Frost / Nixon the book by Frost himself - quite snide and humorous, features transcripts I can compare to the movie.
Nixon's autobiography - boring. I hate it. I'm only reading watergate / resignation / media related pieces. It's the biggest tool of propaganda in Nixon's favour.
Can't get my hands on all the presidents men book though, which will be good to get once I can get to St Mary's Library.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Proposal Task- Final Result
So I didn't ask for criticism, instead sent this to Mr. Wright himself and got my mother (a teacher) to proof read. There isn't a conclusion and I'm currently to tired to try and cut down my word count to allow for one.
2/5 marks, here I come! Yay! ¬.¬
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Description of Preliminary Research
Initially terrified and thrilled at the idea of an individual research into any topic of my choice in history, I sifted through every piece of history I’d ever found interesting. For the first term or so, I wasted very little time on the topic of The Holocaust deniers and wasted too much time on the topic of Vampirism in folklore before deciding both were far too narrow to write about, nor did they interest me that much.
So, I got back on track the only way I know how: watching television. The History Chanel, to be exact. Moving into the realms of Modern History, I was fascinated by the scandal of Watergate, and the involvement of Richard M. Nixon. I began to explore the Internet as a springboard for further research, finding a site dedicated purely to the Presidency of Nixon, the Watergate scandal and his resignation. From this I also came across multiple resources (including online books, docos and movies) about the Watergate scandal. The one that particularly caught my eye was the use of film as a historical recollection. After discussions with Mr Wright, I chose to watch and explore how the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men dealt with Watergate, and how they could be assessed as history in film. I decided to explore under the project type “History in the Media- Film”
I came to my final essay question of “Assess the historical value of the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men as historical sources” From this I found myself questioning a few aspects of using film as history. Things like “Is it important if the film gets history right?” and “Are the audiences perceptions of the film important” and lastly “Why should/shouldn’t films be seen as appropriate historical sources to study?”
Though far from finished in this topic, I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made already. However, I need to acquire a book called The Contemporary History Handbook by Brian Brivati, Julia Buxtun and Anthony Seldon, in which a whole chapter of assesses how to use films as a historical source. I’ll also need to analyse the films further in comparison to things like the Frost/Nixon interview transcript compared with the dialogue in the film’s interview, or read auto/biographies of the men involved at the Washington Post at the time of the scandal. I’ll also need to answer questions on reliability and eventually assess the value of the films, even compare them to other historical sources and weigh up their value as historical material. Further reading into memoirs of Frost, Nixon, Bernstein and Woodward will also be useful in my assessments of the films, as a contrast between personal recollection and what changes the directors may have made. Despite my project being initially “History in the Media” I’ll also be looking into other project types inadvertently as this project progresses, I’m sure.
2/5 marks, here I come! Yay! ¬.¬
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Description of Preliminary Research
Initially terrified and thrilled at the idea of an individual research into any topic of my choice in history, I sifted through every piece of history I’d ever found interesting. For the first term or so, I wasted very little time on the topic of The Holocaust deniers and wasted too much time on the topic of Vampirism in folklore before deciding both were far too narrow to write about, nor did they interest me that much.
So, I got back on track the only way I know how: watching television. The History Chanel, to be exact. Moving into the realms of Modern History, I was fascinated by the scandal of Watergate, and the involvement of Richard M. Nixon. I began to explore the Internet as a springboard for further research, finding a site dedicated purely to the Presidency of Nixon, the Watergate scandal and his resignation. From this I also came across multiple resources (including online books, docos and movies) about the Watergate scandal. The one that particularly caught my eye was the use of film as a historical recollection. After discussions with Mr Wright, I chose to watch and explore how the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men dealt with Watergate, and how they could be assessed as history in film. I decided to explore under the project type “History in the Media- Film”
I came to my final essay question of “Assess the historical value of the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men as historical sources” From this I found myself questioning a few aspects of using film as history. Things like “Is it important if the film gets history right?” and “Are the audiences perceptions of the film important” and lastly “Why should/shouldn’t films be seen as appropriate historical sources to study?”
Though far from finished in this topic, I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made already. However, I need to acquire a book called The Contemporary History Handbook by Brian Brivati, Julia Buxtun and Anthony Seldon, in which a whole chapter of assesses how to use films as a historical source. I’ll also need to analyse the films further in comparison to things like the Frost/Nixon interview transcript compared with the dialogue in the film’s interview, or read auto/biographies of the men involved at the Washington Post at the time of the scandal. I’ll also need to answer questions on reliability and eventually assess the value of the films, even compare them to other historical sources and weigh up their value as historical material. Further reading into memoirs of Frost, Nixon, Bernstein and Woodward will also be useful in my assessments of the films, as a contrast between personal recollection and what changes the directors may have made. Despite my project being initially “History in the Media” I’ll also be looking into other project types inadvertently as this project progresses, I’m sure.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Questions, websites and a bunch of other things.
So, I have a few questions using film as a historical text, and figured I may as well post them here.
PART ONE OF BLOG.
THE QUESTIONS.
1) Is it important if the film gets history right?
To explore this I'll try to acquire transcripts of the Frost/Nixon interview to see whether lines have been added for dramatic effect.
Similarly I'll try to explore the situation the Washington Post was actually in when reporting on the Watergate Scandal.
2) Are the audiences perceptions of the film important?
