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Film Dissertation Topics (28 Examples) For Research Ideas

Mark Jun 18, 2020 Jun 18, 2020 Film No Comments

The discipline of film studies in the world of academia is linked with the critical, historical, and theoretical approaches to films. A list of film dissertation topics is developed to help students in choosing the right topic for their thesis, research project, and dissertation. Choosing a topic from the list of film dissertation topics can […]

The project topics on films and research topics on films are developed to help students in finding a topic according to their area of interest. We have a team of highly experienced and professional writers who can help you in writing proposals and dissertations on your selected film dissertation topic.

List of Film dissertation topics

An analysis and comparison of the most popular genres of cinema in the world today.

To compare the commercial cinema and non-commercial cinema – A literature review.

Studying the role of marketing in the Chinese and Japanese film industry.

Examining the cinema and film culture in the Middle East.

An analysis of the perceptions of youngsters on horror films.

Exploring the concept of special effects in silent movies.

Creative translation and cultural transformation impact on the film adaptation.

How has the digital revolution influenced the film and cinema industry?

An empirical analysis of music and soundtracks in films.

Exploring the diverse film elements and pedagogical feasibilities for creative writing.

An analysis of film education as a multiplicity of practices.

Evaluating the evolution of music in the film – a comparative review.

Studying the evolution of urban film making.

How are technological advancements contributing to the film industry?

An analysis of the importance of a Character in a film.

Studying the landscape of Eastern film making.

Exploring the relationship between literature and film.

What are the special aspects of film making and how it influences the different people involved in the process?.

Why is violence in commercial cinema overrated?

An analysis of participatory film production a media practice.

Exploring the role of women in film – cultural impact on the changing discourse on gender representation in films.

A sentiment analysis on IMDb movie reviews using hybrid feature extraction model..

Irony, interpretation, and surface meanings in the film.

A literature review on the evolution of television and film industry.

Studying the art of handmade movie hoardings in Pakistan.

To study the effects of protectionism on film industry taking the case of Korea.

An analysis of Hollywood’s film localization efforts.

A comparative review of Hollywood with other countries film industry.

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174 Film Research Paper Topics To Inspire Your Writing

Also known as a moving picture or movie, the film uses moving images to communicate or convey everything from feelings and ideas to atmosphere and experiences. The making of movies, as well as the art form, is known as cinematography (or cinema, in short). The film is considered a work of art. The first motion pictures were created in the late 1880s and were shown to only one person at a time using peep show devices. By 1985, movies were being projected on large screens for large audiences.

Film has a rich and interesting history, as well as a bright future given the current technological advancements. This is why many professors will really appreciate it if you write a research paper on movies. However, to write a great paper, you need a great topic.

In this blog post, we will give you our latest list of 174 film research paper topics. They should be excellent for 2023 and should get you some bonus points for originality and creativity. As always, our topics are 100% free to use as you see fit. You can reword them in any way you like and you are not required to give us any credit.

Writing Good Film Research Paper

Before we get to the film topics for research papers in our list, you need to learn how you can write the best possible film research paper. It’s not overly complicated, don’t worry. Here are some pointers to get you started:

Start as early as possible Start your project with an outline that will keep you focused on what’s important Spend some time to find a great topic (or just use one of ours) Research every angle of the topic Spend some time composing the thesis statement Always use information from reliable sources Make sure you cite and reference properly Edit and proofread your work to make it perfect. Alternatively, you can rely on our editors and proofreaders to help you with this.

Now it’s time to pick your topic. We’ve made things easy for you, so all you have to do is go through our neatly organized list and select the topic you like the most. If you already know something about the topic, writing the paper shouldn’t take you more than 1 or 2 days, however if you have no desire to spend a lot of time on your assignment, thesis writing help from our professionals is on its way. Pick your topic now:

Easy Film Research Topics

We know most students are not too happy about spending days working on their research papers. This is why we have compiled a list of easy film research topics just for our readers:

What was the Electrotachyscope?
Research the history of film
Describe the first films ever made
Talk about the Kinetoscope
Who were Auguste and Louis Lumière?
An in-depth look at film during World War I
Talk about the evolution of sound in motion pictures
Most popular movie actors of all time
The life and works of Charles Chaplin
The life and works of Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein
Discuss the Mutoscope device
Talk about the introduction of natural color in films

Film Topics To Write About In High School

If you are a high school student, you probably want some topics that are not overly complicated. Well, the good news is that we have plenty of film topics to write about in high school. Check them out below:

An in-depth analysis of sound film
Research the shooting of Le Voyage dans la Lune
Talk about the Technicolor process
Research the film industry in India
The growing popularity of television
Discuss the most important aspects of film theory
The drawbacks of silent movies
Cameras used in 1950s movies
The most important cinema movie of the 1900s
Research the montage of movies in the 1970s
The inception of film criticism
Discuss the film industry in the United States

Interesting Film Paper Topics

Are you looking for the most interesting film paper topics so that you can impress your professor and your fellow students? We are happy to say that you have arrived at just the right place. Here are our latest ideas:

Are digital movies much different from films?
Research the evolution of cinematography
Research the role of movies in Indian culture
The principles of a cinema camera
Technological advancements in the film industry
The use of augmented reality in movies
Talk about the role of film in American culture
An in-depth look at the production cycle of a film
The role of the filming crew on the set
Latest cameras for cinematography
An in-depth look at the distribution of films
How are animated movies made?

Controversial Movie Topics

Why would you be afraid to write your paper on a controversial topic? Perhaps you didn’t know that most professors really appreciate the effort and the innovative ideas. Below, you can find a whole list of controversial movie topics for students:

An in-depth look at Cannibal Holocaust
Controversies behind Fifty Shades of Gray
A Clockwork Orange: the banned movie
All Quiet on the Western Front: a controversial war movie
Discuss The Texas Chain Saw Massacre movie
Apocalypse Now: one of the most banned movies
Brokeback Mountain and the controversies surrounding it
Talk about The Last Temptation of Christ
The Birth of a Nation: the movie that was banned in America

Movie Topics Ideas For College

As you probably know already, college students should choose topics that are a bit more complex than those picked by high school students. The good news is that we have compiled a list of the best movie topics ideas for college students below:

Methods to bring your sketches to life
Discuss problems with documentary filming
War movies and their impact on society
What does a director actually do on the set?
Talk about state-sanctioned movies in China
Research cinematography in North Korea
Talk about psychological reactions to films
Research the good versus evil theme
African Americans in the 1900s cinematography in the US
Discuss the creation of sound for films

Hottest Film Topics To Date

Our writers and editors did their best to compile a list of the hottest film topics to date. You can safely pick any of the topics below and write your essay or research paper on it. You should be able to find plenty of information online about each and every topic:

The life and works of Alfred Hitchcock
Talk about racial discrimination in war movies
The psychology behind vampire movies
The life and works of Samuel L. Jackson
Classic opera versus modern movie soundtracks
Hollywood versus Bollywood
The life and works of tom Hanks
Research the Frankenstein character
Major contributions by women in cinematography
The life and works of Harrison Ford
The 3 most popular topics for a moving picture

Good Movie Topics For 2023

We know, you probably want some topics that relevant today. You want to talk about something new and exciting. Well, we’ve got a surprise for you. This list of good movie topics for 2023 has just been added to the blog post, and you can use it for free:

The life and works of Will Smith
Why do people love movie monsters?
Talk about the popularity of fan movies
The life and works of Morgan Freeman
Gender inequality in UK films
Research movies that were produced because of video games
The life and works of Anthony Hopkins
The importance of the Golden Raspberry Award
Outer space: the future of cinematography
Compare today’s filming techniques to those in the 1950s
The importance of winning a Golden Globe Award

Fascinating Film Topics

Are you looking for some of the most fascinating film topics one can ever find online? Our experts have outdone themselves this time. Check out our list of ideas below and choose the topic you like the most:

Talk about the development of Star Wars
Talk about spaghetti western movies
Discuss the filming of Pride and Prejudice
Research fantasy films
The most popular movie genre in 2023
What makes a movie a blockbuster?
Filming for the Interstellar movie
Peculiarities of Bollywood cinema
Talk about the era of Hitchcock
Discuss the role of motion pictures in society
Talk about Neo-realism in Italian movies
Research the filming of A Fistful of Dollars

The History Of Film Topics

Writing about the history of film and cinematography can be a good way to earn some bonus points from your professor. However, it’s not an easy thing to do. Fortunately, we have a list of the history of film topics right here for you, so you don’t have to waste any time searching:

Research the first ever motion picture
Discuss the idea behind moving images
Research the Pioneer Era
Talk about the introduction of sound in movies
Talk about the Silent Era
Who created the first ever movie?
Discuss the Golden Era of cinematography
The era of changes in 2023
The rise of Hollywood cinematography
Discuss the first color movie
Research the first horror movie
Discuss the phrase “No one person invented cinema”

Famous Cinematographers Topics

You can, of course, write your next research paper on the life and works of a famous or popular cinematographer. You have plenty to choose from. However, we’ve already selected the best famous cinematographers topics for you right here:

The life and works of Sir Roger Deakins
Research the cinematographer Vittorio Storaro
An in-depth look at Bill Pope
Research the cinematographer Gordon Willis
The life and works of Wally Pfister
An in-depth look at Robert Burks
Research the cinematographer Stanley Cortez
The life and works of Conrad Hall
An in-depth look at Rodrigo Prieto
The life and works of Claudio Miranda
Emmanuel Lubezki
An in-depth look at Jack Cardiff
Research the cinematographer Michael Ballhaus
The life and works of Kazuo Miyagawa

Famous Films Topic Ideas

The easiest and fastest way to write an essay or research paper about movies is to write about a famous movie. Take a look at these famous films topic ideas and start writing your paper today:

Research A Space Odyssey
Research the movie Seven Samurai
Cinematography techniques in There Will Be Blood
Discuss the film The Godfather
An in-depth look at La Dolce Vita
Research the movie Citizen Kane
Cinematography techniques in Goodfellas
An in-depth look at the Aliens series
Cinematography techniques in Singin’ in the Rain
Research the movie Mulholland Drive
An in-depth look at In The Mood For Love
Research the movie City Lights

The Future Of Movies Topic Ideas

Did you ever wonder what the movies of the future will look like? We can guarantee that your professor has thought about it. Surprise him by writing your paper on one of these the future of movies topic ideas:

The future of digital films
Discuss animation techniques of the future
The future of cinematography cameras
How do you view the actors of the future?
Will digital releases eliminate the need for DVDs?
The role of streaming services in the future
Talk about the direct-to-consumer distribution concept
Is cinematography a good career for the future?
Will movie theaters disappear?
Virtual reality in future films
The rise of Pixar Studios

Awesome Cinema Topic Ideas

Our experts have just finished completing this section of the topics list. Here, you will find some of the most awesome cinema topic ideas. These should all work great in 2023, so give them a try today:

The concept of the Road Movie
Review the film “Donnie Brasco”
The popularity of musical movies
A comprehensive history of cinematography
Discuss the A Beautiful Mind movie
Compare watching movies now and in the 1990s
Talk about film narrative
The importance of the main characters in a movie
The process of selecting the right actor for the role
Well-known produces in the United States
The most popular actors in 2023
Research Nazi propaganda films

Simple Cinema Essay Ideas

If you want to write about cinematography but don’t want to spend too much time researching the topic, you could always choose one of our simple cinema essay ideas. New ideas are added to this list periodically:

Discuss the concept of limited animation
War movies during World War II
The importance of James Bond for Americans
What is docufiction?
The traits of a filmophile
The success of early crime movies
An in-depth look at Hanna-Barbera
The transition from VHS tape to DVD
Best comedy movies ever made
Discuss the Film Noir genre
What is a Blaxploitation?
The best samurai film ever produced

Movies And The Internet Topics

How does piracy affect the movie industry?
An in-depth look at Netflix
Research the top 3 movie streaming websites
Compare and contrast Netflix and Amazon Prime
Should movies be shared for free online?
The effects of online streaming on piracy
Is pirating movies illegal everywhere?
Illegal downloads of movies in North Korea
Piracy: a form of film preservation
The most pirated movies of the 21st century
Research the best ways to stop film piracy
The economic impact of movie piracy in the United States

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150 Amazing Film Research Paper Topics for Students

Table of Contents

If you are a film student, then often you will have to work on film research papers. But for writing a research paper, you must have a good topic. Right now, do you want to prepare a film research paper? Are you looking for the top film research topics? No worries! We know how hard it is to come up with the right topic for a dissertation. So, to help you out, here, we have prepared a list of the best film research paper topics for you to consider. Continue reading this blog post and get exclusive film dissertation topic ideas.

How to Find a Good Topic for a Film Research Paper?

In film studies, there are plenty of film research paper topics available. Out of those topics, you will have to identify a good topic for your assignment. The topic selection becomes easier if your professor gives a set of ideas or themes for you to choose from. Sometimes, your professor will ask you to create your own idea for research. At that time, choosing one right topic from endless topics would become hard.

Are you confused about how to identify the right film research topic? Don’t worry! Here is what you will have to do to find out a good film dissertation topic of your choice.

Create a list of your favorite filmmakers, films, or genres. Then, based on your interest or category, narrow down your search.
It is not necessary to go with topics related to your favorite filmmaker or film. You can also think about a certain film history period and research the film techniques, themes, etc. used in that period.
Deep research is necessary to identify the right topic. By exploring credible sources such as literature, books, media platforms, and published research papers, you can collect more research or dissertation ideas.
From the list of ideas gathered, you can choose a topic that matches your area of interest and has a wide research scope.
If the topic is too broad, make sure to narrow it down. Because the narrow topic will help you cover all the major points before the deadline and keep your readers engaged.

Also, before finalizing the topic, check whether your selected topic stands in line with your professor’s research paper writing guidelines.

List of Excellent Film Research Paper Topics

Film studies is a broad field of study where you can conduct research on any areas such as film technology, film history, film genre, music, sound design, etc. Here, we have listed some best film research paper topic ideas in various categories. Go through the whole list and pick an ideal film topic for writing your academic paper.

