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coursework

Film Studies Coursework is worth 30% of your A-Level and is a hybrid of practical and evaluative work. You will be tasked with creating either a 4-5 Minute Short Film or a 1600-1800 Word Screenplay with accompanying storyboard. Both these productions will also have a 1600-1800 word Written Evaluation. There will be time in class dedicated to helping you with your coursework but it is expected that you do independent learning also. Going in to your exam with a strong coursework grade is essential to success.   

Holy Cross Student Films

Holy Cross Student Films

you will complete one of the two options below:

SHORT FILM

must's

  • 4-5 Minutes in length. Anything after the 5 minutes will not be marked.

  • You must be responsible for the camerawork and editing.

  • A maximum of 10 seconds of found visual footage.

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Learners being assessed in 2026 (Current Upper 6th) will work to one of the following briefs:​

  • A narrative which has a distinct genre 

  • A narrative which has parallel stories 

  • A non-linear narrative

  • A narrator

dos

  • Use a wide variety of camera shots. This is absolutely integral to getting high marks.

  • You are allowed to use any music or sound effects you have found online. Score is crucial to the feeling of a scene. Don't make a music video though!

  • Show your influences. You will have watched several short and feature films on the course and in your lifetime. Use your studies to influence your filmmaking.​

  • Ask for constant feedback. Coursework is essential to your final grade. Please ask Luke, Caroline or Mr. Bland to look at your different drafts. We want to help you get the best grade possible!

  • Have fun. Filmmaking can be very challenging. Try to enjoy the good parts!

don'ts

  • Leave your film to the last minute.

  • Ignore/not ask for feedback. 

  • Stress. Come talk to us about any issues you're facing.

SCREENPLAY/STORYBOARD

must's

  • 1600-1800 Words in length. Anything after the 1800 words will not be marked

  • Conventions of a screenplay (formatted correctly).

  • 20 image storyboard covering 2 pages of the script.

 

​Learners being assessed in 2026 (Current Upper 6th) will work to one of the following briefs:​

  • A narrative which has a distinct genre 

  • A narrative which has parallel stories 

  • A non-linear narrative

  • A narrator

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dos

  • Correctly format your script. We use Celtx. Luke or Caroline will show you how to properly format your screenplay. Make sure you ask to speak to one of them before you begin writing. You can not go in to the high marks if this is not done right.

  • Ask for constant feedback. Hand in several drafts for feedback from Luke or your teacher.

  • Think about what scene you will storyboard. The storyboard only needs to cover approx. 2 minutes of the script (2 pages). Think of what you will be able to take good photo's of within your script and go from there.

  • Research screenplays! There's a very good chance if you google a film name and follow it with screenplay, you will find a PDF of the script. Look how they are written and use it in yours.

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don'ts

  • Use camera instructions in your script. You are the screenwriter not director.

  • Worry or give up because you can't think of anything. We will idea generate! See your teacher/Luke.

  • Ignore/not ask for feedback. 

after your production is done you will then write:

EVALUATIVE ANALYSIS

must's

  • 1600-1800 Words. Anything below or above will be penalized and you will lose marks.

  • Make reference to 80 minutes of influences from the short films studied on the course.​

  • Written as an essay with/without sub-headings.

dos

  • Include the following:

  • Narrative structure of the short film – an analysis of how the narrative features and dramatic qualities of all short films studied are constructed, including through dialogue, highlighting key ideas which informed your own production.

  • Cinematic influences – an analysis of how key visual/audio elements of other professionally produced films or screenplays, including short films studied, influenced your short film

  • Creating meaning and effect – an evaluative analysis of how your production creates meanings and generates responses for the spectator in relation to other professionally produced films or screenplays, including short films.

  • Include screenshots from your short film or script/storyboard.

doN'Ts

  • Ignore the short films you have studied in class. You must make reference to these!

  • Leave until long after your production. Do this ASAP. When your editing/writing decisions are still fresh in your memory.​

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