Moving Image Arts
STAFF​
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Miss D O’Hagan
Dr A Carlin
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In today's digital age, where visual storytelling has become an integral part of our lives, the art of filmmaking has gained immense popularity. In NI, the film and TV industry are both booming with a need for local professional talent. Recognising the need to nurture young talent and provide them with the necessary skills, our school is thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our A-level subjects- Moving Image Arts. This captivating course allows students to delve into the history of film. Students also have an exciting opportunity to bring their creative visions to life through creating their very own films that they write, plan, direct and shoot themselves. They can pick live-action or animation as their focus; we have supported students using both methods successfully
COURSE OUTLINE
We follow the CCEA specification. This is a two year-course which contains four units:
• Two to be studied and examined for the AS qualification in June.
• Two further units to be studied, if desired, for the A-Level qualification the following June.
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The course covers the following main areas:
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AS Module 1: Realist and Formalist Techniques and the Classical Hollywood Style: Foundation Portfolio (60% of AS and 24% of A-Level)
In this unit, students will study three areas of film style:
• Classical Hollywood Style;
• Formalism; and
• Realism.
Students will learn the creative and technical skills of moving image production including how camera, lighting, mise-en-scene, sound (including music) and editing are used to create emotion, mood and audience response. They will use their study to inform and inspire their own creative practice.
AS Module 2: Critical Response (40% of AS and 16% of A-Level)
In this unit students will study the following styles and movements to prepare for their online examination:
• Classical Hollywood Style and Alfred Hitchcock;
• Formalism in Early European Cinema including German Expressionism and Soviet Montage; and
• American Expressionism and Film Noir. Students will also learn about the Hollywood Studio System and realist techniques used in Hollywood cinema.
A2 Module 1: Creative Production and Research: Advanced Portfolio (36% of A-Level)
In this unit students will refine their technical filmmaking skills further, conducting independent research into a film practitioner of their own choice. There will also be further emphasis on screenwriting and the development of ideas into a complete and original narrative film. Students will experiment with the techniques and conventions they have studied to inform their own creative ideas.
A2 Module 2: Advanced Critical Response (24% of A-Level)
In this unit students will study the following styles of Realism in World Cinema to prepare for their online examination:
• Italian Neo-Realism;
• French New Wave and Cinéma Vérité; and
• Poetic Realism.
They will also study ways in which filmmakers have tried to experiment with narrative and will learn about writing director’s notes in response to unseen script material.
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
Throughout the course the progress of students will be closely monitored. This policy of continual assessment involves regular homework assignments. Self-assessment and peer assessment will also be a common feature alongside group work and essay writing.
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CAREER IMPLICATIONS
Moving Image Arts is a challenging and rewarding course, offering solid progression into further and higher education and the creative industries. The moving image is a key driver of the creative industries and plays a significant role in today’s culture, shaping how we communicate and learn about the world around us. Film, television and the internet inform, entertain and educate us and this course will empower students to use the moving image as a tool to express themselves and their ideas in new and creative ways. The Moving Image Arts course helps students to develop a range of skills for employment, including working from your own initiative, planning and managing schedules, equipment and human resources, providing leadership and creative direction and demonstrating innovative problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.
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FACILITIES
We are very lucky to have secured funding for a state-of-the-art Mac suite, equipped with Mac computers installed with the latest software. We also have a class set of Canon DSLRs, a three-point lighting system, gimbals, tripods, and more. This cutting-edge technology allows students to explore their creativity and visual storytelling.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
We believe in enriching the learning experience beyond the classroom. We take our students to screenings of films linked to their course. They participate in workshops hosted by the renowned Nerve Centre, offering insights from industry experts and providing hands-on training to refine the skills of our students. Additionally, our film enthusiasts can participate in our KS3 and KS4 Film Clubs, where members discuss the art of film and cinematography. These clubs provide a space for like-minded students to share their passion, fostering a sense of community among our aspiring filmmakers.
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We encourage our students to avail of the free educational opportunities, workshops, and work experience made available by NI Screen Academies and Screenworks Into Film. Several of our students have attended these courses and found them incredibly beneficial.
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