Film and Media Studies Commons^™

Social Justice Through Storytelling: Sugar Land, Alexa Garster

Honors Thesis

This thesis project (i.e. feature screenplay) was inspired first and foremost by an interest in the function of capital punishment in today’s society; and secondly, by the significant absence of female protagonists across the majority of contemporary film narratives. As such, this script focuses on a female anesthesiologist who, through a series of unanticipated events, comes to accept the job of executioner at a Texas state prison.

This narrative thus addresses the role of the executioner—as well as the political, social, cultural, and psychological consequences that come from such a position—against the larger backdrop of capital punishment. It is a …

“The Imaginary Dragons” A Short Film., Christina Mcdonagh

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

It’s mid September of 2001 and Fawn, a sheltered yet curious girl living in Manhattan, begins to feel as if everyone is keeping a secret from her…

– A Short Film Based on a True Story –

My Story.

Think back to the day of September 11^th, 2001. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when the tragic news broke? Most Americans do, but what if it was kept from you? What if your world was so sheltered you didn’t realize the city you lived in was falling apart around you? That was the …

Kat & Lily: An Original Screenplay, Isabella Engelhard

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In Kat & Lily, my screenplay focuses on the strained relationship between two sisters and their approach to love, life, and self-actualization. Kat, the older sister, is a wild child and Lily, the youngest, has a much more practical approach to life. Their parents divorced when they were young, thus causing both sisters to approach love in different ways. On one hand, Kat uses her sexuality to gain power over men, and on the other hand, Lily feels that her brain is more important than her body. My screenplay is very much a romantic comedy trope, however, I wanted to …

Story Problem Solving, Brian D. Kalina

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project paper will explore and define the relationship between the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) and the timeless concept of storytelling. Since the beginning of time, people have been sharing stories to relate their experiences and their solutions to overcome challenges and obstacles. CPS is a more modern methodology that aids people in their approach and their ability to generate plans and solutions to overcome challenges and obstacles. Therefore, the premise of this project is to seek answers to the questions; (1) How might we look to stories as frameworks for solving our problems? and (2) How might we marry …

Indoctrination Over Objectivity? Examining Breitbart's Framing Of Candidates And Social Issues In The 2016 Election, Marrissa S. Ballard

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

During the 2016 election, Breitbart News became a key conservative source in reporting on the candidates and social issues. Drawing on scholars who have studied news media and politics, this paper uses content analysis to dissect what specific frames appear in Breitbart's coverage. The study finds that Breitbart departs from typical journalistic standards, reinforces problematic gender and racial stereotypes, and utilizes propaganda tactics to spread conservative ideologies. Though it was once considered a fringe source, Breitbart's growing and highly engaged audience demonstrates the platform's potential to shape political discourse and even influence election outcomes.

Gender In Black And White: Examining Interracial Relationships In Shondaland, Caitlin V. Downing

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

Shonda Rhimes has been credited for crafting progressive television dramas that attract millions of viewers. Scholars have found that through the use of tactics like colorblind casting, Rhimes unintentionally creates problematic relationships between characters. Focusing on production techniques and dialogue, this paper examines episodes from two of her most popular shows, How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal. This paper argues that while the shows pursue progressive material, the shows present African-American female characters that require partners. Further, both white male characters negatively influence the women s independence. Through media representations, Shonda Rhimes shows reinforce inequality of race and …

Poor Little Rich Girl, What Does She Know About Misery? : The Significance And Symbolism Of Rose In James Cameron's Titanic, Matthew Levine

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

This thesis draws attention to and analyzes the various choices made by James Cameron for the characterization of Rose in Titanic, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. While many scholars have defined the hidden meaning behind other directorial aspects, this thesis will take a more interpretive approach in connecting Rose's character journey to her changing appearance on screen, her character defining actions and words, and her overall relationship with Jack. Rose reveals herself as a strong, modern woman throughout the film, and serves as an example of how costume design and dialogue and action mirrors the personal growth of …

@Ctress To @Ctivist: Sophia Bush's Activism & Self-Branding Through Twitter, Katie Persechino

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

This study analyzes actress Sophia Bush s Twitter account in terms of activism and self-branding, as she tweets out daily to millions of followers. While scholars have studied social media use for other celebrities in terms of self-branding, none have looked at the celebrity use of social media for activism. One hundred tweets from Bush s Twitter page are randomly selected and categorized in order to determine what kind of social media presence Bush creates. It is concluded that Bush s brand goes beyond her profession of an actress and includes her activist Twitter presence to where her title becomes …

Making "The Gray Area": Transitioning From Print Journalism To Documentary Filmmaking, David C. Floyd Mr.

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In my senior year at ETSU I produced a documentary about opioid abuse in East Tennessee. In 2016, two local health care providers and a university collaborated on a project that would bring an opioid treatment center to Gray, Tennessee. The center includes a methadone clinic, an addition that piqued the concern of many citizens living in Gray. The film evaluates the concerns citizens had about the clinic and explores the issue of opioid abuse in East Tennessee.

Automation In Entertainment: Concept, Design, And Application, Ryan Thally

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The focus of this thesis is to explore the automation technology used in the modern entertainment industry. Upon completion of my thesis, I will deliver a working prototype of the chosen technology and present its capabilities in a choreographed show.

