Film and Media

CURRICULUM INTENT

We aim to provide a rich cinematic journey that provides Film Studies students at both GCSE and A’Level with fulfilling experiences of a wide variety of film texts throughout the world and throughout the ages. A healthy mix between mainstream blockbuster and small independent film; the film movements of early silent cinema, global cinema and documentary. Each unit allows students to engage with the texts and the film theories chosen as specialist areas of focus such as Spectatorship, Genre and Auteur. There is also a practical element to the courses where students are encouraged to put into practice some of the theoretical understanding they have learned, with the production of screenplay and/or filmed sequences. We also attend the annual Futures Festival at Pinewood Studios which gives our students the opportunity to explore future career paths by speaking with working film and media practitioners.

Students studying the Level 3 Cambridge Technical qualification in Digital Media enjoy a practical-heavy course where they are encouraged to stretch their creative skills in response to a number of different briefs as diverse as music videos, TV dramas, opening sequences, scripts and advertising. These practical skills then inform the two exam units giving students the confidence to pursue a career in the media industry. Each year of the two-year course comprises of 1 exam unit and 2 practical non-examined units.

All three courses are delivered with enthusiasm and skill and carry high expectations from those choosing to study. Many of our students have gone on to study Media and Film Production at University and are now working in the Film/TV industry as media professionals ranging from podcast producers, camera operators and production co-ordinators.

CURRICULUM RATIONALE

Our Film & Media curriculum promotes the personal development of students in the fullest sense by supporting the growth of the personal, social and emotional attributes that allow them to flourish academically and become engaged citizens of an ever changing future.  In an increasingly media-saturated world our aim is for students to be active audience members across all media with the ability to question what they consume, understand what it is they are presented with and never be passive.

STAFF CONTACTS

Curriculum Team Leader for Film and Media – Mr Graeme Scarfe