Ie. If the audience watch the film and takes it LITERALLY as what happened, is that really an issue?
Furthermore, is it any different to reading a bias piece of literature?
3) Can it be argued that the films are really a product of the directors own personal context?
Adding to this, can it be argued that the films are also a reflection of the social context they were created for?
4) Is the portrayal of the media as heroic, brave and truth seeking entirely accurate? Should we question this portrayal?
5) Is the directors manipulation of audience's emotions through various techniques create an unfair image of the historical issue? Does it detract from it's value as a historical source?
6) Why should / shouldn't films be seen as appropriate historical sources to study?
So, they're some of the questions I'm hoping to include later on in my essay. Anyone has any other suggestions, feel FREE to offer them up :)
PART TWO OF BLOG
WEBSITES
Okay so Google books has offered me up this delicious little gem, known under the title The contemporary history handbook By Brian Brivati, Julia Buxton and Anthony Seldon. As per usual though, google censors most of the frigging chapter from me, NOT TO MENTION A PAGE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FEW PAGES THEY ALLOW FOR READING. I HATE YOU GOOGLE BOOKS.
The only useful bits are from page 394 down, I might look into a purchase of this book for referencing and for answers to the questions I pose above.
I did a library search on some online website to see if anywhere had it. Results came out as "Sorry, we cannot find libraries in Australia that have this item.
The nearest locations with libraries that have the item include:
Germany"
I hate you internet. I really do.
link:
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=rmO7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=film+as+a+historical+source&source=bl&ots=7K_52JTA8v&sig=Pw8janKUFdRPfZtnF9CfYNo5on8&hl=en&ei=QVuPS5faJZHutQPXk7DbCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=film%20as%20a%20historical%20source&f=false
Also, this website is amazing. Like, woah. Way to do all my questioning about the historical value of films for me. If i cite this, basically all I'll be doing is justifying these things through the examples of the two movies. AWESOME.
http://www.crusades-encyclopedia.com/thinkingabouthistoricalfilm.html
Well, after this I'll post a seperate blog about the contexts of the two films, both within the film, around the time of the films production and the directors own personal context.
I'll also include some background information on the directors which may include some insight into the portrayal of Watergate and Nixon's involvement.
OH OH OH, and I'm thinking that all this research is leading to A NEW QUESTION.
DAA DAAA DAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
"Assess the historical value of the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men as historical sources."
OR
"Evaluate the historical value of the films F/N and ATPM in their treatment of the Watergate Scandal."
Perhaps? Yes ? No?
PART ONE OF BLOG.
THE QUESTIONS.
1) Is it important if the film gets history right?
To explore this I'll try to acquire transcripts of the Frost/Nixon interview to see whether lines have been added for dramatic effect.
Similarly I'll try to explore the situation the Washington Post was actually in when reporting on the Watergate Scandal.
2) Are the audiences perceptions of the film important?
Ie. If the audience watch the film and takes it LITERALLY as what happened, is that really an issue?
Furthermore, is it any different to reading a bias piece of literature?
3) Can it be argued that the films are really a product of the directors own personal context?
Adding to this, can it be argued that the films are also a reflection of the social context they were created for?
4) Is the portrayal of the media as heroic, brave and truth seeking entirely accurate? Should we question this portrayal?
5) Is the directors manipulation of audience's emotions through various techniques create an unfair image of the historical issue? Does it detract from it's value as a historical source?
6) Why should / shouldn't films be seen as appropriate historical sources to study?
So, they're some of the questions I'm hoping to include later on in my essay. Anyone has any other suggestions, feel FREE to offer them up :)
PART TWO OF BLOG
WEBSITES
Okay so Google books has offered me up this delicious little gem, known under the title The contemporary history handbook By Brian Brivati, Julia Buxton and Anthony Seldon. As per usual though, google censors most of the frigging chapter from me, NOT TO MENTION A PAGE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FEW PAGES THEY ALLOW FOR READING. I HATE YOU GOOGLE BOOKS.
The only useful bits are from page 394 down, I might look into a purchase of this book for referencing and for answers to the questions I pose above.
I did a library search on some online website to see if anywhere had it. Results came out as "Sorry, we cannot find libraries in Australia that have this item.
The nearest locations with libraries that have the item include:
Germany"
I hate you internet. I really do.
link:
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=rmO7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=film+as+a+historical+source&source=bl&ots=7K_52JTA8v&sig=Pw8janKUFdRPfZtnF9CfYNo5on8&hl=en&ei=QVuPS5faJZHutQPXk7DbCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=film%20as%20a%20historical%20source&f=false
Also, this website is amazing. Like, woah. Way to do all my questioning about the historical value of films for me. If i cite this, basically all I'll be doing is justifying these things through the examples of the two movies. AWESOME.
http://www.crusades-encyclopedia.com/thinkingabouthistoricalfilm.html
Well, after this I'll post a seperate blog about the contexts of the two films, both within the film, around the time of the films production and the directors own personal context.
I'll also include some background information on the directors which may include some insight into the portrayal of Watergate and Nixon's involvement.
OH OH OH, and I'm thinking that all this research is leading to A NEW QUESTION.
DAA DAAA DAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
"Assess the historical value of the films Frost/Nixon and All The Presidents Men as historical sources."
OR
"Evaluate the historical value of the films F/N and ATPM in their treatment of the Watergate Scandal."
Perhaps? Yes ? No?
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