What should I choose for A-Level? Film or Media?

[GihanE]

Hi,



I have to choose my A-Levels in less than a month now. I've been self-debating whether to take Film Studies or Media Studies. After all my research from colleges and sixth forms around me it seems like:



Film Studies is theoretical and results in a good knowledge behind film and media production, but not much practical film making. Universities who offer film studies will see this qualification as a bonus



Media Studies is more practical, and results in a wide portfolio of work as opposed to a useful end qualification.



My question is:



What shall I take if I wish to study Film at university and work in Media (Film & Television, Games, Journalism etc..)?



Is it better to have a solid A-Level qualification and a good knowledge behind making films or a brief knowledge of how to make films and a wide portfolio of work?



I have the feeling universities will look more for a formal qualification, but then the National Film and Television school is more focused on seeing what you've made, hence more confusion for me!



Can somebody please help? Thank you!



G.

[GoggleboxUK]

My opinion, and I must emphasise that it is only an opinion, is that A-levels are really just ways to demonstrate to Universities how well you can absorb and retain information.



If I were in your position I'd be thinking about which course I was most likely to obtain the best grade in as Universities are interested in your accumulated grades at A level much more than the subject they were acheived in.



Perhaps it would be beneficial to consider which University courses interest you the most and then decide on your A-level based on the criteria for admission onto that particular course.



If you feel you are more likely to gain an A or B at A level in Media Studies than Film Studies then I'd be inclined to plump for that option. After all, if you get 3 or 4 As at A level then the University doors swing open much wider than if you're appying with Cs and Ds.

[christoph404]

As far as I know 'Film Studies' is a bit like studying English Literature but instead of novels and writers being the source material you would be looking at films and directors and studying them in a fairly Academic and analytical way with practically zero hands on experience in the physical aspects and techniques of making a film. I would imagine a qualification in film studies would lead to a career in journalism, film critic or film historian rather than a film director. If your ultimate goal is to make films then I would have thought it better to enroll on a course that would be more useful and teach you more practical stuff. Actually I think Roman Polanski might have said once that the best way to become a film maker is to stop sitting around talking about films and pick up a camera and go out and start shooting! A bit harsh as I think he might have been addressing film students at the time but I think he is right in principal. I would have thought the media studies course would be more useful for finding employment or further education and the film studies you can do in your own time and garner the knowledge without necessarily just having a qualification in that.

[Catweazle67]

What Job do You Want To Do?

Get Skilled For That!

Bernard

[Dave Rattigan]

I did an A-level in Film Studies (back in the day - 1994-1996) and loved it. As Christoph said, it's pretty much like doing Literature, but analyzing films instead of the written word.



Though you'll learn about film-making techniques, there'll be zero opportunity (unless things have changed) for you to do any film-making yourself. If you want to go into film-making, I would think a Media course would have the edge in terms of proving you've learned some practical skills.



Media Studies still does have a bit of a "Mickey Mouse" reputation, though - rightly or wrongly,.

[GihanE]

Thanks guys, the comparison to English Lit. really helped! I'm doing English lang and lit, so I'm thinking that might be a lot if Film Studies is taken with it. I also love my screen writing, so not dropping English :P Ahh, this has helped me anyway thank you :)