Film History Research Paper Topics

Movies about the history of religions.
The importance of representation in movies.
African-Americans in cinematography.
Science-fiction movies- History
The globalization of popular culture: Hollywood vs. Bollywood.
Discuss the contribution of Fellini to cinematography.
How technology has transformed the art of filmmaking?
Discuss the contribution of women in the film industry.
Hitchcock’s sacred power.
The progress of animation in movie production.
The effect of the film industry on different generations.
Analyze the life before CGI.
War Justification in American Cinema
Charlie Chaplin and the Silent Movie Era.
Changes in Hollywood and its dominance of cinematography.
Evolution of Hollywood movies
Discuss the cinematographic excellence of Roger Deakins
History of British Cinema
The Lion In Winter – A movie that nailed historical accuracy
Discuss the contribution of Steven Spielberg
Song of the Road – The first Indian movie at the Academic Award
Analyze the impact of LGBTQ+ Representation in Contemporary Cinema.
War Justification in the worlds’ Moving Pictures
Changes in Hollywood and Its Dominance of the Cinematography

Horror Film Research Paper Topics

Special effects in horror films.
Explain the Folklore elements in the screenplay.
Discuss the popular fear elements used in horror films.
Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense.
Psychological and behavioral responses to horror films.
The fusion of comedy and horror.
Racial discrimination in horror films.
The use of religion in horror movies
The youngsters’ perception of horror films.
The idea of suspense in horror films.
George Romero: The greatest director of horror movies of all time
Compare the works of Sam Raimi and John Carpenter
Michael Myers: The most famous killer in horror movies
Chucky: One of the most scariest movies have ever made
Discuss the use of Psychopathy and Delusions in horror films with examples
A side effect of watching horror movies
The reflection of society’s fears in horror movies
The specific use of genre theory in the horror game
The human fondness for horror movies
Monster creatures from horror movies
Stephen King and his legacy in the genre of horror

Film Music Research Paper Topics

The use of music in modern movies.
The power of recorded nature sounds.
The art of sound design in movies.
The progress of music in films.
The effects of music on movie perceptions.
Bollywood-made musicals.
The art of storytelling with sound
Picture versus sound.
Broadway musicals are made into movies.
The development and cultural influence of musicals in the 20th century.
Christina Aguilera’s career in musicals.
Classical Opera versus Modern Music on Screen
Analyze the soundtrack and music in films.
Cradle of future pop stars.
The mental effects created by music in movies.
Theoretical aspects of studying film music.
Music in cinema as a director of the semantic series.

Monster Film Research Topics

Mythology in monster movies.
The aspects of human monstrosity in films.
The history of monster movies.
The science behind Hollywood’s movie monsters.
Explore fear in monster movies.
Vampires through history: The evolution of the undead cinema.
Examine the portrayal of aging in Cinema.
The Monster vs. Frankenstein: Who Is More Human?
The psychological appeal of movie monsters.
Discuss the monster movie culture in the 21st century.
Compare Prophecy (1979) and It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
Discuss the first monster film
Impact of monster movies on children
A side effect of watching monster movies
Use of VFX and Special Effects in monster films

Outstanding Film Research Paper Topics

TV shows: A new film franchise.
Masculinity and violence in films.
Movies through the eyes of their directors.
What are the effects of censorship on films?
The role of colors in movies.
Comics and Superheroes in films.
The role of animals in movies.
Investigate the Use of AI in Film Production, Visual Effects, and Storytelling.
Animation: Giving life to sketches.
The cultural effects of war movies.
The power of documentary movies to change the world.
Walt Disney and the psychosocial implications of his characters.
The ethical issues involved in documentary filmmaking.
The effects of Hollywood stereotypes.
The art of creating stories using video editing.

Unique Film Research Paper Topics

The role of film directors in giving life to stories.
The important qualities of a successful movie director.
The role of film critics and reviews on box office performances.
Transitions and visual effects in movie editing.
The social and cultural effects of movies .
Contribution of Arthur Conan Doyle to detective movies
Good versus Evil: A classing theme of the movie
Discuss the cinematic innovations that have changed the movie industry
Discuss the most important inventions the movie industry experienced within the past two decades
The directorial debut of Tom Hanks
How depression years are depicted in American movies?
Discuss the technological evolution of the global film industry from 1975 to 2022
The Works of Christopher Edward Nolan and Sam Raimi: A comparative analysis
Evolution of Indian cinema from 1950 to 2022
Discuss the contribution of Edgar Allan Poe to detective movies
Compare and contrast European and Asian horror movies
Discuss the comparative mythology and dark side in screenwriting
Critical analysis of the silent era of the movie industry
How African-Americans get represented in American movies
Analyze the evolution of the zombie in contemporary cinema

Interesting Film Dissertation Topics

The importance of a character in a film.
The influence of the digital revolution on the film industry?
Drama as a cultural phenomenon.
Diverse film elements are needed for creative writing.
The evolution of urban filmmaking.
Difference between commercial cinema and non-commercial cinema.
The usage of irony in films.
Discuss the popular cinema genres in the world.
Analyze the localization efforts of Hollywood films.
The relationship between literature and film.
Explore the role of men and women in blockbuster movies.
Assess the importance of global film awards in improving the quality of filmmaking.
Analyze the roles given to black actors and white actors in Hollywood movies.
Study the key differences between theater performances and film shooting.
Analyze the principles of filmmaking with respect to casting and editing.
Discuss the impact of online streaming services on the quality of traditional cinema content.
Study the impact of film in a rural area.
Explain the role of a short film in making a feature film.
Research the cultures of theater and film in the big city of a country.
Explain the economics of cinema.

Read more: Demonstration Speech Topics and Ideas That Will Impress the Audience

Brilliant Film Research Topics

The art of cinematography.
Indie Movies: An attitude or a genre?
Good versus Evil concept in movies.
The cinema of shortcuts.
Multiple actors play a single role.
The influence of social media on movie results.
What makes a great film director?
Humanity versus technology in modern films.
The role of fashion design in the film industry.
Video streaming platforms and the future of cinema.
Success factors of the American film industry.
The influence of movie genres on different audiences.
Film Noir: A style expanding through genres.
Comics in the film industry.
The persuasive effectiveness of shortcuts.
Freudian Practice in Cinematography.
The effects of streaming platforms on cinematography.
The idea of drama in movies.
The psychological aspects of filmmaking.
The art of storytelling in modern movies.

Impressive Film Research Questions

Different Types of Narrative Structures in Screenplays and Books
Violence and Masculinity in Hollywood Blockbusters.
Looking for Truth in Film: Observational vs. Direct Cinema.
Reconstructing atmospheres using ambient sounds: Recorded Nature Sounds.
Comedy and horror combined in a chaotic genre mashup.
History of the Vampire: The Cinematic Evolution of the Dead
Using the content of documentaries, kids may develop their interethnic tolerance.
The Cultural and Educational Project of the Cinema Museum and Its Importance in Historical Education.
The history of development and current status of the post-apocalyptic storyline in American movies.
The characteristics of contemporary cinema in relation to the development of historical politics.

Awesome Ideas for Film Research Paper

Digital Storytelling: Narrative Elements from Hollywood.
Analyze the Personality Traits of the Best Film Directors.
Musicals: from stage to screen.
Analyze the animation in the Movies Frozen and Zootopia.
Share your viewpoints about the use of mythology in horror movies.
Analyze the hidden elements in Disney movies and their effects on children.
Write about the history of the Japanese animation industry and new technology.
Historical and Mythical Time in the Marvel and DC Series.
Analyze the new developments in the area of illustrations.
Explore the phenomenon of visiting film locations and the economic impact on local communities.

Film studies basically approach movies from historical, theoretical, and critical perspectives. To write a brilliant film research paper, from the list of 150+ topics recommended above, choose the best topic that matches your interest. In case, you are not sure what film research topic to select or how to write an informative film research paper, then contact us for help.

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Cinema Scope: 70 Film Research Paper Topics

Table of contents

1 What Is the Good Film Research Paper Topic?
2.1 Film History Research Paper Topics
2.2 Research Paper Topics on Specific Film Genres
2.3 Cinematic Movements
2.4 Film Directors
2.5 Research Paper Topics on Film Theories
2.6 Censorship and Film Controversy Research Topics
2.7 Global Cinema Research Paper Topics

Exploring the world of cinema through academic lenses offers a rich and diverse field of study. From the evolution of movie genres to the impact of legendary directors, these topics invite a deep dive into the art and history of filmmaking. Whether it’s analyzing cinematic movements that have changed the course of history or exploring theories that unlock new ways of viewing, there’s a rich tapestry to explore.

Additionally, exploring contentious aspects like censorship and controversy adds a layer of societal context to the study. For those with a global perspective, investigating it worldwide offers insights into diverse narratives and styles. This guide is a gateway to understanding the multifaceted nature of cinema, providing a solid foundation for any film research paper.

What Is the Good Film Research Paper Topic?

Choosing good movies to write an essay on requires a balance between personal interest and academic value. Start by considering what aspects of cinema fascinate you the most. Are you intrigued by classic noir or the evolution of computer-generated imagery in modern movies? Once you identify your area of interest, narrow it down to a specific theme or question. For example, instead of broad movie topics ideas like ‘The History of Hollywood,’ focus on ‘The Influence of Hollywood on Global Cinema.’

You should also think about film research paper topics with many primary sources . Libraries and online databases can offer many resources on various subjects. Look for a topic that sparks debate or offers a fresh perspective . For instance, examining the role of women filmmakers in shaping modern cinema can provide insightful discussions.

Lastly, align your topic with the scope of your research paper . If you have a word limit or a specific research method in mind, make sure your topic fits these requirements. A well-chosen topic makes the research process enjoyable and enriches your understanding of the industry.

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Interesting Filmmaking Research Paper Topics

Diving into the world of cinema, there are numerous good movies to analyze for a paper and intriguing filmmaking topics to explore. From analyzing landmark movies to unraveling film research topics, each area offers a unique perspective. Whether it’s crafting movie research papers or dissecting film paper topics, the possibilities for insightful essays are endless.

Film History Research Paper Topics

The Evolution of Silent Films to Talkies.
Impact of World Wars on Early 20th Century Industry.
Technicolor’s Revolution in Film Aesthetics.
Hollywood’s Golden Age: An Era of Innovation.
New Wave: Breaking Traditional Boundaries.
The Rise and Influence of Independent Films.
Blockbusters’ Era: Shaping Modern Cinema.
Digital Age Transformations in Filmmaking.
Cult Classics: Defining and Impacting Genres.
The Role of Festivals in History.

Research Paper Topics on Specific Film Genres

Horrors: Evolution of Fear through Decades.
Comedy in the Industry: More Than Just Laughter.
The Journey of Sci-Fi: From Fiction to Reality.
Romance Films: Reflecting Societal Changes in Love.
Documentary: Truth Telling or Narrative Crafting?
Westerns: The American Frontier in Cinema.
Film Noir: Style, Themes, and Influence.
Musicals: Synchronization of Sound and Story.
Animations: Technological Advances and Storytelling.
Actions: The Development of Hero Archetypes.

Cinematic Movements

French New Wave: Redefining Cinematic Rules.
Italian Neorealism: Post-War Reality.
German Expressionism: Visual Style and Emotion.
Soviet Montage: Revolutionizing Film Editing.
Dogme 95: Challenging Hollywood Norms.
British Kitchen Sink Realism: Post-War England Stories.
The Hollywood Renaissance in the Late 20th Century.
Bollywood’s Rise: India’s Cinematic Identity.
Latin American: Voices of the Marginalized.
The Impact of Scandinavian Cinema.

Film Directors

Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense.
Akira Kurosawa: Bridging East and West.
Stanley Kubrick: Visionary and Controversial.
Sofia Coppola: Feminine Perspectives.
Steven Spielberg: Redefining Blockbuster Cinema.
Quentin Tarantino: A Stylized Violence Approach.
Martin Scorsese: Depicting American Urban Life.
Guillermo del Toro: Fantasy and Reality Blend.
Ava DuVernay: Pioneering Diverse Storytelling.
Christopher Nolan: Complex Narratives.

Research Paper Topics on Film Theories

Auteur Theory: Director as the Creative Force.
Feminist Theory: Representation and Identity.
Structuralist Theory: Unpacking Cinematic Language.
Psychoanalytic Theory: Cinema and the Mind.
Queer Theory: Breaking Norms.
Marxist Theory: Cinema as a Cultural Product.
Postmodernism: Breaking Conventional Narratives.
Ecocriticism: Nature and Environment.
Reception Theory: Audience’s Role in Interpretation.
Realism: Truth versus Artifice.

Censorship and Film Controversy Research Topics

The Hays Code: Censorship and American Cinema.
Propaganda Films: Influence and Ethics.
Banned Films: Cultural Contexts and Reasons.
The MPAA Ratings System: Impact and Controversy.
Sexuality in Cinema: Taboos and Acceptance.
Political Censorship in the Industry.
Violence in Films: Societal Impact and Debate.
Religious Sensitivities and Censorship.
Race and Stereotyping in Hollywood Films.
Freedom of Speech vs. Film Censorship

Global Cinema Research Paper Topics

Nollywood: Nigeria’s Booming Film Industry.
South Korean Cinema: A Global Impact.
Iranian Cinema: Artistic Expression Under Restrictions.
French Cinema: Romance, Realism, and Revolution.
The Rise of Chinese Blockbusters.
Brazilian Cinema: Social Issues and Narratives.
Australian Cinema: Landscape and Identity.
Japanese Anime: Cultural Export and Influence.
Ukrainian Cinema: Cultural Renaissance and Evolution Post-Independence.
Canadian Cinema: Emerging Voices and Stories.

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217 Film Research Paper Topics & Ideas

Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
Icon Page 2137 words
Icon Clock 10 min read

Film research paper topics provide a rich, multifaceted canvas for critical analysis. One can explore genre theory and its evolution, scrutinizing the symbiotic relationship between society and film genres, such as sci-fi, horror, or romance. Another fruitful area lies in auteur theory, assessing the unique stylistic fingerprints of directors, like Kubrick, Hitchcock, or Miyazaki. Delving into film adaptations provides an opportunity to study narrative transformation across different media. Studying representation in film, be it racial, gender, or cultural, opens a lens into societal norms and biases. In turn, there is the exploration of film technologies and their influence on the cinematic experience. Film criticism and its role in shaping public perception can also be an intriguing topic. With every cinematic element providing a potential research topic, film studies truly cater to diverse academic interests.

