GCSE Film Studies or Drama

[NotDonna]

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?

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.

@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!!

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.

@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.

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.

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.

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.

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