How to add video from DVDs into your research project presentation

First you need to download MakeMKV from here http://makemkv.com/ or use a PC in school that has the program pre-installed.

This is a very easy program to use and if you read the short instructions, you will know everything you need to http://www.makemkv.com/onlinehelp/

Basically, you are going to copy  the DVD (or parts of it) onto the hard drive of a PC, so that you can then edit sequences from the film in an editing program such as Moviemaker or Premiere Pro.

Rather than copy all the DVD (which takes up a lot of space on the hard drive) you can just copy the "titles" (sections of the DVD) that you need - these contain the "chapters" (or scenes) that you will use in your presentation.

Make sure you choose the destination folder for the video so that you can find it once the "conversion" (save) has taken place.

After you have saved the DVD titles to your hard drive, go the destination folder.  You will see that the video    is saved as a .mkv file.  You need to right click this file and rename it by changing the .mkv part to .mpg.

Now you should be able to import your .mpg file into an editing program and trim the sequences that you want for your presentation.  Bear in mind that if you try to import a complete film into your editing program in one go, it will probably crash it!  Whenever you are editing, remember to save regularly - editing uses a lot of RAM and programs frequently freeze.

Once you have finished editing, you can export ("Save to my computer" - Moviemaker) your clips into a format that will allow you to insert them into Powerpoint or Open Office Impress.  For example, if you edit in Moviemaker you can export your sequence as a DVI-AVI (PAL) file which will open in Powerpoint.  In Premiere Pro you could export as H.264, MPEG or WMV (Windows Media Video), all of which should open in Impress.  WMV should open in Powerpoint as it is a Microsoft file.

A good explanation of supported file formats in Impress can be found here http://www.tcaps.net/Portals/0/technology/training_docs/OpenOffice/ImpressVideo.pdf

To add video to Impress you need to "Insert" - "Movie and Sound".  Make sure that you save the video on to your memory stick and insert it from the memory stick, otherwise when you come to do your presentation the video will be missing.  When you save the presentation, save it as ODF Presentation (.odp).

To add video to Powerpoint, you need to "Insert" - "Movie".  With Powerpoint you can embed your videos in the presentation so that you don't have to carry separate video files with you - everything will be combined.    To do this, you first have to click on the 'Office button' in the top left of the screen.  Then hover your cursor over 'Publish' and choose 'Package for CD'.  A box appears; click on 'options'.  Check (tick) the 'linked files' option.  Click 'ok'.  Then click 'copy to folder'.  Choose your title and destination and click 'ok'.  Click 'yes' when you are questioned about linked files.  Click 'close' once the files have been combined into one and you are done!  You now have a single folder with your presentation and video.  When you open the folder and click on the Powerpoint file, it will have your video embedded in the presentation.

Good luck!  It may require a little trial and error, but you will get there if you persevere.

FM4 - Structuring the 'Popular Film and Emotional Response Question' video (improved)

This video assumes that you will be taking a theoretical approach to the question.  You can, of course, analyse scenes closely and bring some theory into your essay.  Either approach is acceptable.

FM4 - Important exam info

Don't forget to state what films you have studied for each question with the year:
World Cinema - City of God (2002), La Haine (1995), Tsotsi (2005)
Popular Film and Emotional Response - Psycho (1960), Jaws (1975)
Single Film Critical Study - Fight Club (1999)

You can answer the questions in any order you wish.  Answer three questions in total.  You have about 55 minutes for each question, so spend 10 minutes planning and then 45 minutes writing.  The Fight Club question is worth five marks less so definitely spend no more than 45 minutes on this question.

FM4 - Popular Film and Emotional Response (Empire 'Jaws' interview)

This interview has some interesting opinions on spectatorship at the end. http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1516

A2 Film Studies - Extra Lessons

I will be running extra lessons on:

• Periods 5 & 6 on 18th June
• Periods 1 & 2 on 20th June

Also on the 21st June (the day of the exam), I will be running a final lesson before the exam where we can look over some key scenes again to refresh your memory.  If you would prefer to revise on your own that's fine.

FM4 - World Cinema (power, poverty and conflict): past questions

For this answer, you have the option of two questions.  One question will be about the messages and values (themes, ideas, political stance, ideology, etc.)  in the film and the other will be about technical features (camerawork, editing, sound, mise-en-scene).

The 'messages and values' question requires more of a macro approach, where you consider the film as a whole.  The 'technical' question requires more of a micro approach, where you refer in detail to scenes from each film.  If you choose the micro approach, you will still need to write about how technical features create messages and values but you can confine yourself to the messages and values in your chosen scene(s).  If you choose the technical approach, you need to decide how many scenes you are going to use.  You could analyse one scene from each film or you could use the best examples drawn from several scenes in each film.  You do not have time to analyse several scenes in detail from each film.