Best Film Research Paper Topics

Impacts of Technological Advancements on the Animation Film Industry
Portrayal of Mental Health in Contemporary Cinema
Cultural Stereotypes in Global Film Industry
Feminist Theory Analysis in Alfred Hitchcock’s Films
Violence and its Effect on Teenagers in Action Films
Representation of History in Steven Spielberg’s Movies
Examination of Homosexuality in Bollywood Cinema
Depiction of Science and Technology in Science Fiction Films
Philosophical Themes Explored in the Matrix Trilogy
Influence of Film Noir on Modern Thrillers
Comic Book Adaptations: Success and Failure Factors
Cinema’s Role in Promoting Environmental Awareness
Portrayal of AI and Robotics in Films: A Comparative Study
Evolution of Special Effects in the Film Industry
Relationship Between Music and Narrative in Film
Examination of Sociopolitical Contexts in Iranian Cinema
Impacts of Hollywood on Global Film Cultures
Aesthetic Evolution in French New Wave Cinema
Exploring Symbolism in Stanley Kubrick’s Films
Influence of the Silent Era on Modern Film Techniques
Alien Depictions: Reflection of Societal Fears in Film
Use of Dreams and Subconscious in David Lynch’s Films
Examination of Masculinity in Clint Eastwood’s Westerns
Evolution of Animation: From Disney to Studio Ghibli
Exploring Religion and Spirituality in Indian Cinema

Easy Film Research Paper Topics

Interpreting Magic Realism in Guillermo del Toro’s Films
Analysis of Adaptation Theory in Book-to-Film Transitions
Modern Film Criticism: Influence of Online Review Platforms
Exploration of Absurdism in Coen Brothers’ Films
Social Media Portrayal in Contemporary Film
Influence of Film on Public Perception of Historical Events
Analysis of Horror Tropes in Japanese Cinema
Portrayal of Childhood and Growing Up in Animated Films
Impacts of Censorship Policies on Film Creativity
Narrative Techniques in Quentin Tarantino’s Films
The Role of Fashion and Costume in Period Films
Ethical Considerations in Documentary Filmmaking
Representation of Post-Apocalyptic Themes in Cinema
Exploring Cultural Identity in African Cinema
Analysis of Musical Scores in Film Noir
Examination of Adaptation of Video Games Into Films
Portrayal of Space Travel in Science Fiction Films
Evolution of Stop Motion Techniques in Cinema
Cultural Interpretations of Love and Romance in Films
Examination of Dystopian Themes in Animated Films
Analyzing the Concept of Anti-Heroes in Film
Exploring Satire and Parody in Comedy Films
Portrayal of Race and Ethnicity in Hollywood Cinema

Interesting Film Research Paper Topics

Depiction of Cybercrime in Contemporary Cinema
Influence of German Expressionism on Tim Burton’s Aesthetic
Use of Color and Lighting in Guillermo del Toro’s Films
Examination of LGBTQ+ Representation in Hollywood Cinema
Roles of Politics in the Cuban Film Industry
Portrayal of Disability in Modern Films
Treatment of Time Travel in Science Fiction Films
Analyzing the Evolution of Cinematography Techniques
Cultural Influences in South Korean Cinema
Roles of Nostalgia in Recreating Period Pieces
Importance of Film Score in Creating Atmosphere
Analysis of Propaganda Techniques in North Korean Cinema
Representation of Women in Action Films
Ethical Implications of Animal Use in Film Production
Impacts of Streaming Platforms on Film Distribution
Evolution of Film Censorship: A Comparative Study
Examination of Familial Relationships in Animated Films
Interpretation of Surrealism in Luis Buñuel’s Films
Examination of Biopics: Historical Accuracy vs. Dramatic License
Impacts of Film Festivals on Independent Cinema
Exploring Existentialism in Ingmar Bergman’s Films

Film Research Paper Topics About Students

Influence of Silent Cinema on Modern Filmmaking Techniques
Portrayal of Social Media’s Impact on Adolescents in Contemporary Movies
Bollywood vs. Hollywood: A Comparative Study of Storytelling Styles
Representation of Mental Health in Animation Movies
Foreign Language Films: Enhancing Global Cultural Understanding among Students
The Role of Women in Classic Film Noir: A Critical Analysis
Analysis of Auteur Theory in Modern Independent Cinema
Evaluating the Accuracy of Historical Dramas: A Fact vs. Fiction Study
Roles of Music in Creating Emotional Impact: A Study on Film Scores
Racial Stereotyping in Blockbuster Movies: A Comprehensive Study
Interpreting Symbolism and Metaphor in Fantasy Genre Films
Exploring Subliminal Messages in Advertising and Product Placement in Films
Understanding the Social Impact of LGBTQ+ Representation in Cinema
Examining the Evolution of Special Effects in the Film Industry
Influence of Japanese Anime on Western Animation Styles
Significance of Set Design in Creating Realistic Period Films
Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking: Truth vs. Storytelling
Roles of Cinematography in Enhancing Narratives in Films
Impacts of Sci-Fi Films on Popular Science Understanding Among Students
Subtext and Satire: The Power of Political Commentary in Movies
Narrative Techniques in Autobiographical and Biographical Films
Artistic Censorship: Its Impact on Creative Freedom in International Cinema

Film Research Paper Topics Made by Students

Transformation of Comic Books to Silver Screen: A Historical Analysis
Gender Representation in Oscar-Winning Films Over the Decades
The Evolution of Horror Films: From Psycho to Paranormal
Motion Capture Technology: Changing the Landscape of Animation Films
Examination of Propaganda in World War II Era Cinema
Unpacking the Influence of Music Scores in Emotional Storytelling
Analyzing Film Noir: The Aesthetics of Grit and Shadows
Impacts of Streaming Platforms on Traditional Movie Theatres
Silent Era to Talkies: How Did Sound Revolutionize Cinema?
Special Effects Techniques: The Making of Modern Sci-Fi Movies
The Hero’s Journey: Exploring Mythological Themes in Films
Ethical Dilemmas in Documentaries: A Study on Bias and Objectivity
Dissecting the Psychological Depth of Christopher Nolan’s Films
Censorship in Films: A Comparative Study Between Countries
The Role of the Auteur in Independent Filmmaking
How Disney Reinvents Fairy Tales: A Feminist Perspective
Bollywood vs. Hollywood: Contrasting Storytelling Techniques
Exploration of Coming-of-Age Themes in Teenage Films
Stereotyping in Movies: Assessing the Consequences on Society
Roles of Cinematography in Creating a Film’s Atmosphere

Film Research Paper Topics About Popular Movies

Influences of Classic Literature on “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy
Propaganda and War-Time Politics in “Casablanca”
Exploring Social Alienation in “Taxi Driver”
Cinematography Techniques Used in “Citizen Kane”
Implicit Racism Portrayed in “Gone with the Wind”
Animation Evolution: A Study on the “Toy Story” Series
Gender Stereotypes in Disney Princess Films
Symbolism and Surrealism in “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Cult Status and Cultural Impact of “Pulp Fiction”
Examination of Crime and Morality in “The Godfather”
“Fight Club” and the Commentary on Consumerism
Psychological Analysis of the Protagonist in “A Clockwork Orange”
Role of Music in the Narrative of the “Star Wars” Saga
Concept of Love in Richard Linklater’s “Before” Trilogy
“The Shining” and Its Divergence From the Original Novel
“Inception” and the Philosophy of Dream Interpretation
The Relevance of “1984” in the Age of Mass Surveillance
Science and Fiction: A Study on “Interstellar”
Decoding the Metaphor of “The Matrix”
“The Dark Knight”: A Modern Take on Heroism and Villainy
Biblical Themes in Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah”
Investigating Historical Accuracy in “Schindler’s List”

Film Research Paper Topics on History

The Impact of World War II on Hollywood: Propaganda and Patriotism
The Rise of Film Noir: Exploring the Dark Side of Post-War America
Cultural Significance of Epic Historical Films: From “Gone with the Wind” to “Gladiator”
Uncovering Hidden Histories: Films That Shed Light on Forgotten Events
The Representation of Ancient Civilizations in Hollywood: Myths and Realities
The Birth of Cinema: Exploring the Early Pioneers and Their Historical Films
Propaganda in Film During the Cold War: From East to West
The Role of Women in Historical Films: Portrayals and Progressions
Depicting the Civil Rights Movement on the Silver Screen: From “Selma” to “The Help”
The Historical Accuracy of Biographical Films: Balancing Fact and Fiction
The Representation of Colonialism in Film: Perspectives and Power Dynamics
The Cinematic Portrayal of World War I: From “All Quiet on the Western Front” to “1917”
Political Upheaval and Film: Exploring Revolutionary Movements on Screen
The Historical Evolution of War Films: From Silent Era to Modern Blockbusters
The Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Historical Films: Stereotypes and Subversions
Holocaust’s Theme in Movies: Documenting Trauma and Commemorating History
The Role of Historical Films in Shaping Collective Memory: Remembering the Past
Film and the Civil Rights Movement: Documenting Activism and Progress
The Portrayal of Historical Figures: Heroes, Villains, and Complex Characters

Research Paper Topics on Music in Films

Musical Transformations: Exploring the Evolution of Film Scores
Melodic Narrative: The Role of Music in Conveying Storytelling Elements in Films
Harmonic Innovations: Examining the Impact of Experimental Music in Cinematic Soundtracks
Rhythm and Emotion: Analyzing the Connection Between Beat and Mood in Film Music
Melancholic Melodies: Investigating the Use of Music to Evoke Sadness in Movies
Orchestral Powerhouses: Unveiling the Influence of Symphonic Scores in Epic Films
Sonic Identity: The Significance of Musical Themes in Establishing Character Presence in Movies
Vocal Expressions: Exploring the Role of Singing in Enhancing Cinematic Narratives
Cinematic Soundscapes: Investigating the Use of Ambient Music in Establishing Atmosphere
Cultural Harmonies: Examining the Representation of Different Music Genres in Film Scores
Experimental Soundtracks: Analyzing the Use of Avant-Garde Music in Artistic Films
Jazzy Tones: Unveiling the Influence of Jazz Music in Enhancing the Cinematic Experience
Musical Archetypes: Exploring the Portrayal of Heroes and Villains through Music in Films
Electronic Ambience: Investigating the Role of Techno and Electronic Music in Movie Soundtracks
Musical Narrative Arcs: Analyzing the Structure and Development of Musical Scores in Films
Emotional Resonance: Examining the Connection Between Music and Audience Response in Movies
Historical Harmonies: Unveiling the Role of Period Music in Depicting Different Eras in Film
Musical Cues: Exploring the Use of Leitmotifs in Creating Musical Associations in Cinema
Cross-Cultural Fusion: Investigating the Incorporation of World Music in Film Scores
Genre-Bending Soundtracks: Analyzing the Influence of Non-Traditional Music in Different Film Genres

Horror Film Research Paper Topics

Evolution of Horror Cinema: From Silent Movies to CGI Monsters
The Role of Sound Design and Score in Creating Horror Atmosphere
Psychoanalysis and Fear: The Hidden Messages in Classic Horror Films
Ghost Stories in Film: Cultural Differences in Horror Narratives
Horror Tropes and Their Social Commentary: A Deep Dive
Relevance of Classic Monsters in Modern Horror Films
The Impact of Globalization on Horror Film Narratives
Found Footage Films: The Realism in Fear and Dread
Women in Horror: Representation and Character Development
Dissecting Cinematic Techniques in Iconic Horror Scenes
Psychological Horror vs. Slasher Films: A Comparative Study
Portrayal of Mental Illness in Horror Movies: Is It Responsible?
Exorcism and Religion: The Unholy Alliance in Horror Films
Horror Comedy: The Unique Balance of Scares and Laughs
Adaptation of Horror Literature into Film: Successes and Failures
Body Horror: Physical Mutation as a Symbol of Inner Turmoil
Dark Tourism in Horror Films: Spooky Locations and Their Histories
Post-Apocalyptic Horror Films: Reflecting Societal Anxieties
Creature Features: The Significance of Non-Human Antagonists
Examining the Unsettling Nature of Uncanny Valley in Horror Movies
Interplay of Light and Darkness in Horror Cinematography
Reception Studies: How Do Different Cultures Respond to Horror Films?
Queer Representation in the Horror Genre: Progress and Challenges

Film Research Paper Topics About Monster Movies

Evolution of Monster Depictions in Cinema: A Historical Analysis
Cultural Implications of Monster Symbols in Japanese Kaiju Films
Transcending Fear: Psychoanalytic Theory in Monster Movies
Dissecting the Female Monster: Gender Dynamics in Horror Films
Monsters as Metaphors: Environmental Themes in Monster Cinema
The Gaze of the Other: Racial and Ethnic Subtexts in Monster Films
Unveiling Monstrosity: The Role of Cinematography in Monster Reveals
CGI vs. Practical Effects: Creating Convincing Monsters in Modern Cinema
How Do Score and Sound Design Enhance the Fright Factor in Monster Movies?
Parallels Between Classical Mythology and Contemporary Monster Films
The Lure of the Lovecraftian: Cosmic Horror in Monster Movies
Alien Invaders: The Intersection of Monster and Science Fiction Genres
Transformation and Fear: The Role of Werewolves in Cinema
Gothic Influence on the Evolution of Vampire Movies
The Horror of the Familiar: Domesticity as a Setting in Monster Films
Monstrosity Reimagined: Postmodern Approaches in Monster Cinema
Archetypes and Stereotypes: Monster Character Analysis in Film
Sequels and Series: Examining the Longevity of Monster Movie Franchises
Deconstructing Zombie Cinema: Metaphors of Disease and Decay
Audience Reactions and Expectations: A Study on Monster Movie Reception
Silent Era to Sound: The Influence on Early Monster Movies
Comedy in the Midst of Horror: Analyzing Humor in Monster Films

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Dissertations

Listed by year of graduation

Dissertation: " Aluminum Lesbians: Recycling Lesbian Legacy in Classical Hollywood"
Chair: Mark Lynn Anderson (English)
Readers: Jules Gill-Peterson (English), Nancy Glazener (English), David Pettersen (French & Italian)
Dissertation: " Process over Product: Kinesthetic Cinema, Sporting Bodies, and Media Milieux"
Readers: Randall Halle (German), Adam Lowenstein (English), Neepa Majumdar (English)
Dissertation: White Design: Engineering the Visualization of Race and Racism in Social Media
Chair: Jinying Li (English) & Zachary Horton (English)
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Brenton Malin (Communication), Elizabeth Reich (English)
Dissertation: From Women's Cinema to Women's Horror Cinema: Genre and Gender in the Twenty-First Century
Chair: Adam Lowenstein (English)
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), David Pettersen (French & Italian)
Dissertation: Soviet Tableau: Cinema and History under Late Socialism (1953-1985)
Chair: Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Readers: David Birnbaum (Slavic), Randall Halle (German), Neepa Majumdar (English), Marcia Landy (English), Vladimir Padunov (Slavic), Dan Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: Cinema in Fragments: Transmediating Popular Hindi Cinema on Small Screens
Chair: Neepa Majumdar (English)
Readers: Nancy Condee (Slavic), Jinying Li (English), Aswin Punathambekar (Communication Studies, University of Michigan), Jennifer Waldron (English)
Dissertation: The Interstate Logic: How Networks Change the Cinematic Representation of Time and Space
Chair: Lucy Fischer (English)
Readers: Randall Halle (German), Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Neepa Majumdar (English)
Dissertation: "Quiet on Set!": Craft Discourse and Below-the-Line Labor in Hollywood, 1919-1985
Chair: Mark Lynn Anderson (English)
Readers: Adam Lowenstein (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Randall Halle (German), Dana Polan (NYU), Dan Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: The Matter of Identity: Digital Media, Television, and Embodied Difference
Chair: Jane Feuer (English)
Readers: Brenton J. Malin (Communication), Jinying Li (English), Jennifer Waldron (English)
Dissertation: The Rehearsal for Terror: Form, Trauma, and Modern Horror
Chair: Marcia Landy (English)
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Dan Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: FEEL IT ALL AROUND: ART MUSIC VIDEO, ART CINEMA, AND SPECTATORSHIP IN THE STREAMING ERA
Chair: Adam Lowenstein (English)
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Randall Halle (German), Dan Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: The Cinematic Animal: Animal Life, Technology, and the Moving Image
Readers: Neepa Majumdar (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Akira Lippit (Cinema & Media Studies, University of Southern California)
Dissertation: Sustaining Life During the AIDS Crisis: New Queer Cinema and the Biopic
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Randall Halle (German), Marcia Landy (English)
Dissertation: Pataphysical Networking: Virtuality, Potentiality and the Experimental Works of the Collège de 'Pataphysique, the Oulipo, and the Mouvement Panique
Dissertation: "Everything new is born illegal." Historicisizing Rapid Migration through New Media Projects
Chair: Randall Halle (German)
Readers: Nancy Condee (Slavic), Sabine von Dirk (German), John B. Lyon (German)
Dissertation: Impasse in Multilingual Spaces: Politics of Language and Identity in Contemporary Francophone Contact Zones
Chair: David Pettersen (French & Italian)
Readers: Nancy Condee (Slavic), Neil Doshi (French & Italian), Giuseppina Mecchia (French & Italian)
Dissertation: Press Play: Video Games and the Ludic Quality of Aesthetic Experiences across Media
Readers: Randall Halle (German), Jinying Li (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Dan Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: Shopping the Look: Hollywood Costume Production and American Fashion Consumption, 1960-1969
Chair: Neepa Majumdar (English)
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Jane Feuer (English), Brenton J. Malin (Communication)
Dissertation: Another Habitat for the Muses: The Poetic Investigations of Mexican Film Criticism, 1896-1968
Readers: Neepa Majumdar (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Joshua Lund (University of Notre Dame)
Dissertation: Frame and Finitude: The Aporetic Aesthetics of Alain Resnais's Cinematic Modernism
Co-Chairs: Adam Lowenstein (English), Daniel Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Readers: Neepa Majumdar (English), Marcia Landy (English)

