The first half of this week’s session continued our discussions around research design, objectives and developing a clear structure for the thesis proposal. We revisited the importance of ensuring that the research question, methodology and objectives all work together to support a focused piece of research.
The second half of the session consisted of individual tutorials to discuss feedback from the draft literature review. Nigel’s feedback on my submission was very positive, and he commented that he enjoyed reading it and felt it was well written. During the tutorial, we discussed the availability of literature relating to my topic on directing audience attention in 360 animated films. I mentioned that while I had found research on 360 film and immersive media, there appeared to be less work specifically focused on animation. Nigel suggested that I also investigate research on directing one-shot films, as they share similar challenges in guiding audience attention without relying on traditional editing techniques.
One of the most useful points from the tutorial was Nigel’s observation that my thesis and Final Major Project could support one another throughout the year. As I develop the practical side of the project, I may discover solutions or insights that inform the thesis, while the research itself could influence creative decisions within the film. This made me realise that the two projects do not need to exist separately and that there is value in allowing them to develop alongside each other.