Guidance Notes for Completion of Research Techniques article

Movies without Dialogue

Research Report

Guidance notes for creating the research report

The Audience

Your reader will be the general visitor to the museum.  The purpose of this article will be to give the reader an insight into the following:

                                            I.      A short biography of the Director studied

                                         II.      An insight into the cinematic, dramatic or vaudeville tradition from which this artist emerged

                                       III.      A succinct note on the Director’s style

                                      IV.      A précis of a typical plot summary

                                         V.      Observations on the Director’s working methods gained from reading and practical experience

Your Style

You must remember that this is to be read on trains, buses, or while walking round the museum.  The reader must gain an accurate picture of the artist and his working methods from the notes you provide.  The sentence structure ought to be simple and organised in short paragraphs. When you use technical terminology you must explain it.  Note that this is an informative publication and must provide information that not available from simply screening the movies.

The Content

The content of the article must be grounded in research and that research cited in the “Harvard Method”.  So for

·         For Director’s biography a précis of information obtained from a fan website would be acceptable provided that a) it is in your own words and b) the “url” is quoted.  You must try to ensure its authenticity.

·         When providing information into the cinematic, dramatic or vaudeville tradition from which this artist emerged the writer must refer sources beyond the biographical.  For example reference might be made to Keaton’s vaudeville beginnings.  The text must tell the reader what vaudeville was and why it prepared Keaton for silent movies.

·         In giving notes on the Director’s style you should first refer to the techniques you used in reproducing his work.  Next you should select one aspect of the work for more detailed exploration.  This might be the cinematography, the editing or the acting.

·         A précis of a typical plot summary.  In addition you should note why this plot was of interest to the viewer.  For example Ronnie Barkers’ stories are full of British prudery indicating some interest in sex and sexuality on the part of the viewer.

·         When giving information on working methods you ought to begin with the technology and methods you employed and then detail those in use at the time when Tati, Sykes and Barker were working.

Length

The following is a guide to the way information should be set out

                                      VI.      A short biography of the Director studied (200 words)

                                    VII.      An insight into the cinematic, dramatic or vaudeville tradition from which this artist emerged  (200words)

                                 VIII.      A succinct note on the Director’s style  (200-words)

                                       IX.      A précis of a typical plot summary  (200 words)

                                         X.      Observations on the Director’s working methods gained from reading and practical experience ( 200 words)

                                       XI.      Reference and further reading

Layout

Single column in 12 pt times New Roman in both hard copy and email form.  References must use the Harvard system.

Date for Submission

First draft                     Monday 29^th November 2010 at 10.00 a.m.

Final draft                     Monday 10^th January 2010 at 10.00 a.m.