Natalie Ryabchikova

Dissertation: The Flying Fish: Sergei Eisenstein Abroad, 1929-1932.
Chair: Mark Lynn Anderson (Film)
Readers: William Chase (History), Nancy Condee (Slavic), Randall Halle (Film), Vladimir Padunov (Slavic)

Kelly Trimble

Dissertation: The Celebrification of Soviet Culture: State Heroes after Stalin, 2017
Chair: Vladimir Padunov (Slavic)
Readers: David Birnbaum (Slavic), Nancy Condee (Slavic), Randall Halle (German)
Dissertation: A Hidden Light: Judaism, Contemporary Israeli Film, and the Cinematic Experience
Chair: Lucy Fischer (English)
Readers: Adam Lowenstein (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Adam Shear (Religious Studies)
Dissertation: Global Russian Cinema in the Digital Age: The Films of Timur Bekmambetov
Chair: Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Readers: Vladimir Padunov (Slavic), Randall Halle (German), Daniel Morgan (Cinema and Media Studies, University of Chicago)
Dissertation: The Flying Fish: Sergei Eisenstein Abroad, 1929-1932
Chair: Vladimir Padunov (Slavic)
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), William Chase (History), Nancy Condee (Slavic), Randall Halle (German)

Anne Wesserling , Visiting Assistant Professor, University of North Georgia

Dissertation: Screening Violence: Meditations on Perception in Recent Argentine Literature and Film of the Post-Dictatorship
Chair: Daniel Balderston (Hispanic Languages & Literature)
Readers: John Beverley (Hispanic Languages & Literature), Gonzalo Lamana (Hispanic Languages & Literature), Adam Lowenstein (English)
Dissertation: The British War Film, 1939-1980: Culture, History, and Genre
Readers: Adam Lowenstein (English), Colin MacCabe (English), David Pettersen (French & Italian)
Dissertation: Unseen Femininity: Women in Japanese New Wave Cinema
Readers: Nancy Condee (Slavic), Marcia Landy (English), Neepa Majumdar (English)
Dissertation: Visualizing the Past: Perestroika Documentary Memory of Stalin-era
Readers: Nancy Condee (Slavic), David J. Birnbaum (Slavic), Jeremy Hicks (Languages, Linguistics, Film)

Gavin M. Hicks

Disseration: Soccer and Social Identity in Contemporary German Film and Media
Readers: John B. Lyon (German), Sabine von Dirke (German), Clark Muenzer (German), Gayle Rogers (English)
Dissertation: Film Dance, Female Stardom, and the Production of Gender in Popular Hindi Cinema
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Marcia Landy (English), Ranjani Mazumdar (Cinema Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University)
Dissertation: Overlooking the Evidence: Gender, Genre and the Female Detective in Hollywood Film and Television
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Brenton J. Malin (Communications)

Christopher Nielsen , Educator, Institute for Health and Socioeconomic Policy/National Nurses United

Dissertation: Narco Realism in Contemporary Mexican and Transnational Narrative, Film, and Online Media
Chair: Juan Duchesen-Winter (Hispanic Languages & Literature)
Readers: John Beverley (Hispanic Languages & Literature), Joshua Lund (Hispanic Languages & Literature), Giuseppina Mecchia (French & Italian)
Dissertation: New Korean Cinema: Mourning to Regeneration
Readers: Kyung Hyun Kim (East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of California, Irvine), Adam Lowenstein (English), Colin MacCabe (English)
Dissertation: “Insubordinate” Looking: Consumerism, Power, Identity, and the Art of Popular (Music) Dance Movies
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Lucy Fischer (English), Randall Halle (German)
Dissertation: Sustaining Feminist Film Cultures: An Institutional History of Women Make Movies
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Randall Halle (German Language), David Pettersen (French & Italian)

Yvonne Franke , Assistant Professor of German, Midwestern State University

Dissertation: The Genres of Europeanization - Moving Towards the "New Heimatfilm"
Readers: Lucy Fischer (Film), John B. Lyon (German), Sabine von Dirke (German)

Olga Kilmova , Visiting Lecturer, University of Pittsburgh

Dissertation: Soviet Youth Films under Brezhnev: Watching Between the Lines
Chair: Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Readers: Vladimir Padunov (Slavic), David J. Birnbaum (Slavic), Lucy Fischer (Communication), Alexander V. Prokhorov (Slavic)
Dissertation: The Toy Like Nature: On the History and Theory of Animated Motion
Chair: Daniel Morgan
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Scott Bukatman (Film & Media Studies, Stanford University)
Dissertation: Cinematic Occupation: Intelligibility, Queerness, and Palestine
Readers: Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Troy Boone (English), Todd Reeser (French & Italian)

Yahya Laayouni , Assistant Professor of Arabic and French, Bloomsberg University of Pennsylvania

Dissertation: Redefining Beur Cinema: Constituting Subjectivity through Film
Co-Chairs: Giuseppina Mecchia (French and Italian) & Randall Halle (German)
Readers: Todd Reeser (French and Italian), Mohammed Bamyeh (Sociology & Religious Studies), Neil Doshi (French & Italian)
Dissertation: Image to Infinity: Rethinking Description and Detail in the Cinema
Chair: Marcia Landy (English)
Readers: Troy Boone , Adam Lowenstein (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Randall Halle (German)
Link to professional profile >
Dissertation: Screen Combat: Recreating World War II in American Film and Media
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Marcia Landy (English), Randall Halle (German)
Dissertation: Modern Kinesis: Motion Picture Technology, Embodiment, and Re-Playability in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twenty-First Centuries
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Giuseppina Mecchia (French & Italian)
Dissertation: Research in the Form of a Spectacle: Godard and the Cinematic Essay
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Marcia Landy (English)
Dissertation: Immaterial Materiality: Collecting in Live-Action Film, Animation, and Digital Games
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Randall Halle (German)
Dissertation: Nation, Nostalgia, and Masculinity: Clinton/Spielberg/Hanks
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), Brent Malin (Communications)
Dissertation: Body Image: Fashioning the Postwar American
Readers: Jane Feuer (English), Marianne Novy (English), Carol Stabile (English, University of Oregon)

Natalia Maria Ramirez-Lopez ,

Dissertation: MARGINALIDAD Y VIOLENCIA JUVENIL EN MEDELLÍN Y BOGOTÁ: NARRATIVAS LITERARIAS Y FÍMICAS DE LOS AÑOS 80 Y 90 EN COLOMBIA
Chair: Hermann Herlinghaus (Latin American Literature, University of Freiburg)
Readers: Aníbal Perez-Linán (Political Science), Bobby J. Chamberlain (Hispanic Languages & Literature), Gerald Martin (Hispanic Languages & Literature)

Dawn Seckler , Associate Director of Development, Bridgeway Capital

Dissertation: Engendering Genre: The Contemporary Russian Buddy Film
Readers: David MacFadyen (University of California, Los Angeles), Lucy Fischer (Film), Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Dissertation: The Ethnic Turn: Studies in Political Cinema from Brazil and the United States, 1960-2002
Readers: Adam Lowenstein (English), Shalini Puri, Neepa Majumdar (English), John Beverley (Hispanic)
Dissertation: Acting Social: The Cinema of Mike Nichols
Readers: Mark Anderson (English), Marcia Landy (English), Colin MacCabe (English), David Shumway (English, Carnegie Mellon University)
Dissertation: Ruins and Riots: Transnational Currents in Mexican Cinema
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Adam Lowenstein (English), John Beverly (Hispanic)
Dissertation: The Word Made Cinematic: The Representation of Jesus in Cinema
Readers: Troy Boone , Adam Lowenstein (English), Vernell Lillie (Africana Studies)
Dissertation: Fathers of a Still-Born Past: Hindu Empire, Globality, and the Rhetoric of the Trikaal
Readers: Paul Bové (English), Ronald Judy (English), Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Dissertation: Excavating the Ghetto Action Cycle (1991-1996): A Case Study for a Cycle-Based Approach to Genre Theory
Readers: Jane Feuer (English), Neepa Majumdar (English), Paula Massood (Cinema and Media Studies, Brooklyn College, CUNY)
Dissertation: "The World Goes One Way and We Go Another": Movement, Migration, and Myths of Irish Cinema
Readers: Adam Lowenstein (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Nancy Condee (Slavic Languages and Literatures)
Dissertation: The Writing on the Screen: Images of Text in the German Cinema from 1920-1949
Readers: Paul Bové (English), Lucy Fischer (English), Linda Shulte-Sasse (German, McAllister College)
Dissertation: Mantras of the Metropole: Geo-Televisuality and Contemporary Indian Cinema
Readers: Paul Bové (English); Eric Clarke (English); Colin MacCabe (English); M. Prasad (Film Theory, Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad)
Dissertation: Hollywood Youth Narratives and the Family Values Campaign 1980-1992
Readers: Troy Boone (English), Marcia Landy (English), Carol Stabile (Communications)
Dissertation: Reading Scars: Circumcision as Textual Trope
Chair: Philip Smith (English)
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Mariolina Salvatori, Greg Goekjian (Portland State University)
Dissertation: Dreaming in Crisis: Angels and the Allegorical Imagination in Postwar America
Chair: Colin MacCabe (English)
Readers: Ronald Judy (English), Jonathan Arac , Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Dissertation: Laying Down the Rules: The American Sports Film Genre From 1872 to 1960
Readers: Jane Feuer (English), Moya Luckett, Carol Stabile (Communications)

Elena Prokhorova

Dissertation: Fragmented Mythologies: Soviet TV Series of the 1970s
Readers: Carol Stabile (Communications), Jane Feuer (English and Film), Martin Votruba (Slavic), Nancy Condee (Slavic)
Dissertation: Nickels and Dimes: The Movies in a Rampantly American City, 1914-1923
Readers: Moya Luckett, Jane Feuer , Gregory Waller (University of Kentucky)
Dissertation: As Far As Anyone Knows: Fetishism and the Anti-Televisual Paradoxes of Film Noir
Readers: Valerie Krips, James Knapp, Henry Krips (Communications)

Alexander Prokhorov , Associate Professor, College of William and Mary

Dissertation: Inherited Discourse: Stalinist Tropes in Thaw Culture
Chair: Helena Goscilo (Slavic)
Readers: Lucy Fischer (Film), Mark Altshuller (Slavic), Nancy Condee (Slavic), Vladimir Padunov (Slavic)
Dissertation: “Dig If You Will The Picture”: The Cinematic, the Black Femme, and the Image of Common Sense
Chair: Marcia Landy (English)
Readers: Paul Bové (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Amy Villarejo (Cornell), Wahneema Lubiano (Duke)
Dissertation: French Film Criticism, Authorship, and National Culture in the Mirror of John Cassavetes’s Body, His Life, His Work
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), James Knapp
Dissertation: In The Shadow of His Language: Language and Feminine Subjectivity in the Cinema
Chair: Colin MacCabe (English)
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Lynn Emanuel, Patrizia Lombardo (French and Italian)
Dissertation: Being In Control: The Ending Of The Information Age
Chair: Paul Bové (English)
Readers: Jonathan Arac , Marcia Landy , Carol Stabile (Communications)
Dissertation: The Emergence of Date Rape: Feminism, Theory, Institutional Discourse, and Popular Culture
Readers: Nancy Glazener (English), Lucy Fischer (English), Carol A. Stabile (Communications)
Dissertation: Gender and the Politics and Practices of Representation in Contemporary British Cinema
Readers: James Knapp, Marcia Landy (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Sabine Hake (German)
Dissertation: Telling the Story of AIDS in Popular Culture
Chair: Jane Feuer (English)
Readers: Eric Clarke (English), Marcia Landy (English), Danae Clark (Communications)
Dissertation: Technology, the Natural and the Other: The Case of Childbirth Representations in Contemporary Popular Culture
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Dana Polan, Iris M. Young (Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh)
Dissertation: Lesbian Rule: Cultural Criticism and the Value of Desire
Readers: Paul Bové (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Gayatri Spivak (Columbia)
Dissertation: Feminism, Postmodernism, and Science Fiction: Gender and Ways of Thinking Otherwise
Chair: Philip Smith
Readers: Marica Landy (English), Lucy Fischer (English), Dana Polan, Tamara Horowitz (Philosophy)
Dissertation: Camp and the Question of Value
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Marcia Landy (English), Eric Clarke (English), Janet Staiger (University of Texas–Austin)
Dissertation: Culture in a State of Crisis: A Historical Construction in Cinematic Ideology in India, 1919-75
Readers: Paul Bové (English), Colin MacCabe (English), Keya Ganguly (Carnegie Mellon University)
Dissertation: The Ethics of Transgression: Criticism and Cultural Marginality
Chair: Paul Bove (English)
Readers: Lucy Fischer (English), Marcia Landy (English), Dana Pollan, Danae Clarke
Dissertation: Sally Bowles: Fascism, Female Spectacle, and the Politics of Looking
Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Dana Polan, Sabine Hake (German)

The History of Film

One of the most fundamental topics in film studies is the history of the industry itself. Studying the evolution of film can help you understand how movies have changed over time, from the earliest silent films to the modern blockbusters we see today. You can explore the impact of major technological advancements, such as the introduction of sound and color, as well as the social and cultural context in which films were made.

Genre Studies

Another important area of film research is genre studies. This involves examining the conventions and themes of different types of films, such as horror, romance, or science fiction. By studying the characteristics of different genres, you can gain a better understanding of how filmmakers use storytelling techniques and visual elements to create a particular mood or tone.

Film Theory

Film theory is a broad field that encompasses a range of different approaches to understanding movies. From auteur theory to feminist film theory, there are many different lenses through which you can analyze films and gain a deeper appreciation for their meaning and impact. You can explore the ways in which films reflect and shape our cultural values, and how they can be used to communicate complex ideas and emotions.

