Reel Roots: A Century of Cinema Evolution 

Argument: In today’s world, cinema and film have become integral parts of everyday life, often overlooked and taken for granted as mere entertainment. As a passionate fan of cinema, I created this digital film archive to educate people about the origins of this art form. I hope that by exploring its history, viewers will gain a deeper appreciation for cinema, understanding its roots and the remarkable progress made over the past century. This project is structured in 10-year increments, starting from 1888 when the first film was created. Each decade page will highlight major technological advancements and recognize key figures who have shaped the film and cinema industry.

Justifications: Intellectually, the project is justified by its focus on providing a nuanced historical perspective on cinema, which is often fragmented or oversimplified in mainstream streams of information distribution. Cinema is a multifaceted art form that has evolved significantly over the past century. This project aims to serve as an educational tool, addressing a gap in public knowledge about the origins and evolution of cinema all the while making the information more accessible and engaging. By selecting pivotal moments and figures, the project seeks to offer a richer, more detailed understanding of how cinema has shaped and been shaped by cultural, technological, and social changes. Practically, the project is designed with user engagement and accessibility in mind. The digital format allows for interactive elements which can further enhance the learning experience that this archive offers. By incorporating videos, images, and sound clips the project can provide a more immersive experience, helping viewers to connect with the material on a deeper level. Additionally, the use of a decade-based structure helps to organize the content logically, making it easier for users to navigate and explore information at their own pace. Balancing rigorous scholarship with engaging digital development, this project aims to create a valuable educational resource for people of all ages and backgrounds. Through careful planning, thoughtful implementation, and ongoing evaluation, the project seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the understanding and appreciation of cinema as a dynamic and influential art form.

Evaluation: The project will be evaluated against a set of predetermined criteria, including the accuracy and relevance to the historical information presented, the quality and impact of the digital design, and the extent to which the project encourages users to engage critically with cinema history. Peer reviews from my peers will also be incorporated to ensure academic rigor and to identify any potential areas for improvement. 

Thank you for any and all feedback you have! Looking forward to it 🙂

Item: Batman Rebirth Action Figure

Abstract: 3 Years and up

Material: Plastic

Color: Multi

Weight: 0.71 lb

Size/File: 4 x 2 x 12 in.

Responsible Party: DC Comics

Publication Place:

Item: Masked Figure Pendant

Date Created(Estimated): 1st – 7th Century

Abstract: Gold(cast) metal-ornament

Size/File: H. 2 7/8 x D 1/2 in. (7.3 x 3.5 x 1.3 cm)

Responsible Party: Calima(Yotoco) Peoples

Publication Place: Columbia

Item: 7UP Soda

Date Created: 2/14/24

Abstract: Lemon-lime flavored soda with other natural flavors

File/Size: 7.5 FL OZ

Supplemental Facts: Caffeine Free and Low Sodium

Attributes: Nutrition Facts

Responsible Party: Dr Pepper/7 UP Inc 

Publication Place: 5301 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 

Marlene Manoff’s “Theories of the Archive from Across the Disciplines” and Kate Theimer’s “Archives in Context and as Context” present differing perspectives on the nature of archives and the role of archives in todays this day and age, yet both contribute significantly to ones understanding of archival theory and practice. Manoff’s work provides a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing how different intellectual fields conceptualize and perceive archives. She notes that the archives should not be simply viewed as depots of information but rather active agents of shaping new knowledge and memory of the new generations. This view highlights the influence of archives beyond their physical and digital contents, suggesting that they play a critical role in the construction of historical narratives and cultural identity. In contrast to Manoff, Theimer focuses on the practical and contextual aspects of archival work. She argues that archives are not just passive repositories but rather sites where meaning is fabricated, underscoring the dynamic interaction between archivists, records, and users themselves. While the source’s approaches differ in focus, the primary similarity between these two readings is the recognition of archives as active entities in the creation as well as the preservation of knowledge. Both authors agree that archivists are not merely custodians of records as some peoples may view them as, but play crucial roles in the shaping of historical and cultural narratives. 

The digital archive that I chose to critically examine for this assignment is the Hoover Institution Library and Archives digital collections project. The Hoover Institute hosts an extensive digitized collection of historical documents and multimedia and is an ongoing effort. It includes collections on political, economic, and social issues from the 20th and 21st centuries, aiming to enhance accessibility to scholars so that the general public can explore these resources remotely. A strength of this project was its user interface and searchability of diverse digital collections. It is extremely user-friendly with robust search capabilities so that users can easily locate specific documents therefore enhancing the research experience. A weakness of this digital archive, however, is that some artifacts lack comprehensive metadata. The lack of this metadata can hinder searchability and context understanding for users aiming to read more into an artifact that catches their attention. All in all, the Hoover digital collections project is extremely significant to historical research and education by providing a wealth of information and making it public domain for individuals to use to better enhance their own education.

Website URL: https://www.hoover.org/library-archives/collections/digital-collections