FAQ re: The Internship paper

I am available to answer questions about the Internship paper -- I am going to make your paper proposals due by 11:00 p.m. on Monday, February 26. In that proposal I want the name of your selected film, and some demonstration that you have thought about resources available for said film, i.e. what archival collections are available at either the Academy Library or the Warner collection. i don't need a full biography but i also don't want you just naming a film without knowing if its studio has archives here, or if the director, writer, etc. does.

Q: How do I pick a film?
A: This is where the Balio book will come in handy. Skim that chapter on the different studio's productions by genre. This will help give you ideas for films, and also the genres popular to this time period. Your choice does not have to be mentioned in Balio (which is limited to films from the 30s -- you can go from 30s to 50s) but there's some great '30s choices. You can also start by picking a genre, and then researching that genre for an interesting choice. If you're going to do that, I strongly suggest you click the Green Cine site, listed to the left, and then look under primers, listed on their left, and read about your genre. It will likley give some good ideas. For example, if you wanted to do a sports movie, their sports movie piece is very smart and informative. (Also, if you don't see the genre you are interested in there, click on of the primer links anyway, as it will access a longer list of genre choices. One other point -- you should watch the film if possible before you pick it. You are going to know this film better than any you have ever experienced -- don't just pick it out of a hat. I can help suggest where you might find the film -- I may even have it.

Q: I think I know the film that I want to do. I've watched it, or read a lot about it and it sounds cool -- so what's next?
A: The first thing is to e-mail me. Someone else may have selected the same film, or I may think it's a bad choice for a variety of reasons. I may have suggestions for your next step based upon the film. If I'm good with the film, I'd suggest you then go to the library special collections site here and check to see if the studio, director or writer is part of their special collection. If not, you still may be able to do the film, but archival collections certainly give you more to work with. Also note that if you've picked a Warner Bros film, then USC is going to have an archive that will meet your needs. Anyway, the next thing would be to call Barbara at the library, not to set up an appointment with special collections (not yet), but to ask whether there is a production code file on the film. At this point you should be comfortable enough to commit to a specific film. Congratulations.

Q: Once I pick a film, what do I do?
A: First, I'd spend a week studying the genre, and how your film relates to the genre. Go to the USC library and check out its genre books. Also ask me -- I have a strong genre library. Don't read the entire books, use the index to focus primarily on your book. Think about whether or not the film might be discussed from other genre perspectives. IMDB might be helpful here, as it lists a film's genres. Learn a bit about your genre's origins as well, even beyond the specifics of your film. It's important to know your film's place in the bigger genre discussion -- was it a formative film -- one discussed widely in genre books, or was it a neglected genre film? Also at this stage it's okay to google, trolling for more general info on the film and the genre. Use the links on this blog like Green Cine. This is a good time also to go to blackboard and read the sample paper(s). It will give you an idea on one way to approach your project.

Q: How many times should I go to the Academy Library and what do I do once I get there?
A: At least twice. The first time you should first go to the genre book section adn start looking through book indexes for info. Do some reading there. You might look for books on your director to, and then use that index. Then go to the counter where the magazine collections are and tell them your film. They will help. Play on the conmputers to get more info. Then go to the other end -- the room with the oscar, and request the general file on your film. It should have lots of important info, including reviews at the time, and for re-releases. Study the press book and other promotional info. Keep your genre eyes open. Take lots of notes, make some copies of things you need.

Then you call the library and make an appointment to come back to review special collections including but not necessarily limited to, the production code. This should give you most of your raw materials to write your paper.

Q: What are its hours again?
A: It is always closed on weekends and on Wednesdays. It closes at 5 or 5:30 -- check the website.

Q: Besides the archival library, what research should I be doing?
A: To answer that question, I am going to give you a list of the questions you might want to ask about your film --
1). How does the film match up genre wise to Altman's discussion of label, contract, blueprint and structure? Your archival research should have given you a sense of how the film was conceived, how it was marketed and how it was reviewed by critics at the time and perhaps during re-releases. Your use of genre books should have helped understand how it has been discussed by genre critics and scholars at other times.
2). How has academia treated the film? Are their journal reviews, film comment, film journal, etc. that discuss this film. The USC film library will help with that question and will have all of those journals.
3). Has the film been remade or sequalized? if so, was it made in the same genre as your film? You should see any remake and include comparisons in your paper. I'd suggest using Rotten Tomatoes to get a critical response on the newer film.

Q: Do you have other advise?
A: Yes. (1) Keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources. I discussed this on the blog in connection with the Black Dahlia tour. You'll be using both in your paper. (2). Use Altman's concepts when applicable, but don't quote long passages from Altman as filler. For example, you can use the producer's game, you can even sum it up in a sentence or two, but don't put in a long quote explaining the concept in detail -- that's filler. (3) Look at the production, the censorship aspect, the marketing, the reviews at the time, the success of the film, any critical reassessments of the film, the academic study of the film, how the industry has remade or borrowed form the film, the film's influence on other films, and whether the film's genre has been constant or evolving. (4). Work with me on this, I will give plenty of input if asked -- but if you do ask, and I give you strong advise, you should consider following it. (5). Proof your paper more than once. A first draft should be the first draft, nothing more. Papers get better when you work on them. (6) If the film has a deluxe DVD edition, watch all of the supplemental materials, but do not treat that as primary research. (But it can be really helpful -- just remember to include it in the bibliography.

Q: So when is the paper actually due?
A: I've decided on keeping the original date of March 20th; however, I will extend it an additional seven days for anyone who asks for it. My own thought is that if you are out of town for spring break, it might make sense to need another week, but I don't want to limit it to that so I'll let anyone who asks have that extension without penalty -- I just want the chance to talk you out of it. I would really prefer, for your sakes, to see these papers in by March 20th so that you can move on to the conference prep.

Q: Do I need a bibliography?
A: Yes. I don't require a set number of sources -- but the more the better. You don't have to list every archival material individually, you can just identify the collection.

Q: Should I describe the plot of the movie?
A: Yes, but do so in a way that is tied to genre at all times. Don't use it just a filler.

Q: Do you have font size or margin requirements?
A: Yes. Don't go higher than 12 point, don't make margins more than one inch on either side. Never do more than double space between lines or paragraphs.

Q: Do I need footnotes, endnotes, sources in parentheses), anything?
A: Yes, my preference is footnotes, or source and page in parentheses) A further owrd on this -- if you use a source for information, then I want that source listed. If you say for example, Chaplin was scared to use sound -- that is not something you know -- you have to give me the source of the info.

Q: Can I do a foreign film? Can I do Disney animated? Can i do something from the seventies or later --- I really, really want to do "Pretty Woman?"
A: No on all counts. However, there may be a rare film in the sixties that I think would still work in terms of the class assignment, but most likely not.

Q: Is there anything students tend to do that we should try to avoid?
A: Good question. yes. Remember that this is a scholarly paper -- so take it somewhat seriously in terms of tone. Also don't make overly broad statements that you can't possible know -- like "And thus, the greatest film ever produced on the subject of baseball made audiences worldwide weep with joy ..." Also, keep your focus, don't turn your paper on "Stage Coach" into a piece on the working relationship between Wayne and Ford over their entire careers.

Anyway, those are my frequently asked questions. Comment below to add to the list and I'll try to answer. For questions about your specific film, e-mail me directly or call. Thanks. (and this is a very satisfying project, something you can be proud of when it's done)