Dissertation

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Hi

I'm just about to start my 3rd year of uni which means one thing - DISSERTATION

I was hoping someone might be able to suggest some good books to read as i'm really struggling with knowing where to look/what at

I'm thinking of doing my dissertation on something to do with the following

- The popularity of musical theatre
- What attracts people to the mega musicals
- Celebrity stunt casting
- Film/musical adaptations
- Why doesn't the public want to watch new theatre?

If anyone has any suggestions I would be ever so grateful

Thanks in advance

Caz xx

[pollypickles]

I have just completed a degree in midwifery so know nothing regarding the subjects surrounding your dissertation. However one piece of advice I do have is to choose a subject that you love as you sleep, eat and breathe you chosen topic. It's hard to choose between a subject that has been well written about or to go with something you are passionate about but has less research on. Tutors are usually a good source of advice regarding topics. One last piece of advice; start it as soon as possible!! I completely re- wrote mine as I wasn't happy where it was going but fortunately I had the time to do that, I think mine took me about 3 months to write it total. Good luck

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Thanks for the great advice Pollypickles. Musical theatre is my passion hence why I was thinking of going along those lines but i'm scared after researching it for months i'll hate it :/ My proposal has to be in 22nd September & worried my teacher will hate my idea (not that I have a very strong idea) I am so used to being given a essay title & then going from there, making one up is so hard, saying that for my A Level media we did mini dissertations & I changed mine about 3 times including about 2 weeks before the deadline, my teacher wasn't happy but I came out with almost full marks - I know that is not an excuse for leaving my dissertation to the last minute though. It's times like this that I hate having such an indecisive personality :/

Well done on completeing your degree hopefully I'll be able to say the same next year

[obsteve]

- Why doesn't the public want to watch new theatre?

I would definitely go for this one. New theatre is dead! Get your stats ready- and have you read Peter Brooks "Empty Space"? there's some great material in there about "deadly theatre"

I am ashamed to say I rarely go to "the theatre" now- I have wasted way too much money seeing way too much rubbish. I would cite poor training, poor material, poor venues, false expectations derived from the tourist driven west-end and commercial driven TV.

I would argue that mainstream "theatre" as we know it (the theatre supported by general public demand), is dying of star culture (big tv names, "known" shows, tried and tested blockbusters). I mean what the heck is going on when you go to see a theatre production of a successful film (say, "Dirty Dancing") and it gets judged by how well the actors recreate the film ? That and the artsy backlash that is prohibitive to mainstream enjoment

Then I would go on to suggest that, actually, notions of "theatre" have changed- that public theatre has evolved beyond the sitty down tip up chairs and red velvet tabs of the 20th century. True theatre, living theatre is more an event. Now the best theatre to be found has actually become known as "the festival", music based, circus style, organised "happenings", with huge audience participation. Think Edinburgh Fringe, Camp Bestival, Creamfields...

New theatre, happenings/events/festivals are kind of getting back to the choral, participatory (and yes, religious and bacchic) roots of the Greek Dionysia. Lively stalls, multiple stages, audience in fancy dress, etc

For a successful new theatre, that is massively supported by the public, I'm thinking of new theatre as I think of a fully supported Creamfields in a huge open space, stalls, tents, stages, a mass audience (tens of thousands), a huge sound and light show (I think Artaud would have loved), a veritable bacchanalia.

Yes, I've changed my mind- new theatre is alive and well. It's old theatre that's dead

Steve

[paulears]

You haven't told us what you are studying. A dissertation needs a purpose and most importantly it needs a .... need. The weakest ones are basically an excuse for doing a bit of research on a subject you like, but without a proper need. Is there a potential problem that needs solving, are there serious issues?

"Why doesn't the public watch new theatre?"

Th fist thing your supervisor will want you to establish is if the statement is actually correct. Can you get quantifiable data to support the statement? From my limited understanding the problem with this one is that it's a bit subjective. Obsteve's comments make a lot of sense, but there are many other reasons - so my gut reaction is that you won't get approval as the parameters are a bit wide and flaky.

I'm assuming from the list that you're on a musical theatre degree?

The popularity of musical theatre
- What attracts people to the mega musicals - I bet it's been done to death
- Celebrity stunt casting - is there sufficient material to use as source?
- Film/musical adaptations - what would the focus be?

