PearsonHigher Nationals inCreative Media ProductionASSESSMENT BRIEFUnit - 8 Film Studies

Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production

Student Name/ID NumberUnit Number and Title

Unit 8: Film Studies

Academic Year 2018 -19Unit Tutor Faustina StarrettAssignment Title ‘Where's the Money Going?’

Issue Date 10/09/2018Submission Date 10/12/2018IV Name & Date Patrick Mullan - 05/09/2018

Submission Format

An illustrated report of no more than 2000 words. This should be presented as a PDF file, in a standard format (e.g. A4).A textual analysis of a selected film, containing illustrative examples and fully referenced.All of the above should be made available to the client via the digital platformhttp://faustinastarrett.weebly.com/students.html

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Assess the growth of the film industry and audiencesLO2 Discuss the history and development of narrative film, through the use of examples and precedentsLO3 Evaluate theoretical frameworks within film studiesLO4 Analyse a selected film, highlighting the way that theoretical frameworks are developed within the work

Unit code M/616/1716Unit Level 4Credit value 15

IntroductionFilm studies is a thought-provoking and academically-engaging topic that reflects on the history and developments of the industry, and introduces a variety of critical approaches to investigate this broad subject. Film is one of most influential and leading forms of media and, as such, occupies a significant place in our culture. Due to film’s aesthetic, social and political importance, the medium requires serious and rigorous study.This unit explores the foundation and growth of the film industry, including technical, cultural and social changes. It will explore film spectatorship, examining the changing contexts of exhibition and conditions of reception. The unit will also consider how narrative has been shaped as the industry has grown, highlighting forms of character and story development, as well as traditional and non-traditional structures. In addition, the unit will reflect on the key concepts, questions and methodologies within film studies. Upon successful completion of this unit, students will have gained an awareness of the industry, its audience and the development of narrative film. Students will have achieved an understanding of theoretical models of film investigation, and will be able to employ an academic approach to film examination. This unit is designed todevelop students’ knowledge of film history, as well as abilities in critical analysis techniques and research methods.

Essential contentLO1 Assess the growth of the film industry and audiences

History of the industry:Pioneers, rebels, visionariesClassical Hollywood

The Star SystemThe Studio SystemThe fall of the Studio SystemBirth of televisionOnline film streaming.

Post-classical Hollywood

Post-war Cinema

Contemporary Cinema

Technological Changes:The birth of colourThe advent of talking picturesHigh Definition Film3DDigital video.

National and Transnational Cinema

LO2 Discuss the history and development of narrative film, using examplesand precedents

Foundations of narrative film:Stories and plotsParallel plots.Narrative characters:TypesMotivationCoherenceDevelopment.

LO3 Evaluate theoretical frameworks within film studies

Film language

Western film theories (e.g. Auteur Theory, Genre Theory)

Semiotics

Representation:

GenderSexualityEthnicityReligion.

Feminist Film TheoryPostmodernism

LO4 Analyse a selected film and the way that theoretical frameworks areutilised within the work.

Research methods:EmpiricalQuantitativeQualitative.

Sources of research:BooksJournalsReviews

Film librariesScriptsPodcasts.

Application of theoretical models of film analysisTextual and contextual analysisCharacter analysisNarrative analysisAudience.

Assessment Brief and Guidance

You work as a writer for a small company that produces educational materials and textbooks. The company has been commissioned to write a book on Film Studies and you have been asked to submit materials for consideration in the form of a report and a textual analysis. You need to show that you understand the film industry and its relationship with its audience, as well as past and present developments within the sector.You will need to include in your report reference to:Task 1. LO1 Assess the growth of the film industry and audiencesExamine the growth of film, focusing on major industry developments by

creating an illustrated film timeline of significant historical and technological developmentsEvidenced in an e-presentation P1(Task 2)Explore the changing audience for film and its influence from your illustrated timeline (Task 1) in a written report informed by primary and seconding research P2

Task 3LO2 Discuss the history and development of narrative film, through the use of examples and precedentsIdentify forms of narrative structure and key developments in narrative film using a comparative analysis of genre examples (use at least two genres) and their precedentsEvidenced in an e-presentation P3

Task 4LO3 Evaluate theoretical frameworks within film studiesExamine critical approaches to film study though at least two theoretical frameworks, using film terminology in an illustrated report of no more than 1,500 words. This should be presented as a PDF file, in a standard format (e.g. A4). P5, P6

Task 5LO4 Analyse a selected film, highlighting the way that theoretical frameworks are developed within the work

Present a textual analysis of a selected film, using appropriate theoretical frameworks and film genres to illustrate in a fully referenced e- Presentation format of your choosing. P7 P8The commission also includes sections on critical film studies and narrative theories: the client is aware that these are varied and diverse and so would like them clearly evaluated and presented to the audience. You should include a textual analysis of a film of your choice that makes reference to appropriate film theories and theorists.All of the above should be made available to the client via a digital platform. Through this, the client should be able to read reports and provide comments and feedback.All of the above should be made available to the client via the digital platformhttp://faustinastarrett.weebly.com/students.html

Instructions and Guidance to Candidates:

The chosen film for analysis must be agreed with your tutor to ensure it allows for appropriate depth and breadth of analysis.

