WJEC Eduqas GCSE Film Studies sample

1. (b) For 4 marks, here you should consider typicality in more detail: you could talk about how conventions act as the typical ‘ingredients’ of a genre film, or how they establish films as being in a particular genre. Going further you should also consider how these ‘ingredients’ become attractive to audiences both general and specific (fans). Again, examples from your chosen film should also be included, for example the typical use of expertly choreographed song and dance productions in musical films such as Singin’ in the Rain when Gene Kelley dances with the umbrella to the film’s title song. 1. (c) To score in the top band here (9–10 marks) it is the demonstration and use of detail from your chosen film that will be the key to success. Sticking with the scene from Singin’ in the Rain , you could talk about how the mise-en-scène and performance elements of film form are used to emphasise the mood and emotion of Gene Kelley’s character. Describing that he is so happy at being in love with his girlfriend that not even the pouring rain of the sequence can dampen his mood. Gene Kelley further makes this meaning by the use of movement, from the very start his body seems to be light and relaxed – almost walking on air. As the tempo of the music increases he begins to dance in a joyful way, using aspects of the mise-en-scène like the lamp-post to demonstrate his playful and happy mood, as he jumps up and swings on it while telling us that he is ‘ laughing at clouds ’. Even the rain itself is used to further highlight his joy, as he emphasises beats in the song with spirited splashing. The two key aspects of your answer here would be the understanding of the meaning of the sequence and how the typical, or conventional, use of the elements of film form have been used in detail to create it for the audience. Gene Kelly: ‘ laughing at clouds ’ ( Singin’ in the Rain ). 289 Part 6: Exam skills