A Theoretical Application Of Metaphor Research To The Film Industry, Michael J. Stanton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the value of using metaphor based marketing research methods (most notably Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique) in the development and green-lighting processes of filmmaking. A review of literature reveals that even large blockbuster films lack any marketing research employed in the developmental stage. Audiences are extremely difficult to analyze when considering something as abstract and subjective as what makes a “good” film. Metaphor based marketing research methods (e.g. ZMET) offer a solution by examining the minds of consumers through language markers called metaphors. Using a metaphor based marketing technique early in a film’s development process may help to …

Of Sharks And Spaceships: The Role Of The Tuba In John Williams's Film Scores For Jaws And Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Stephen Davis Turner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This document examines John Williams’s use of the tuba in his film scores. This unique timbral element has significant narrative implications in these movies. Film music scholarship is more often concerned with the questions of psychoanalysis, gendered readings, and other theoretical apparatuses than with how film composers score for individual instruments. My research aims to shift this focus by demonstrating that Williams used the tuba in his scores for more than typical “underscoring” or standard sectional playing, but as an integral part of the film narrative to be noticed and “read” by audiences. In both Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters …

Nick Fury, Will Smith, And Other Black Authority Figures Breaking The Racial Contract In Popular Films Of 2000-2015, Solai N. Wyman

Master's Theses

Film is arguably a model of reflection and reinforcement of cultural, social, and political values of audience members. Therefore, the images and messages displayed in films are of importance. In this study, film is analyzed in order to determine if Charles Mills’ racial contract is depicted in popular films of 2000-2015. The Racial Contract (1997) suggests that only some people, specifically white people, agree to form a state in which their absolute privileges in the political, economic, and social arenas are guaranteed by virtue of being white. This theory was used to understand the role of black people in American …

Immigrant Stories: Exploring The Conflicts That A Filmmaker Must Face In A Documentary, Berenice Saez Briceno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to address the personal conflicts that a filmmaker must face in the making of a documentary. It contrasts definitions and theories with the experience of producing the documentary entitled Immigrant Stories and the ethical implications of making it. To conclude, it summarizes the results of the study as final thoughts.

Duality, The Methodology Of Shooting A Documentary As A One-Man Crew, James Mcmahen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will discuss Duality, a long-form documentary about artistic nude models who also create art involving the nude female form. This thesis will discuss the inspiration for the film, as well as the deciding factors that made me choose this as the topic for my thesis documentary.

This thesis will also cover the process and methodology of shooting a documentary as a one-man crew, beginning with the process of preproduction, then the principal photography of the documentary, followed by the editing and postproduction process, and finally premiering the final film.

Van Gogh: Changing Perceptions Of Mental Illness And Art, E. Deidre Pribram Ph.D.

Communications: Faculty Publications

This chapter explores interconnections among conceptualizations of mental illness, artistic genius, and emotional suffering. It does so through the extended example of Vincent Van Gogh from 1890, the year of his death, to the 1990s, a period of record-breaking sales of his work. My intention is to assess, first, how popular culture in contrast to modernist high art circles regard the place of emotionality in aesthetic activity. Second, I examine the role of emotions and emotional disorders in public perceptions of mental illness when applied to twentieth century art. Emotional disorders, as I use the term, encompass mood, anxiety, and …

Tuesday In Winter Valley, Nicholas Redding

Honors Projects

Tuesday in Winter Valley is a short student film about a difficult day in the life of a college transgender woman and how she stands up for herself. The film was shot in the Spring 2017 semester and its anticipated premiere is the Fall of 2017. Tuesday is an entirely student-run production with help from the BGSU Department of Theatre and Film.

"This Aggression Will Not Stand": The Coens On Masculinity, Evan Kelly

Honors Projects

This research examines the constructions of masculinity within the films of Joel and Ethan Coen. Through textual analysis of three film, Raising Arizona (1987), Fargo (1996), and The Big Lebowski (1998), three key themes emerge: masculinity as performance, children and family as ego extensions, toxic masculinity personified, and children and redemption through rejection of hegemonic masculinity. Comprehensively, the paper seeks to prove the Coens uniquely construct masculinity as a performance which can override public policy and interpersonal prosperity. This research serves several functions. First, it recasts the Coens as cutting-edge progressive filmmakers, despite their protestations to the contrary. What we …

The Portrayal Of Child Soldiers In Documentaries And Hollywood Film, Jessica Tassava

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

People in the United States are becoming increasingly mindful of child soldiers, with film being a critical means of bringing about awareness. However, awareness can be dependent upon media representation since most individuals in the U.S. do not have direct experiences with child soldiers. The purpose of the present study is to discover how the media has portrayed child soldiers in Hollywood films and documentaries, with an emphasis on the portrayal of violence, the role of women, and the reintegration experiences of child soldiers that are shown. Through a combined qualitative and quantitative content analysis, this study explores the depictions …

Letter From The Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film To The Dominican Fathers And Sisters, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Letter from the Department of Theatre, Dance & Film to the Dominican Fathers and Sisters inviting them to the Student Film Festival.

April 28, 2017