In this project, you will choose a topic of interest to you in the area of film from 1950 to the present, research it, and write a paper between 6 and 12 pages on your topic in either English or Spanish.

Step 1: Research
Begin to read about your topic and watch films related to it. Narrow it down to something you can write a good 6-12 page paper on. Work on developing a thesis for your paper by trying to answer a question you have about this topic, addressing an issue, or developing your own point of view about it. Try to be original and analytical. Do not just repeat information about topics already discussed in class or in the articles you read. You may use quotations to support what you want to say, but focus on developing your own ideas in your own words in the paper.

Suggestions for Paper Topics: See the research topics page on the blog.

Where to Do Research:

•Watch Movies:
Watch movies on television: Turner Classic Movies is a good channel for classic mostly American films generally made before 1970, and has a website with a schedule of what movies are playing when. IFC has recent independent films.

Borrow movies from the Film Certificate Collection, from the Filmoteca Collection, located in the audiovisual section in Reference in the library, or from the Ateneo Puertorriqueño in San Juan.

Rent or buy movies from video stores or from the internet. Websites where you can buy or rent films include Amazon, Blockbuster, Netflicks, Facets, and Gandhi (for Latin American films/films in Spanish).

If you are looking for basic factual information about films, e.g. name of the director, the year the film came out, country where it was made, etc., look for it on the Internet Movie Database.

For links to these and other internet resources, See the Film Resources section on the blog.

•Read About Film:
Browse Film History: An Introduction, which is on reserve in the library, to get an overview of film from 1950 to the present and get ideas.

Read short descriptions of film topics in film reference books or on the internet to help you decide on a topic. Then read longer critical articles to learn more about your topic.

Where to Find Film Books, Articles, and Information:

UPRM Library: Reference books can be found in the reference section of the library on the first floor. Other film books can be found in the film section of the general collection located on the third floor. The call numbers of film books start with PN1995. You can also use the electronic databases and bibliographies available to UPRM students. To access them go to the homepage of the library and follow the instructions, or go to the Electronic Resources section of the library and ask for help. JSTOR is a particularly useful database for finding critical articles in film journals.

The Film Certificate also has a small collection of books. See me to borrow a book.

Internet: Read about film on movie databases and other sites on the internet. Check out the links on this blog in the Film Resources section, and if you find any good sites that you think would be useful or interesting for people in this class, feel free to post links to them in the forum. I will add any good links you give me to the blog.

El Archivo del Imagen en Movimiento of the Institute of Culture in Puerta de Tierra, San Juan has Puerto Rican films and a reference library.

Step 2: Research Paper Proposal (Due Tuesday February 14 By E-Mail)
Write a Research Paper Proposal of approximately 150 words. 1. describe your topic and say why you think it is interesting and relevant to this course, 2. Try to focus on a question you want to answer or an issue you want to analyze, 3. Include a filmography/bibliography of at least five sources written in correct MLA bibliographic format. You must include at least one film and at least one substantive critical/analytical reading in this list. The Research Paper Proposal is worth 10 points. Proposals which do not follow the instructions will be returned. 1 point per day will be subtracted from proposals handed in late up to 10 points.

A Sample Bibliography/Filmography:

Crisp, Colin. Classic American Cinema, 1930-1960. Bloomington: Indiana University Press and London: I.B. Tauris and Co., 1993.

Galloway, Stephen. “Frank Capra.” Hollywood Reporter. July 23, 1993: 16. PTS F and S

Indexes. Online. Dialog. January 14, 1994.

It’s a Wonderful Life. dir. Frank Capra. RKO, 1946.

Rev. of It’s a Wonderful Life. dir. Frank Capra. New York Times. April 5, 1946, 30.

The Frank Capra Website. http//:www.capra.com. April 3, 2001.

The websites Easybib and Citation Machine can help you format your bibliography correctly.

Step 3: Annotated Bibliography (Due Tuesday, March 6 By E-Mail)
After the proposal is approved, watch the films and do the readings you included in your proposal. As you work, you might find that you cannot find films or readings you planned to use and you might decide to use other films or readings instead. You may decide to change your topic, your particular focus, or what you want to say about the topic you chose. No problem. These are normal things that can happen as part of the process of researching and developing your ideas. After you have finished reading and watching the films for this project, write an Annotated Bibliography. In the Annotated Bibliography, list the readings and films you actually consulted in correct MLA format. After each entry, write an annotation of 2-3 sentences in which you comment on it. Summarize it briefly and say how it was or was not useful or interesting for you in developing your research paper.  -1 point per each day late.

Step 4: Write the Paper (Due By E-Mail By March 20)
After your Annotated Bibliography has been approved, write your paper. It should be a minimum of 6 pages long and include a filmography/bibliography.  -1 point per day late.