A2 Film Courserwork (FM3)

FM3: FILM RESEARCH AND CREATIVE PROJECTS

Focus of the unit

This unit contributes to synoptic assessment and focuses on two projects related to the production of meaning: one is research-based and the other is creative.

Understanding will be fostered through:

·         completing a small-scale research project designed to develop research skills within the framework of one or more critical approaches used in film studies

·         developing creative skills and a deepened understanding of the medium chosen for the creative project.

Content

(a)  Small-Scale Research Project Candidates will be required to carry out a small-scale research project. The project is designed to develop research skills. It will be based on one focus film, making appropriate reference to at least two other related films. Candidates will establish an area of investigation that relates the chosen focus film to one of the following frameworks:

·         star/performer

·         genre

·         auteur (in its broadest sense)

·         social, political and cultural studies

·         gender issues

·         ethnicity

·         institution

·         technology

Candidates may not choose as a focus film any film they have specialised in elsewhere in the specification.

The research project is completed in two parts:

·         an annotated catalogue (approximately 10-15 items) and

·         a presentation script (approximately 1500 words)

(b)  Creative Project

The creative project should demonstrate candidates' active engagement with issues raised during their studies at AS and/or A2. It comprises three elements:

·         aims and context

·         a creative product (short film or film extract, screenplay or extended step outline for a documentary film) and

·         a reflective analysis

Assessment

The film research and creative projects contribute towards synoptic assessment and assess AO2, AO3 and AO4. Candidates should submit:

(a) a small-scale research project comprising:

           

   i.        an annotated catalogue of key items of the candidate's research - approximately 1000 words in total (15 marks)

The catalogue will contain approximately 10 to 15 items selected from the candidate's total primary and secondary research. Each catalogue item should be appropriately referenced and be accompanied by a brief note (approximately 70 words), which explains how the particular item is relevant to the area of investigation and what it contributes to the overall research.

The catalogue must conclude with a short paragraph which lists significant items (e.g. between 3 and 5) not selected for inclusion in the catalogue, offering brief reasons why (up to 200 words).

            ii.        a presentation script - approximately 1500 words (25 marks)

The presentation script must take the form of notes for a presentation and could combine (for example) subheadings, bullet points, short pieces of connected prose and reference to visual extracts to illustrate the presentation. Candidates are encouraged to devise a presentation format appropriate to their needs and may, for example, employ digital forms such as powerpoint.

Reference to key items of research from the catalogue must be made explicitly in the presentation. Short credited quotations may be used but care must be taken that the words of the presentation are the candidate's own. Credited quotations are excluded from the word count.

(b) a creative project comprising:

(i) aims and context

A clarification of the aims and context of the product 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) creative product (45 marks)

The creative product may be one of the following:

·         a screenplay (approximately 1800 words) for a section of a feature-length film or a complete screenplay (approximately 1800 words) for a short film. The standard conventions of screenplay writing should be observed.

·         an extended step outline for a documentary (approximately 1800 words) for a 30 minute documentary arising from the area investigated for the small-scale research project. The documentary could be envisaged for broadcast on an appropriate television channel or as an additional feature for a DVD.

(iii) reflective analysis - approximately 1000 words or equivalent (15 marks, including aims and context)

The reflective analysis should select key features of the creative product and reflect critically on both the creative process and the product.

The analysis will be presented as a continuous piece of writing, with or without illustrative material