Assessed as part of the Production and Evaluative Analysis
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The exam board have compiled a list of 22 short films and one 6-film anthology from which you should draw inspiration, which they call the Eduqas Short Film Collection.
When you come to write Element 5: Evaluative Analysis, you will be required to make detailed reference to at least 3 of these films, totalling a minimum of 80 minutes.
Here's how the exam board explain the collection:
The short film has a distinctive narrative structure which frequently starts in the middle of a story or with an enigma. Whilst there is likely to be some clear development in character and storyline, the short film frequently concludes with an open, unresolved ending. Short films also frequently employ a narrative twist.
Learners will be studying a selection of short films for their A level. The selection is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the short film form. Learners may supplement this by researching into additional short films and screenplays in preparation for their production (research that can inform their evaluative analysis). Learners will also be exploring examples of key elements of film form and screenplay techniques during their course of study, which they can apply to their production.
Central to the preparation phase is the study of short films. Learners must study a selection of short films (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes) from a compilation set by WJEC. This study is intended to provide learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the short film form, particularly its distinctive narrative. The study should ensure learners engage with how the dramatic qualities of a short film are constructed, including through dialogue. The study will also enable learners to evaluate their own short films. As part of their evaluative analysis, learners will be required to analyse the narrative features of the short films they have studied, highlighting how they have informed their own production. Learners may research additional films and screenplays, either short or feature-length, and this may also contribute to the evaluative analysis.
- Throughout their course of study, learners are therefore encouraged to keep a portfolio, which could be in electronic form such as a blog, consisting of:
- Notes on or visuals from the short films studied which could inform their production work.
- Character(s) and narrative ideas for their short film.
- Examples of cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing and sound which could inform their production.
- Effective screenplay techniques.
- Examples of storyboards.
You must watch each of the 28 short films in the Eduqas Short Film Collection and produce a response. Each film should generate its own entry in your Production Diary.
You are entirely free to decide the format your entries will take — they might take the form of an embedded mind map or infographic, or they might be text-based with headings and sub-headings. You might alternatively decide to do something more arty, where you work on coloured paper and photograph your work later. It doesn't matter what format you choose, but you should make a decision and be consistent.
Please use the mind maps below to guide your work. Failure to respond in sufficient detail will have an impact on the final mark awarded. </aside>
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Narrative Structure
Cinematic Influences
Creating Meaning And Effect
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