Secondary Research
- Rachel Eaton
- Mar 17
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day 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
https://medium.com/@gutinstinctmedia/youve-got-the-cinema-fashion-trends-in-tv-and-film-2f9c221ca6fc
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.
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.
Barry Norman research:
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