Instructions for writing your catalogue

1. Writing your Catalogue

2. What is the Catalogue
• List of the best research material you have
found
• Mix of Primary and Secondary Research
• Diversity of material
• 15 items (can be less for a more challenging or
unusual topic)
• 2 – 5 rejected sources as the conclusion
• Total of 20 items
• Approx. 1000 words
• Worth 15 marks

3. How to choose items
• Have a range to choose from
• Weigh the value of each item (is it merely just
listing basic fact eg imdb or does it offer more
detailed insight)
• Consider the source of the publication – is it from
a local newspaper or an well known source like
Sight and Sound
• Is the source specific to your topic or is it a more
general source
• Keep a balance (even if things contradict your key
ideas) and variety

4. What to write
• In approximately 70 words you need to
comment on the following
– How the item relates to the area of investigate (ie
a key piece of information
– What value the items has to offer
– The nature and reliability of its source
– How is compare to other items
– The basis for its inclusion (ie why you have
included it)

5. Some examples -The Emergence of a
‘gothic’ genre in American films
• Item 1: Edward Scissorhands (Fox, US, 1990, Dir. Tim Burton).
Very useful, as it has all the markers of the new gothic genre
on display, and also has a clear relationship with Burton's
early films and his later ones.
• Item 2: The Crow (Entertainment/Most/Pressman, US, 1994,
Dir. Alex Proyas). The genre was still in cult territory here,
and this shows in the comic-book feel. Development of
genre markers and influence of Burton is clear. Useful, but
could have easily been one of several other films in this
place.
• Item 3: The Craft (Columbia, US, 1996, Dir. Andrew
Flemming). This is the film that was the turning point for the
genre, where it suddenly not only got mainstream
acceptance but also spawned similar films. Very much a teen
movie, this shows the changing focus towards a new
audience. Invaluable.

7. • Item 4: Baiss, B. The Crow: The Story Behind the
Film (Titan, 2004). This was a very good piece of
research, as it not only told the story of making
the film but also gave a broad overview of what
makes a gothic film. This is possibly the most
useful piece in the catalogue.
• Item 5: Smith, J. and Matthews, C. Tim Burton
(Virgin, 2002). This gives a clear sense of what
Burton's work is all about, and how he practically
defined the new American gothic genre. Detailed
information on all of his films, and on the
thoughts behind them, this led me to some of the
other material in the Catalogue and some
deselected from it.

9. • Item 6: Tim Burton: Cinema's Prince of
Darkness, supplement in SFX Magazine,
March 2005. Details on Burton with a clear
emphasis on the gothic elements. Could not
miss being included.
• Item 7: Travers, P. Auteur in Angora' in Rolling
Stone Magazine, July 1995. An interesting
article that looks at Burton as an auteur -
some good references to his film and some
discussion of his 'burtonesque' genre

11. • Item 8: http://www.thetimburtoncollective.com The Tim
Burton Collective is a fan-based site that offers a
considerable range of articles, biographical information,
and links for Tim Burton. This was the best of the Tim
Burton related sites, as it seemed authoritative and was
also recommended by many other sources.
• Item 9:
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/04/31/lost in
translation.html. 'Neon Gothic: Lost in Translation' by
Wendy Halsem - this is a great article by a university
lecturer that served to widen my view of the gothic. Full of
film references, it took my research in several unexpected
directions (some not so fruitful).
• Item 10:
http://minadream.com/timburton/EdwardScissorHands.ht
m. This is quite a sophisticated site, but I sense it is still a
fan site. Full of information about Burton and the gothic,
this was particularly useful for looking at Edward
Scissorhands.

12. Having a go
• Look over the sources you have found so far. Pick five
that you think should be included in your catalogue.
• Write up your 70 word description of each source
• Choose one source that could be a reject source and
write a short paragraph saying why (look at the
example in the booklet)
• Due in 29 Sept

13. Sentence Starters
I. This source has taught me that …..
• From this source I have learnt that….
• A key piece of information from this source was
• This article/source talks about…
V. This is a very good source because…..
• This is a very worthwhile article because ……
• While this source did have some very good information I have some
reservations about it because …..
R. I feel that this source is reliable because
• While this is a fan based site I feel it is valuable because……
• This source is trustworthy because…
• This source comes from…… and is reliable because…..
C/B. When compare to other sources this article offers…..
• This is possibly the most useful piece in the catalogue because….
• While this source was similar to others I have included it because does
offer…
• This source must be included because…..