Component 3 - Production

Introduction

Production is a crucial and synoptic part of the specification, giving you the opportunity to put into practice the filmmaking ideas you develop throughout your course of study. The study of film form in particular is intended to enable students to produce high quality short films and screenplays as well as provide you with a filmmaker's perspective on the films you study. For this reason, a selection of contrasting short films, demonstrating a range of different approaches to the short film narrative, has been set for study.

The production may take the form of either a short film or a screenplay for a short film. The screenplay must be accompanied by a digitally photographed storyboard of a key sequence from the screenplay in order to demonstrate how the screenplay will be realised. Students must also provide an evaluative analysis of the production, which analyses and evaluates the production in relation to other professionally produced films or screenplays, including at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes from the compilation set by WJEC (see Appendix A of the specification).

A production brief will initially be set for a period of three years. During this period, the effectiveness of the approach will be reviewed and monitored and subsequent production briefs may be set for a shorter period. Centres will be informed of any changes to the assessment period of the brief.

The production brief will offer four options, of which one must be chosen. Options will include:

 two options based on narrative elements and two options based on character-led elements of the short film.

The requirements of the evaluative analysis will remain unchanged.

The brief for first assessment in Summer 2019 and last assessment in Summer 2021is set out below. The brief for first assessment in Summer 2022 will be published by WJEC on its Eduqas website in September 2020, at which point the date of its final assessment will be confirmed.

Production brief (first assessment, Summer 2019; last assessment, Summer 2021)

Production brief

Learners are required to create an individual production consisting of:

EITHER

(i) a short film of between 4 and 5 minutes which includes one of the following:

 a narrative twist

 a narrative which begins with an enigma

 a narrative which establishes and develops a single character

 a narrative which portrays a conflict between two central characters.

(ii) a screenplay for a short film of between 1600 and 1800 words which includes one of the following:

 a narrative twist

 a narrative which begins with an enigma

 a narrative which establishes and develops a single character

 a narrative which portrays a conflict between two central characters.

The screenplay must be accompanied by a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screenplay (approximately 2 minutes' screen time, corresponding to approximately two pages of screenplay and to approximately 20 storyboard shots).

Evaluative analysis

Learners must complete an evaluative analysis of their production of between 1600 and 1800 words and make reference to all short films selected for study from the compilation set by WJEC (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes). The evaluative analysis will include:

 narrative structure of the short film – an analysis of how the narrative features and dramatic qualities of all short films studied are constructed, including through dialogue, highlighting key ideas which informed

learners' own production

 cinematic influences – an analysis of how visual/audio elements of other professionally produced films or screenplays, including short films, influenced their short film or screenplay.

 creating meaning and effect – an evaluative analysis of how their production creates meanings and generates responses for the spectator in relation to other professionally produced films or screenplays, including at least one of the short films studied.

Learners must submit the evaluative analysis in the form of extended writing (which may include sub-headings). It must be word-processed and may be illustrated with screen shots or screenplay extracts. Screenplay extracts used to illustrate the evaluative analysis are excluded from the word count of

1600 – 1800 words.

See Section 3.2 for the conditions relating to individual production and the conditions for completing the production and evaluative analysis.

Researching the short film

The short film has a distinctive narrative structure which frequently starts in the middle of a story or with an enigma. Whilst there is likely to be some clear development in character and storyline, the short film frequently concludes with an open, unresolved ending. Short films also frequently employ a narrative twist.

Learners will be studying a selection of short films for their A level. The selection is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the short film form. Students may supplement this by researching into additional short films and screenplays in preparation for your production

(research that can inform their evaluative analysis). Students will also be exploring examples of key elements of film form and screenplay techniques during your course of study, which you can apply to your production.

Central to the preparation phase is the study of short films. Learners must study a selection of short films (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes) from a compilation set by WJEC listed in Appendix A.

This study is intended to provide learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the short film form, particularly its distinctive narrative. The study should ensure learners engage with how the dramatic qualities of a short film are constructed, including through dialogue. The study will also enable learners to evaluate their own short films. As part of their evaluative analysis, learners will be required to analyse the narrative features of the short films they have studied, highlighting how they have informed your own production. Students may research additional films and screenplays, either short or feature-length, and this may also contribute to the evaluative analysis.

