Film Studies

Mission

To guide and support young people on a journey of becoming not only skilled media and film analysts, but reflective, resilient, and imaginative individuals who understand how media shapes the modern world and who are prepared to contribute thoughtfully to an increasingly complex global media landscape.

Curriculum Intent

Our KS4 Film Studies and KS5 Media Studies curriculum at Friesland School aims to develop scholars as independent, critical, and culturally aware consumers and producers of media. We seek to equip learners with the analytical, technical, and contextual understanding needed to interpret, evaluate, and create meaningful media and film focused texts. Through sustained engagement with moving image, print, online, and audio-visual forms, scholars gain confidence in exploring ideas, applying theory, forming judgements, and communicating their understanding through written and practical work.

By the end of their education, a student of Media or Film Studies at Friesland School will:

Have developed curiosity, media literacy, and an understanding of how media and film shape perceptions and identities.
Develop strong analytical and technical skills, including mise-en-scène analysis, camera work, editing, sound design, media language, representation, and industry knowledge.
Gain knowledge of influential filmmakers, media practitioners, theorists, industries and global contexts.
Engage in personal enquiry, critical thinking, and the ability to justify interpretations using conceptual and theoretical frameworks.

Process

Both Film and Media Studies are structured around an iterative process of research → analysis → planning → production → evaluation, mirroring professional media and film-making workflows as well as academic analytical processes.

Powerful Knowledge

The Media and Film Studies curriculum is intelligently sequenced to ensure scholars retain powerful knowledge and are able to apply skills confidently in analytical, theoretical, and practical contexts. Scholars build their understanding of:

Media language and how meaning is constructed.
Representation and the impact of cultural, social, and ideological perspectives.
Media industries and the economic forces shaping production.
Audiences and the ways in which texts position and influence them.

Scholars are gradually introduced to a broad range of texts, genres, theoretical perspectives, and global viewpoints. These include Hollywood and independent cinema, mainstream and alternative media, and historical and contemporary media forms. Over time, scholars engage with increasing complexity—moving from foundational analytical skills to sophisticated critique using theories from Barthes, Hall, Mulvey, Jenkins and others (KS5), or key conceptual frameworks and comparative close analysis (KS4).

Powerful knowledge is revisited through interleaved ‘Do Now’ quizzes, retrieval routines, and the repeated application of key theory and analytical methods. 100% sheets provide concise summaries of essential concepts, terminology, and contexts, supporting long-term retention. Scholars also use detailed booklets that scaffold analysis, research, planning, and production processes, ensuring that all students can continually improve their academic and creative practice.

The Curriculum Will Support and Scaffold All Scholars to Be Successful

Lessons follow an explicit modelling process of I do, we do, you do, especially when demonstrating essay structures, analytical writing, screenwriting, or using editing software. This gradual release allows scholars to understand the metacognitive reasoning behind analytical and creative decisions—for example, how to structure a 15-mark analysis, how to apply theory effectively, or how to edit a short film sequence with intention and clarity.

Vocabulary is embedded throughout the curriculum to ensure scholars develop the critical language needed to articulate analysis, evaluate representation, discuss media industries, and justify creative choices. Techniques such as call-and-response and low stakes quizzes /tests are used when introducing key terminology, ensuring retention and confident application in both written and spoken work.

Curriculum resources include high-quality examples, video essays, frameworks, 100% sheets, and technical guides. These materials support independent study and allow scholars to revisit learning through Microsoft Teams beyond the lesson.

Contribution to Personal Development

The study of Media and Film is a vital part of a well-rounded and culturally aware education. The curriculum provides a safe, thoughtful space for scholars to discuss sensitive topics, challenge assumptions, and explore global perspectives. Through analytical discussion and creative tasks, scholars learn to consider the impact of representation, ethical responsibilities in media production, and the social, political, and cultural power of the media industries.

Drawing on the principles of media literacy and “ways of seeing,” scholars recognise that media texts are constructed, not natural. They learn to question whose voices are heard, whose are marginalised, and how power operates within representation. Through studying diverse filmmakers, media producers, and global media forms, scholars develop nuanced understanding of identity, culture, and ideology.

Media and Film Studies are for all scholars, regardless of background or previous experience. The curriculum celebrates diversity and teaches students how different cultural contexts, values, and identities influence media production and reception. Scholars develop empathy, critical awareness, and the ability to form reasoned, respectful arguments.

Academic study in these subjects builds transferable skills such as:

Critical analysis and comparative evaluation.
Understanding symbolism and narrative construction.
Applying theoretical perspectives.
Interpreting cultural and historical contexts.
Communicating ideas clearly in writing and discussion.
Creative production using technical terminology accurately.
Recognising bias, stereotypes, and media influence.
These skills prepare scholars for further study, employment in creative sectors, and active,
critical engagement in an increasingly media-saturated world.

Links to the World of Work

The curriculum explicitly develops scholars’ understanding of the media and film industries—an essential part of contemporary careers education. Scholars explore production roles, distribution processes, audience engagement strategies, regulation, and emerging technologies that shape the future of media.

Students learn how media texts influence public opinion, identity, culture, and global communication. Through practical production work, they develop skills in planning, scripting, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design, and digital publishing—skills highly relevant to the modern creative industries.

The curriculum empowers scholars to recognise their own creative voice and values while developing empathy toward the diverse perspectives of others. Media and Film Studies develop the ability to navigate and contribute thoughtfully to the fast-paced digital world, preparing scholars for careers in media production, journalism, design, marketing, PR, film, and other creative or analytical pathways.

Key Stage 4 – Eduqas GCSE Film Studies

GCSE Film Studies focuses on developing scholars’ analytical skills, understanding of film form, and screenwriting ability for moving-image work.

Component 1: Key Developments in US Film (35%)

Comparative analysis of two US films.
Study of genre, narrative, representation, and historical context.

Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style (35%)

Analysis of contemporary and independent films from beyond Hollywood.
Exploration of social, cultural, and global contexts.

Component 3: Production (30%)

Scholars produce a screenplay for a genre film extract.
Accompanied by an evaluation demonstrating understanding of film form.

KS4 Key Outcomes

Application of film terminology and analytical frameworks.
Understanding of film style, context, and representation.
Confidence in comparative and evaluative writing.
Technical and creative ability in planning and producing film.
A coherent set of analyses and practical work evidencing progress.

Key Stage 5 – OCR A Level Media Studies

A Level Media Studies builds directly on GCSE analytical foundations, enabling scholars to develop sophisticated, theory-driven analysis and independent production skills.

Component 1: Media Messages and Meanings (35%)

In-depth study of news, media language, and representation.
Application of advanced theory and contextual understanding.

Component 2: Evolving Media (35%)

Study of global media, magazines, and long-form TV drama.
Exploration of industry, audience, and cultural contexts.

Component 3: Creating Media (30%)

A practical production task responding to an OCR brief.
Demonstrates advanced creative planning, production and post-production editing.

KS5 Key Outcomes

Advanced understanding of media language, representation, audiences, and industries.
Ability to apply complex theoretical perspectives.
Confident analytical writing informed by cultural and historical contexts.
High-level creative production using professional equipment in a photography studio and digital tools such as Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects in post-production.
A coherent, ambitious portfolio ready for progression to higher education or creative careers.