For my term project I have decided to follow the critical option. There are several things in my life that I am passionate about. The one passion of mine that will work out nicely (I hope) for this project is film/movies. Film is why I am considering a media studies major. There are numerous internet sites I can use to supplement my argument – from rotten tomatoes to netflix to fandango. The one I primarily will be focusing on, however, is IMDb (Internet Movie Database). My plan is to discuss and research how technology in the form of the internet and these sites has changed the way we see movies, how we choose which movies to go to and how the studios market their product. I hope to explore the different aspects of these websites. For example, on IMDb it is possible to see which movies topped the charts, what movies are out on DVD, and trivia about your favorite movie. There are spoiler warnings, actor’s and director’s filmography and message boards. If I enjoy the soundtrack, I am able to find out more about it and how to purchase the music. I would like to explore how people use this site. Considering the high cost of going to the movies, sites like rotten tomatoes and IMDb and their reviews help movie fans decide whether a particular film is worth seeing. Today it is even possible to purchase a movie ticket online at home through fandango. What will they think of next? Pre-ordering popcorn and soda? For me personally, these websites have enhanced my interest in film. I am able to critically analyze movies, actors and directors.
I'll look forward to hearing about how these sites have affected your interest in and consumption of film. It might be worth looking ahead a bit and reading Henry Jenkins's Convergence Culture -- yours is precisely the kind of thing he's got a lot to say about...
It might be interesting to make a small survey to find out how many students at school use the interent to watch movies etc.
There are also many different websites where you can set up surveys through the internet and then you just send out the url via email. Its super simple and easy. Just Google it