Guidance notes on FM1: Written Essay

2. AS Internally assessed work – The Written Analysis
(2.1) What do you mean by a ‘motivated’ analysis?

Students ask questions of a film extract (including work they have made
themselves) because they want to know the answers.:
- How does this sequence create suspense?
- How does the sequence move me emotionally?
- Why do I identify strongly with a particular character?
- Why do I find the message(s) contained in the extract so powerful?

In being encouraged to look for technical answers in the micro features of film
form and their deployment by the film’s creators, students are also being
asked to think about their role as spectators.

At the centre of the analysis is the interface between the formal systems at
work within the film (which may be intended to produce ‘preferred readings’
and responses) and the student as spectator. The latter is an active quirky
individual bringing his or her own expectations, desires and values to the film
experience.

Battleship Potemkin/The Untouchables - De Palma's homage to Sergei Eisestein

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CREATIVE PROJECT

AS FILM STUDIES COURSEWORK

(a) An analysis of a film extract - 1500 words (30 marks)

Candidates are required to explore how one or more of mise-en-scène, performance, cinematography, editing, and sound construct meaning and provoke response in a film extract.

• Candidates are encouraged to support their work with illustrative

visual material.

• Recommended length of extract: approximately 3-5 minutes

(Depending on the complexity of the extract).

(b) Creative Project: aims & context, film sequence or short film and reflective analysis (40 marks + 10 marks = 50)

Candidates are required to create a film sequence that demonstrates how the micro features of film construct meaning. This comprises three elements:

Take 10 to 25 photographs for your own film narrative within a visual storyboard

Pick a film theme from the following which will act as a focus for your visual narrative:

Film Noir: 50’s stylised detective film. Emphasis on shadows, criminality, femme fatales, double crossing, murder, mystery

Romance: A love interest narrative between man and women done in a romantic comedy style

Heritage film: A British period drama displaying motifs from a bygone era, old churches, costumes, props etc

Horror film: A horror sequence using the codes and conventions of traditional horror, inspirations could be Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, and Zombies etc

Once you have storyboarded and planned your idea you can photograph your sequence and assemble it onto your blog ready for your presentation and assessment of your creative project

(i) Aims and context

A clarification of the aims and context of the sequence or short film to be completed on the appropriate cover sheet.

Please note: the 'Aims and Context' must be completed on the

appropriate cover sheet, otherwise the Creative Project and

accompanying Reflective Analysis cannot be adequately assessed.

(ii) Film Sequence

The film sequence may either be an extract from longer film or a

complete short film, with the emphasis on visual communication rather

than on dialogue. It may take one of the following forms:

• A photographed (digital or photo-chemical) storyboard of

between 10 and 25 different shots (some of which may be

repeated) plus up to 5 found shots (shots which would be difficult

to photograph or where locations need to be established). The 5

found shots must be acknowledged.

Group work is permitted for the filmmaking option (maximum 3).

Groups of candidates should take primary responsibility for – without precluding collaboration - one or more micro features of the sequence (such as camerawork, editing or sound). Each candidate must identify their role and the micro aspect they are responsible for on the appropriate coversheet.

(iii) Reflective analysis approximately 750 words or equivalent

(10 marks)

The reflective analysis should select key micro features of the

sequence and demonstrate how they make meaning(s) and aim to

provoke response(s) in audiences.

Candidates working in a group

should focus on the construction and impact of their chosen micro

aspect.

The analysis can be presented:

• As a continuous piece of writing, with or without illustrative

material

• In a digital form such as a suitably edited blog or another web based format or

• As a focused DVD commentary.

See Notes for Guidance for guidance on all issues relating to this

Create a blog and discuss how your visual narrative has created meanings for your audience in terms of their spectatorship. You could create a focus group and audience research on what people think is the meanings are behind your creative ideas.