GCSE Film Studies or Drama

HippyChickMama · 08/10/2022 18:51

NotDonna · 08/10/2022 09:32

@TeenDivided the school only do GCSEs no BTecs. No sociology, business, media etc. Just the usual languages, history, geog, RS, music, art, etc etc. Film studies is very off the wall for them. I’m guessing they’ve a new English teacher or something who has a passion for it. In which case it could be a great option as we all know that passionate teachers make an enormous difference. Yes asking about a good fit rather than looking good on paper or being easy - I think ‘easy’ is all relative and depends on the good fit!

@HippyChickMama oooh your son has a great combo there and seems to have a strong idea where he’s going. Not sure if it’ll be offered in 6th form but she’ll probably move anyway. Her favourite subject is history and I’d be surprised if she didn’t do that at A level. She’s no clue really what she’d like to do. She mentioned law yesterday but I think that’ll be too competitive- not that I said that of course!!

Ds's film studies lessons definitely contain a lot of discussion around historical and political context and includes international film too. I think a lot of the skills he's developing through the analysis of film are helping him with his critical thinking which will help in higher education. His exam board is eduqas, not sure how much they differ

TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 13:30

DD1 did triple. 11 isn’t needed by anyone. 9 is perfectly acceptable. As you say 9 good grades is better than 10 with several iffy ones.

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 10:30

They really push for 10 as a minimum (a lot do 11 as take additional maths) but it’s certainly worth asking as obviously 9 decent grades is better than stretching to 10 especially when she’s struggling to find enough.
She’s not totally opposed to doing 3 sciences but it just seems a waste when that’s not her thing and definitely won’t be A level choices.

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TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 10:16

I wouldn’t say drama can bring a great change in anyone. I do think an aptitude is important and interest. It does help with presentation skills snd confidence in front of others but it cannot change personality.

@NotDonna I don’t think choosing Film as one of 10 subjects is anything to worry about. Yes, I can see advantages to drama but no one would look at film and think it’s not suitable in a portfolio of 10. Also, does she need 10? 9 is acceptable. Our local girls grammar does 9 if you don’t do triple science. They are outstanding and so are many of the girls. I think you should look at film and maybe RS and History. Ask if 9 is ok.

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 10:09

@Lemoncurd well done your daughter. Sounds like she had to put in a lot of effort. I think you’re absolutely correct about drama gcse appealing to people who already have some of those skills and attributes. Makes sense really.

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Lemoncurd · 08/10/2022 09:58

My quiet introverted daughter did drama, sold on the sales spiel about the skills it would build and confidence in public speaking etc. It did the opposite, caused so much stress and anxiety, drama and and English were a focus for this. She needed a lot of support from school through this time and had some help from a tutor for these subjects to try and ease the stress.

That said, she did absolutely no performing for drama (WJEC exam board), for both coursework components she worked on set design. Still managed to achieve a grade 8 so was very pleased and shocked!

Came to the conclusion that the stated confidence benefits of studying drama might not necessarily be skills automatically developed by the course, maybe people who naturally have those skills or an aptitude for them are more likely to choose drama.

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 09:32

@TeenDivided the school only do GCSEs no BTecs. No sociology, business, media etc. Just the usual languages, history, geog, RS, music, art, etc etc. Film studies is very off the wall for them. I’m guessing they’ve a new English teacher or something who has a passion for it. In which case it could be a great option as we all know that passionate teachers make an enormous difference. Yes asking about a good fit rather than looking good on paper or being easy - I think ‘easy’ is all relative and depends on the good fit!

@HippyChickMama oooh your son has a great combo there and seems to have a strong idea where he’s going. Not sure if it’ll be offered in 6th form but she’ll probably move anyway. Her favourite subject is history and I’d be surprised if she didn’t do that at A level. She’s no clue really what she’d like to do. She mentioned law yesterday but I think that’ll be too competitive- not that I said that of course!!

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 08:07

It does not say which exam board but does say that there’s 2 papers of 35% each and an NEA ‘film production’. The two components are ‘global film’ and ‘key developments in US film’. It does sound like a really good course for thinking about things differently.

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EntertainingandFactual · 08/10/2022 08:01

NotDonna · 07/10/2022 10:48

I’ve no clue about either subject. DD doesn’t like acting per se as can’t remember lines but teacher says she’s quite strong in drama. School about to introduce gcse film studies so I’m wondering if that would be a good gcse option. Any one able to advise please?

If she doesn’t like performing, drama isn’t the best option.
My DD took drama and hated the plays/themes they studied. She wasn’t interested in them.
I would go for film studies without a doubt.

TeenDivided · 08/10/2022 07:57

A 9th or 10th GCSE in any subject isn't going to be viewed 'negatively' by anyone. Neither is making that 9th or 10th subject a BTEC instead.

My assumption (possibly false) was the OP by asking if it was a 'good' option was asking, will it be interesting, will it be right for my DC? There are no 'easy' GCSEs anymore.

HippyChickMama · 08/10/2022 07:52

Ds is doing GCSE film studies and plans to do it at A level alongside history and politics. He wants to do history for his undergraduate degree and then a PGCE for primary teaching. He loves film studies and is predicted a 9. There's a lot of analysis of different aspects of film, aesthetic, themes, historical context etc. and his grade will come from coursework (a short original screenplay) and an exam on the films he's studied. The history degree he's interested in (Russell Group uni) has the option of taking modules from other disciplines within the university including film so I don't think a film studies GCSE or A level will be viewed negatively in his case. Does your dd know what she wants to do after GCSE?

TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 07:27

@Piggywaspushed is the Film expert on MN.

TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 07:26

@NotDonna
Has the school said which exam board for film? That might give you clues. My DDs were at a traditional school so I recognise the dilemma!

