LibGuides: Film Courses & Research: Background on film topics

Background on film topics

Background in print encyclopedias and databases

Film sources are scattered among the 790's (entertainment), the 800's (when considered as "literature" of a certain culture), and other areas. Could be in Reference, General Stacks, or Oversize (all on the 1st floor). This is what you'll get in these encyclopedias:

Lists of films
Overviews and critical receptions of films
Context of films in history and society
Keyword ideas
Background info
Source recommendations

Top print film encyclopedias:

Schirmer encyclopedia of film
Call Number: Ref 791.4303 Sch35, 2007
This is a four-volume set that will be most useful for looking up film terms--several pages on each term. Scan or photocopy the pages you need.
The film encyclopedia
Call Number: 1st floor 791.43 K159
Cinema Studies: the key concepts
Call Number: 1st floor 791.4303 H335

Film topics and definitions are also in encyclopedia databases

Credo Reference
Full-text of over 1,000 reference works (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc).
Britannica Academic
Reference articles, photographs, maps, and more, all produced in collaboration with experts, scholars, and educators under rigorous editorial review.

Mining Encyclopedia Entries - An Advanced Skill

Watch the video linked below to learn the advanced search strategy of mining encyclopedia entries.

Mining Encyclopedia Entries video link