The document provides guidance for a small scale research project (SSRP). It instructs students to choose a focused research topic in an area they are interested in and know something about. Students are asked to apply a critical framework, such as auteur theory or genre, to analyze one film in depth alongside two other related films. The goal is for students to develop research skills and gain experience sifting through sources to find relevant information and discard what is not useful. Motivation and interest in the research topic are emphasized as keys to success.

1. SSRP
Small Scale Research Project

2. Research
The primary objective is to develop your
research skills.
It is also designed to make you aware of the
challenges, difficulties and interests involved in
sifting through a variety of sources and
resources.

3. TOP SSRP TIP
Choose a research topic or area that interests
you and (hopefully) an area that you know
something about

4. Not all of the material and resources that you
discover will be relevant. You must learn to
discard what is not of value. As well as present
neatly your useful findings.
The critical framework is also important. For
example, the research around a particular group
of films will be quite different depending on
whether the focus is on, say, STAR, or GENRE or
ETHNICITY.

5. You are required to conceive your research
project around one specific film. However you
will also be required to reach out to include at
least two other films.
The one film is your Focus Film (your primary
source); the other two films are used to support
arguments stemming from the central Focus
Film.

6. The key success with the SSRP is your own
motivation.
A ‘motivated’ research project is one in which
you have a personal interest and a genuine
desire to become better informed about the
area of study.

7. Applying a Critical Framework
The most popular critical frameworks with students
are:
STAR/PERFORMER
AUTEUR &
GENRE
All of these frameworks depend on identifying a set
of recurring characteristics and then considering
interesting manifestations of these (as well as
interesting variations) in particular film examples.

8. AUTEUR & STAR/PERFORMER are similar. They
are both person-based. It is possible to talk
about the characteristic ‘signature’ of an auteur
film maker or star/performer.
The Autuer or Star/Performer brings such
distinctive qualities to a film that it partly
determines overall meaning and response.

9. Social, Political and Cultural Studies, Gender
Issues and Ethnicity are three critical
frameworks that, in different ways, encourage a
more explicit engagement with ideology (or
‘messages and values’).
These frameworks may be addressed through a
person-based approach where, for example, the
politics, gender or ethnicity of those involved in
making a film or a body of work is investigated
for its impact on meaning and audience
response. This can be contemporary or historical
films and/or film makers.

10. Institution and Technology critical approaches
often require students to research the
economics of the film industry.
This approach may be person-centred (e.g
James Cameron and 3-D) or institution centred
(economic logic of 3-D for 21st Century
Audience)
You could do an historical study. For example
you would investigate the moment when a
major development look place.

11. First Stage: Map out an area of study.
Second Stage: Decide on a critical framework
The research project is meant to be Small Scale
and Focused. Please do not offer a general, wiki-
pedia style overview of your area.