Exam techniques and criteria Paper 1 (Section A and B) Flashcards
What is paper 1 focused on? Paper 2?
-Paper 1 Focused more on textual analysis, how the micro-elements contribute to the overall aesthetics of the films.
-Paper 2 Focused more on messages and values that are communicated through different modes of storytelling.
How many marks is paper 1 worth in total?
What films are in section A of paper 1?
How much marks is section A worth in total?
How much time should you spend on section A?
-105 Marks
-Film history unit involving; The gold rush, Singing in the rain, Do the Right thing.
-55 marks
-1hr and 15 minutes.
How much marks is question 1 and 2 worth section A?
What will they question you on?
What should you not write in a 10 marker?
-Questions 1 and 2 are worth 10 marks each.
-Question will ask you about one film and a specific micro-element. This will be in relation to how meaning is created, aesthetics, spectatorship or film poetics.
-Do not waste time writing an introduction if you do only 3 lines.
What does film poetics mean? Aesthetics?
Combining film poetics and aesthetics what elements of film should be focused on?
-Film Poetics = meaning and effect for the audience, the process of selection and combination of shots. How does the shot placements tell the story?
-Aesthetics = how do the combination of the micro-elements contribute to the overall style and theme of the sequence and therefore film?
-Film poetics and aesthetics imply for a focus on; Tone, Beauty, Mood, style,
What key scenes in each films should you pick out for analysis of section A?
What structure should you use in breaking down scenes?
-Opening and closing sequences are good to pick for analysis, then link to aesthetics and poetics - try to get all micro-elements in the sequence so you can discuss how all come together to contribute to the overall feel and look of the film (if this is what the question is asking).
-Micro-element (P),Meaning (E),Effect on spectator (E).
Is there only one 35 marker to choose in section A paper 1?
What does the question require? What should you do instead of talking about the film as a whole?
Instead of saying “…towards the end/beginning of the film” what terminology should you use instead?
-NO. There will always be a choice of two questions.
-This question will always involve the comparison of films from two of the three time periods. Questions will focus on micro-elements, aesthetics, spectatorship and film poetics.
-You must focus your response on whatever the question is asking - don’t write vague, descriptive and broad responses - i.e don’t speak about the films as wholes rather compare sequences in relation to their period contexts
-Instead use language such as ‘In act 1’.
What Films does section B of paper 1 focus on?
How many questions are there in this section? How much marks are these worth?
-Un Chien Andalou (Experimental surrealist film.), L’Age d’Or(Experimental surrealist film), The 400 Blows (French New Wave).
- 2 questions. One 15 marker, One 35 marker.
What must you focus on in the 15 marker of section B paper 1?
How long must you spend on this question?
- This question will focus on the use of micro-elements. The question could be either the experimental films or the French New Wave.
-Questions in this section will focus on micro-elements and their relationship to meanings and aesthetics, European film movements and their stylistic developments and aesthetics, context, the experimental nature of film, film narrative, naturalism, realism and the expressive
-19 minutes.
How many question options are available for the 35 marker in Section B?
What must you focus on? Context?
How long should you spend on the 35 marker?
What are the common themes of the section B 35 marker?
-TWO.
-Questions in this section will focus on micro-elements and their relationship to meanings and aesthetics, European film movements and their stylistic developments and aesthetics, context, the experimental nature of film, film narrative, naturalism, realism and the expressive.
-You must know the context of both the surrealist film movement and the French New Wave - this means knowing what they came out of - what was the landscape of film like prior to the two movements
-50 minutes.
-Common themes; Challenging narrative conventions, Creating meaning, The expressive over the realistic.
How should you go about answering the 15 marker?
Structure?
-For the 15 marker be precise and to the point.
-Small intro, relate back to the context of the film. 2 key scenes one for each paragraph. Round off with sentences of evaluation.
What is the surrealist movement in film? Realism?
Who directed Un Chien Anadolu and L’Age d’Or?
-Surrealist films tease us to find a narrative logic that is simply absent. The film form employs a disregard for conventional narrative principles. Deliberate avoidance of rationality in form and style. Overtly anti-narrative. Dissolved connections between events. Bizarre and evocative. Cultural orthodoxy dictates that films tell stories, surrealism pulls spectators uncomfortably away from this.
-Realism depicts things as they appear. ‘Basic’ view on life and humanity. Strips away layers of romanticism to present a ‘natural’ or ‘real’ outlook.
-Luis Bunuel.
What is the French New Wave?
Who directed 400 Blows?
-In this movement directors sought to make uncompromisingly personal films. Technological advancements meant smaller light-weight cameras and portable sound equipment that allowed for lower production costs and a more ad hoc, improvisational approach to shooting on the go. Many films in this movement withheld any form of narrative resolution.
-Francis Truffaut.
What is naturalism?
Naturalism = Extreme realism or an exaggerated form of realism. “A chronicle of despair”. Movement suggested that the roles of family, social conditions and environment in shaping human character. Therefore stories based on the idea that the environment (and upbringing) determines and governs human character and situations. In film there is a detachment, in which the author/directors maintains an impersonal tone and disinterested point of view. Determinism is the difference. Naturalism views life as predetermined by all of the factors mentioned.
What is structure?
-Structuralist = We bring our predetermined understanding when engaging with film. We understand codes and conventions through semiotics. Think about how shot placement tells the story as a whole. -How are the shots are interrelated in the formal system i.e. sets of patterns, thematic patterns. These recurring patterns and contexts allow us to make sense of narrative structures. Recognisable narratives via our generic memory. Clear narrative structure, three act structure, key structural elements.
