GCSE Film Studies

Paper 1 Explanation

Paper 1 is worth 50 marks

• You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to get these 50 marks.

• You will be answering questions on Superhero films.

• You will watch a clip from a superhero film and answer questions on it.

• You will analyse a poster or similar.• You will create an idea for a new

product.

It will be split into 4 questions:

• Q1: Explain technical elements used in the clip. (10)

• Q2: Explain how parts of the clip were from a Superhero film. (10)

• Q3: Study the provided product and explain why it has been designed like it has. (10)

• Q4: Create a new product. (20)

Questions 1 (10) and 2 (10):

• Will always be a response to a clip from a superhero film.

• You don’t have to have seen that film to be able to answer the questions on it.

• You will be able to watch the clip 3 times (we’ll do some work later on how to and what to watch ).

• You could be asked about ANY micro element used in the clip such as sound, camera angle or lighting.

Question 3 (10 marks)

• This question will be a response to something in the exam such as a poster or DVD cover.

• You will be asked to use your knowledge about film and the film industry and then use the ‘thing’ included to help give you an idea of what sort of things you could mention in your answer.

Question 4 (20 marks)

• Your final question will be worth the most amount of marks.

• You should spend the most amount of time on this section.

• This section will ask you to create a new product, such as a poster, DVD box set, new film or front cover.

• This will be related to superhero films.

Question 1:(a) Identify something. ONE mark(b) Explain why it is used. TWO marks(c) How are two of the following used to create something. SEVEN

marks

• Sound• Editing• Mise-en-scene• Camera angles• Camera movement• Special Effects• Colour• Lighting

On the exam paper there will be any 4 of these micro features. So make sure you are familiar with each of these 7 micro features.

Typical question 1 structure (10 marks)

Example Question 1:(a) Name one camera angle used in this extract.

ONE mark(b) Why is this camera angle used? TWO marks(c) How are two of the following used to create

a sense of danger for the main characters. SEVEN marks

• Sound• Mise-en-scene• Camera angles• Special Effects• Lighting

Watch the clip and

answer the following

questions based on

what you saw.

Example Question 1:(a) Name one camera angle used in this extract.

ONE mark(b) Why is this camera angle used? TWO marks(c) How are two of the following used to create

a sense of danger for the main characters. SEVEN marks

• Sound• Mise-en-scene• Camera angles• Special Effects• Lighting

Question 1 and 2 practice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The first time watching through, simply watch the clip and either:

+If you know the film, look specifically for things that make it a SuperHero

film. +If you don’t, pay attention to the

characters and quickly work out their role and character type.

Question 1 and 2 practice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The second time watching through and:+Make sure that you can explain what character types are used and identify

things (such as props or key themes/narrative) that appear in other

SuperHero films. +Start to make mental notes about

answers on what the question is asking.

Question 1 and 2 practice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The third time watching through, watch the clip to see:

+ What the question is asking!+ Is it asking about lighting? Props?

Mise-en-sce? Camera angles?+ This is your last chance, so make sure that you can actually remember

the evidence you need.

Question 2: Question 2 will also be about the

extract clip.

It will ask for more detail about SuperHero films in general, which is where your revision of the genre will come into use.

You will need to be familiar with the typical features of other SuperHero films and ideally know 2 or 3 SuperHero films well enough to give them as examples.

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Superhero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Disaster Movie. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Disaster Movies you have studied. (6) [10]

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Superhero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Disaster Movie. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Superhero Movies you have studied. (6) [10]

What does convention

mean?

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Superhero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Super Hero film. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Super Hero films you have studied. (6) [10]

Question 3 (10 marks)

• This question will be a response to something in the exam such as a poster or DVD cover.

• You will be asked to use your knowledge about film and the film industry and then use the ‘thing’ included to help give you an idea of what sort of things you could mention in your answer.

• Try to avoid writing about the thing in front of you for your answer. Use it as a guide and help.