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 07:10

@TizerorFizz agreed! We are trying to find least worst. You’ve hit the nail on the head. They don’t offer anything like the other subjects you mention. She’d definitely choose business studies and/or sociology, or media studies maybe but nothing like those are offered.. It’s a very narrow choice. I’m quite surprised film studies is being introduced next year as opposed to another more traditional subject. Problem is they’ll be the first cohort and I’ve no idea who is going to be teaching it.

@NashvilleQueen
She’s good at English but English lit isn’t a separate subject as yet so hard to tell if she’ll be good at that, and therefore film studies. She’d definitely like filming on her phone. This will sound like a stupid question but if it’s like English lit do they study in depth three films? In sections? Like they do with the books? She’d struggle to watch a film in its entirety (ADHD).

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NashvilleQueen · 08/10/2022 06:44

Film studies gcse is just like eng lit with films. Essay based exam so lots of writing. They do 'make' very short films (1-2 mins) but just on their phones etc.

TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 06:33

Lobe? !! Love!

TizerorFizz · 08/10/2022 06:32

@NotDonna
If she likes history, classical civilization might work. It’s a gamble because it’s a new subject. My DDs did the old RS syllabus and it wasn’t that difficult to do well!

I also think trying to find subjects you lobe and not being pragmatic is a mistake. Some Dc are good at lots of subjects (DD1 was)!but DD2 had to be pragmatic with a couple. Choosing least worst! Often it’s not liking the teacher so look at how the subject is taught for gcse. What about business studies, sociology or media? In the circumstances, film studies might be a decent choice too.

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NotDonna · 08/10/2022 00:12

@Dotcheck not sure what you’ve read in my posts to think I’m pushing. Absolutely no pushing going on here. Just have no clue re drama or film studies. Purely exploring some options. They’re meant to do a creative but nothing is floating her boat. She’s really struggling to find something she’ll enjoy. She likes drama lessons and gets decent results but she’s not especially enthusiastic. Other creatives are Art, DT, music - all hated. She loves history but not geography or RS so struggling for humanities too. They take ten subjects - my other DCs didn’t do a creative so their ten included 2 languages, 2 humanities, 3 sciences, 2 English and maths. But DD isn’t science orientated so thinking combined, definitely not 2 languages but will take one, loves history but that still leaves two options.

@TizerorFizz thanks for this. School do great productions but she’s never been involved in any of them. I’m not sure who does the set design but I’ve a feeling it won’t be the kids. I’ll find out. She does dance extra curricula and is very good but her school don’t offer at gcse. Some really good queries there that she & I need to explore. I’m thinking it possibly not suitable but Thank you so much.

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TizerorFizz · 07/10/2022 23:19

Optional subjects are often very important ones. You would struggle to do geography or history degrees if you don’t do A level after taking the GCSE . Ditto dropping MFL so Dc take none. Art is another you need if you want art at he level. These subjects are not just interests you explore. They mean something.

is the drama curriculum is broadly interpreted? Do find out what the school really does! Who teaches lighting and set design? Does anyone get a 9 doing this? Have you seen school drama productions? Are they high class? Our school did wonderful ones. I would look at past results for all subjects! Has your DC actually done any drama? By the end of y9, mine had been in productions every year and house drama competition. They also sang in choirs and danced.

Dotcheck · 07/10/2022 22:44

Please don’t push her to do subjects she doesn’t enjoy!
Why on earth do parents do this?
The mind boggles.

They have core subjects to look after the necessary future requirements- optional subjects are there for them to explore their interests. Why would you want to stand in the way of that?

WayDownInTheHole · 07/10/2022 21:47

Depending on the exam board, you can complete all practical assessment through a design option. Monologues aren't a requirement - even if you do the acting assessments you can do them all in groups. It is entirely possible to avoid acting for the assessments.

Drama is a very established GCSE - the vast majority of schools offer it and if they're interested enough in the subject they'll enjoy it.

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NotDonna · 07/10/2022 21:47

Thank you. Maybe she does another humanity rather than a creative. I’ll have to start a new thread RS v Class Civ. There's just not enough options.

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MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 07/10/2022 21:29

My dd did GCSE drama. She absolutely loved it but it was very hard work. I think you would really need to want to do it, as it just definitely isn't an easy option.

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NotDonna · 07/10/2022 21:25

Thank you so much for all your replies. It seems drama is quite popular.

Im not too sure what’s in the curriculum to be honest. School info just says that it doesn’t have to be acting and mentions set design, lighting, costume design, but it’s written oddly and not clear about how much line learning and acting involved. If she could do set design for any practicals I think she’d be incredibly keen.

Learning a monologue would not be of interest @Mouriv despite her being very expressive. is this all exam boards?

@TooHot2022 The essay side of it including theatre critique sounds good albeit I think assessment logs (if you mean reflecting on own work?) could be tricky, but a very useful skill. Drama does sound like it could be a really good course but perhaps a risky gcse.

@BirdinaHedge really interesting that it’s good for kids who like more physicality and movement, maybe that’s why she gets good drama grades & feedback. I’m wondering though if it’s mainly for kids who want to be in the school plays and/or do LAMDA or stagecoach and that type of thing?

@LIZS how many practicals are there? can all the practicals be non performing?

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TizerorFizz · 07/10/2022 20:16

Actually some do give a shit! DD1 is a barrister. Drama gcse was beneficial. A star gave her confidence for public speaking. She, like her sister, went to a school where drama, LAMDA and public speaking were valued. It’s a great skill. You only have to watch The Apprentice to know how public speaking can be a very valuable skill. Some of DD’s colleagues are fiercely clever but sometimes lacked confidence in court. The Inns of Court even get in training from RADA. Film studies is great but it’s not collaborative or confidence boosting.