Two New Items of Resarch

So, my secondary research continues. I think I'll be doing the majority of my primary research on college grounds for practical reasons.

I've found 2 more items I can possibly use in my catalog of research.

The first is this countdown by DangerDolan of 15 racist movies.
It touches on issues of race bending casting and covers some of the films im focusing on.
However it delves mostly into issues of racism in plot and context, so for that reason it may not be totally applicable to my catalogue. It may go in the unused section.

This next video however is very applicable. I will use it as secondary research. It is very opinionated but offers a heap of examples and facts I can use.

An Interesting Article

No, I'm not writing an interesting article..

I'm just attaching a link to one


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/10/hollywood-whitewashing_n_5515919.html


This is the first bit of Secondary research I'm doing for my investigation into Hollywood Whitewashing
A very useful article which features a lot of the things I am planning to talk about in my work.
This is one for the catalogue.

Film Investigation- A Focus and Direction

So as my last post stated I have some work to do to investigate a topic for Film Studies.

Since then I have had my AS Level Results and yay I'm definitely coming back for Film next year (Me gots the A Grade!)

So that means the hard work must continue and my investigation has to be high quality.

Well I now have a direction and focus.



My work has to amount to a catalogue of 10-15 items that I have used to research my topic (both primary and secondary sources) as well as a script for a presentation on my topic.

As decided earlier, I am focusing on the issues of race in Hollywood.
I now have to add to that a focus question title and a game plan.


My investigation is centred around the question; 'Is Hollywood still Whitewashed'?

I'm going to explore the history of white washing in the film industry from the days of the black and white minstrels up to today and even the future...

I have a focus film in mind- 2010's The Last Airbender. There's lots to discuss about casting and race in that film!
Unfortunately that means I have to watch the darned thing all the way through.

To support this ill be looking at supporting films from 1953's The Conqueror up to 2013's The Lone Ranger and even 2017's upcoming Ghost in the Shell.


For my research I'm going to get active and do a questionnaire, a focus group and hopefully find an industry related person to interview one on one about my issue.
As well as this I've begun looking at pre existing research such as articles and websites.

The investigation begins here. And its all due in a few months so let's get cracking! 

 Cant wait to watch this ...

My Investigation Begins!

Starting Here

As part of my A Level Film Studies Course-
I have been tasked with investigating a chosen investigative topic surrounding the world of film.
This can range from a focus on an actor, a focus on a genre or a look into film issues.

I begin my task by having to choose what topic to pursue and already I have struggled to narrow down the numerous ideas floating around in my head.
Spending my every night watching YouTube videos about film news as usual it has been hard to come up with just one solid idea.
I could go down the road of focusing on a particular actor. In which case I'm inexplicably drawn to examine the work of Gary Oldman. I feel as though his wide range of roles would be an interesting one to look at. I could compare his villainous turns in Leon or Hannibal to his calming heroes in Batman Begins and Harry Potter.
My other idea would be to explore the issue of the Directors Cut. To  debate what really is the true version of a film. the cut the studio sends to the cinema or the cut that the auteur himself decided upon. With various novels being turned into films there is always the book V film argument that could be tied in. Deleted scenes that famously could've added lots to their respected films.

However I want to push myself to investigate something out of my comfort zone. Something I can really learn from as I go.

Which is why I want to investigate the issue of ethnicity. Specifically the topical issue of Whitewashing in Hollywood.

I want ot investigate whether whitewashing is an issue people recognise and whether it affects the quality of films. How casting white actors in iconic black roles from other media can cause a stir and whether the opposite effects (non white actors in white roles) is fair treatment or edgy publicity stunting.  I can tie in topical of the moment examples such as the Oscars So White debacle, the debate of a black James Bond and many more examples of films being accused of racism for their white washing of respectable cultures.

This investigation begins here.

Back at it again with the Blog Plans

So.. that post last year where I promised I'd blog regularly. It was too ambitious. Little did I know that A Levels were gonna take over my life. Believe your teachers guys. They do.
But luckily- one of the perks of taking Film Studies is that this blog is just the sort of thing I'm being encouraged to do. Yay.


So expect more wit, spit, tears and reviews.


Quick updates on recent films.


So far in 2016 I have seen Deadpool, Batman  V Superman and Civil War among others.
Here's some one sentence reviews for now:

Deadpool- Perfect comic to screen translation with an A star for Ryan Reynolds. Fox should be this brave more often with their Marvel properties.- 9/10


Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice- Last time I talked about this film I was hyped. Now- I am still hyped for the future. But lots of missed opportunities here. However Batfleck was a good call- just stop killing people please. And lets make Justice League improve on the mistakes we fell into here. - 7/10


Captain America: Civil War- I went crazy coming out of the cinema after this. I was convinced it was a 10/10/. Admittedly I need to watch it more and it will probably fall down to an 8 at some point I don't know. But this film proved that Marvel is killing it. This film made BVS look like garbage.
Spiderman and Black Panther are inducted in the MCU perfectly.
For now this film stands as a 9/10.






I might do some more in depth reviews or articles on these three at a later date. But probably not.
However expect reviews on Suicide Squad, Rogue One and Doctor Strange. All three of which I am hella excited for.
I promise more consistency.




For now- this is the teenage (now 17) Film Buff (now backed by exam results)