Film Production

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the film industry, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the production process. Researching topics such as screenwriting, cinematography, and editing can help you develop the technical skills you need to succeed in your chosen field. You can also explore the business side of film production, including marketing and distribution, to gain a better understanding of how the industry operates.

Film Criticism

Finally, studying film criticism can help you develop your critical thinking skills and learn how to evaluate movies in a thoughtful and nuanced way. By reading reviews and essays by film critics, you can gain insights into the ways in which different audiences and cultural contexts can shape our perceptions of movies. You can also learn how to write compelling and persuasive film reviews yourself, which can be a valuable skill for aspiring filmmakers and critics alike.

Film studies research topics can help you gain a deeper understanding of the industry and prepare for a successful career. Some of the top film studies research topics include the history of film, genre studies, film theory, film production, and film criticism. Consider taking the NYU Film and TV Industry Essentials online course and certificate program to gain a comprehensive understanding of the film industry and develop the skills you need to succeed.

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St Andrews Research Repository

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Philosophical, Anthropological & Film Studies (School of)
Film Studies

Film Studies Theses

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Focusing on the transnational and the peripheral elements of film, we develop and expand the entire realm of film scholarship. Working on areas from Deleuze to Korean cinema, from digital cinema to Eastern Europe, from transnational auteurs to documentary and activist films, and many areas in between, we promise a vibrant and engaging research environment for students and scholars.

For more information please visit the Department of Film Studies home page.

This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

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Film Research Topics: 140+ Interesting Ideas

The film industry includes a variety of fields that you can explore in your research paper. These include producing, directing, art direction, documentary films, screenwriting, cinematography, digital cinema, and more. Throughout their academic years, students get to learn and understand an array of such aspects. However, because of this extensive range of varieties, students often need help choosing the correct film research topic for their papers.

Think about something that would most effectively showcase your critical thinking and expertise. However, aside from the interest factor, there are numerous other things that you should always pay attention to. That is why, to guide you on this daunting journey, we have compiled a comprehensive list of film topics to write about. Furthermore, to help students, we have also shared some essential tips to help you pick the right topic. So, without any further delay, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Choosing the Best Film Topic for Writing

Do you want to find the perfect topic? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back! We have enumerated a few tips you can use for selecting the right topic that perfectly fits your requirements:

Think about your favorite films, filmmakers, or genres: You can quickly narrow down the best options when you chase after the movies or filmmakers you’re passionate about. A positive attitude would give you an advantage.
Consider picking a topic from a historical era: You can choose a specific chronological age of the film industry to analyze themes, movies, techniques, etc., used in that period. Historical eras shed light on hidden or contradictory histories that either contradict or support established narratives. Thus, choosing a film topic from a significant historical era will help you frame an out-of-the-box research paper.
Choose a film genre: Choosing your favorite film genre will help you narrow down a few research topics of your interest.
Research previous scholarly articles: Research previous academic essays and papers would help you gain a significant perspective on the topic you want to use in your research paper and how you want to take it further. You can use credible sources such as published research papers, literature, media platforms, etc.
Brainstorm the ideal topics: Armed with credible sources, you can come up with the most intriguing film research topics that pique your interest. Ensure that the topic is narrow enough and establish relevant values.
Narrow down the most relevant topics. Narrowing down your good topics would make the selection process easier for you. This way, you can eliminate unnecessary topics and can analyze and select the best topic among them. Students must do an in-depth study on various film research topics. In this case, your objective is to comprehensively analyze multiple film industry aspects. Furthermore, understand the abovementioned tips before jumping on the topic selection process.

140+ Film Research Paper Topics

Movie-making is the ideal form of art that requires the correct combination of creativity and techniques. Much effort is needed to shoot the scenes and turn the big picture into reality. It is why film studies can be both interesting as well as complex at the same time. One must combine extensive research with creativity to frame their research paper. Here are some original and exciting film research topics for your academic papers to lessen your difficulties. Let’s get started!

Most Promising Film Research Topics

The most exciting film paper topics are included in the following list. When choosing a topic for your research, make sure you choose the one that will pique your interest the most. These film research topics will help you put your most professional foot forward.

You can also look at our research topics; you might get something that can correlate with your film research. So, why give it a try?

The role of censorship in the film industry
Gender Stereotypes in Hollywood Movies
The American film industry
The Life Struggle Of Hazel And August In The Fault In Our Stars Movie: An Individual Psychological Approach
Bringing Ideas into Life Through Animation
A detailed study of the cultural impact of war movies
Comics and Superheroes in Cinematography
Films Seen Through the Directors’ Eyes
The vitality of color in the film industry
Animals in Movies and on TV: Cruelty Behind the Scenes
Video editing: the vitality of visual effects in movies
Daily Soap is the New Film Franchise
The Psychosocial Implications of Walt Disney Movies
Books vs screenplays
Documentary movies: The Power to Change the World
Indie Movies: A Genre or an Attitude?
Analyzing the art and science of crafting screenplays
A detailed study of ethical issues in documentary filmmaking
The role of film directors in bringing stories to life
The impact of movie genres on different audiences
Personality Traits of the Best Film Directors
Digital Storytelling: Narrative Elements from Hollywood
The social, psychological, and cultural influence of movies
The psychological impact of masculinity and violence on youth
Exposure and Ethnocentrism in Foreign Cinematography
The Notion of Mainstream Film in Contemporary Cinema
The cultural phenomenon of drama in movies
Freudian practice in cinematography
A detailed study of the technical evaluation of the film industry

Read Also – 120+ Journalism Research Topics

Music and Sound Research Topics in the Film Industry

Music in films can stir emotions and develop an excellent experience for viewers long after watching any movie. Musicians, especially those working in cinema, experiment extensively with the film’s background score, sound design, and songs to give the whole thing a unique experience. Occasionally, a movie scene is elevated and supported by nothing but music. If you enjoy listening to music, you can research any of the film music research topics listed below.

Contemporary opera and classical crossover
The Works of Sam Raimi and John Carpenter: A Comparative Analysis
The evolution of the music industry
A detailed study of the essential aspects of film theory
Understanding the psychological impact of music on audiences
The art of sound design in movies
The effect of music on contemporary cinema
Musicals: from stage to screen
An introduction to music therapy: theory and practice
The evolution of film music: using a theme for storytelling
Movies Based on Broadway Shows
The influence of music on movie perceptions
Musical development and performance: the 20th century and beyond
Classical opera versus modern music on screen
Ambient sound in film and media production
Constructing music: an art beyond words
The structure of the popular music industry
Innovation and diversity in the popular music industry, 1969–1990
The impact of brand sponsorship on music festivals
A comprehensive study on the art of film music

Riveting Horror Film Research Paper to Consider

Horror is one of the most intriguing film genres for most of us. Some horror and thrilling movies linger for a long time for various viewers. These horror films can keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Here are some enticing horror film research paper topics to consider:

The psychology of horror movies
Use of mythology in horror movies
The life and works of Alfred Hitchcock: the master of suspense
Horror movies reflect cultural fears: a critical review
The Place of Horror Movies in Today’s Cinematography
The aesthetics and psychology behind horror movies
The concept of suspense behind the making of horror movies
Racial discrimination in horror movies
US vs European horror movies: a comparative analysis
Evaluation of Horror Cinematography Through the Centuries
A detailed study of the elements of fear in horror movies
Religion and mythology in horror movies
Use of special effects and cinematography in horror movies
Horror-comedy: the chaotic spectrum and cinematic synthesis
The chaotic fusion of horror and comedy: why do we love it?
The perception of youth toward horror movies
A Brief History of Gothic Horror
The dark side and comparative mythology in screenwriting
How Horror Reflects Societal Fears
The Holocaust as horror in American film

Film History Research Paper Topics

The history of cinema is so vast that using this as your research topic would open a world of opportunities for students. Using the history of cinema as your research paper topic would be an excellent way to earn bonus points from your committee members.

So, let’s look at the below-listed film history research topics.

Music and Multimedia: Theory and History
Globalization of popular culture: from Hollywood to Bollywood
Evolution of the film industry over centuries
The technological evolution of the film industry
The history of motion pictures
The depression years, as depicted by the American theatre
Filmmaking and its history in the United States
A detailed study of early cinema
A Brief History of Special Effects in Film
A detailed history of science fiction movies
The globalization of popular film industries
The Golden Era of Cinematography: A Complete Historical Guide
Charlie Chaplin and the Silent Film Era
Representation of African-Americans in American Movies
The contribution of women to the film industry
War justification in American cinema
Pioneers of the Moving Picture
Hollywood’s dominance of the movie industry
Movies Transformation From B&W to Color
History of the horror film genre

Brilliant Film Research Topics for Monster Movies

Just like horror movies, audiences also like watching monster movies. Compared to fictional characters such as vampires, werewolves, monsters, or zombies, those with human characteristics provide audiences a terrifying experience. Thus, if monster movies intrigue you, this would be a worthwhile research topic for your upcoming project. Familiarization with these research topics would give you a significant perspective on what research topic you want to pursue. Check them out below:

A detailed analysis of a monster culture in the 21st century
Why do we still love Universal movies about monsters?
The science behind bringing monsters to life through cinematic effects
The psychological appeal of movie monsters
The mythology of monster movies
A brief history of monsters in movies
In the true meaning of Frankenstein, who was the monster?
Aspects of horror in the films
The Monsters Within Gothic Monstrosities in Dracula
Exploring Humanity Through Monster Movies
Monsters in Our Midst: An Examination of Human Monstrosities in Fiction
Zombies in Film: The Evolution of the Zombie in Contemporary Cinema
Vampires in Hollywood: The Undead’s Evolution
Exploration of movie monsters through the years
The psychological impact of monster movies on children
The culture of fictional monsters in the 21st century
Zombies and vampires in the contemporary film industry
Understanding the relationship between myth and anomalies in the film industry
Discomforting Creatures: Monstrous Natures in Recent Film
The Monster Movies of Universal Studios

Read Also – 180+ Immigration Research Topics

Animation Research Paper Topic Ideas

Are you still struggling with your decision? We understand choosing the correct film research topic can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to worry anymore. We can help. In this section, we have prepared a list of the best film paper topics related to animation.

Advanced narrative illustration: an overview
Mapping the evolution and development of 3D in printing
A thematic analysis of digital illustration
Organizational creativity in heterarchies: The case of VFX production
Analyzing the new developments in the area of illustrations
The role of ethics, culture, and artistry in scientific illustration
Analyzing Hidden Elements in Disney Movies and Effects on Children
Exploring the progress in animation films in the past ten years
Exploring the effects of Kinematics methods on animation
Animation Character Detection Algorithm Based on Clustering and Cascaded SSD
History of the Japanese Animation Industry and New Technology
Scotland’s History of Animation: An Exploratory Account of the Key Figures and Influential Events
The history and developments of 2D animation
Analysis Of Finding Nemo Through Mythological, Theological, And Ideological Criticisms
Bringing a story to life: For programmers, animators, VFX artists, and interactive designers
Design and Realization of Animation Composition and Tone Space Conversion Algorithm
Scotland’s History of Animation
Anime: A Style of Japanese Film and Television
A comparative analysis between Kinematics and Dynamic Animation
Animated vs Static graphics in a video game
Analyzing the use of texting art in animated games.
The idea of Digital illustration and its impact on an appealing visual element
An Analysis of Animation in the Movies Frozen and Zootopia
Aesthetics and design in the three-dimensional animation process
The uses and abuses of cartoon style in animation

Read Also – A List of 100+ Research Topics in Education

Movies Research Paper Topics About Production Houses

If you are still looking for the best film topics to write about, we suggest you look at the topics below about production houses. This list includes essential research topics about film production houses and their roles in the film industry. Let’s have a look!

The risk environment of filmmaking: Warner Bros in the inter-war years
Stardom and the profitability of filmmaking: Warner Bros. in the 1930s
A Comparison in the Movie Studios Sector
Bankruptcy and Restructuring at Marvel Entertainment Group
Disney’s Marvel acquisition: a strategic financial analysis
A research study on the 20th Century Studios
Marvel, DC, and sport: Investigating rivalry in the sport and comic settings
Walt Disney Animation Studios: a detailed analysis
Historical and Mythical Time in the Marvel and DC Series
Hollywood’s attempt to appropriate television: The case of Paramount Pictures
TSG Entertainment Production Company Box Office History
A measurement study of Netflix, Hulu, and a tale of three CDNs
The Powerful Influence of Netflix and Amazon Studios
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures: a research analysis
Can Netflix Take Over Hollywood

Final Words

Film studies generally examine the film industry’s historical, critical, and theoretical aspects. You can easily select the perfect research topic that matches your interests from the above-provided lists of film research topics. However, there’s still an option if you need help with these. You can contact our writing services and get quick assistance. At Edumagnate.com , we provide brilliant research papers and research proposal writing services to students from all domains. You can contact us and share your requirements to get a high-quality, plagiarism-free research paper quickly.

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Home > FACULTIES > Film Studies > FILM-ETD

Film Studies Theses and Dissertations

This collection contains theses and dissertations from the Department of Film Studies, collected from the Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Rise of Marvel and DC's Transmedia Superheroes: Comic Book Adaptations, Fanboy Auteurs, and Guiding Fan Reception , Alex Brundige

Contemporary French Queer Cinema: Explicit Sex and the Politics of Normalization , Joanna K. Smith

Rob Zombie, the Brand: Crafting the Convergence-Era Horror Auteur , Ryan Stam

Transnational Monsters: Navigating Identity and Intertextuality in the Films of Guillermo del Toro , Sean M. Volk

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Tragedy, Ecstasy, Doom: Modernist Moods of "West Side Story" , Andrew M. Falcao

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Music, Cinema and the Representation of Africa , Natasha Callender

Clash of the Industry Titans: Marvel, DC and the Battle for Market Dominance , Caitlin Foster

The New French Extremity: Bruno Dumont and Gaspar Noé, France's Contemporary Zeitgeist , Timothy J. Nicodemo

'Subbed-Titles': Hollywood, the Art House Market and the Best Foreign Language Film Category at the Oscars , Kyle W. J. Tabbernor

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Fighting, Screaming, and Laughing for an Audience: Stars, Genres, and the Question of Constructing a Popular Anglophone Canadian Cinema in the Twenty First Century , Sean C. Fitzpatrick

New York Beat: Collaborative Video and Filmmaking in The Lower East Side and the South Bronx from 1977-1984 , Andrew G. Hicks

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Film Studies Research Guide: Literature & Film

Film Reviews
Films & Videos
Screenplays/Filmscripts
Archives & Institutes
Critical Approaches & Problems
Directors, Actors, Writers, etc.
Filmmaking, Producing, etc.
Genres, Styles, Categories, Series
History and/of Film
International Cinema
Literature & Film
Movie Business & Studios
Music & Sound in Movies
Social & Other Aspects
Themes, Subjects & Characters
Annuals & Directories
Bibliographies & Filmographies
Biographies, Credits & Plots
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Festivals & Awards
Guides & Companions to Films
Organizations & Associations

Searching for Literature and Film Resources

One can search for literature and film resources in Orbis using subject headings such as:

Motion pictures and literature
Film adaptations
Drama--Film and video adaptations
English literature--Film adaptations
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Film and video adaptations

Selected Resources on Literature and Film

Books and plays in films, 1896-1915: literary, theatrical, and artistic sources of the first twenty years of motion pictures by Denis Gifford
A companion to literature and film by Robert Stam and Alessandra Raengo
Enser's filmed books and plays: a list of books and plays from which films have been made, 1928-1991 by Ellen Baskin
Film as literature, literature as film: an introduction to and bibliography of film's relationship to literature by Harris Ross
International guide to literature on film by Tom Costello
Literature and film: an annotated bibliography, 1909-1977 by Jeffrey Egan Welch
Literature and film: an annotated bibliography, 1978-1988 by Jeffrey Egan Welch
Stories into film by William Kittredge and Steven Krauzer
Women writers, from page to screen by Jill Rubinson Fenton, et al.
Writers on the American screen: a guide to film adaptations of American and foreign literary works by Larry Langman

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Film and Theatre Studies Research Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 6th, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023

Introduction

Film and theatre studies focus on the critical analysis of experiential learning. Film and theatre have been popular areas of interest among students of arts. As a student of film and theatre, you will be expected to study cinema history and the social importance of cinematography and films to learn the techniques and methods used for the production of films. This blog post provides several film dissertation topics and theatre dissertation topics so you can make a meaningful contribution to the literature.

