Media and Film Studies – AS & A Level

OCR / WJEC

Description of the Media Specification/Type and Nature of Work Involved

For this strand of the ‘Double’ course students will study a wide range of media texts and institutions. They will explore the conventions of genre and issues of representation. They will consider, audience targeting and response.  They will look at 21st Century media technologies and the transition from traditional media forms to new media. Instruction takes the form of lecture and classroom-based investigation with some individual and group tutorials. Practical work includes film-making, video journalism, digital manipulation of photography, sound design and website construction. There is an expectation that students will complete a minimum of five hours of independent study each week.

Method of Assessment

Students are assessed through 4 separate units as follows:

AS Unit 1 - Foundation Portfolio in Media

Practical Production Coursework / 25% of total A level mark

AS Unit 2 - Key Media Concepts

Examination / 25% of total A level mark

A2 Unit 3 - Advanced Portfolio in Media

Practical Production Coursework / 25% of total A level mark

A2 Unit 4 - Critical Perspectives in Media

Examination / 25% of total A level mark

Description of the Film Specification / Type and Nature of Work Involved

This specification dovetails with the OCR Media programme of study in terms of the underpinning concepts of genre, narrative and audience reception as well as supporting student work on institution, ownership and issues of production and consumption in the digital age. Students will engage with a wide range of film texts, developing skills of observation, critical analysis and personal reflection.  As in the OCR Media qualification, the initial focus in Film Studies is on cinematic codes and conventions.  Work on representation and the creation of meaning in Film Studies is intended to support and consolidate understanding and learning on moving image texts in Media Studies. With its emphasis on textual study and analysis, as well as on institutional and cultural contexts, this subject complements and contextualises the more practical aspects of the ‘Double’ course. Instruction takes the form of lecture and classroom-based investigation with some individual and group tutorials. Student work may take the form of essays, individual research projects, screenplays, photo-storyboards and presentations. Students will have access to the extensive school and departmental film libraries. There is an expectation that students will complete a minimum of five hours of independent study each week for this element of the ‘Double’ course

Method of Assessment

AS Unit 1 - Exploring Film Form      

Coursework / 20% of total A level mark

AS Unit 2 - British and American Film

2½ hour examination / 30% of total A level mark                

A2 Unit 3 - Film Research and Creative project

Coursework / 25% of total A level mark       

A2 Unit 4 - Varieties of film experience

2½ hour exam / 25% of total A level mark 

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Sixth Form Subjects