Representative Reference Sources for Film Studies
When doing a literature search in film, start by establishing a basic understanding of the terms and concepts in the field. Reference works such as dictionaries, handbooks, manuals and encyclopedias are great sources for this type of information.
501 Movie Directors R 791.430233 F565 2007
Provides biographical information for over 500 directors, past and present.
Dictionary of Film Terms R 791.4303 B386d 1994
Defines essential terms of film analysis, appreciation and production. Includes terms from both the aesthetic and production points of view.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
An online version of the popular print encyclopedia, it is a great source for basic information in multiple subject areas.
Encyclopedia of Film Noir R 791.43655 M468e 2007
Contains critical essays discussing the genre, along with entries on important actors/actress and films in the genre. Film dates range from 1939- to present day representations.
The Film Encyclopedia R 791.4303 K19f 1998
Short entries (in alphabetical order) discuss various aspects of film making, terminology, and biographies of actors/actress, directors and others in the film industry. Individual films do not receive entries.
Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema R 791.4308896 B534h 2007
Provides information on African American films and short biographical entries on actors/actresses. A chronology of films and a lengthy introduction gives the topic a historical and social perspective.
The Rock & Roll Film Encyclopedia R 791.43657 M961r 2007
Covers films from 1956-2005 representing the good and the bad of rock & roll and other music centered films. Includes synopsizes of the films and cast lists.
Schirmer Encyclopedia of Film R 791.4303 S337 2007
Covers film history and theory, and while it has an American emphasis contains entries cover film in a variety of other countries including Italy, India, Brazil and others. Specific films and actors do not have individual entries, though are discussed within relevant genre articles and other entries and they are indexed. Each volume contains a cumulative index for the set.
Finding Books and Other Items in the Library
To find books and other resources (including DVDs) for film in our general collection start by going to the ALEX online catalog and searching by subject. You can refine your search results by viewing the Related Subjects and associated subheadings. Searching by keyword broadens your search and retrieves more information. Search by author if you want to find works, by a specific author, director, or actor.
Note: when searching by subject use the term motion pictures
Browse by call number:
· 791.4-791.43 public performances
Resources for Finding Articles on Film Studies
For the latest information from authoritative sources, use scholarly journals. Some online library databases like Academic Search Complete are general databases that contain information from multiple disciplines. Others, like some of the following databases are typically more specific in nature, containing information geared towards a specific discipline.
Humanities International Complete
Contains full text from over 890 journals, some of which are unique to this database, along with citations from over 2,100 journals. Covers all of the humanities, including film.
JSTOR
This is a historical database, with the most recent articles from about 3-5 years ago. You can use the browse feature to view specific journals dealing with film Or you can use the keyword or other advanced search options. All articles are full text
OMNIFILE/MEGA
OmniFile provides citations, abstracts, and full text of scholarly journals and popular magazines.
Project Muse
Associated with JSTOR this database contains 250 journals covering most of the Humanities and Social Sciences, including Film, Theater, and the Performing Arts.
Journal Finder
If you are having trouble finding the full text of a journal, Journal Finder can help point you towards the right database.
Web Resources for Film Studies
There is a great variety of web sites that deal with film studies. Following are a few websites that could be useful to your research. For more resources in this area, check out the library's delicious page of websites.
Bridgewater College’s Department of Communication Studies
This site is the home page for the Communication Studies Department at Bridgewater College.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Information on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including past and present Oscar winners. Also includes the Academy Film archive and other resources
American Film Institute
“AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.”
Archives New Zealand - Film Mini-Site
Information on films from the National Film Unit collection- government sponsored films from 1942-1989. They are browseable by subject or searchable by keyword. 150 are available for online viewing.
Flixfind.com: A Directory Of The Finest Movie Links On The Web!
Directory that lists websites by genre or other category.
Internet Movie Database
Find information on movies, television shows, and actors/actresses.
Librarian’s Internet Index- Film, Movies, and Video
This site provides a link to a list of over 300 websites covering the subjects of film, movies and video. List is broken down into subtopics for easy browsing. Each site has a paragraph describing it.
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