If the technical question is about style you still write about micro features but you will need to compare the styles of your three films and perhaps make references to other films that your focus films have been compared to.  You might also write about the genres that they fit into and their generic conventions.

Remember to compare and contrast the three films in terms of messages or values or micro features.

Obviously you need to choose the question that you are best prepared to answer.

1. Explore how the representation of urban environments contributes to the key themes of your chosen films.
2. ‘The stylistic choices made by filmmakers define not just the look but also the meaning of a film.’ How far is this true of the films you have studied for this topic?  (June 2012)

1. Compare the different ways in which conflict between the poor and the powerful are represented in the films you have studied for this topic.
2. How significant is editing and/or sound in contributing to the power of the narrative in the films you have studied for this topic? (Jan 2012)

1. What is the importance of cinematography and/or editing in communicating issues of power, poverty and conflict in the films you have studied for this topic?
2. Compare the different ways in which conflict between the poor and the powerful are represented in the films you have studied for this topic.  (June 2011)

1. Compare the attitudes to poverty conveyed in the films you have studied for this topic.
2. Explore how stylistic choices contribute to the representation of the urban experience in the films you have studied for this topic.  (Jan 2011)

1. How far does the impact of the films you have studied for this topic depend on distinctive uses of film techniques?
2. How far do the films you have studied for this topic offer an analysis of the social issues they present?  (June 2010)

More past papers here http://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/qualification-resources.html?subject=FilmStudies&level=GCEASA&pastpaper=true

FM4 Single Film Critical Study: past questions

For your Fight Club essay, you have the choice of three questions.

The first two questions generally ask you to consider other people's critical writings on the film and how that has helped your understanding and appreciation.  The questions may use words such as 'approach', 'debate', 'framework', 'response' etc. Don't be put off by these words.  They simply mean a way of analysing and understanding the film.  Some useful essays, reviews and opinions can be found here  http://howardschoolfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/single-film-critical-study-fight-club.html  but there will be other resources that you can find if you 'google' "Fight Club".

• The examiner will be expecting you to state your critical approach if you choose that question.  The critical research we have studied is genre.
• If you are answering the question about critical writers/reviewers you need to state the interpretation of the film you have been influenced by e.g. satirical comedy, coming of age etc.
• You will also be expected to name at least one critical writer who has used that interpretation to analyse Fight Club (sometimes the question asks you about a critical debate which means you must have at least two critical interpretations).
• You will also be expected to state the title(s) of the critical writer(s) essay(s).
• You should be familiar with the points raised by the writer(s) and be able to explore and discuss those points in your answer.
• The best candidates will have an excellent understanding of Fight Club and be able to use a variety of examples from the film.  To reach the highest level, you will need to have an excellent understanding of your critical approach(es).  You will need to create strong arguments, considering the merits of critical approaches and developing your own original response to the film.

You will also have a question that will have Fight Club in the wording.  Obviously you need to choose the question that you feel that you can answer best.

Past Questions (in groups of three):


How far has an awareness of the filmmaker as auteur influenced your response to your chosen film? 

How far has particular writing by critics been important in developing your understanding and appreciation of your chosen film?

As a result of your close critical study, to what extent does Fight Club become either a more or a less complex film?  (June 2012)

In developing a response to your chosen film, how valuable did you find the application of a particular critical approach?

Explore how far a particular debate by critics has influenced your understanding of your chosen film.

'Fight Club uses cinematic means to produce a fantasy which is also a serious exploration of masculinity.' How far does this statement capture your own response to the film?  (Jan 2012)


Explore some of the ways in which placing your film within a broader critical framework has helped to develop your appreciation and understanding of specific sequences.

How far has critical debate about your chosen film shaped and altered your response.

Discuss critically some of the characteristics of Fight Club that have given it cult status as a film.  (Jan 2011)


Explore some of the ways in which you have gained fresh insights into your chosen film as a result of applying one or more specific critical approaches.

How important have been the responses of others, such as film reviewers, in influencing your own response to your chosen film?

Explore the contribution of visual style to the overall themes of Fight Club.  (June 2011)


How useful has a particular critical approach been in gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of your chosen film?

Explain how your understanding of your chosen film has been influenced by critical debates.

'Marla is at the root of it,' says Jack in Fight Club. Discuss what this statement reveals about the film as a whole.  (June 2010)