Film subject report · November 2012

November 2012 extended essay reports Page 1 Film Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0 - 7 8 - 15 16 - 22 23 - 28 29 - 36 The range and suitability of the work submitted There was a reasonably wide range of work presented but most were fairly simple and predictable responses to commonplace topics. However there were also essays that showed genuine knowledge and engagement with well -chosen topics and research questions. The best essays reflected imagination enlivened by substantial research, mature analysis and a real unde rstanding of the subject language. Unfortunately, there are still too many topics chosen that were not specifically about film but merely used film as a starting point to discuss other topics – more often than not of a purely historical, biographical or so ciological nature. In some cases the essays could have just as readily been an English A1 or History essay. This most frequently occurred when a candidate was not undertaking the course as a DP option and when neither the student nor their supervisor had a clear understanding of what properly constituted an appropriate topic or appropriate research for film as a subject. Where suitable topics were chosen the most prominent weakness was the inclusion of too much superficial description. Many essays were writ ten with the enthusiasm of a film fan but frequently lacked academic substance. Using appropriate film terminology and focusing upon how film constructs meaning proved problematic for some candidates. The weakest of the essays ignored the fact that film ha s its own language, grammar and discourse that need to be appropriately addressed. As in previous sessions, the best essays focussed upon careful research with fully referenced sources, integrating the research with coherent analysis and discussion and dra wing conclusions based upon clear evidence. Candidate performance against each criterion Criterion A: research question The strongest essays worked from a basis of a solid