The NEAs of all our 2025 Film students are available through the link page above.
If there are any issues accessing any aspect of their work then please email me at groganmf@alleyns.org.uk.
Friday, 1 May 2026
Monday, 17 April 2023
OCR A Level Film Studies NEA Summer 2025
The NEAs of all our 2025 Film students are available through the link page above.
If there are any issues accessing any aspect of their work then please email me at groganmf@alleyns.org.uk.
Thursday, 28 April 2022
OCR A level Film Studies NEA: Summer 2022
The work of all our Film students is available through the link page above.
If there are any issues accessing any aspect of their NEAs please email me at groganmf@alleyns.org.uk.
Monday, 4 May 2020
Week 3 - The Film Industry - Distribution and Marketing
Lesson 1. The Film Industry Contexts - Distribution & The Role of the Distributor (45 mins)
Film Distribution describes everything that happens in between production (making the film) and exhibition people watching the film in cinemas or on DVD, on television, via the internet or on a plane, or anywhere else). Far from being straightforward, distribution involves all of the deals done to get films shown (many films never get seen) and, just as importantly, marketed.
Watch the two short documentaries on this Hub page and make notes on what the various industry insiders say about what distributors are, what a distributor does, and how it may have changed in recent years.
By the end of this lesson you should have a good idea of what film distribution is all about, and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-the-film-industry-contexts---distribution-and-the-role-of-the-distributor
Lesson 1 Homework. Listen to part 2 of the podcast The Business of Film - Getting to the Screen and make notes on the role of the distributor in the modern film industry. (45 mins)
Full details here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-homework-the-business-of-film---getting-to-the-screen
Lesson 2. The Film Industry Contexts - Marketing (30 mins)
Film Marketing is the practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution.
Watch the short documentary and add to your notes on Film Distribution. What do the various industry insiders say about how the film marketing works, and has changed in recent years.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing
Lesson 2 Homework: Carefully read the case study on the film Cloverfield (2008). By the end of this process you should have a good idea of what film marketing is all about and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
You might even want to watch the film if the marketing has been successful...unless you're too...scared... (also available on Netflix) (60 mins+film watching?). Add to your notes from Lesson 1 homework.
Homework reading task here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/the-marketing-of-cloverfield-2008
Film available here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/cloverfield-2008
Nothing separate to submit for your homework, just your notes from this week's lessons.
Film Distribution describes everything that happens in between production (making the film) and exhibition people watching the film in cinemas or on DVD, on television, via the internet or on a plane, or anywhere else). Far from being straightforward, distribution involves all of the deals done to get films shown (many films never get seen) and, just as importantly, marketed.
Watch the two short documentaries on this Hub page and make notes on what the various industry insiders say about what distributors are, what a distributor does, and how it may have changed in recent years.
By the end of this lesson you should have a good idea of what film distribution is all about, and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-the-film-industry-contexts---distribution-and-the-role-of-the-distributor
Lesson 1 Homework. Listen to part 2 of the podcast The Business of Film - Getting to the Screen and make notes on the role of the distributor in the modern film industry. (45 mins)
Full details here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-homework-the-business-of-film---getting-to-the-screen
Lesson 2. The Film Industry Contexts - Marketing (30 mins)
Film Marketing is the practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution.
Watch the short documentary and add to your notes on Film Distribution. What do the various industry insiders say about how the film marketing works, and has changed in recent years.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing
Lesson 2 Homework: Carefully read the case study on the film Cloverfield (2008). By the end of this process you should have a good idea of what film marketing is all about and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
You might even want to watch the film if the marketing has been successful...unless you're too...scared... (also available on Netflix) (60 mins+film watching?). Add to your notes from Lesson 1 homework.
Homework reading task here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/the-marketing-of-cloverfield-2008
Film available here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/cloverfield-2008
Nothing separate to submit for your homework, just your notes from this week's lessons.
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Lesson 1. The Film Industry Contexts - Production
Film production is the process of making a film. Filmmaking involves a number of discrete stages including an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording and reproduction, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and exhibition.
This lesson is all about you learning more about who a producer is and what they do.
Watch these two short documentaries and make notes on what the various industry insiders say about what producers are, how the role of a producer works, and has changed in recent years. By the end of this lesson you should have a good idea of what film production is all about, and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
You also have different kinds of producers. You get Producers, Executive Producers, Co-Producers, Associate Producers, and most significantly, the Line Producer, who is like the Stage Manager on a film - sometimes they are called a Unit Production Manager - they actually make sure people are paid, get fed, turn up for the right set-ups and shots at the right time...
