Film Studies A Level

[UncleFujiyama]

Earlier this year, ds decided that he would like to take Film Studies as one of his A Level options, despite mine and dh's misgivings about the subject. Prior to his GCSEs, he decided that perhaps he would change it, and after chatting to one of the sixth form advisors, he was advised that he could change his options in September and not to worry about it at that point.

Tomorrow is the day he can change his options and he now seems very reluctant to swap. My misgivings are that Film Studies is not seen as a serious, academic subject, and that taking it may affect his chances of getting into a good university. On the other hand, I don't want him to spend the next couple of years unhappy with his choices and resenting us for not backing him.

He says he would possibly swap Film Studies for Chemistry. He achieved eleven A*-As in his GCSEs, so I really think he has the pick of subjects he could do well in at A Level, which is partly why I'm baffled as to why he is insistent again that he wants to do Film Studies.

His other A Level choices are Maths, History and Art; are Maths and History good enough in themselves to ensure that he can get onto a good course at a good university? I understand that two facilitating subjects out of three are said to be enough for most good university courses, any advice as to how true this is? Should I stop worrying and let him carry on as planned?

[TeenAndTween]

Presumably he has no idea what he wants to do as a career or at university? If he did then you would be working backwards from that.

I have no idea what is covered in Film Studies. Presumably your DS does.

I would be a bit concerned about doing Art and Film Studies unless he has a burning desire to go into something massively creative? Not that I know anything much about this as I am from a family of scientists.

Also it seems quite an eclectic mix in as much as none of the subjects seem to support each other iyswim? Which of course might be good as it keeping his options broad, but still ...

[TeenAndTween]

You could also look at course requirements and see what he is ruling out by his choices.

So probably ruling out maths (not doing double), anything science related, languages, English?

[UncleFujiyama]

Thank you for the reply. I agree re the eclectic nature of his choices. I don't think Chemistry fits any better than Film Studies does, although at least it is a more academic subject. He was considering Spanish or Geography, but he now says he cannot do another two years of them. He has no inclination to do any of the other sciences, and he hates English, which makes me wonder why on earth he think Film Studies is going to be enjoyable as it seems quite similar in the fact that it involves essay writing and analysis but of films instead of books.

He's not yet set on any particular university or course. For years he wanted to do Architecture but that is now out as far as he's concerned. He has mentioned doing Film Studies as a degree, with some vague notion of 'working in film' at the end of it, which I am not overly happy at the idea of. He's also mentioned History, as he does really enjoy the subject... It's his lack clarity as to what he actually wants to do which means I think he'd be best off keeping his options as open as possible... If he does decide that he wants to do Film Studies as a degree, then he does not need Film Studies A-Level in order to do so.

In any case I think I am going to have to reluctantly let him get on with it. He is extremely stubborn and has basically strung us along until the last minute saying that he is going to change, and we don't seem to be able to make him see things any differently. The last thing I want is for him to spend his time unhappy and hating sixth form.

[bluestrawhat]

Let him do what he wants to do. With 2 facilitating subjects he'll be fine (and remember there's no cap on universities now so it's a lot easier to get in anyway) and he's likely to get better grades in subjects he enjoys.

[bloodyteenagers]

Is it his life or yours?
It's his.
He hasn't strung you along. He just told you what you wanted to hear for a quiet few months.
You don't want him Working in film afterwards. It's not your choice.

Many people did A levels and went onto uni in a different field. A number of people didn't do any A
Levels and still went onto good uni's.

[pinkdelight]

My film studies a-level was the best bit of my education. Loved it. Got an A, and since got BA and MA (neither one in film due to feeling the need for more job-oriented qualifications). And now guess what, I work in film and am loving it. It's a shame that having the pay fees etc means more kids are discouraged from doing subjects they love, meaning industries like film become even more the preserve of rich kids. If he's a dilettante then your concern may be valid, but if he's genuinely into it then that's important. A lot of kids' problems come from not knowing what they want to do.