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Norwalk Campus Library

Norwalk Western Civilization

Streaming Film Databases

Using Films & Videos

What are Films & Videos?

Films and videos are visual recordings that usually include audio and cover information related to a specific topic.

When should I use Films & Videos?

In general, films and videos are best used when you need a broad overview or introduction to a topic or subject. 

Films/Videos May be Useful When... Films/Videos May NOT be Useful When...

 Your topic requires witnessing real events or situations
Films and videos provide visual records of historical events, cultural practices, or natural phenomena. They allow viewers to witness situations that may be difficult or impossible to experience in real life.
Example: Analysis of delivery techniques used by Martin Luther King Jr. during his "I Have a Dream" speech

 You need credible or scholarly information
While some films and videos like documentaries or educational videos can provide factual information, they do not go through the same rigorous review process and are less reliable.
Example: Impact of social media on mental health

 Your topic includes personal testimonies
Films and videos can feature interviews with experts or individuals who have personal experiences related to your topic. This can provide valuable insights, perspectives, and storytelling elements that enhance your understanding and engagement with the subject.
Example: Impact of climate change on people living in certain areas

 Your topic covers a long time span
When something has a long history, you may only find one aspect covered in a film or video
Example: The impact of Brown vs. Board of Education on the public school system in the US

 Your topic is a comparative analysis of different forms or adaptations of a specific work
Films and videos may be relevant sources if you are comparing a written work with a film adaptation or two films telling the same story from different eras.
Example: Comparison of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with the 2006 movie She's the Man

  Your topic is on a complex issue requiring in-depth information
Films and videos generally have a limited runtime, which restricts their ability to cover complex or expansive topics comprehensively.
Example: Benefits and challenges of establishing universal healthcare in the United States

 

Types of Films/Videos

Film/Video Type Definition Uses
Documentaries A film that uses historical images, accounts, recordings, interviews and other primary sources materials, often in conjunction with dramatizations to tell a the story of a historical event or person. Good for gaining a broad, initial understanding of your topic.
Newsreels A snippet of a television news show talking about current events at the time it aired.

Good for seeing how the media covered an occurrence when it happened.

Can often be considered a "primary source".
Lectures Recorded talk by an expert in a field intended to educate their audience on their subject.
Lectures are typically used to convey background information or present new theories, ideas, or information.		 Good for getting an expert's perspective on your topic.
Motion Pictures

Typically fictional or highly dramatized films that tell a story.
These are what people typically think of when they think of "movies".
Motion pictures include a wide range of genres including animated films, historical dramatizations, action films, sci-fi/fantasy films, etc.

 Can be used to compare different versions of the same story
(i.e. different adaptations of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)