• How do film companies create interest in their movies in advance of their release? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

Question 3 (10 marks)Example questions

• How is merchandising used in the marketing of films? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

• How do DVD covers encourage us to buy or rent a DVD? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

• How do film companies create interest in their movies in advance of their release? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

Question 3 (10 marks)

Time for you to have a go at answering an example question:

Resource material

• How is merchandising used in the marketing of films? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

Question 3 (10 marks)

Time for you to have a go at answering an example question:

Resource material

Question 4 (20 marks)• Your final question will be worth the most amount

of marks. • You should spend the most amount of time on this

section. • It will be split into 4 smaller sections-pay attention

to the possible score for each question. • This section will ask you to create a new product,

such as a poster, DVD box set, new film or front cover for a DVD or Blu-Ray.

• This will be related to Superhero films.

Useful revision reminders:• Write down 5 key features of a one-sheet poster

• Write down 5 key features of a teaser poster

• What 5 key features would you expect to find on a DVD cover?

• What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

• Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film.

Write down 5 key features of a one-sheet poster

Write down 5 key features of a teaser poster

What 5 key features would you find on a DVD cover?

What 5 key features would you find on a DVD cover?

What 5 key features would you find on a DVD cover?

What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film

Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film

Question 4 (20 marks)Example questions:

• You have been asked to design a box set for a selection of existing Superhero movies. Complete the following tasks:

• (a) Choose two appropriate films for the box set. (2)• (b) Briefly describe one extra feature in your box set. (3)• (c) Design and annotate the cover for your box set. (6)• (d) Explain how your extra feature and the design of your

cover will help to sell your box set. (9)

Question 4 (20 marks)Example questions:

• You have been asked to create a marketing campaign for a new Superhero Movie about a Superhero called Lightning Man. Complete the following tasks:

• (a) List three items from your campaign. (3)• (b) Briefly describe how one of these items targets an

audience. (3)• (c) Design and annotate two items from your marketing

campaign. (8)• (d) Explain how your marketing campaign creates interest.

(6)

Question 4 (20 marks)Example questions:

You are working for a company that is producing a new blockbuster Superhero movie called Red Devil.

(a) Name one female actor to star in your movie. Explain why she is suitable. (3)

(b) Name one male actor to star in your movie. Explain why he is suitable. (3)

(c) Create and annotate a poster for your movie. Consider:Superhero movie conventions the layout and design of film posters. (8)

(d) Explain which features in your poster will help ‘sell’ your movie. (6)

Question 4 practice:You have been asked to create a new Superhero film and to

design some of the marketing for the film. Complete the tasks listed:

(a)Think of a new Superhero film title (3)(b)Create a tagline for your new film (3)(c)Design and annotate a website to promote your

new Superhero film (8)(d)Suggest a download for your website (4)

There are some hints and tips on the next few slides to help you gain full marks on this question.

Question 4 (20 marks) practice

• Section a:• Worth 3 marks:

• Think of a new Superhero film title.

HINT: When creating any answer for this question, the answers that get the most marks show that you have a good understanding about the genre. For this example question, a title that has things in common with other Superhero films would give the most amount of marks, especially if you

briefly explained WHY you chose/created it.

Question 4 (20 marks)

• Section b:• Worth 3 marks.

• Think of a new tagline.

(Important to remember: What is the difference between a tagline and a logline?)

HINT: When creating any answer for this question, the answers that get the most marks explain why they chose this idea by comparing it to others that

you have seen for other films.

Question 4 (20 marks)

• Section c:• Worth 8 marks:

• Design and annotate a website to promote your new Superhero film.

• What can you use to help with this answer?

HINT: When creating any answer for this question, pay attention to the things it’s asking you to do: here it’s not just designing the website but also

annotating the design to explain what you’ve designed and WHY.

Question 4 (20 marks)

• Section d:• Worth 6 marks:

• Suggest a download for your website.

HINT: When suggesting ANY idea, such as a download, the answers that get the most marks explain why this download will help to convince people to

watch the film.

Exam practice

• Time to put all of this into having a go at a full exam paper. Remember:

• You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to get these 50 marks.

• You will be answering questions on Superhero films.

• You will watch a clip from a superhero film and answer questions on it.

• You will analyse a poster or similar.• You will create an idea for a new product.