GCE AS/A level 1182/01 FILM STUDIES

FM2 British and American Film A.M. WEDNESDAY, 19 May 2010 212 hours

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS In addition to this examination paper, you will need: Resource material a 12 page answer book.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Answer three questions, one from each section. Write your answers in the separate answer book provided. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES Each question carries 40 marks. The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question. You are reminded that assessment will take into account the quality of written communication used in your answers.

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2 FM2: British and American Film Answer three questions one from each section. Section A: Producers and Audiences Choose one question from this section. Either 1. Study the items in Part A of the resource material, which includes: a poster and information for the independent film In Bruges an extract from an article on independent US films information on independent film in the United States. Use this material, together with your own studies, to answer the following question: How do independent films sometimes achieve success? or 2. Study the items in Part B of the resource material, which include: an extract from the iTunes website internet information on LOVEFiLM internet information on the release platform of a new film. Use this material, together with your own studies, to answer the following question: How far are new technologies changing the way audiences watch films? [40] [40]

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3 Section B: British Film Topics Choose one question from this section. British Film and Genre You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Horror or Comedy. Either 3. or 4. In what ways do genre conventions determine how particular characters are represented in the films you have studied for this topic? [40] To what extent do the films you have studied for this topic try to narrate specifically British stories? [40]

British Film and Stars You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Julie Christie or Ewan McGregor. Either 5. or 6. We have expectations of stars which are often fulfilled in their films. How far is this true of your chosen British star? [40] In what ways does the presence of your chosen star contribute to the making of meaning in the films you have studied for this topic? [40]

British Film and Production Companies You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Ealing Studios or Working Title. Either 7. or 8. How far can it be argued that your chosen production company has a particular set of British values or attitudes? [40] How important is genre in giving a specific identity to the films you have studied for your chosen production company? [40]

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4 British Film: Cultural Study You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer and base it on one of the following: Swinging Britain 1963-1973 or Thatchers Britain: the 1980s. Either 9. or 10. How far do the narratives of the films you have studied for this topic challenge typical representations of gender? [40] British Film: Social-Political Study Living with Crime You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer. Either 11. How far do the films you have studied for this topic use suspense in order to capture the feeling of living with crime? [40] or 12. How are criminals represented in the films you have studied for this topic? British Film: Identity Study Borders and Belonging You should discuss a minimum of two British films in your answer. Either 13. In what ways are borders either real or symbolic central to the narrative of the films you have studied for this topic? [40] or 14. What are some of the different ways in which power is represented in the films you have studied for this topic? [40] Section C: American Film Comparative Study Choose one question from this section. You should compare a minimum of two American films in your answer. Either 15. How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions? [40] or 16. How far do the American films you have studied for this topic express similar messages and values to one another? [40]
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In what ways does the dramatic power of the films you have studied for this topic depend on the clash between conflicting values? [40]

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GCE AS/A level 1182/01-A FILM STUDIES

FM2 British and American Film A.M. WEDNESDAY, 19 May 2010 212 hours

CJ*(S10-1182-01A)

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Resource Material for use with Section A

2 PART A Study the items in Part A, the resource material for use with Section A, Question 1. Item 1: a poster and information for the independent film In Bruges (2008)

US

UK

Opening Weekend ()

268,000

343,760

Box Office Takings to June 2008 ()

4.6 million

4.7 million

Budget (estimated)

8.9 million

After excellent box office takings for an independent film in both the US and UK, In Bruges, released in February 2008, starts to show profit within four months. With high DVD sales expected, In Bruges is set to make a big profit.
- box office and budget figures, imdb.com

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Item 2: an extract from an article on independent US films

The Indie Game

The secret to success is a Hollywood star.
By Edward Jay Epstein Posted Monday, Sept. 12, 2005

Even after securing the money, and making the movie, the indie producer faces one further challenge: getting the movie into American multiplexes. But if an indie movie has a Hollywood star, it can improve its chances, especially in those festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto - that depend on celebrity stars for publicity.
-www.edwardjayepstein.com/indie

Item 3: information on independent film in the United States

Independence Day - independent films gaining in popularity

In the past few years, a growing segment of moviegoers has been drawn to independent films - with not an explosion, avalanche, or Julia Roberts to be found in the scripts. The number of independent films released in theaters has doubled in the past decade - from 165 in 1990 to 338 last year. And there are now two cable channels devoted solely to broadcasting independent films, the Sundance Channel and the Independent Film Channel (IFC).
- www.findarticles.com

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4 PART B Study the items in Part B, the resource material for use with Section A, Question 2.

Item 1: an extract from the iTunes website

Go from the silver screen to any screen. Rent or buy your favorite movies on your computer, iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple TV. Then play them anywhere you want. iTunes helps you build a go-anywhere, open-anytime multiplex.
- www.apple.com/itunes/whatson/movies.htm

Item 2: internet information on LOVEFiLM

How LOVEFiLM DVD Rental works:

Choose from over 65,000 titles We deliver it by 1st class post straight to your door Watch it at your leisure with no late fees Return it in the pre-paid envelope provided

Sign up now for your 14 day FREE trial!

www.lovefilm.com
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Item 3: internet information on the release platform of a new film

Straight to your laptop ...

Paramount Pictures is releasing what it says is the first studio-backed feature film to premiere online. On Dec 19, the studio will make the latest instalment in the Jackass franchise available through Blockbusters Movielink service. From Dec 19, Jackass 2.5 can be streamed free for one week From Dec 26, the movie can be downloaded from pay-to-own sites such as iTunes and Amazons Unbox From Jan 1, streaming sites will let viewers watch the movie for free From February, Jackass 2.5 reaches cable and satellite TV on-demand services.
- www.last100.com

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