Students were set the task of making 4 short sequences using the same scenario which was borrowed from Matt Madden’s book ‘99 Ways to Tell a Story’. Students picked a director, a film, a film movement and a genre from pots and then had to make the same scenario using the different styles. Time was given over to some research into the relevant areas and then students made the sequences. There will be a more detailed outline of this activity in the new MEA journal to be published later this year. Here is the link http://longroad99ways.tumblr.com/.

There are example questions for each of the 3 sections of the FM4 exam on the website. To find them use the picture buttons at the top of the page. You should read the questions and think about how you would respond to them. What examples would you use? What key points would you make? How would you structure your arguement?

There will be another workshop on Tuesday 15th June in G23 from 2-4pm. This will be the last chance before the exam to speak to a member of the Film team before the exam.

Section B of FM4 focuses on Spectatorship and you have studied Popular Cinema and Emotional Response. You have a choice of 2 questions of which you answer 1. You must refer to at least 2 films in your answer and should use the ones studied in class as the main examples but you can also refer to your own examples. The films we have studied foucs around Melodrama or ‘Shock’ you must be able to refer in detail to textual examples to help back up your points.

Sample exam questions

1. Explore possible reasons to explain why a second or third viewing of a film can actually increase the emotional response rather than lessen it.

2. How far is the emotional response to mainstream films triggered by specific techniques used by the filmmakers?

For section A of the FM4 paper you are to answer 1 question from a choice of 2 that refer to Aspects of a National Cinema, this is for both Mexican Cinema and Iranian Cinema. You must refer to at least 2 films in your answer if you are hoping to gain respectable marks, you should also avoid trying to write about every film you may have studied for this topic.

Sample exam questions

1. To what extent do the films you have studied explore tensions within society as opposed to being simply stories about individuals?

2. Compare some of the stylistic features in the films you have studied discussing how far they make for a distinctive kind of cinema.

For Section C of the FM4 paper you have to answer one question about the close focus film you have studied. This will be one of the following films, Fight Club, The Battle of Algiers or Morvern Callar. You will have a choice of 3 questions to choose from, the first 2 questions will be general and not be specific to the film you have studied. If you answer these questions you will need to make sure that you mention what your close study film was in the opening paragraph. The other option is to answer the question that focuses on your close study film, this question will focus on a specific aspect of the film and you will need to make sure that you refer to this in your answer.

Sample general questions

1. What does your chosen film reveal about the usefulness of one or more critical approaches you have applied?

2. Consider debates that have arisen in the critical reception of your chosen film, either at the time of its initial release or now or both.

Sample specific questions

1. ‘Despite the gesture of destroying symbols of corporate power at the end, Fight Club is a film about power and control, not liberation.’ How far do you agree?

2. The Battle of Algiers offers multiple characters for the spectator to identify with. Critically discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach in relation to the film’s subject.

3. ‘After repeated viewings, Morvern Callar remains a strange, unknowable film, more dreamlike than a narrative realist film.’ How useful and accurate do you find this comment?

Remember these are examples so do not prepare an answer based on these questions and try to use it in the exam. You must respond to the specific demands of the question asked in the exam.

There will be sessions running to help students with Exam work on Wednesdays @ 1.45 – 2.15pm in G14 and on Fridays @ 11.00 – 11.45 in the LRC. I am sorry there are not more but this is due to staffing issues. If you require specific help please speak directly to your class teacher. Thanks.

Don’t forget that on Thursday 1st April your work is being screened at the Arts Picturehouse from 9-12. Please make sure you attend.

Thanks

We are currently in New York with 19 AS Film Students and about to watch The Prowler at the fantastic Film Forum. We have been across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Greenwich Village for lunch. This evening it looks like an extra screening at the Angelika Film Center of City Island due to poor visibility . So far, so good.

You need to complete your reflective DVD commentary by Wednesday 31st March. It needs to be left on your groups computer.

There is a screening of Juan, I Forgot I Don’t Remember (Del Olvido Al No Me Acuerdo) at the Picturehouse on Wednesday 10th March at 5pm.