diverse range of films, from a range of national and historical contexts. During the second year, students will also be introduced to a more sophisticated range of analytical and critical approaches to help them in their understanding of how films construct meaning and provoke a diverse range of emotional responses.

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment?An A Level in Film Studies does not require any specialist materials or equipment. However, students are required to attend every lesson with the basic tools to they need to study at this level; this includes carrying A4 paper and a selection of pens.

Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke, Hants, RG21 3HF Tel: 01256 417500 Email: info@qmc.ac.uk www.qmc.ac.uk