Here is our selection of film and theatre research topics that we think you should consider.

Topic 1: An Exploration of Gender Role in Blockbuster Films and the Perspectives of Assigning Roles

Topic 2: A Comparative Study of Hollywood and Bollywood: An Exploration of Research of Movies

Topic 3: A Detailed Analysis of the Principles of Making Films: An Exploration of the Relevant Principles of Making Films

Topic 4: assessing the significance of awards for making a better film, topic 5: analysing female sexuality in the film: a detailed research on the perspectives of society, topic 6: an explorative study of the performances of an actor in theatre and film.

Topic 7: An explorative study of the Cultures of Theatre and Film in the Big City of a Country

Topic 8: Detail Perspectives of the Impact of Theatre in the Urban Area

Topic 9: explorative research on the impact of film in a rural area, topic 10: the relevance of casting and editing for making a film.

These film and theatre dissertation topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives , literature review along with the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of dissertation topics for 2022 here.

You may also want to review our arts dissertation topics, fashion dissertation topics and literature dissertation topics if you don’t find an intriguing idea below.

2022 Film and Theatre Studies Research Topics

Topic 1: the role of writers’ creativity in film’s success- a comparison between hit and flop hollywood movies.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the role of writers’ creativity in a film’s success in Hollywood. It will show how the writer’s imagination, emotions, creativity, and other factors affect the movie’s story. And how does it affect its success when it comes to the cinema? It will compare and contrast various successful and flop Hollywood movies to analyze whether the writer’s creativity is crucial for the movie or not. Lastly, it will recommend whether producers give the writer’s creativity prime attention or not.

Topic 2: Impact of Online Streaming Services on Traditional Cinema’s Content Quality and Investments - A Case of Netflix TV Shows Production

Research Aim: This research intends to find the impact of online streaming services on traditional cinema’s content quality and investments. It will show whether the introduction of online content besides mainstream cinema has affected its content or continues the way it used to create. It will use Netflix as a case study to show whether its introduction and significant investments affected the Cinema equilibrium in terms of investments in cinema and content produced by it. Lastly, it will indicate whether both models can work simultaneously or if one has to give up.

Topic 3: Do Film Sequels Overshadow the Original Story? Or Do they Help to Reconnect with the Original Story? A Case of “The Lord of the Rings”

Research Aim: This study sheds light on the impact of film sequels on the success of the original story. It will show whether sequels overshadow the actual story or do they help to reconnect with the original story. Moreover, it will find how factors such as the introduction of new characters and actors, replacement of old actors, addition and removal from the actual story, etc., affect the success of the original story.

Topic 4: The Economics of Cinema: Impact of Large Production Houses’ Monopoly in Production and Distribution on the Quality of the Movies

Research Aim: This study assesses the impact of large production houses’ monopoly in production and distribution on the quality of the movie. It will show that these economic actors control production and distribution factors in the movie markets. It will see how big production houses operate in Hollywood and influences the entire Hollywood economic process of movie production, distribution, rights allocation, etc. Lastly, it will also show how small players penetrated this market of strong entry to a barrier.

Topic 5: Does a Script Makes a Movie Successful or the Actors? An Exploratory Analysis Finding the Factors which Make a Movie Successful

Research Aim: This research will identify the factors which make a movie successful. It will specifically find whether a good script makes a movie successful or the actors. It will assess various movies through a film literature framework to see whether a specific movie was actors-dominated or script overshadowed the actors, or it was a mix of both. Moreover, it will show how a film producer can utilize both to make a good movie.

Film and Theatre Dissertation Research Topics

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate and analyse the role of gender in doing blockbuster films. The aim of the research seeks to understand the importance of gender roles in assigning a task. The aim of the research explores the roles of genders to discover new areas of filmmaking.

Topic 2: A Comparative Study of Hollywood and Bollywood: An Exploration Research of Movies

Research Aim: The research aims to explore the different perspectives of Hollywood and Bollywood movies and explore the areas for improvement. The research explores the comparisons between these two types of film. The study supports various arguments about making two different types of movies.

Research Aim: The relevance of the research focuses on the principles of making films. The research highlights the importance of utilizing principles in the field of theatre. The research aims to explore various perspectives of principles that help to justify the topic of the film.

Research Aim: The research aims to evaluate the importance of awards for making a good film. The aim is to focus on the detailed analysis of the awards and their cultural perspective on making a film.

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse the perspectives of society in the case of representing female sexuality in the movie. The study analyses the stereotypical presentation of women onscreen that describes how women were initially treated in society. The detailed analysis of the research explores the role of film in highlighting a sensitive issue of women.

Research Aim: It studies the detailed analysis of the actor’s performances and how external and internal factors affect the performances of actors in a film.

Topic 7: An explorative study of the Cultures of Theatre and Film in the big city of a country

Research Aim: The aim of the research is in making a detailed exploration of the cultures of theatre and film. It highlights the differences in culture from both perspectives.

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse the impact of theatre and its advancement in an urban area. The aim is to explore the reflection of theatre on the mind of a human being.

Research Aim: The aim of the research focuses on the impact of film on the mind of the people of rural areas. It explores the forms of various films that create an effect on the life of the rural area.

Research Aim: This research highlights the importance of casting and editing and its critical casting and editing perspectives in film. It focuses on the principles of casting and editing for making a film.

Topic 11: Perspectives of Youth for Making a Cinema: A Detailed Analysis of the Influential Factors of Making a Cinema.

Research Aim: It highlights the mindset of youth for making a cinema. It focuses on the factors that influence making a successful piece of art.

Topic 12: The Role of the Short Film in Making a Big Cinema

Research Aim: The research focuses on making a short film can be an essential step for making a big one. This research highlights the various perspectives of making a short film. It helps to explore the historical perspectives of making a big cinema.

Topic 13: A Detailed Exploration of the Impact of History and Culture on Making Modern Cinema

Research Aim: The research focuses on the importance of history and how it impacts making modern cinema. It highlights the steps of records of cinema.

Topic 14: A Critical Analysis of Horror Movies: A Case Study on a Horror Movie

Research Aim: The aim explores the perspectives of horror movies and it impacts society. It supports arguments based on evidence.

Topic 15: An Exploration of the Revolution of the Movie with Perspectives on History and Culture

Research Aim: The research aims to explore the evolution of cinema’s history and highlight every perspective of the revolution. It focuses on the impact of the revolution on making a film.

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To find a film and theatre studies dissertation topic:

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Film and Media Studies Program

Dissertations, completed dissertations, dissertations in progress.

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Home > Dissertations and Theses > Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses

Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses

Below is a selection of dissertations from the Film and Media Studies program in Dodge College of Film and Media Arts that have been voluntarily included in Chapman University Digital Commons. Additional dissertations from years prior to 2019 are available through the Leatherby Libraries' print collection or in Proquest's Dissertations and Theses database.

Theses from 2024 2024

Intolerable Masculinity: Screening Men's Shame and Embracing Curious Futures , Cole Clark

Embracing the Wound of Contingency: Transcribing Reality in Supernatural Horror and Found Footage , Mason Dax Dickerson

Bluey And Adult Fandom: The Importance Of Play In Culture , Olivia C. Gerzabek

Independent Visions of Marginal America: Reimagining a Nation Through Outsiders, Searching, and Non-Arrival , Z Evan Long

From Film Sets to Front Lines and Back Again: Reinventing Star Image in Post-World War II Hollywood , Livia Belen Lozoya

Animating Gender: Conflicting Narrative and Character Design in Gravity Falls , Laine Marshall

Real to Reel: The "Third Gender" Narratives and Queer Identity in Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali Films , Manjima Tarafdar

Cinema's Poetic Function: Creating an Amorous Distance , William Yonts

Theses from 2023 2023

Desire for Transformation: The Actualization of Self-identity Through Change In the Films Raw and Titane , Owen Bradford

The Rape-Revenge Genre in the Digital Age of Heightened Visibility: The Rise of Female Storytellers and Fourth-Wave Feminism , Marynell Dethero

The Audrey Hepburn Image: Stardom, Gendered Authorship, and Creative Agency , Livi Edmonson

How Donald Trump and the 2016 Presidential Election Eclipsed Frank Underwood’s Election in ‘House of Cards’ , Charna Flam

Balancing Multiple Worlds: The Multiverse and the Fractured Asian American Experience in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) , Austin Kang

The Disintegration of Marriage in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Happy Hour (2015) , Afra Nariman

What Are You Crying For?: Renegotiating White Masculine Hegemony through Melodramatic Excess in the 1990s Films of Tom Hanks , Bryce Thompson

“Let’s Do The Time Warp, Again!” The Rocky Horror Picture Show as Hysterical Theatre , Frances Wendorf

Theses from 2021 2021

(De/Re)Constructing ChicanX/a/o Cinema: Liminality, Cultural Hyphenation, and Psychic Borderlands in Real Women Have Curves and Mosquita y Mari , Diana Alanis

Obsessed With the Image: Vulgar Auteurism and Post-Cinematic Affect in the Late Films of Tony Scott , Ethan Cartwright

The Ben-Hur Franchise and the Rise of Blockbuster Hollywood , Michael Chian

Cinematic Palimpsests: Polysemy and In(ter)dependency in the Spectator Experience , Lyric Luedke

Beyond the Image: Marilyn Monroe, Shelley Winters, and The Method , Emily K. Oliver

Layer Cake: Post-Cinematic Aesthetics and the “Social Justice Impulse” in Kaneza Schaal's Jack & , Amber M. Power

Re-animating Post-Digital Cinema: [Animated] Fluidity and Hybrid Aesthetics in Tomm Moore’s Celtic Trilogy , Thomas James Schwaiger

Curation of the Video Art Exhibition in the Museum , Kamla Thurtle

Pennies from Heaven: Death and the Afterlife in World War II Fantasy Films , Elise Williamson

Theses from 2020 2020

Unreal Reality: Post-socialist China's Massive Infrastructural Agenda in Jia Zhangke's "Three Gorges Films" , Weiting Liu

Smell as Self-identity: Capitalist Ideology and Olfactory Imagination in Das Parfum’s Multimedia Storytelling , Xinrong Liu

Revitalizing Hollywood Stardom: Classical Star Power and Enduring Marketability at Warner Bros. in the Beginning of New Hollywood , Tham Singpatanakul

Bong Joon-Ho’s Transnational Challenge To Eurocentrism , Lisa - Marie Spaethen

Theses from 2019 2019

Stardom, Spectacle, Show, and Salability: United Artists and the Founding of the Hollywood Blockbuster Model , Jessica Johnson

Iranian Cinema in Transition: Relative Truth and Morality in Asghar Farhadi’s Films , Mazyar Mahdavifar

AI Film Aesthetics: A Construction of a New Media Identity for AI Films , Priya Parikh

A Cauldron of Chaos and Cultivation: Rediscovering Disney Animation of the 1980s , Thomas Price

Inflicted Viewing: Examining Moral Masochism, Empathy, and the Frustration of Trauma Cinema , Kira Smith

Representative Biodiversity: The Ecosystem of Cartoon Network , Carl Suby

Bending Family Friendly into Fear: Nostalgia, Minstrelsy and Horror in Bendy and the Ink Machine , Isabelle Williams

Theses from 2014 2014

The Criterion of Quality: A Paratextual Analysis of the Criterion Collection in the Age of Digital Distribution , Jonathan Charles Hyatt

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Film Analysis

What this handout is about.

This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments.

Writing the film analysis essay

Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument. The first step to analyzing the film is to watch it with a plan.

Watching the film

First it’s important to watch the film carefully with a critical eye. Consider why you’ve been assigned to watch a film and write an analysis. How does this activity fit into the course? Why have you been assigned this particular film? What are you looking for in connection to the course content? Let’s practice with this clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). Here are some tips on how to watch the clip critically, just as you would an entire film:

Give the clip your undivided attention at least once. Pay close attention to details and make observations that might start leading to bigger questions.
Watch the clip a second time. For this viewing, you will want to focus specifically on those elements of film analysis that your class has focused on, so review your course notes. For example, from whose perspective is this clip shot? What choices help convey that perspective? What is the overall tone, theme, or effect of this clip?
Take notes while you watch for the second time. Notes will help you keep track of what you noticed and when, if you include timestamps in your notes. Timestamps are vital for citing scenes from a film!

For more information on watching a film, check out the Learning Center’s handout on watching film analytically . For more resources on researching film, including glossaries of film terms, see UNC Library’s research guide on film & cinema .

Brainstorming ideas

Once you’ve watched the film twice, it’s time to brainstorm some ideas based on your notes. Brainstorming is a major step that helps develop and explore ideas. As you brainstorm, you may want to cluster your ideas around central topics or themes that emerge as you review your notes. Did you ask several questions about color? Were you curious about repeated images? Perhaps these are directions you can pursue.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you can use the connections that you develop while brainstorming to draft a thesis statement . Consider the assignment and prompt when formulating a thesis, as well as what kind of evidence you will present to support your claims. Your evidence could be dialogue, sound edits, cinematography decisions, etc. Much of how you make these decisions will depend on the type of film analysis you are conducting, an important decision covered in the next section.

After brainstorming, you can draft an outline of your film analysis using the same strategies that you would for other writing assignments. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this stage of the assignment:

Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment, so your thesis should answer what the prompt asks. Check with your professor if you are unsure.
In most cases, the director’s name is used to talk about the film as a whole, for instance, “Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo .” However, some writers may want to include the names of other persons who helped to create the film, including the actors, the cinematographer, and the sound editor, among others.
When describing a sequence in a film, use the literary present. An example could be, “In Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.”
Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
Go beyond describing basic film elements by articulating the significance of these elements in support of your particular position. For example, you may have an interpretation of the striking color green in Vertigo , but you would only mention this if it was relevant to your argument. For more help on using evidence effectively, see the section on “using evidence” in our evidence handout .

