Cinema Histories, with Orebro University and Utrecht University

MA by Research project, Cinema Histories, with Orebro University and Utrecht University

The School of Arts at Oxford Brookes University is inviting applications to complete an MA by Research on Cinema Histories which will give students the opportunity to explore one or several aspects of film culture (exhibition, programming and audiences) in any given geographical location, and make it accessible to current and future audiences.

The MA by Research will give students the opportunity to spend time in the three academic institutions and be supervised by experts in the field of New Cinema History. The precise topic for the MA by Research will be agreed between the successful applicants and the research team. However, possible suggestions of projects include:

• Social history of cinemas and cinema-going in a given geographical location.
• Archival research using locally-held materials plus investigating potential new sources of data (e.g. amateur photography and film, diaries, local newspapers).
• Building a programming archive for a given cinema.
• Collecting and analysing oral histories of the cinema’s audience and/or staff members.
• Memories of changing practices of cinema-going, and topographical references.
• Strategies and tactics in film distribution and exhibition.
• Analysis of publicity and paratextual materials.
• Alternative circuits of film distribution and organisations that exhibit films. 
• Tactics in engaging with audiences: international and US markets.
• Cinemas and urban transformations, transition and change.
• Cinema practices and external bodies (local authorities, communities, associations).
• Comparative analysis of exhibition and programming across different markets. 
• Analysis of cinema as a site of cultural heritage using either local, regional, national or international lenses. 

The program consists of three parts: As the awarding institution, Oxford Brookes University will provide general training for research methodology, oral history data analysis, execution of oral history interviews and overall supervision of the research project. Utrecht University will provide training and support in programming data collection and management, as well as programming data analysis. The University of Orebro will provide training and support on geographical and social analysis of space related to cinema practices. This will entail analysis of geographical data, as well as data collection and analysis of the exhibition sector more broadly. 

Students can either write a dissertation or engage with practice-based research. Creative responses to the cinema’s history can include, for instance, short films, or audio compositions.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in cinema histories and be willing and able to travel across at least two or all three institutions; being based in Oxford, the students will either stay 8 weeks in Utrecht and Orebro, or up to 16 weeks at one institution. They should hold an undergraduate degree in a related subject (e.g. film/media studies, history, architecture, etc.). Previous experience with cinema history methodologies (e.g. archiving, oral history work) may be an advantage but full training and supervision in these areas will also be available.