What are your real strengths, what area is your real experience and most critically, what higher level skills and knowledge do you already have to underpin the research.

What word count are they expecting 50,000 upwards? You need to make sure that you can actually carry out sufficient research in your chosen subject, and in the arts this is obviously difficult and if it requires seeing lots of productions, time consuming and very expensive.

So I'd think of a title, and then check you can deliver the goods - and most importantly, is your research actually needed? Has anyone already done it - re-covering old ground is pointless and also potentially dangerous if the subject has been done before and the marker already knows the results - living up to the last person to do that subject is difficult.

It's a really good idea to find a genuine problem. As an example, this year the shows I've been involved with have all had less bums on seats than the same show last year, other shows have had an increase in numbers but a severe change in the type of audience member. In simple terms, the audience for this show has shifted demographic groups. Instead of middle aged mainly couples it is now, young female groups, often hen party style and the behaviour is much. much worse. These younger people have greater spending power, but are of a lower socio-economic group (as in rowdy and common!) Plenty of subject material, easy to find box office managers to talk to for your primary evidence, and best of all, your results could be a genuine help to these venues for future trends and booking shows.

To get a good grade you MUST find a subject that's deep enough to do some proper research - not just a subject you like, but is a bit shallow.

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Thank you for your extremely helpful comments Paulears & obsteve

I'm a drama studies student so my dissertation could be on anything surrounding tv/film/theatre

Another area that although I know little about it does interest me is Drama therapy.

I just feel so over my head with everything at the moment that I don't know where to begin.

I have bought the 'Empty Spaces' book though as it has cropped up in some reading I did & as you also mentioned it I thought it would be a good read so thank you

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Also to answer your question it is 10,000 words split up into 2,000 words & then 8,000

[paulears]

A good trick is to do some research on the favourite areas of the person who marks it - then, your data and conclusions will be in an area where they really understand what you have produced. They might not agree with it, but it's a good way to ensure it gets a proper read. I have had experience of a subject analysed and covered in great depth, but on a rather specialist area, and the marker didn't find it inspiring - and because some of the comments and content were going against non-specialist common sense, some suggestion of er, less than accurate marking may have happened. So it's worth looking at your subject to find something interesting and worthy of extended study - yet within the understanding of your staff. The drama therapy area could be a really interesting area - but ONLY if the marker will appreciate it. Best of luck!

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

very good point paulears
once they have read our proposals we get assigned a tutor who is most knowledgeable in our chosen field so hopefully it should be ok whatever I choose

[paulears]

Even sneakier would be to find out who is on the list, and if there's anyone you don't get on with, make sure you don't select their area of interest, and even sneakier than that would be to look for those you feel would be supportive of you, research their background and find something you really know would tweak their interest. When I was doing the PGCE course when I 'turned' into a proper teacher, I knew one of our teachers who would be on the list was a specialist in hypnotism - but was also very interested non-professionally in music. I managed to get both hypnosis and music in! Not at all what I would have done through choice, but it was interesting to do, and it was fine.

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Definitely a good idea paulears

Think I've decided on doing something to do with drama therapy & the benefits of it on children over psychodrama (not worded amazingly) but after thinking that I came to a major block on how i'd do my independent research on that as it is hardly a case of just doing a questionnaire :/

[paulears]

As part of what I do, I visit colleges and schools who are running performing arts. Most of the schools are really hung up on drugs, drink and most of all bullying. I get to see all sorts of drama stuff, and I'm actually quite concerned that they're actually starting to portray an almost standard 'bullying' personality. I wonder if this actually has a psychological effect on the kids? I see violence being acted out, and pretty unpleasant stuff, and that's separate to the shouting and verbal stuff. Instead of it having a positive effect, I'm starting to think it actually reinforces the stereotyping of bullying and might even glamorise it in some way through drama. If I had a shy-ish daughter, I'm not sure I'd want her to take part in this kind of thing as it's often quite nasty. If this kind of thing was taking place under the terms of a children's license, then exposure to this kind of content would be controlled, yet in schools, the kids are encouraged to act as bullies in some strange attempt to 'explain' it. I'd love to see somebody tackle that one!
Paul

[megg]

This link may give you some inspiration, http://www.ivoryresearch.com/media-diss ... topics.php

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Been with out internet for a few days! That certainly is a very interesting thing to think about that you say paulears & meg thank you for the link, I shall have a look now