1. International Baccalaureate Film Studies “Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.” – Jean-Luc Godard

2. What is the course about? The course aims to develop your skills in both interpreting and making film texts. The course uses a combination of analysis, research, theory and creative work to study examples from British, American and World Cinema. “Film lovers are sick people.” – Francois Truffaut

3. What will I study? The course is structured around three central areas. In exploring these areas you will study a range of texts, including recent mainstream Hollywood cinema, British & European films, films from other national cinemas & films from different historical periods. “Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out.” – Martin Scorsese

4. 1. Textual Analysis You will learn how meanings are constructed within film texts and to view the production of these films in context, through close textual analysis of specific scenes and analysis of films as a whole. “An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.” – Jean Cocteau

5. What is “textual analysis”? Textual analysis is the skill of deconstructing media texts: that is, a detailed examination of the way in which a text has been constructed to convey. Such study reveals both intended – and sometime unintended – meanings in films, television programs, advertising, newspapers and so on. We often take our ability to read images for granted, but there is far more to it than we usually realize.

6. 2. Film Theory & History You will learn that film is influenced by social, economic and institutional forces as well as the observations and research of commentators and scholars. You will examine films from different cultural contexts, historical periods and film- making traditions. “ Self-plagiarism is style.” – Alfred Hitchcock

7. 3. Creative Process: Techniques & Organization of Production You will have the opportunity to develop skills in film production. This is a complex process that requires creative and analytical skills as well as meticulous organization and group collaboration. “A director makes only one movie in his life. Then he breaks it into pieces and makes it again.” – Jean Renoir

8. How will I be assessed? An oral presentation about a short (5mins) film extract (25% externally assessed) HL = Maximum length of presentation: 15 minutes SL = Maximum length of presentation: 10 minutes “If you can't make fun of bad movies on serious subjects what's the point?” – Pauline Kael

9. How will I be assessed? A Documentary script on an independent research topic concerning an aspect of film theory and/or history (25% externally assessed) HL = Study of a minimum of 4 films & 12-15 page script. SL = Study of a minimum of 2 films & 8-10 page script. “A number of images put together a certain way become something quite above and beyond what any of them are individually.” – Francis Ford Coppola

10. How will I be assessed? A short film project including supporting production paperwork (50% internal assessed) HL = One completed film project (6-7 minutes) with an associated trailer & written documentation of no more than 1750 words. SL = One completed film project (4-5 minutes) & written documentation of no more than 1200 words. “Learning to make films is very easy. Learning what to make films about is very hard.” – George Lucas

11. Having followed the course you will be expected to demonstrate: 5. the ability to draw together knowledge, skills, research and experience, and apply them analytically to evaluate film texts 6. a critical understanding of the historical, theoretical, socio-cultural (society and culture), economic and institutional contexts of film in more than one country 7. the ability to research, plan and organize working processes 8. the ability to reflect upon and evaluate film production processes and completed film texts. 1. an understanding of the variety of ways in which film creates meaning 2. an understanding and effective use of appropriate film language 3. originality and creativity in developing an idea through the various stages of film-making, from conception to finished production 4. technical skills and an appropriate use of available technology

12. Any Questions? “The Camera Eye is the possibility of making visible the invisible, of bringing light into darkness, of revealing what is hidden... of turning the lie into truth.” – Dziga Vertov