Filmmaking takes place in many places around the world in a range of economic, social, and political contexts, and using a variety of technologies and cinematic techniques. Typically, it involves a large number of people, and can take from a few months to several years to complete...
HW. Read the booklet and which is a guide to the concept of film production. It should be read in support of the documentary from Film Education and the other work above.
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
Ex Machina. Is Alex Garland an Auteur?
What is an Auteur?
Four Trailers
Judge Dredd - www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-eI5oLlIeY&t=
Never Let Me Go - www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXiRZhDEo8A
Annihilation - www.youtube.com/watch?v=89OP78l9oF0&t=
Script Development
Video Interview (15 mins): Alex Garland: how we made Ex Machina | BFI - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIugmpD9UXk&feature=emb_title
Guardian article - https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jan/11/alex-garland-ex-machina-interview-the-beach-28-days-later
Influences on Garland
Familiar Themes?
The Evolution of Robots in Movies & TV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yod4lziPgno
Robots in the Movies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtbnbcasYY0
Homework Task
Watch the second video interview with Garland and the short articles all linked to below.
Garland speaks explicitly about film being a collaborative medium and how the idea of him being an auteur is not correct. Yet others see him as an Auteur. Do you agree? Write at least three paragraphs defining what an auteur is, then giving the case for and against Garland as an auteur, explaining why you agree or disagree with him.
Video Interview (30 mins): Alex Garland: "Ex Machina" | Talks at Google - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIugmpD9UXk&feature=emb_title
Ex Machina’s Alex Garland talks robots and why the auteur theory is “bullshit” –
Alex Garland: An Auteur in the Making? -
Monday, 20 April 2020
Documentary Filmmakers - John Grierson
Night Mail is available here to watch for free...
Grierson's earlier documentary Drifters is available below...
This week’s work will teach us about the work of documentary producer and director John Grierson.
The methodology is that you should read Pages 2 to 8 in the Documentary Booklet 3 available either via the Hub here:https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-13-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-film-documentary-section-b/clash-of-the-titans-grierson-vs-pennebaker
Or in the Files section of this Team at the top of the page. I think you may already have a hard copy of this.
You should then watch the film The Night Mail.
And then watch at least 15-20 minutes of his film Drifters (it’s 40 mins long, and ironically, as it’s about fishermen, a bit dry).
You'll be able to ask me questions about this either tomorrow or on Thursday in our live lessons.
TASK: Summarise the key elements of Grierson’s approach to documentary filmmaking. You should write about two paragraphs.
What influence has Grierson had on Sarah Polley’s documentary Stories We Tell? You should write about two paragraphs.
EXPLORE GRIERSON
Watch Night Mail at the BFI Online:
http://www.griersontrust.org/about-us/john-grierson.html - Grierson Trust website
(http://www.griersontrust.org/assets/files/articles/john-grierson-n-pronay.pdf )
http://libguides.stir.ac.uk/archives/Grierson - Archive of Grierson’s work at the
University of Stirling
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012p53d - BBC 4 Documentary Britain Through
a Lens: The Documentary Film Mob available online (https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=v6fWe0tpSSg)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b042rlbv - Clips from BBC 2 Documentary Documenting John Grierson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Grierson - Wikipedia page
Monday, 1 April 2019
OCR Film Studies Students' work May 2019
The work of all our Film students is available through the link page above. If there are any issues accessing their NEA please email me at groganmf@alleyns.org.uk.
Wednesday, 9 May 2018
OCR Media Studies Advanced Portfolio work May 2018
The work of all our Media students is available through the link page above.
If there are any issues accessing the coursework please email me at groganmf@alleyns.org.uk.
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
Monday, 11 September 2017
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
Exemplar Work for Comparison 2016/17
Short Film - Ellie
http://elliewildmana2media.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/final-package.html
Research and planning – 19
Main task – 37
Ancillary 1 - 9
Ancillary 2 - 9
Evaluation - 19
Overall - 93/100
Trailer - Salma
http://salmaalmazwagimediaa2.weebly.com/
Research and planning – 18
Main task – 33
Ancillary 1 - 7
Ancillary 2 - 8
Evaluation - 16
Overall - 82
The trailer for this got a borderline level 4 mark...
http://kiraa2media.blogspot.co.uk/
http://elliewildmana2media.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/final-package.html
Research and planning – 19
Main task – 37
Ancillary 1 - 9
Ancillary 2 - 9
Evaluation - 19
Overall - 93/100
Trailer - Salma
http://salmaalmazwagimediaa2.weebly.com/
Research and planning – 18
Main task – 33
Ancillary 1 - 7
Ancillary 2 - 8
Evaluation - 16
Overall - 82
The trailer for this got a borderline level 4 mark...
http://kiraa2media.blogspot.co.uk/
Monday, 26 June 2017
Research into Similar Media Texts - Magazine Analysis
Make sure you do:
1. Institutional analysis - who makes your magazine and who buys it?
2. Magazine Front Cover analysis
3. Magazine Review page analysis
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Week 1 Work - Warp Films and Working Title
Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied.
