Or equivalent** 2016

BA (Hons) Year 2 have just submitted some excellent research projects, written up in 3000 words, or equivalent** (**to be negotiated with your tutor).

There were two "or equivalent*" submissions. However, this year they serve a slightly different purpose. The first one is a documentary style film which serves as an investigation into the way that filmmakers use FEAR to make money. It suggests that some recent mainstream films are exploiting our fear of terrorism, and might in some way be 'preparing' us for the inevitable. It suggests that Hollywood is making a fortune out of our fear. 

The strength of this piece is in it's use of primary research and how this is edited into the discussion. The filmmaker is a good editor, with an excellent sense of rhythm, and chose this technique in order to speak his work over relevant visuals rather than writing and submitting on A4 paper (or similar). This is not practice-led but rather was an example of a student using tools other than the written word to present his essay.

The essay can be seen here:
https://vimeo.com/163753488
Password 'GCOP200'

The second visual essay is far more in depth, and synthesises primary and secondary research throughout. The maker has chosen specific case studies to analyse how symbols are used in film, in much the same way as a musical leitmotif, to carry a theme or idea throughout a work. He focuses on the frequency illusion, and uses ideas around spectatorship, and the active creation of ideas by not only the maker but also the audience of film.

The essay can be seen here:
https://vimeo.com/163755763
Password 'GCOP200'

It is interesting how this form of submission has developed for this particular student. He is a very capable researcher, maker and writer, but has chosen this form of submission because it allows him to show his ideas, whilst also analysing, contextualising and synthesising them. 

The essay below was submitted as an analysis of a practical project that this student had undertaken. It's clear to see that he has developed the ability to engage an audience in his work, and has an easy editing style that completely fits the feel of the project.
https://vimeo.com/162297396

What these projects do not evidence is 'practice-led' research , they are something else, but maybe this is a good first attempt in advance of the students' final year dissertations, and the practical projects that they will develop in the next academic year.