Throughout your course of study, students are therefore encouraged to keep an un-assessed portfolio, which could be in electronic form such as a blog or a Pinterest page consisting of:

 notes on or visuals from the short films studied which could inform their production work

 character(s) and narrative ideas for their short film

 examples of cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing and sound which could inform their production

 effective screenplay techniques (for the screenplay option in particular)

 examples of storyboards (if taking the screenplay option).

The short film: filmmaking option

Students must be responsible for the camerawork and editing of their short film. Unassessed participants may act in, or appear in, the film. Performance skills will not, however, be assessed in the production. Although there is no explicit requirement for independent lighting or independent sound, if either of these is

required unassessed assistants may operate lighting and/or sound equipment provided they are under the direction of the assessed learner.

Students are encouraged to put into practice an appropriate range of camera shots and editing techniques in their production, applying their knowledge and understanding of cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing and sound.

The short film: screenwriting option

Students are required to use the conventions of a screenplay to produce your screenplay. The standard format for a screenplay is generally referred to as the 'master scene script' layout and consists of:

Format features

 single column with wide margins

 sequential page numbering (top right)

 mf (more follows) (bottom right)

 dialogue centred, with speaker's name in upper case

 slugline and sound in upper case

 character name in upper case on first appearance only

 font – courier, 12 point

Content

 each scene is numbered and accompanied with a slugline

 the slugline consists of:

 an indication of where the action takes place – interior or exterior (INT, or EXT or INT/EXT)

 location descriptor

 lighting descriptor – DAY or NIGHT or TIME

 scene/action descriptor (with succinct descriptor of character on her/his first appearance)

 essential camera instructions (in upper case within scene descriptor) or essential editing instructions (in upper case, range right), which will only be used in exceptional circumstances (e.g. where SLO-MO is vital)

 action written in present tense.

It should be noted that screenplays do not include camera directions. In order to demonstrate visualisation skills equivalent to filming ideas for a short film, students producing a screenplay are additionally required to create a digitally photographed storyboard for a key section of the screenplay (approximately 2 minutes' screen time, corresponding to approximately two pages of a screenplay and to approximately 20 storyboard shots).

Whilst storyboards can and do vary, the generally accepted conventions of a storyboard must be used as indicated below. The digitally photographed storyboard images may be indicative and need not employ a realistic mise-en-scène. The storyboard must therefore include:

 shot number plus indicative image of main shot (e.g. close-up of face)

 the indicative image must incorporate the intended framing (e.g. close-up of face ranged right)

 duration of shot (or a timeline)

 visual details must include detail of the mise-en-scène as well as account for any camera movement within the shot

 specific editing techniques (beyond simple cuts) such as DISSOLVE TO and

 sound details, which must include reference to diegetic or non-diegetic sound but not dialogue.

Whilst digitally photographed images need only be indicative, learners may Photoshop backgrounds. This is not, however, assessed. In addition, up to five found shots may be used where a digitally photographed image would not be possible. The source of these shots must be credited.

A template for a storyboard will be made available by WJEC on its Eduqas website.

The evaluative analysis

Learners must complete an evaluative analysis of their production of between 1600 and 1800 words and make reference to all short films selected for study from the set compilation (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes).

The evaluative analysis will include:

 cinematic influences – an analysis of how key visual/audio elements of other professionally produced films or screenplays, including short films studied, influenced their short film

Note: all short films selected for study from the set compilation (at least three short films totalling a minimum of 80 minutes) must be considered in the evaluative analysis and must be listed on the coversheet submitted to WJEC. As set out in the production brief, learners must submit the evaluative analysis in the form of extended writing (which may include sub-headings). It must be word-processed and may be illustrated with screen shots or screenplay extracts. Screenplay extracts used to illustrate the evaluative analysis are excluded from the word count of 1600-1800 words.

Assessment

Non-exam assessment

Internally assessed, externally moderated by WJEC

60 marks

30% of qualification (production, 20%, evaluative analysis, 10%)

Learners must submit the following for assessment:

 production (40 marks)

 evaluative analysis (20 marks)

 production coversheet, including the list of short films studied, authenticated by teacher and learner.

Learners should note that work cannot be assessed without the appropriate authentication.

See Section 3.2 for details of the conditions for non-exam assessment and its administration.