The candidate received a low A grade for their response and used Warp Films and Working Title as their Case Studies.
Here's the presentation we went through in class:
Remember YOU have to put together information on Warp Films and in particular Four Lions (2010) and one other Warp Film.
Here's some good info on This is England (2008)
http://prezi.com/bygl1l58xidp/this-is-england-production-distribution-and-exhibition/
This will get you started on Four Lions:
http://www.imdb.co.uk/title/tt1341167/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Lions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/may/06/four-lions-review
Classification
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/four-lions-2010-2
U.S. Distribution
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/nov/10/four-lions-us-chris-morris
Representation and Four Lions
http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/film-media/four-lions-study-guide-film-and-media
I will go through a Working Title Case Study with you as well. Here it is in advance:
G322 case study working title Case Stu from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department
Here's the trailer for The Boat That Rocked:
Here's the trailer for The Boat That Rocked:
Week 2 Work - Technological Convergence, the Impact of Digital & Monsters
This week our exemplar essay explores technological convergence and the impact of digital on the five main areas of the film industry:
Production, Distribution, Marketing, Exhibition and Audiences.
Here's the powerpoint that helps shape your response to the exemplar essay:
And here's the trailer for the film Monsters:
And here's the powerpoint on the film Monsters:
Production, Distribution, Marketing, Exhibition and Audiences.
Here's the powerpoint that helps shape your response to the exemplar essay:
And here's the trailer for the film Monsters:
And here's the powerpoint on the film Monsters:
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Year 12 Evaluation Questions & Construction Deadlines 2017 & Exemplar Evaluations
YEAR
12 EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Each
student will evaluate and reflect upon the creative process and their
experience of it.
Students
will evaluate their work electronically, this evaluation being guided by the
set of key questions below. This evaluation may be done collectively for a
group production or individually. Examples of suitable formats for the
evaluation are: a podcast, director’s commentary, DVD extras alternative
scenes, a blog, a Powerpoint, annotation of a YouTube clip, a Prezi, audience
research graphs, edited focus group interviews, vox pops etc.
In
all cases, students should be discouraged from seeing the evaluation as simply
a written essay and the potential of the format chosen should be exploited
through the use of images, audio, video and links to online resources.
In
the evaluation the following questions must be answered:
1. In
what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
2. How
does your media product represent particular social groups?
3. What
kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
4. Who
would be the audience for your media product?
5. How
did you attract/address your audience?
6. What
have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this
product?
7. Looking
back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to the full product?
Year 12 AS Coursework Dates
Initial Editing Deadline
(For all
graphic work, idents and editing)
Friday 17th February
AS Audience Screening
Next week
AS Audience Screening
Next week
Final Deadline
(For all
filming, editing and evaluations)
No extensions!
Friday 10th March
AS media studies evaluation notes from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department
Here's an example of an external student whose evaluation got an A* in 2011...
And here's some background information from the Chief Examiner also from 2011...
Exemplar blogs
This one got 16/20 for the evaluation… 51/60 for the construction and 15 for Research and Planning.
This one got 14/20 for the evaluation… 50/60 for the construction and 15/20 for Research and Planning.
This one got 17/20 for their evaluation… 53/60 for the construction and 19/20 for Research and Planning.
This one got 18/20 for the evaluation… 54/60 for construction and 18/20 for Research and Planning.
Here's an example of an external student whose evaluation got an A* in 2011...
And here's some background information from the Chief Examiner also from 2011...
Exemplar blogs
This one got 16/20 for the evaluation… 51/60 for the construction and 15 for Research and Planning.
This one got 14/20 for the evaluation… 50/60 for the construction and 15/20 for Research and Planning.
This one got 17/20 for their evaluation… 53/60 for the construction and 19/20 for Research and Planning.
This one got 18/20 for the evaluation… 54/60 for construction and 18/20 for Research and Planning.
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