User:Scha0122/sandbox

Assignment 1
Instructions:
 * 1) Research and list 3-5 Wikipedia articles that you will consider using for your main project. Provide the citation, in MLA style, for each of the articles.
 * 2) Locate other encyclopedia sources that have articles on the same topics as the ones you listed in Wikipedia. Provide the citation, in MLA style, for each of these articles.
 * 3) Write a few paragraphs about your search process and how you chose those Wikipedia articles. Discuss also how you found the other encyclopedia articles and your initial thoughts on the differences between Wikipedia and the other encyclopedia.

Wikipedia Articles

 * 1) "History of film." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 Sep. 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 2) "Cinema of Canada." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Sep. 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 3) "Film Noir." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 May. 2009. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 4)  "Auteur Theory." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 Nov. 2007. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.

Other Encyclopedia Articles

 * 1) Magder, Ted. |"The Canadian Film Industry". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation, 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 2) |"Auteur theory". ''Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 3) |"Motion Pictures: Origins — Infoplease.com." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. © 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 30 Sep. 2012.
 * 4) |"Film Noir". ''Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2012.

Search Process
I chose to do this assignment on "Film" because I know a little bit of its history and had taken some classes on it. During my initial research process for encyclopedia articles pertaining to this subject, I noticed Wikipedia had numerous information while others didn't. Wikipedia housed numerous articles on the subject, all of which seemed extensively researched. Others had little information in comparison. Both, however, seemed to offer the same points on the subject. Wikipedia's' article websites are nicely laid out. With a table of contents, clear subject headings and links to individual pages on those subjects, this made their site more manageable.

I was quite amazed at how in depth Wikipedia articles are. All through high school we were discouraged from using the website as a reference source. We were told that it contained false information, none of which was to be taken seriously. But after browsing between a 'legitimate' encyclopedia and Wikipedia I feel this stigma is unnecessary. In the articles I chose to focus on, Wikipedia contributors did a great job at summarizing the subject at focus. I am looking forward to diving more into this assignment.

Scha0122 (talk) 17:23, 30 September 2012 (UTC)

Assignment 2

 * Wikipedia states that Auteur Theory is a term coined to describe a director as being the author of a movie. It views the directors as having sole control over the filmmaking process (staging, lighting, etc) therefore they should be considered the sole authors of the film. The theory was first used in the review periodical Cahiers Du Cinéma by critic François Truffaut in 1954 . Andrew Sarris used the term in the United States in his writings in 1962 making it aware to Americans. His article was where the term name itself came from. Auteur Theory provides a standard for directors to work towards.


 * François Truffaut believes that directors should insert themselves fully in to their films. They should add their own personal styles, beliefs, themes, and maintain it with all of their works so that no one can mistake that this film is theirs . If a director doesn’t meet this criteria then Truffaut sees them only as “stager’s.” The theory has received some negative criticism throughout the years as many believe that a film cannot be credited to just the director since many others help create the film too. A large crew helps develop the styles, themes, and stories of the films.


 * Britannica Encyclopedia states that Auteur Theory came about in the 1940’s by André Bazin and Alexandre Astruc. They were at the forefront of the French New Wave film movement. Andre Bazin believes that the directors are the authors of their films. Britannica notes that the concept of the Auteur Theory comes largely from Astruc’s “caméra-stylo” theory that directors hold the ‘pens’ to their films and have all creative control over it. Directors decide where to place the cameras, how to light the scenes, and so forth. Screenwriters on the other hand have no control over such matters, and in turn should not be considered authors.


 * Looking over the articles, Britannica appears to be the most inadequate of the two. Wikipedia goes in to more detail and offers more than just a simple definition of the term. Britannica on the other hand has nothing but the definition and a sentence or two about who coined the term. As for the initial start of Auteur Theory, both have some inaccuracies. According to “Introducing Film” by Graham Roberts and Heather Wallis, Auteur Theory began in the 1950s as “politiques des auteurs” but in 1957 André Bazin expands and utilizes the Auteur Theory term in his review periodical which Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard later expand on. Both were correct when stating that Andrew Sarris made the term popular in the United States and both definitions of Auteur Theory were the same and correct.