While you will not be penalised for exceeding the word count, you have been asked by the client to write for a publication and therefore should be mindful of their needs.

You should conduct appropriate research for information to include within your report, you must ensure all information is clearly and appropriately referenced. Sourced information could include:

o Charts and graphso Numerical datao Imageso Imbedded links to footage.

Note: All information sources and resources, including websites used to complete this assignment must be stated and correctly referenced. No credit will be given for wholesale copying from information sources and checks for plagiarism may be made on your submitted report.

Assessment Brief and Guidance

Learning Outcomes and Assessment CriteriaPass Merit DistinctionLO1 Assess the growth of the film industry and audiences LO1 LO2

D1 Critically evaluate changes in the film industry and their impact on narrative and storytelling

P1 Examine the growth of film, focusing on major industry developmentsP2 Explore the changing audience for film

M1 Analyse the relationship between the growth of the film industry and changes in audiences

LO2 Discuss the history and development of narrative film, using examples and precedentsP3 Identify forms of narrative structureP4 Explore the key developments in narrative film

M2 Compare forms of film narrative, highlighting key features and differences

LO3 Evaluate theoretical frameworks within film studies LO3 LO4

D2 Critically analyse the way in which different theoretical frameworks may lead to different interpretations of meaning in film

P5 Examine critical approaches to film studyP6 Evaluate theoretical frameworks, using film terminology

M3 Analyse the way that theoretical frameworks inform the way that we understand and discuss film

LO4 Analyse a selected film and the way that theoretical frameworks are utilised within the workP7 Analyse the theoretical frameworks appropriate to a selected filmP8 Evaluate a selected film, based on research and analysis of film genres and theoretical frameworks

M4 Apply a structured approach to film analysis using research techniques and subject vocabulary

Recommended resources Textbooks BENSHOFF, H.M. & GRIFFIN, S. (2004) America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. BORDWELL, D. & THOMPSON, K. (2010) Film Art: An Introduction. 10th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. COOK, D.A. (2016) A History of Narrative Film. 5th Ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. COOK, P. (2007) The Cinema Book. 3rd ed. London: BFI Publishing.CORRIGAN, T. & WHITE, P. (2012) The Film Experience: An Introduction. 4th ed. New York: Palgrave.COUSINS, M. (2013) The Story of Film. London: Pavilion. HAYWARD, S. (2017) Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts (Routledge Key Guides). 5th ed. Oxford: Routledge HILL, J. & CHURCH-GIBSON, P. (1998) The Oxford Guide to Film Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. LACY, N. (2016) Introduction to Film. New York: Palgrave.LENOS, M. (2012) An Introduction to Film Analysis: Technique and Meaning in Narrative Film. London: Bloomsbury Academic.MONACO, J. (2009) How to Read a Film: The World of Movies, Media, Multimedia: Language, History, Theory. New York: Oxford University Press. PRAMAGIORRE, M. & WALLIS, T. (2011) Film – A Critical Introduction. London: Lawrence King. Websites bfi.org.ukcmstudies.org filmstudiesforfree.blogspot.co.uk imdb.comscreenonline.org.uk Links British Film Institute Education and Research (Research) Society for Cinema and Media Studies Resources(Research) Film Studies for FreeOpen Access Film E-books List (E-Books) Internet Movie Database Homepage(General Reference) Guide to Britain’s Film & TV History Homepage(Research)

This unit links to the following related units: Unit 7: Film & Television PracticesUnit 9: Light & SoundUnit 19: Visual Effects PracticesUnit 26: Editing for Film and Television Unit 27: Storyboarding Unit 39: Advanced Television StudiesUnit 53: DramaUnit 67: Scriptwriting for Film & Television

Pearson BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Creative Media Production 155 Specification – Issue 2 – June 2018 © Pearson Education Limited 2018

Please access HN Global for additional resources support and reading for this unit. For further guidance and support on report writing please refer to the Study Skills Unit on HN Global www.highernationals.com and Your NWRC Unit 8 Film Studies Resources at http://learn.nwrc.ac.uk/_teldemo/filmstudies14/story_html5.html and NWRC Moodle 2 http://ilearn.nwrc.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=695 Additional supplementary support materials for your Unit assignment are available at http://learn.nwrc.ac.uk/_teldemo/contextual3/story_html5.html http://learn.nwrc.ac.uk/_teldemo/creative12/