Also be sure to avoid confusing the terms shot, scene, and sequence. Remember, a shot ends every time the camera cuts; a scene can be composed of several related shots; and a sequence is a set of related scenes.

Different types of film analysis

As you consider your notes, outline, and general thesis about a film, the majority of your assignment will depend on what type of film analysis you are conducting. This section explores some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.

Semiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.

For instance, a writer could explore the symbolism of the flowers in Vertigo by connecting the images of them falling apart to the vulnerability of the heroine.

Here are a few other questions to consider for this type of analysis:

What objects or images are repeated throughout the film?
How does the director associate a character with small signs, such as certain colors, clothing, food, or language use?
How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects, that is, what is the relationship between the film’s signs?

Many films are rich with symbolism, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. Remember to bring a semiotic analysis back around to answering the question “So what?” in your thesis.

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.

For example, you could take the same object from the previous example—the flowers—which meant one thing in a semiotic analysis, and ask instead about their narrative role. That is, you might analyze how Hitchcock introduces the flowers at the beginning of the film in order to return to them later to draw out the completion of the heroine’s character arc.

To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:

How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?
What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?
Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?

When writing a narrative analysis, take care not to spend too time on summarizing at the expense of your argument. See our handout on summarizing for more tips on making summary serve analysis.

Cultural/historical analysis

One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a film’s relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.

For example, the clip from Vertigo depicts a man observing a woman without her knowing it. You could examine how this aspect of the film addresses a midcentury social concern about observation, such as the sexual policing of women, or a political one, such as Cold War-era McCarthyism.

A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:

How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
How might a biographical understanding of the film’s creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?
How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?

Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.

Mise-en-scène analysis

A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing. For example, in the clip from Vertigo , a mise-en-scène analysis might ask how numerous elements, from lighting to camera angles, work together to present the viewer with the perspective of Jimmy Stewart’s character.

To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:

What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film’s plot?

This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.

Reviewing your draft

Once you have a draft, it’s helpful to get feedback on what you’ve written to see if your analysis holds together and you’ve conveyed your point. You may not necessarily need to find someone who has seen the film! Ask a writing coach, roommate, or family member to read over your draft and share key takeaways from what you have written so far.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. 1988. L’analyse Des Films . Paris: Nathan.

Media & Design Center. n.d. “Film and Cinema Research.” UNC University Libraries. Last updated February 10, 2021. https://guides.lib.unc.edu/filmresearch .

Oxford Royale Academy. n.d. “7 Ways to Watch Film.” Oxford Royale Academy. Accessed April 2021. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/7-ways-watch-films-critically/ .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Theses and Dissertations: Introduction

Theses and dissertations are a key source for finding the latest scholarship, additional material such as data sets, and detailed research. They can also help you find out what has been written on a topic, uncover other sources through citations, and get inspiration for your own research project. Use the resources below to search for PhD theses from universities in the UK and abroad. If you're a PhD student yourself, you can use the resources to make sure that your topic hasn't already been written about by other doctoral students.

Essex Theses

The Library received all Ph.D. and M.Phil. theses and M.Sc. (Regulation 3.5.) theses up to 30 September 2016. Theses submitted after this date are kept in the University of Essex Research Repository . We do not normally hold dissertations and theses connected with other degrees - the exception being LL.Ms. All of our theses are kept in Store and can only be consulted in the library - you'll need to use the online store request form or fill in a form at the library helpdesk to request them.

If you are looking for a specific thesis you can use Library Search to search for the author or title. If you want to find an Essex thesis on a particular topic/subject area, you can either add the word "thesis" to your keyword search, or limit your results to the "Essex theses" or "University of Essex Research Repository" collections.

Theses and Dissertations: Library E-resources

EThOS EThOS aims to provide a 'single point of access' where researchers the world over can access all theses produced by UK Higher Education. The database can be searched by anyone, but individual users need to register to get access to the full text of theses. Many theses are free to download instantly, whilst others will only be available once digitisation has been requested. The hub automatically harvests e-theses from Institutional Repositories and digitises paper theses from participating institutions to offer the single point of access. Many UK institutions support Open Access to their theses, so download of their digital and digitised theses is free to the researcher. A small number of participating institutions may not be able to offer Open Access and in this case the researcher may have to pay for the digitisation. Where a thesis must be digitised before supply, you can expect a short delay. However, you will be informed when the thesis is ready for collection and you can then log on to the system and download it.
ProQuest dissertations and theses ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Global (PQDTGlobal) is the world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. As the official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress and as the database of record for graduate research, PQDTGlobal includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. Over 2.1 million titles are available for purchase as printed copies. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. It also includes PQDT UK & Ireland content. More than 70,000 new full-text dissertations and theses are added to the database each year through dissertations publishing partnerships with 700 leading academic institutions worldwide, and collaborative retrospective digitization of dissertations. Full-text dissertations are archived as submitted by the degree-granting institution. Some will be native PDF, some PDF image. Each dissertation published since July, 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Master's theses published since 1988 include 150-word abstracts. Simple bibliographic citations are available for dissertations dating from 1637. Where available, PQDTGlobal provides 24-page previews of dissertations and theses. Note: Full text for certain publications is subject to market availability more... less... Shibboleth login

Theses and Dissertations: Free Websites and Portals

EBSCO Open Dissertations Created from a collaboration between EBSCO and BiblioLabs, EBSCO Open Dissertations is a free electronic theses and dissertations database offering access to more than 800,000 ETDs, including those previously available in American Doctoral Dissertations.
Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations (NDLTD) Portal to over 5 million digitised theses from around the world.
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Last Updated: Apr 26, 2024 10:38 AM
URL: https://library.essex.ac.uk/film

Film & Media Studies Resources: Researching a Film

Researching a Film

Types of Film Analysis

Finding Books
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Watching Film Analytically

1. start with the assignment..

Review the assignment prompt and identify the tasks your instructor has asked you to perform and the questions you've been asked to address. Write them out at the top of your notes before watching the film.

2. Review film terms.

Review the terms you've learned in class and practice applying them while watching your film. Studying these terms before you begin watching can help you develop abbreviations and avoid searching for these words while you watch.

3. Watch the film.

Watch the film at least once without once before (unless you've seen it before) to watch uninterrupted. When you take notes, be sure to pause when writing. This disrupts the viewing experience.

Starting the Film Analysis Essay

4. brainstorm.

After you've watched the film at least twice, it's a good idea to brainstorm ideas based on the notes you took. Cluster your ideas around the themes or topics that emerge in your notes, possible in a concept map. If you're writing an argumentative essay, your brainstorming ideas can be used to draft your thesis statement or research question.

Things to remember:

Use your assignment prompt as a guide.
Write about the film in the present tense in your essay. (i.e., “In Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.”)

5. Make a research plan.

Review your brainstorming notes and decide what type of analysis you want to write.
Do you need research or other background information for your essay?
Do your sources need to be scholarly or can you use critics' review?

6. Find Sources and Reviews

Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!). The Popular Culture Library has a great collection of movie scripts.
Reading reviews and other analysis essays between viewings can help your own analysis of the film. Search in Summon or subject databases listed below for the film's title and the ideas you brainstormed to look for sources.

Symbolic Analysis

Symbolic (or semiotic) analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, usually involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters in a film. Because symbols can have multiple meanings, you will need to determine what a particular symbol means both in the film and in a broader context, whether in other films, or in other disciplines, like literature.

Be sure to bring the analysis back to your thesis, or why this symbolism matters.

Some questions you could ask when writing a symbolic analysis essay:

What images or objects are repeated in the film?
What colors, clothing, or food is associated with a character?
How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects?

Narrative Analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the narrative structure, character, and plot of a film (i.e., the story elements). This analysis considers the story the film seeks to tell.

Questions to consider when writing a narrative analysis:

How does the film fit into the Three Act structure?
How does the plot differ from the narrative of film? Or, how is the story told? (i.e., Are events presented out of order or chronologically?)
Does the plot revolve around one character or multiple? How do these characters develop across the film?

Cultural or Historical Analysis

In this type of analytical essay, you examine a film's relationship to its broader cultural, historical, theoretical contexts. Sometimes films intentionally comment on these contexts, but even if they don't, they are still a product of the culture or time in which they were created. This type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts these relationships.

Questions to ask for a cultural or historical analysis:

How does the film comment on, reinforce, or critique social and/or political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
How might a biographical understanding of the film's creators and/or screenwriters and their historical moment affect the way the film is viewed?
How might a specific theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist or Marxist Film Theory, provide a way of analyzing or viewing the film?

Mise-en-scene Analysis

A mise-en-scene (French for "putting on stage") analysis looks at the compositional elements of a specific scene or even a single shot, as well as the how those elements come together to produce meaning. You can focus on anything in the scene, including blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, and how these work in conjunction with other elements, like sound, cinematography and editing.

Questions to ask when analyzing a scene:

What effects are created in a scene and what is their purpose?
How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film's point?

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This guide was adapted from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Writing Center's Film Analysis and Watching Film Analytically .

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Last Updated: Nov 20, 2023 9:08 AM
URL: https://libguides.bgsu.edu/film

MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

News Roundup Spring 2024

The Class of 2024 spring graduation celebration

CEGE Spring Graduation Celebration and Order of the Engineer

Forty-seven graduates of the undergraduate and grad student programs (pictured above) in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering took part in the Order of the Engineer on graduation day. Distinguished Speakers at this departmental event included Katrina Kessler (MS EnvE 2021), Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and student Brian Balquist. Following this event, students participated in the college-wide Commencement Ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

UNIVERSITY & DEPARTMENT

The University of Minnesota’s Crookston, Duluth, and Rochester campuses have been awarded the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, joining the Twin Cities (2006, 2015) and Morris campuses (2015), and making the U of M the country’s first and only university system at which every individual campus has received this selective designation. Only 368 from nearly 4,000 qualifying U.S. universities and colleges have been granted this designation.

CEGE contributed strongly to the College of Science and Engineering’s efforts toward sustainability research. CEGE researchers are bringing in over $35 million in funded research to study carbon mineralization, nature and urban areas, circularity of water resources, and global snowfall patterns. This news was highlighted in the Fall 2023 issue of Inventing Tomorrow (pages 10-11). https://issuu.com/inventingtomorrow/docs/fall_2023_inventing_tomorrow-web

CEGE’s new program for a one-year master’s degree in structural engineering is now accepting applicants for Fall 2024. We owe a big thanks to DAN MURPHY and LAURA AMUNDSON for their volunteer work to help curate the program with Professor JIA-LIANG LE and EBRAHIM SHEMSHADIAN, the program director. Potential students and companies interested in hosting a summer intern can contact Ebrahim Shemshadian ( [email protected] ).

BERNIE BULLERT , CEGE benefactor and MN Water Research Fund founder, was profiled on the website of the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF). There you can read more about his mission to share clean water technologies with smaller communities in Minnesota. Many have joined Bullert in this mission. MWRF Recognizes their Generous 2024 Partners. Gold Partners: Bernie Bullert, Hawkins, Inc., Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and SL-serco. Silver Partners: ISG, Karl and Pam Streed, Kasco, Kelly Lange-Haider and Mark Haider, ME Simpson, Naeem Qureshi, Dr. Paul H. Boening, TKDA, and Waterous. Bronze Partners: Bruce R. Bullert; Brenda Lenz, Ph.D., APRN FNP-C, CNE; CDM Smith; Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA MN); Heidi and Steve Hamilton; Jim “Bulldog” Sadler; Lisa and Del Cerney; Magney Construction; Sambatek; Shannon and John Wolkerstorfer; Stantec; and Tenon Systems.

After retiring from Baker-Tilly, NICK DRAGISICH (BCE 1977) has taken on a new role: City Council member in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. After earning his BCE from the University of Minnesota, Dragisich earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Dragisich retired in May from his position as managing director at Baker Tilly, where he had previously served as firm director. Prior to that, he served as assistant city manager in Spokane, Washington, was the city administrator and city engineer in Virginia, Minnesota, and was mayor of Chisholm, Minnesota—all adding up to more than 40 years of experience in local government. Dragisich was selected by a unanimous vote. His current term expires in December 2024.

PAUL F. GNIRK (Ph.D. 1966) passed away January 29, 2024, at the age of 86. A memorial service was held Saturday, February 24, at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T), where he started and ended his teaching career, though he had many other positions, professional and voluntary. In 2018 Paul was inducted into the SDSM&T Hardrocker Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame, joining his mother Adeline S. Gnirk, who had been inducted in 1987 for her work authoring nine books on the history of south central South Dakota.

ROGER M. HILL (BCE 1957) passed away on January 13, 2024, at the age of 90. His daughter, Kelly Robinson, wrote to CEGE that Roger was “a dedicated Gopher fan until the end, and we enjoyed many football games together in recent years. Thank you for everything.”

KAUSER JAHAN (Ph.D. 1993, advised by Walter Maier), PE, is now a civil and environmental engineering professor and department head at Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. Jahan was awarded a 3-year (2022- 2025), $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The grant supports her project, “WaterWorks: Developing the New Generation of Workforce for Water/Wastewater Utilities,” for the development of educational tools that will expose and prepare today’s students for careers in water and wastewater utilities.

SAURA JOST (BCE 2010, advised by Timothy LaPara) was elected to the St. Paul City Council for Ward 3. She is part of the historic group of women that make up the nation’s first all-female city council in a large city.

The 2024 ASCE Western Great Lakes Student Symposium combines several competitions for students involved in ASCE. CEGE sent a large contingent of competitors to Chicago. Each of the competition groups won awards: Ethics Paper 1st place Hans Lagerquist; Sustainable Solutions team 1st place overall in (qualifying them for the National competition in Utah in June); GeoWall 2nd place overall; Men’s Sprint for Concrete Canoe with rowers Sakthi Sundaram Saravanan and Owen McDonald 2nd place; Product Prototype for Concrete Canoe 2nd place; Steel Bridge (200 lb bridge weight) 2nd place in lightness; Scavenger Hunt 3rd place; and Aesthetics and Structural Efficiency for Steel Bridge 4th place.

Students competing on the Minnesota Environmental Engineers, Scientists, and Enthusiasts (MEESE) team earned second place in the Conference on the Environment undergraduate student design competition in November 2023. Erin Surdo is the MEESE Faculty Adviser. Pictured are NIKO DESHPANDE, ANNA RETTLER, and SYDNEY OLSON.

The CEGE CLASS OF 2023 raised money to help reduce the financial barrier for fellow students taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, a cost of $175 per test taker. As a result of this gift, they were able to make the exam more affordable for 15 current CEGE seniors. CEGE students who take the FE exam pass the first time at a rate well above national averages, demonstrating that CEGE does a great job of teaching engineering fundamentals. In 2023, 46 of 50 students passed the challenging exam on the first try.