 * Wikipedia took the time to delve further in to the term by talking about Truffaut’s development of Auteur Theory and the impact and criticism following it. The article explains the process Truffaut went through to define the theory and it provides examples of some directors Truffaut believes to be authors. It gave us more background on the subject, providing a one-stop for information. Britannica disappoints thoroughly when it comes to their article on Auteur Theory.


 * As well as providing more information on the topic, Wikipedia also gives more references for their article and much more further reading. Actually, Britannica only gives you 3 links to related readings. But these readings are not on Auteur Theory themselves but on artistic property, New Wave and Truffaut. It is beyond insufficient. Wikipedia’s references provide more information on the subject. The references are from a variety of years but most of which are from the 2000s. Two are more current, dating from 2010. Having references close to today’s date makes the information more accurate and up-to-date. The further reading list provides a nice variety of readings on Auteur Theory, including a pdf for teachers on the subject . It is very informative and allows the browsers to continue learning about the theory more in depth.


 * Wikipedia’s contributors seem relevant to the subject matter. Two sources are books by David Bordwell and his wife Kristin Thompson. Bordwell is an American film theorist and historian . He has his PhD and has written numerous books on film. The Wikipedia page also provides a reference of an article by Andrew Sarris and his history with film, including his use of Auteur Theory.


 * My assessment of the two articles: Wikipedia is by far the best and most relevant of the two. I personally found the Wikipedia page quite good, with a nice well-rounded scope of information on the topic. Britannica lacked in all aspects. If I am just looking for a quick definition, Britannica would suffice. If I am looking for more on the background of the term, Wikipedia would be a good source to go to.


 * Wikipedia’s page does state that it needs citations for verifications on a few points within the article. An example would be the sentence mentioning Sarris’ Auteur Theory criteria being vague . It also needs a citation on the New Critics criticism of the theory found under the criticism section in the Wikipedia article. Even with two citations needed, the rest of the article seems to be well researched and reported.


 * Overall, I find Wikipedia’s article far superior to Britannica’s article on Auteur Theory. It gives more information on the subject matter and provides a longer list of references and further reading that will provide better education and information on the topic. In order for Britannica to obtain the kind of quality Wikipedia did, it will need to focus and expand immensely on their article. Wikipedia surpasses in content on Auteur Theory.

Ten Additional Resources About This Topic

 * Norindr, Panivong. "The Cinematic Practice Of A “Cinéaste Ordinaire”: Abdellatif Kechiche And French Political Cinema." Contemporary French & Francophone Studies 16.1 (2012): 55-68. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Robert, Cowgill. "Auteur Theory." Pop Culture Universe: Icons Idols Ideas (2010): ABC-CLIO Social Studies Databases, School Edition. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Roberts, Graham. Introducing Film. n.p.: London : Arnold; New York : Oxford University Press, c2001, n.d. Algonquin College Library Catalogue. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Mast, Gerald, and Marshall Cohen. Film Theory And Criticism : Introductory Readings / [Compiled By] Gerald Mast [And] Marshall Cohen. n.p.: New York : Oxford University Press, 1974., 1974. Algonquin College Library Catalogue. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Goss, Brian Michael. Global Auteurs : Politics In The Films Of Almodóvar, Von Trier, And Winterbottom / Brian Michael Goss. n.p.: New York : Peter Lang, c2009., 2009. Harvard Library Bibliographic Dataset. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Wexman, Virginia Wright. Film And Authorship / Edited And With An Introduction By Virginia Wright Wexman. n.p.: New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, c2003., 2003. Harvard Library Bibliographic Dataset. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * "TRUFFAUT, François." (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Grenier, Richard. "Truffaut & Other 'Auteurs.'." Commentary 81.3 (1986): 47-52. MasterFILE Elite. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * "Bazin, André (1918-1958)." (2005): Credo Reference Collections. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
 * Brody, Richard. "Auteur Wars." New Yorker 84.8 (2008): 56-65. Canadian Reference Centre. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.