Curriculum Knowledge Y11 Half term 1 Component 1 section B: Key developments in film and film technology
Film Studies GCSE 2 year course summary Component 1 This half term we will be studying section B of component 1 and completing our production pieces. Component 2 This component will be studied in Y10: A - District 9, B - Tsotsi and C - Skyfall will be the focus films. Component 3
Key developments in film and film technology All films will be studied in relation to key developments in film and film technology both to provide a context for their study of film and to understand how their chosen films reflect key developments in the history of film and film technology. Learners will be required to gain a knowledge of: the first moving images and silent film the rise of Hollywood and the development of sound the introduction of colour film the emergence of widescreen technology and 3D film the development of portable cameras and Steadicam technology the role of computer-generated imagery in film.
Key developments in film and film technology The following timeline provides the basis for GCSE learners' study of the significant developments in film and film technology. 1895 First moving images (Lumière brothers) 1895 1927 Development of silent cinema from early short films to full-length feature films, during which period the foundations of filmmaking were established e.g. cinematography, the principles of lighting and continuity editing and an extensive range of mise-en-scène, including location shooting 1920s Gradual emergence of a vertically integrated Hollywood film industry, established by 1930 into five major studios (Paramount, Warner Bros, Loew's/ MGM, Fox [Twentieth Century Fox in 1935] and Radio Keith Orpheum [RKO]) and three minor studios (Columbia, Universal and United Artists) the so-called Big 5 and Little 3 1927 Alan Crosland's, The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson - the first feature film with a soundtrack 1935 Rouben Mamoulian's Becky Sharp, the Technicolor Corporation's first feature length, 'three strip' colour film 1948 Paramount court case which prevented studios from owning all phases of the production, distribution and exhibition process ('vertical integration') which led, in the 1950s, to the emergence of independent film production and agents producing films for the Hollywood studios to distribute and exhibit 1950s Emergence of widescreen and 3D technologies as a response to the growth of television and the corresponding decline in cinema attendance Late 1950s Although not the first examples, lightweight, portable cameras were produced suitable for hand-held use (which had an immediate impact on documentary filmmaking and were used by a new generation of directors in France French 'new wave' directors) 1970s Steadicam technology developed by cinematographer Garrett Brown (a stabilising device for hand-held cameras to keep image 'steady' whilst retaining fluid movement). First introduced, 1975 1990s onwards More widespread use of computer-generated imagery, most significantly pioneered by Industrial Light and Magic in the 1970s, resulted in a move away from filmed 'special effects' to visual effects created digitally in postproduction to the computer generated imaging of characters in films.
Homework for week 1 and 2: Revision Instructions: Film: History, Production and Criticism a really interesting series of videos on the history of film that we will use sections from in class https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=pl8dpuualjxtn-bd-h_tgq72cn50fpv_jx Watch the series of videos and summarise each one. You can present this how you want but you must include the title of the video at the beginning of every summary. You can use images, mind-maps and bullet-points, or present it all on PowerPoint. Homework for weeks 3 and 4: Instructions: The first films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddmaxdlvdq4 Using the film timeline on page 4 create your own presentation on how filmmaking has progressed since the first films. You will need to write about how camerawork, sound and editing as well as mise-en-scene has changed since the 1880s. You must include images (some examples are in this booklet). EXTENSION Find images and information about the following to add to your presentations: 1. The rise of Hollywood 2. The Hollywood Ten 3. The introduction of colour film 4. The emergence of widescreen technology and 3D film 5. Create a case study about one franchise of high-concept films Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Ted, Ghostbusters, Planet of the Apes, etc Homework for week 5: Consolidating Instructions: Write the evaluation for your screenplay using the guidance on pages 6 and 7.
Component 3: Writing the Evaluative Analysis (750-850 words) A Student's Guide Short Introduction: Include a brief synopsis/outline of your film idea and main target audience. What did you want to create in terms of visual style and genre? PART 1: Genre This section should focus on the genre of your production. Introduce 2-3 films of the same or similar genre that have influenced your product (these may or may not be on the specification) and state how they have been influential to the final sequence. How does your sequence compare in terms of style, genre and narrative? You may wish to use stills and screengrabs to illustrate your points. What generic codes and conventions from your chosen genre have you used within your sequence? Use the following as starting points: Iconography Character Types Style (Camera Framing, Angles, Lighting) Mise en Scene (Settings & Locations, Costume Hair & Make Up, Facial Expressions and Body Language) Themes EXAMPLE: The film Let the Right One In inspired my production greatly. Oskar is an unconventional action hero type due to her small physique and shy personality. This makes an audience identify with the character more as she seems more realistic. This was one of my main aims in my portrayal of the character of Sam. SCREENWRITING EXAMPLE: My character description of Sam when he is first introduced was 'SAM, 16, dressed in all black, shuffles nervously into view'. This immediately gets empathy from the audience who are left wondering why Sam is so nervous. Introducing a meek and ordinary looking protagonist who then goes on to defy audience expectation is a common convention in the thriller genre, as it keeps the audience on their toes.
Component 3: Writing the Evaluative Analysis (750-850 words) PART 2: Meaning and Response Now comment on the techniques used within the sequence, picking out (approx.) 2-3 key creative decisions to talk about. As you have done the screen-writing option, you should talk about how you created a sense of character (characterisation), what and how you encouraged the audience to feel about a character, the dialogue, structure and pace of the script. You should state what you did, the intended audience response and the actual outcome. EXAMPLE (SCREENWRITING): "The way I introduced Jill to the narrative created a sympathetic connection with the target audience as I used the codes of a typical 'everywoman', such as by describing her as a 'busy single mother of two who, in her spare time, lived on a diet of Netflix and Nutella sandwiches.' You may want to consider what devices have been used, have worked well, and why? Think in terms of the key elements of film form you have used for the sequence, e.g. a character s performance/choice of setting/a certain costume choice). What devices did not work well? Suggest improvements EXAMPLE (SCREENWRITING): I feel the conclusion of my script was weak as Joel betrays Ali which goes against the expectations of this character based on his actions in the first half of the script. It would have been better to have somehow built up the audience's resentment towards Joel by including some actions or dialogue that would indicate he is not to be trusted. Youtube: Wider Reading List Film: History, Production and Criticism a really interesting series of videos on the history of film that we will use sections from in class https:// www.youtube.com/playlist?list=pl8dpuualjxtn-bd-h_tgq72cn50fpv_jx The first films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddmaxdlvdq4