If you choose to write a research paper,
it must adhere to the following guidelines. All papers must:
be
written exclusively in the third-person voice, double-spaced, 12-point
font, and be five pages minimum.
employ
no less than five sources, which will include films, as well as articles,
textbooks, reference works, etc.
have
an interesting title that captures the reader’s attention and clearly
indicates which topic you are addressing.
avoid
all plot summaries (do not describe the film’s storyline)
use
the terminology we have employed throughout the course
document
all research with in-text citations and a works cited page in MLA format
(please review the “MLA Resources” page in our course for a refresher
about MLA format)
submit
your research paper on deadline
If you choose to write a research
paper, you are required to select a topic from the following list or email me
to propose a different topic (all topics must be pre-approved to ensure they are
appropriate for this assignment). Note that most of the topics below are very
general and would need to be narrowed down for a research paper of this length.
Topics:
1.
Select ONE genre or sub-genre (other
than the Western) and examine its complete evolutionary cycle–Primitive, Classical,
Revisionist, Parodic–illustrating these with examples of films, film technique,
mise en scène, etc.
2.
Select one legendary and influential
filmmaker or team of filmmakers (not Hitchcock) who was/were instrumental in
pushing the envelope. Describe his or her techniques and unique contributions
to the industry. You may find it helpful to review AMC’s
list of the 50 greatest directors, but you are in no way limited to this
list. For instance, you could examine Monty Python’s contribution to parody and
satire.
3.
Select two distinctly different
“auteur” directors and illustrate each one’s personal vision and style, as well
as the thematic obsessions in their films. Compare and contrast one to the
other.
4.
Compare and contrast a documentary and a feature film on the same subject (e.g., Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (featured film) and Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy
Tapes (documentary), identifying the similar and/or different use of narrative, characterization, ideologies, etc.
5.
Explore how one contemporary film is an homage to an earlier style or body of work. Some examples might include Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge as an homage to early silent films, vaudeville, 19th-century photography, etc; La La Land as an homage to a number of classic Hollywood musicals; or Jackie Chan’s movies as homage to Keaton, Chaplin, and Lloyd. These are just a few of many possibilities.
6.
It’s been said that American Westerns are the Greek
Tragedies of our time. How is that so? Give specific examples using a number of
films; get into the nitty-gritty of what makes that statement a truism.
7.
Take an in-depth look at the digital
revolution, exploring a range of comparable films that present a continuum of
influence or technological advances. These could be live action or animated, or
some combination of both. Consider how digital has changed movie making in the
21st century and the impact this has had on storytelling.
8.
Fully explore one aspect of Hollywood’s
Golden Era (1920s to 1960s) and consider how it continues to influence today’s
films. For instance, consider one of the unique visual styles, story-telling
methods, costume and set design, even sound, illustrating with specific
examples from then and now.
9.
Fully explore examples of mise en scène
in two distinctly different but highly comparable films (perhaps by the same
director or sharing the same genre, topic, etc.). Compare them in relation the frame,
composition and design, territorial space, proxemic patterns, and open and
closed forms, illustrating with examples/scenes from both.
10.
Select ONE specific genre and write an
historical retrospective of that genre, delineating its significant
contributions by examining a number of significant movie milestones in that
genre.
