Film Studies Research Guide
DatabasesBooks
Films
Selected Reference Books
Selected Websites
Related Research Guides
DATABASES
The following indexes and databases will help you locate articles, book chapters, conference papers, etc. Some are specific to film, while others are more general in scope. Since film research tends to be multidisciplinary in nature, you may have to search several databases to gather enough information on your topic. For help constructing a search, refer to How to Search Databases. To find out if Emerson has a particular article in paper or electronic format, check the Full-text Finder. To request articles or other materials that the Emerson Library does not own, fill out an online form.
Academic Search Premier
Indexes over 3,000 scholarly journals covering many academic disciplines; with many articles available in full text. Great for finding reviews of films and for finding critical articles from journals such as Film Quarterly, Journal of Popular Film & Television, and Film Comment.American Film Scripts Online
386 film scripts, from 1903 to 2002, with searchable information on scenes, characters, and people.Baseline
The industry insider database for finding facts, statistics, contact information, and news on upcoming projects. Available only in the Library. See Reference Librarian for Password.FIAF International Film Archive
Online version of the International Index to Film Periodicals which contains more than 260,000 article references from over 300 academic and popular film periodicals. 1972 to the present.
Film and Television Literature Index
Provides cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts for more than 300 film and television publications, and selected coverage of 300 more.
Film Index International
Information on over 100,000 international films, from the first silent films to recent blockbusters.Film Literature Index Online
The most comprehensive guide to information published about a film, filmmaker, theory or genre of filmmaking. Contains over half a million citations covering 150 film and television journals from 1976 to 2001.
Hollywood Creative Directory's Online Directories
Online access to the Producers Directory, Distributors Directory, Agents & Managers Directory, New Media Directory, International Film Buyers Directory. Available only in the Library. See Reference Librarian for password.International Index to the Performing Arts
Covers the classics, culture, education, film, performing arts, history, literature, religion, and theater. Contains some full text articles.JSTOR
Complete full-text back issues of selected journals in Art, Architecture, Film, Music, Language, and Literature.
LexisNexis Academic
See the News section, then choose the Arts and Sports section. Search for news from Variety and Hollywood Reporter, or look for film reviews from various publications.Project Muse
Full text of many scholarly journals in the arts and humanities, including Film History and Camera Obscura.
Books
The Emerson College Library has a large collection of screenplays. They will be found under call number PN1997, in alphabetical order by the title of the film. Use the Library Catalog to see if we have the one you want or to find out if it's checked out.
Films
In addition to your local video store, the Media Collection has a large collection of movies on VHS and DVD to view using the facilities on the 3rd floor of the Ansin Building (180 Tremont). To find out if they have a film available, search the Nonprint Web Catalog or search the Library Catalog and limit to Emerson College Library–Media Collection.
Selected Reference Books
Critical Dictionary of Film and Television Theory [X] PN1993.45.C75 2000
Stuck on the definition of deconstruction in film? Look it up in here to get it straight.Film Review Index [X] PN1995.F464 Shelved at the Reference Desk
Quick identification of reviews of films released from 1882 to 1985.History of the American Cinema [X] PN1993.5.U6 H55
Decade by decade analysis of film, including technology, social and economic conditions, and aesthetic treatment.International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers [X] PN1997.8.I58 2000
A great introduction to the critical reception and importance of a film. It's also an excellent first place to start when doing film research because it has lists of articles and books written about a film or filmmaker.New York Times Film Reviews, 1913-2000 [X] PN2000.N76
Reprints from the New York Times.Variety Film Reviews, 1907-1996 [X] PN1995.V34
Reprints from Variety magazine.
Selected Websites
Asian American Film
Asian and Asian-American films and filmmakers.Black Film Center/Archive
A repository of films and related materials by and about African Americans. Contains a repository of images.DocumentaryFilms.net
News and reviews of documentary films, as well as information on festivals and filmmakers.Fiction into Film
A searchable list of movies (theatrical, direct to video, or made-for-TV) and TV shows (series, miniseries, or episodes of series) that were based on works of fiction (including novels, novellas, short stories, fairy tales, etc). The list is divided into three sections, listing SF, fantasy, and horror movies.Internet Movie Database
A database of information about movies and people involved in the making of movies. An excellent resource if you want to verify information such as who the cinematographer was on a particular film.New England Film
Find information on local events, news, workshops, and festivals.New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
The New York Public Library has a list of selected websites related to film studies. Find websites with job listings, career guides, film festivals and industry organizations.
Related Research Guides
How to Find Film Reviews
Use this guide for specific resources for finding reviews of films from all time periods.
