FM2: Small Scale Research
Project
• 40% of your coursework mark
• Requires you to demonstrate
independent learning skills
• You will produce 2 things:
1. A presentation script (60%)
2. An annotated catalogue (40%)
FM2: Small Scale Research
Project
You need to choose an area of investigation
that falls within one of the following areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Star/performer
Genre
Technology
Social, Historical and Political Contexts
Auteur
Your area of investigation
must be:
expressed in terms of a
statement (as opposed to a
question) so that you can
research in an open way
An example…..
• Here is another:
• Exploration of representations of the
zeitgeist within the Dystopian ScienceFiction
• Children of Men, The Day After Tomorrow,
Independence Day, I Am Legend, 2012….
An example…..
• Here is an example of a good research
statement:
• Investigation into ‘humour’ in
contemporary British cinema, looking at
the films of Richard Curtis.
• Love Actually, Four Weddings and a
Funeral, About a Boy, Notting Hill
Read exemplar work – Revisionist
Western
1. Annotated catalogue
•
10 to 15 items
–
–
–
•
Primary and secondary research
Each item should be referenced correctly
And have a short note (of about 5 lines)
explaining how it is relevant to your research
A closing paragraph should identify at
least 4 important items not selected for
inclusion and explain why
2. Presentation script
•
1000 – 1500 words and last 12 – 18 minutes:
–
You will present this to us and it will be recorded
•
Use headings and sub-headings to divide it
up but do not write it in an essay format
•
Should show where a piece of supporting
material from the Catalogue will be used
–
These items must be referenced by using a Catalogue
number
Deadlines – put these in your
diary now!
• 24th September
100 word Rationale (including area of research statement,
proposed films and research items)
• 1st October
750 word essay exploring your focus film
• 8th October
Watch your other 3 films and write a 200 word summary of each
• 22nd October
Primary research completed
• 12th November
Secondary research completed
• 26th November
First draft of script and catalogue
• 10th December
Final draft of script and catalogue
• 17th December
Presentation
What is the difference between
Primary and Secondary research?
• Primary – Research undertaken directly by
yourself in order to generate your own findings.
• Secondary – The use of data that someone else
has collected or written.
• TASK – Brainstorm different types of both
primary and secondary research
Primary Research
• There are a variety of methods you may use but
the main ones are:
• Interviews
• Textual analysis
• Observations
• Focus groups
• Questionnaires
• Every research question will benefit from the use
of a questionnaire and textual analysis at the very
least!
Secondary Research
• Examples include: Internet, Books, Magazines,
Newspapers, Journals, Documentaries, DVD extras.
• Research from books and the internet should be academically
grounded, if in doubt ask! Be wary of overly opinionated writing
found on the internet.
• Check the media/film section in the 6th form library, there are some
very good resources that you could use.
• Examples of reliable sources – BBC, The Times, The Guardian,
IMDB, BFI, Sight and Sound, British Library (visit it!)
• Spend the time to consider the most appropriate secondary
sources for your question
Types of Research
• Textual analysis.
• Industry Research: producers or institutions behind the
text.
• Academic criticism – theories, essays etc
• Popular criticism – reviews, blogs.
• Primary audience research – questionnaires, interviews,
observations.
Research
• Include examples (distinguish primary & secondary):
– Poster analysis (or other advertising analysis)
– Film clips/stills/opening sequences/trailer/dvd commentary
and/or extras
– Magazine (e.g. film mag front covers)/newspaper/online
articles/shots/interviews
– Reviews (TV/print/online) – blog comments?
– Film theory essays
– Questionnaire analysis
– Audience vs star interviews
– Box office stats might be relevant (e.g. revenue)
– Theoretical background (e.g. essay about feminism,
postmodernism)
Creating an interesting
investigation
• How to plan, research and write a good
research project can seem a tall order,
especially under a tight deadline.
• Your research statement is the first
extremely important step that sets the
agenda for everything that you will do.
Key points on statements.
• It must be easy to understand. Your
wording should be relatively simple.
• It must have a definite purpose or focus.
• Most importantly it should be something
you’re going to find interesting, enjoyable
and rewarding!
Thinking about case studies…
• Watch this clip from ‘Sweet Sixteen’
• Directed by Ken Loach
• Genre: British Social realism
•
What areas of research? Brainstorm.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Star or director
Genre
Issues of gender
Issues of ethnicity/culture
Institutions
Technology
•
What area of investigation would you focus on?
•
Think about what other case studies you would use to accompany it?
Research Diary
• You must keep a diary to record all
research conducted – I will give you
a book for this.
• This diary should include dates,
names, and a bibliography.
• Try to be as precise and detailed as
possible with all information.