This winter break, four CEGE students joined 10 other students from the College of Science and Engineering for the global seminar, Design for Life: Water in Tanzania. The students visited numerous sites in Tanzania, collected water source samples, designed rural water systems, and went on safari. Read the trip blog: http://globalblogs.cse.umn.edu/search/label/Tanzania%202024

Undergraduate Honor Student MALIK KHADAR (advised by Dr. Paul Capel) received honorable mention for the Computing Research Association (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award for undergraduate students who show outstanding research potential in an area of computing research.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

AKASH BHAT (advised by William Arnold) presented his Ph.D. defense on Friday, October 27, 2023. Bhat’s thesis is “Photolysis of fluorochemicals: Tracking fluorine, use of UV-LEDs, and computational insights.” Bhat’s work investigating the degradation of fluorinated compounds will assist in the future design of fluorinated chemicals such that persistent and/or toxic byproducts are not formed in the environment.

ETHAN BOTMEN (advised by Bill Arnold) completed his Master of Science Final Exam February 28, 2024. His research topic was Degradation of Fluorinated Compounds by Nucleophilic Attack of Organo-fluorine Functional Groups.

XIATING CHEN , Ph.D. Candidate in Water Resources Engineering at the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory is the recipient of the 2023 Nels Nelson Memorial Fellowship Award. Chen (advised by Xue Feng) is researching eco-hydrological functions of urban trees and other green infrastructure at both the local and watershed scale, through combined field observations and modeling approaches.

ALICE PRATES BISSO DAMBROZ has been a Visiting Student Researcher at the University of Minnesota since last August, on a Doctoral Dissertation Research Award from Fulbright. Her CEGE advisor is Dr. Paul Capel. Dambroz is a fourth year Ph.D. student in Soil Science at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in Brazil, where she studies with her adviser Jean Minella. Her research focuses on the hydrological monitoring of a small agricultural watershed in Southern Brazil, which is located on a transition area between volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Its topography, shallow soils, and land use make it prone to runoff and erosion processes.

Yielding to people in crosswalks should be a very pedestrian topic. Yet graduate student researchers TIANYI LI, JOSHUA KLAVINS, TE XU, NIAZ MAHMUD ZAFRI (Dept.of Urban and Regional Planning at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology), and Professor Raphael Stern found that drivers often do not yield to pedestrians, but they are influenced by the markings around a crosswalk. Their work was picked up by the Minnesota Reformer.

TIANYI LI (Ph.D. student advised by Raphael Stern) also won the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation (DDET) Fellowship for the third time! Li (center) and Stern (right) are pictured at the Federal Highway Administration with Latoya Jones, the program manager for the DDET Fellowship.

The Three Minute Thesis Contest and the Minnesota Nice trophy has become an annual tradition in CEGE. 2023’s winner was EHSANUR RAHMAN , a Ph.D. student advised by Boya Xiong.

GUANJU (WILLIAM) WEI , a Ph.D. student advised by Judy Yang, is the recipient of the 2023 Heinz G. Stefan Fellowship. He presented his research entitled Microfluidic Investigation of the Biofilm Growth under Dynamic Fluid Environments and received his award at the St. Anthony Falls Research Laboratory April 9. The results of Wei's research can be used in industrial, medical, and scientific fields to control biofilm growth.

BILL ARNOLD stars in an award-winning video about prairie potholes. The Prairie Potholes Project film was made with the University of Delaware and highlights Arnold’s NSF research. The official winners of the 2024 Environmental Communications Awards Competition Grand Prize are Jon Cox and Ben Hemmings who produced and directed the film. Graduate student Marcia Pacheco (CFANS/LAAS) and Bill Arnold are the on-screen stars.

Four faculty from CEGE join the Center for Transportation Studies Faculty and Research Scholars for FY24–25: SEONGJIN CHOI, KETSON ROBERTO MAXIMIANO DOS SANTOS, PEDRAM MORTAZAVI, and BENJAMIN WORSFOLD . CTS Scholars are drawn from diverse fields including engineering, planning, computer science, environmental studies, and public policy.

XUE FENG is coauthor on an article in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment . The authors evaluate global plant responses to changing rainfall regimes that are now characterized by fewer and larger rainfall events. A news release written at Univ. of Maryland can be found here: https://webhost.essic. umd.edu/april-showers-bring-mayflowers- but-with-drizzles-or-downpours/ A long-running series of U of M research projects aimed at improving stormwater quality are beginning to see practical application by stormwater specialists from the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. JOHN GULLIVER has been studying best practices for stormwater management for about 16 years. Lately, he has focused specifically on mitigating phosphorous contamination. His research was highlighted by the Center for Transportation Studies.

JIAQI LI, BILL ARNOLD, and RAYMOND HOZALSKI published a paper on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors in Minnesota rivers. “Animal Feedlots and Domestic Wastewater Discharges are Likely Sources of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Precursors in Midwestern Watersheds,” Environmental Science and Technology (January 2024) doi: 10.1021/acs. est.3c09251

ALIREZA KHANI contributed to MnDOT research on Optimizing Charging Infrastructure for Electric Trucks. Electric options for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks (e-trucks) are still largely in development. These trucks account for a substantial percentage of transportation greenhouse gas emissions. They have greater power needs and different charging needs than personal EVs. Proactively planning for e-truck charging stations will support MnDOT in helping to achieve the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. This research was featured in the webinar “Electrification of the Freight System in Minnesota,” hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies. A recording of the event is now available online.

MICHAEL LEVIN has developed a unique course for CEGE students on Air Transportation Systems. It is the only class at UMN studying air transportation systems from an infrastructure design and management perspective. Spring 2024 saw the third offering of this course, which is offered for juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Research Professor SOFIA (SONIA) MOGILEVSKAYA has been developing international connections. She visited the University of Seville, Spain, November 13–26, 2023, where she taught a short course titled “Fundamentals of Homogenization in Composites.” She also met with the graduate students to discuss collaborative research with Prof. Vladislav Mantic, from the Group of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis at the University of Seville. Her visit was a part of planned activities within the DIAGONAL Consortium funded by the European Commission. CEGE UMN is a partner organization within DIAGONAL, represented by CEGE professors Mogilevskaya and Joseph Labuz. Mantic will visit CEGE summer 2024 to follow up on research developments and discuss plans for future collaboration and organization of short-term exchange visits for the graduate students from each institution.

DAVID NEWCOMB passed away in March. He was a professor in CEGE from 1989–99 in the area of pavement engineering. Newcomb led the research program on asphalt materials characterization. He was the technical director of Mn/ROAD pavement research facility, and he started an enduring collaboration with MnDOT that continues today. In 2000, he moved from Minnesota to become vice-president for Research and Technology at the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Later he moved to his native Texas, where he was appointed to the division head of Materials and Pavement at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, a position from which he recently retired. He will be greatly missed.

PAIGE NOVAK won Minnesota ASCE’s 2023 Distinguished Engineer of the Year Award for her contributions to society through her engineering achievements and professional experiences.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced ten inaugural (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines awards, with a potential $1.6 billion investment nationally over the next decade. Great Lakes ReNEW is led by the Chicago-based water innovation hub, Current, and includes a team from the University of Minnesota, including PAIGE NOVAK. Current will receive $15 mil for the first two years, and up to $160 million over ten years to develop and grow a water-focused innovation engine in the Great Lakes region. The project’s ambitious plan is to create a decarbonized circular “blue economy” to leverage the region’s extraordinary water resources to transform the upper Midwest—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Brewing one pint of beer generates seven pints of wastewater, on average. So what can you do with that wastewater? PAIGE NOVAK and her team are exploring the possibilities of capturing pollutants in wastewater and using bacteria to transform them into energy.

BOYA XIONG has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 40 Under 40 Recognition Program by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. The award was presented at the 2024 AAEES Awards Ceremony, April 11, 2024, at the historic Howard University in Washington, D.C.

JUDY Q. YANG received a McKnight Land-Grant Professorship Award. This two-year award recognizes promising assistant professors and is intended to advance the careers of individuals who have the potential to make significant contributions to their departments and their scholarly fields.

Professor Emeritus CHARLES FAIRHURST , his son CHARLES EDWARD FAIRHURST , and his daughter MARGARET FAIRHURST DURENBERGER were on campus recently to present Department Head Paige Novak with a check for $25,000 for the Charles Fairhurst Fellowship in Earth Resources Engineering in support of graduate students studying geomechanics. The life of Charles Fairhurst through a discussion with his children is featured on the Engineering and Technology History Wiki at https://ethw.org/Oral-History:Charles_Fairhurst#00:00:14_INTRODUCTION

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COMMENTS

90 Popular Film Research Paper Topics to Inspire You
Here are some captivating film research paper topics on music. The Evolution of Film Scores: From Silent Cinema to the Digital Age. The Role of Music in Establishing Film Genres. Iconic Film Composers: The Musical Styles of John Williams and Ennio Morricone. The Impact of Jazz on Film Noir Soundtracks.
Film Studies Research Guide: Research Topics
This section of the Film Studies Research Guide provides assistance in many of the particular subjects in Film Studies. The pages discuss particular issues and list key resources on those topics. You can get to the topical pages from the main navigation bar above or from the links below. The links are listed alphabetically. Animation
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Master: £45 (400 Words) Doctoral: £70 (600 Words) Along with a topic, you will also get; An explanation why we choose this topic. 2-3 research questions. Key literature resources identification. Suitable methodology with identification of raw sample size, and data collection method.
174 Film Research Paper Topics
Research the film industry in India. The growing popularity of television. Discuss the most important aspects of film theory. The drawbacks of silent movies. Cameras used in 1950s movies. The most important cinema movie of the 1900s. Research the montage of movies in the 1970s. The inception of film criticism.
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Conclusion. Film studies basically approach movies from historical, theoretical, and critical perspectives. To write a brilliant film research paper, from the list of 150+ topics recommended above, choose the best topic that matches your interest. In case, you are not sure what film research topic to select or how to write an informative film ...
Film Research Paper Topics: Exploring Cinema with PapersOwl
Global Cinema Research Paper Topics. Nollywood: Nigeria's Booming Film Industry. South Korean Cinema: A Global Impact. Iranian Cinema: Artistic Expression Under Restrictions. French Cinema: Romance, Realism, and Revolution. The Rise of Chinese Blockbusters. Brazilian Cinema: Social Issues and Narratives.
217 Film Research Paper Topics & Ideas
217 Film Research Paper Topics & Ideas. Written by. Sarah Johnson. 18 May 2024. 2137 words. 10 min read. Film research paper topics provide a rich, multifaceted canvas for critical analysis. One can explore genre theory and its evolution, scrutinizing the symbiotic relationship between society and film genres, such as sci-fi, horror, or romance.
Dissertations
Dissertation: The Toy Like Nature: On the History and Theory of Animated Motion. Chair: Daniel Morgan. Readers: Marcia Landy (English), Mark Lynn Anderson (English), Scott Bukatman (Film & Media Studies, Stanford University) Colleen Jankovic , Copyeditor, Grant Writer, and Writing Project Consultant.
Top Film Studies Research Topics for Education and Career Success
Film studies research topics can help you gain a deeper understanding of the industry and prepare for a successful career. Some of the top film studies research topics include the history of film, genre studies, film theory, film production, and film criticism. Consider taking the NYU Film and TV Industry Essentials online course and ...
Film Studies Theses
When the place speaks : an analysis of the use of venues and locations in the international film festival circuit . Li, Peize (2023-11-30) - Thesis. This thesis examines how film festival venues participate in shaping broader film cultures. It proposes an approach to studying film festivals that is founded on looking at their physical spaces ...
Film Research Topics: 140+ Interesting Ideas
Film Research Topics: 140+ Interesting Ideas. The film industry includes a variety of fields that you can explore in your research paper. These include producing, directing, art direction, documentary films, screenwriting, cinematography, digital cinema, and more. Throughout their academic years, students get to learn and understand an array of ...
Film Studies Theses and Dissertations
Theses/Dissertations from 2013. PDF. Music, Cinema and the Representation of Africa, Natasha Callender. PDF. Clash of the Industry Titans: Marvel, DC and the Battle for Market Dominance, Caitlin Foster. PDF. The New French Extremity: Bruno Dumont and Gaspar Noé, France's Contemporary Zeitgeist, Timothy J. Nicodemo. PDF.
Film Studies Research Guide: Literature & Film
A guide to conducting research in Film Studies at Yale University, including key resources and crucial search strategies.
Film and Theatre Studies Research Topics
Film and Theatre Dissertation Research Topics. Topic 1: An Exploration of Gender Role in Blockbuster Films and the Perspectives of Assigning Roles. Topic 2: A Comparative Study of Hollywood and Bollywood: An Exploration Research of Movies. Topic 3: A Detailed Analysis of the Principles of Making Films: An Exploration of the Relevant Principles ...
JSTOR: Viewing Subject: Film Studies
Pedro Almodóvar, Terence Davies, Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant, John Waters. 2015. Gay Fandom and Crossover Stardom: James Dean, Mel Gibson, and Keanu Reeves. 2001. Gay Men at the Movies: Film reception, cinema going and the history of a gay male community.
Dissertations
with East Asian. 2015. Claudia Calhoun. " 'The Story You Are About to Hear Is True': Dragnet, Transmedia Storytelling, and the Postwar Police Procedural". with American Studies. 2015. Joshua Glick. "Los Angeles Documentary and the Production of Public History, 1958-1977".
PDF MAKING FILM INDEPENDENTLY: CREATING A SHORT FILM
A THESIS Presented to the Cinema Studies Program ... topics relevant to the subject of the script. Next, I examine the steps of pre-production in recruiting cast and crew, and preparing the script to be shot. ... major has a greater emphasis on critical film studies, rather than film production, which
Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses
Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses. Below is a selection of dissertations from the Film and Media Studies program in Dodge College of Film and Media Arts that have been voluntarily included in Chapman University Digital Commons. Additional dissertations from years prior to 2019 are available through the Leatherby Libraries' print collection or ...
Film Analysis
Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument.
Theses & Dissertations
Essex Theses. The Library received all Ph.D. and M.Phil. theses and M.Sc. (Regulation 3.5.) theses up to 30 September 2016. Theses submitted after this date are kept in the University of Essex Research Repository. We do not normally hold dissertations and theses connected with other degrees - the exception being LL.Ms.
LibGuides: Film & Media Studies Resources: Researching a Film
Cluster your ideas around the themes or topics that emerge in your notes, possible in a concept map. If you're writing an argumentative essay, your brainstorming ideas can be used to draft your thesis statement or research question. Things to remember: Use your assignment prompt as a guide. Write about the film in the present tense in your essay.
Film Studies Dissertations
Film Studies Dissertation Topics. Dissertation Topics. If you prefer your film more 'out of the box' and are not a fan of mainstream cinema, then maybe selecting a dissertation topic relating to a niche film may be best for you! Take a look at some of these topic suggestions.... Last modified: 16th Aug 2021
News Roundup Spring 2024
CEGE Spring Graduation Celebration and Order of the EngineerForty-seven graduates of the undergraduate and grad student programs (pictured above) in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering took part in the Order of the Engineer on graduation day. Distinguished Speakers at this departmental event included Katrina Kessler (MS EnvE 2021), Commissioner of the Minnesota ...

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