Overview:
Film is both a powerful communication medium and an art form. The Diploma Programme film course aims to develop students’ skills so that they become adept in both interpreting and making film texts.
Through the study and analysis of film texts and exercises in film-making, the Diploma Programme film course explores film history, theory and socio-economic background. The course develops students’ critical abilities, enabling them to appreciate the multiplicity of cultural and historical perspectives in film. To achieve an international understanding within the world of film, students are taught to consider film texts, theories and ideas from the points of view of different individuals, nations and cultures.
The IB film course emphasizes the importance of working individually and as a member of a group. Students are encouraged to develop the professional and technical skills (including organizational skills) needed to express themselves creatively in film. A challenge for students following this course is to become aware of their own perspectives and biases and to learn to respect those of others. This requires willingness to attempt to understand alternative views, to respect and appreciate cultural diversity, and to have an open and critical mind. Thus, the IB film course can become a way for the student to celebrate the international and intercultural dynamic that inspires and sustains a type of contemporary film, while appreciating specifically local origins that have given rise to cinematic production in many parts of the world.
For any student to create, to present and to study film requires courage, passion and curiosity: courage to create individually and as part of a team, to explore ideas through action and harness the imagination, and to experiment; passion to communicate and to act communally, and to research and formulate ideas eloquently; curiosity about self and others and the world around them, about different traditions, techniques and knowledge, about the past and the future, and about the limitless possibilities of human expression through film.
At the core of the IB film course lies a concern with clarity of understanding, critical thinking, reflective analysis, effective involvement and imaginative synthesis that is achieved through practical engagement in the art and craft of film.
The Big Assessments
1. Due Before Spring Break: INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - ONE PART
This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
Production Portfolio
One completed film project with accompanying written documentation: no more than 1,200 words. (50 marks, or 50% of final grade)
Length of the film project: 4–5 minutes (including titles)
Length of individual rationale for the film: no more than 100 words
**Group work: The film project may be undertaken as a group project, but all accompanying documentation must be individually produced. While students may work together in a production group, they cannot present the same edit of their film projects for internal assessment due to the different assessment requirements.
2. Due by End of Semester 2: EXTERNAL ASSESSMENTS - TWO PARTS
Independent Study
Rationale, script and list of sources for a short documentary production of 8–10 pages on an aspect of film theory and/or film history, based on a study of a minimum of two films. The chosen films must originate from more than one country. (25 marks, or 25 % of final grade)
Length of the rationale: no more than 100 words Length of the script: 8–10 pages
Presentation
An oral presentation of a detailed critical analysis of a continuous extract from a prescribed film. The extract must not be longer than 5 minutes. (25 marks, or 25% of final grade)
**Maximum length of presentation: 10 minutes