There is an Eduqas/WJEC GCSE in Film Studies. It has a compulsory Non-Examination Assessment, which makes it very difficult for private candidates to sit. Some have managed it, for example by working with a tutor who is attached to a school or exam centre. If you want to do the GCSE it is essential that you sort out arrangements for supervision and marking of the NEA before studying with both a tutor and exam centre - there needs to be a relationship between the two.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will find a list of courses and clubs for young people. While not qualifications these would help build a portfolio of evidence as well as develop skills.
WJEC Eduqas GCSE Film Studies[]
WJEC Eduqas GCSE Film Studies page and specification
- Exams from: June 2019
- Available in June
- Specification code: C670QS
Subject content[]
The Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE Film Studies covers 3 components. Students study 6 films covering the following core themes:
- the key elements of film form (cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing and sound)
- the contexts of film (social, cultural, historical, technological, institutional and, where relevant, political).
Then each film will have it's own focus.
Check the syllabus for the most recent list of film options as they update them.
Component 1 - Key Developments in US Film
Learners will study three US films for this component:
- one comparative study of a pair of mainstream genre films (from a choice of five pairs). Each pair of films includes one film produced between 1930 and 1960 and one film produced between 1961 and 1990. These will be studied in a holistic way but will focus on comparing the films in terms of genre, narrative and context.
- one independently produced film, from a choice of five recent films. This will be studied in relation to specialist writing on film set by WJEC in order to enable students to deepen their understanding of film.
Component 2 - Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style
Learners will study three films for this component:
- one global English language film from a choice of five. This will focus additionally on narrative.
- one global non-English language film from a choice of five. This will focus additionally on representation.
- one contemporary UK film (produced since 2010) from a choice of five. This will focus additionally on a film's aesthetic qualities – its style.
Component 3 - Production
This component assesses the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of film to a production and its accompanying evaluative analysis and takes the form of non-examined assessment (coursework)
Assessment[]
This specification has a NEA (coursework) which accounts for 30% of the qualification.
- Paper 1 - Key Developments in US Film - 1hr 30mins - 70 marks - 35%
- Assesses knowledge and understanding of three US films; one pair of US mainstream films and one US independent film.
- Section A: US film comparative study (50 marks). One stepped question on the first of the chosen pair of films (produced between 1930 and 1960), one stepped question on the second of the chosen pair of films (produced between 1961 and 1990), one question requiring a comparison of the chosen pair of films
- Section B: Key developments in film and film technology (5 marks). One multi-part question.
- Section C: US independent film (15 marks). One question on one US independent film.
- Paper 2 - Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style - 1hr 30mins - 70 marks - 35%
- Assesses knowledge and understanding of three global films produced outside the US.
- Section A: Global English language film. One stepped question.
- Section B: Global non-English language film. One stepped question.
- Section C: Contemporary UK film. One stepped question.
- Non-Examined Assessment - Production - 60 marks - 30% (production, 20%, evaluative analysis, 10%)
- Internally assessed, externally moderated by WJEC.
- Check specification for production brief
- Learners must produce:
- one genre-based film extract (either from a film or from a screenplay)
- one evaluative analysis of the production, where learners analyse and evaluate their production in relation to comparable, professionally-produced films or screenplays.
Resources[]
Here is the textbook.
Eduqas have a lot of resources on their digital resource site
Past papers can be found through the specification page or here
Edusites teaching resources - some free content
Film and Media Studies Facebook group
Tuition
You will need to work with a tutor to supervise and mark the NEA. It is essential that the tutor has an agreement in place with an exam centre that will accept their marking. If you find a tutor offering a course do check what arrangements are in place for the NEA before signing up. These are providers known to offer it and have arrangements in place as of July 22.
Arts Discovery runs a live two year course for Film Studies GCSE.
AWE Home education Club runs live classes in Waltham Abbey, as well as online, leading to the Eduqas GCSE.
JQS Learning runs live online courses for Film Studies GCSE & A-Level.
Nexus Educate offer Eduqas GCSE and A Level Film Studies. Live lessons are run by an experienced teacher and examiner who is also a home educator. The course includes marked weekly assignments, mock exams as well as the supervision, marking and authentication of coursework. Nexus Educate is also able to work with local exam centres by arrangement.
Spark Creative Education offers an online Eduqas Film Studies course with lessons and tutor support. This covers all elements of GCSE Film Studies qualification, including the marking and submission of the production coursework elements. Run by tutor who is also currently home educating parent.
Course providers may also be found on the Distance Learning Providers page
From Eduqas:[]
'The WJEC Eduqas specification in GCSE Film Studies is designed to draw on learners' enthusiasm for film and introduce them to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been important in the development of film and film technology. Learners will develop their knowledge of US mainstream film by studying one film from the 1950s and one film from the later 70s and 80s, thus looking at two stages in Hollywood's development. In addition, they will be studying more recent films – a US independent film as well as films from Europe, including the UK, South Africa and Australia.
Production is an important part of this specification and is integral to learners' study of film. Studying a diverse range of films from several different contexts is designed to give learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of how films are constructed to their own filmmaking and screenwriting. This is intended to support learners in producing creative films and screenplays as well as enable their production work to provide an informed filmmaker's perspective on their own study of film.'
For experiences with this GCSE, it would be best to ask in the HE Exams Facebook group.
Alternative Courses and Resources for Film Studies[]
There are lots of opportunities and projects around the country to get involved in film production. Follow courses at local museums, galleries, libraries and theatres. Look at local youth club offerings.Film Oxford is a charity providing film courses for young people, including disabled ones. Other cities may have similar organisations which could be useful.
The Screen and Film School in Birmingham offers short courses for teenagers.
BFI activities for children and young people (12-16yo) - in person on London's Southbank and virtual.
BFI Young Creatives - courses for 16-25yo
Film Oxford - offers all sorts of opportunities for young people aged 8-25. From short holiday courses in filmmaking and animation to industry training, work placements and 1 to 1 mentoring.
Into Film - film clubs, workshops and other opportunities for young people. Sign up to their newsletter for up-to-date info.
Young Film Academy courses in person (London) or online
Young Filmmakers Courses from the Metfilm school for 14-17yo
Young Filmmakers Courses from the London Film Academy for 13-17yo and 16-19yo
Check out mooc course providers like FutureLearn, Udemy and Coursera