Details

Comparison Recommended!

Assessment Objectives

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Films

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Component 1c requires you to write for 50 minutes about two films.
Comparison of the two films is recommended, but not mandatory.
You should write about one film for about 25 minutes, then write about the other film for about 25 minutes.
The Component 1c narrative question requires you to demonstrate an appreciation of the narrative choices made by the director of your chosen films. In other words, to what extent are the narratives Trainspotting and This Is England notable and effective?
The question will change every year and it is essential that you write a response tailored to the question you are asked, but in general you should be prepared to write about:
- The traditional 3-act structure favoured in “the golden age of Hollywood”.
- Theories of narrative, including those of Vladimir Propp, Tzvetan Todorov, Roland Barthes and Claude Levi-Strauss.
- Key narrative concepts, including linear, circular and episodic narratives.
- How all of the above are present or absent in your chosen film.
Narrative is a broad topic, however, so be careful not to limit yourself to a narrow discussion of narrative structure without considering other factors that might provoke interesting discussion. </aside>

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Your answer should be organised around key sequences from your chosen film(s).
Points should make repeated reference to the directors’ intentions and the effect on audience.
You should use technical terminology precisely and as frequently as possible.
References to the use of key elements in key sequences must be precisely described and identifiable to the examiner:

The close-up of Captain Vidal’s face reflected in the mirror as he shaves forces the audience to look directly into the eyes of Ofelia’s murderer. The cold blues and greys of the shot suggest a character devoid of empathy or human emotion.
If asked to discuss a film's "themes", ensure you give the theme a name:

The theme of "disobedience" is central to Pan's Labyrinth and can be seen in the actions of Ofelia, Mercedes and Doctor Ferreiro.
If asked to discuss a film's "aesthetic", ensure you give the aesthetic a name:

Pan's Labyrinth's "fairy-tale" aesthetic is established and maintained through the director's tight control of mise-en-scène, lighting, and colour palette.
Remember:
- Every Film Studies question is a key elements question at heart!
- This is Film Studies — write thoughtfully, sensitively, and insightfully about the films in question and you won’t go far wrong. </aside>

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