LEVEL: Standard Level or High Level
LENGTH: Two-year course (DP1 & DP2)
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND: A grade of B or higher in any Year 10 Arts subject.
PATHWAYS: University: film studies, film production (pre- and post-), photography, journalism.
Film is a powerful and stimulating art form and practice.
The DP film course aims to develop students as proficient interpreters and makers of film texts. Through the study and analysis of film texts, and through practical exercises in film production, the film course develops students’ critical abilities and their appreciation of artistic, cultural, historical and global perspectives in film.
Students examine film concepts, theories, practices and ideas from multiple perspectives, challenging their own viewpoints and biases in order to understand and value those of others. DP film students experiment with film and multimedia technology, acquiring the skills and creative competencies required to successfully communicate through the language of the medium. They develop an artistic voice and learn how to express personal perspectives through film.
The film course emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively. It focuses on the international and intercultural dynamic that triggers and sustains contemporary film, while fostering in students an appreciation of the development of film across time, space and culture. DP film students are challenged to understand alternative views, to respect and appreciate the diverse cultures that exist within film, and to have open and critical minds.
DP film students require courage, passion and curiosity.
- Courage—to experiment and create, to explore ideas through action and to harness imagination.
- Passion—to communicate and to act communally, and to research and formulate ideas, communicating discoveries in a variety of forms.
- Curiosity—about themselves and others and the world around them, and about the limitless possibilities of human expression through film.
At the core of the DP film course lies the need for creative exploration and innovation. Students are challenged to acquire and develop critical thinking, reflective analysis and the imaginative synthesis that is achieved through practical engagement in the art, craft and study of film.
The distinction between SL and HL
The film syllabus articulates a differential between the SL and HL courses. It allows for greater breadth and depth in the teaching and learning at HL through an additional assessment task. This task requires HL students to reflect on the subject matter, skills and experiences encountered in the core syllabus areas in order to formulate their own intentions for a completed film based on their experiences as developing international filmmakers. They work collaboratively as a core production team in order to effectively communicate on screen.
Students will study the following Core syllabus areas:
Exploring film production roles
SL and HL students will explore various film production roles through engagement with all phases of the filmmaking process in order to fulfill their own filmmaker intentions. Students acquire, develop and apply skills through filmmaking exercises, experiments and completed films.
Reading film
SL and HL students will examine film as an art form, studying a broad range of film texts from a variety of cultural contexts and analysing how film elements combine to convey meaning.
Contextualising film
SL and HL students will explore the evolution of film across time, space and culture. Students will examine various areas of film focus in order to recognize the similarities and differences that exist between films from contrasting cultural contexts.
Collaboratively producing film (HL only)
HL students focus on the collaborative aspects of filmmaking and experience working in core production teams in order to fulfill shared artistic intentions. They work in chosen film production roles and contribute to all phases of the filmmaking process in order to collaboratively create original completed films.
The Film course is taught through dynamic cycles of inquiry, action, and reflection.
Assessment
| SL & HL |
Internal Assessment |
| Film portfolio Students at SL and HL undertake a variety of film-making exercises in three film production roles, led by clearly defined filmmaker intentions. They acquire and develop practical skills and techniques through participation in film exercises, experiments and the creation of at least one completed film. Students submit the following: Portfolio pages (9 pages maximum: 3 pages maximum per film production role) and a list of all sources used; A film reel (9 minutes maximum: 3 minutes maximum per film production role, including one completed film). SL 40% | HL 25% |
External Assessment |
| Textual Analysis Students at both SL and HL demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how meaning is constructed in film. They do this through a written analysis of a prescribed film text, based on a chosen extract (lasting no more than five minutes) from that film. Students consider the cultural context of the film and a variety of film elements in their analysis, which is written using appropriate film vocabulary. Students submit the following: A textual analysis (1,750 words maximum) and a list of all sources used. SL 30% | HL 20% |
| Comparative Study Students at SL and HL carry out research into a chosen area of film focus, identifying and comparing two films from within that area and presenting their discoveries as a recorded multimedia comparative study. Students submit the following: A recorded multimedia comparative study (10 minutes maximum); A list of all sources used. SL 30% | HL 20% |
| Collaborative film project (HL only) Bringing together all they have encountered during the film course, students at HL work collaboratively in a core production team to plan and create an original completed film. Students submit the following: A completed film (7 minutes maximum); A project report (2,000 words maximum); and a list of all sources used. HL 35% |