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Secondary Research

Updated: 11 hours ago

The ideas:

Following on from my idea generation, I have picked 5 different ideas. I will research them more to help me pick which one to do the project on, whilst considering access to the interviewees.


How to become a film nerd/actor or how to make a film

The rise of independent films

The influence of cinema on fashion trends

The importance of physical media

The dynamics of on-screen chemistry: What makes it work?

I will research all of these ideas individually to see which is most relevant and important now, which interests me the most and which I will have access to.


How to become a film nerd/actor or how to make a film

Film nerd:

The term 'film nerd' means someone with a passionate and knowledgeable interest in cinema, also referred to as a cinephile or film buff.


Is the movie industry in decline?

The movie industry isn't exactly dying, but production activity and box office revenue is declining.

The Hollywood Strike of Writers and Actors had an effect on British Film and Tv production aswell as American, "Studios are like ghost towns", "I have never known so many people in the TV and film industry out of work in this country"


US Film and Tv Production down 40% in the second quarter of 2024 from peak TV levels at the same time of year in 2022. Decline in productions has prolonged mass unemployment and a mental health crisis. Globally production was down by 20%. TV production incresead 20% from the second quarter of 2023, however film production decreased by 18%. It was speculated that studios were playing it safe by not moving forward with as many projects, due to fear of a third strike.


UK Cinemas face rapid closure. Box office revenue and annual cinema attendance have increased since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, however have not increased to the values pre-covid in 2019. One in ten cinemas may face closure.


The rise of independent films:

Independent films are made by independent production companies, outside of the studio system, and often have smaller budgets. Indie films often don't have a standardised process and strict rules of production that studios have, instead their process is often based on the people involved.



The influence of cinema on fashion trends


The importance of physical media

The dynamics of on-screen chemistry



Finding inspiration:



Performative documentary:

I researched the performative style of documentary as that is what I may do, and I took inspiration from the example of Supersize Me, where he lives only on McDonalds for a month. He wants to investigate the issue of fast food being unhealthy so he tries it himself, this is what I want to do with the 'How to' idea, but to a less extreme extent obviously. I want to try to become an actor to see if it is possible and achieveable from having no experience or connections.


Trailer for the documentary Super Size Me

Though the topic differs massively, I can take inspiration from this documentary, if I want to do a performative one where I give myself a challenge to try whilst I investigate something. If I did it for film or acting, I think it would be entertaining and engaging for the audience, but also educate them about the industry and will take a unique angle when discussing the topic.


How to become a film nerd:


Characteristics of film nerds:

Appreciation for diverse cinema

Frequent filmgoer

Love film discussions

Often have a large collection of physical media

Follows the film industry

Cinephile communities

May have favourite directors, actors and genres


I read a reddit page to see how people recommend to become a film nerd:

Find a movie you love and watch other movies in that genre, then branch out to other genres, read about actors and directors and movie-making

Criterion collection watch their videos of actors and filmmakers picking out their favourite

films from the collection, take their recommendations

Watch international films and films from different decades, a diverse range of films

One does not become a film buff, they are born into it?

Take the time after a watching a classic movie to understand why its great

Read reviews about the movie

Follow American Film Institute's Top 100 films, or similar lists

Watch DVD commentaries about films


Step 1: Get rid of distractions

Step 2: Get comfortable

Step 3: Don't try too hard to understand the meaning on your first viewing

Step 4: Think about what you've just watched, then watch it again (focus on the technical aspects and messages instead of story for second time)

Step 5: Show off the film to others


  • Know your directors

  • Know your cult films

  • Learn more about your favourite films

  • Watch movies about the history of movies

  • Watch documentaries about Hollywood and the film industry

  • Learning the classics

  • Have movie marathons


Start with what you know

Don't force it

Experiment

Don't be afraid to go foreign

Don't get a big head


Maybe create a schedule of films to watch day-by-day, maybe based on genre or director


Keep track of films you watch

Find out what goes on behind-the-scenes


Study film theory and history

Engage with film communities

Attend film festivals

Write/create about films

Find films that inspired others and directors that inspired other directors


Find a critic you like

Never hate a movie

Like what you like



Questions that concern film fans:

What is your favourite film genre?

What is your favourite film?

Who is your favourite director?

Who is your favourite actor/actress?



What is the greatest film of all time?

Determining the greatest film of all time is subjective. People have different tastes and defining criteria of what makes a great film.

There is no universal standard of greatness, it can't be measured, its personal opinion of whether a film is good or not (could research more into the psychology behind why someone may like a film whilst someone else dislikes it)

There are technical aspects like cinematography or editing that people may asses but even that is subjective

What is considered great changes over time and across cultures

The personal experience or memories associated with a film may make it great for someone

It may be about the technical aspects for some, or the story or just entertainment value

Film is art, so its subjective, but things like IMDb and Rotten Tomato Scores may try to add a sense of objectivity, aswell reviews seeming more consumer-driven then an artistic preference

There is no true answer, its purely personal but there are films that stand out as some of the best, that many can agree on, but nothing is wrong or right

The objective value may lie in the technical skills involved in making the film


Sources:



List of some films widely considered to be the greatest:

2001: A Space Odyssey

The Godfather

The Shawshank Redemption

Gone with the wind

Casablanca

Citizen Kane

City Lights

The Wizard of Oz


Singin in the rain

Vertigo

Psycho

Apocalypse Now

Goodfellas

Schindler's List

Pulp Fiction

Dr Strangelove

Some Like It Hot

Star Wars

Taxi Driver

The Dark Knight

Spirited Away

City of God

Forrest Gump

Raging Bull

Lost In Translation

12 Angry Men

Scarface

The Matrix

Seven Samurai

Fight Club

The Pursuit of Happyness

Its a Wonderful Life

Saving Private Ryan

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Gladiator

The Silence of The Lambs

Shutter Island

Se7en

Inception


Many commenters agreed that Citizen Kane and The Godfather are widely seen as the greatest by fans and people in the industry.


Official lists:


Most commonly referenced films:

Jaws

Titanic

Pulp Fiction

Gone with the Wind

The Shining

Psycho

The Wizard of Oz

Casablanca

Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back


Most referenced in YouTube videos


Referenced quoted, spoofed in different kinds of media



Inspiration:

Original inspiration was a Tiktok series called 'Becoming a Filmbro' by Amalia Maria.

In this series she uses a filter to give her a film recommendation, which she watches and then after gives her thoughts about it and rates it. This is what I want to do after watching a film, share my thoughts about it, but I will get recommendations for films from lists and experts.


This has a similar name to the project I am doing. This is a Youtube series where they explain what it takes to become a film nerd, and it could be useful to help me during my process, know what I need to watch and what I need to learn about. I can follow it as a guide.

400 blows film


This video has the format that I want to use for my documentary. He talks to experts to give him knowledge and advice and he documents his progress in the challenge he has set himself, trying different things. It is also a 30 day challenge, and it highlights that you may not achieve the ultimate goal but will get close and will learn alot throughout the process.


Film knowledge test:

I want to use film knowledge tests at the start to understand where I am and how I need to improve. Then I could complete the same test(s) at the end to see how much I have improved, I will document this in my film. I can do multiple film knowledge tests but must do the same ones at the end of the process.


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Final Outcome

Presented appropriately and creatively, a written piece and a technical piece

 
 
 

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