RESEARCH DESIGN

There is a long tradition among cinematic artists and theorists to apply the latest psychological, cultural, and social theories of human perception and understanding to cinematic theory and practice, from psychoanalytic to hermeneutics to Marxist and Feminist film theories and practices. There have also been certain individuals and groups throughout the history of the cinema who have been both cinematic artists and theorists, including Sergei Eisenstein and the Russian school; Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and the French New Wave; and Germaine Dulac and her “integral cinema” movement. These and other cinematic artists and collectives have used their cinematic works to explore and test the theories they were building.

The Integral Cinema Project is designed to follow in the footsteps of these two historic traditions by applying Integral Theory, which is one of the latest and most highly respected theories of human perception and understanding, to all aspects of cinematic creation and reception, through a process of theory-building, creative experimentation, and scientific investigation.

RESEARCH METHOD

The research method used for the Integral Cinema Project is an adapted form of Integral Methodological Pluralism (IMP), a multi-method approach grounded in Integral Theory that weaves together 1st-person, 2nd-person, and 3rd-person research methods. The Integral Cinema Project makes use of these multiple methods (qualitative and quantitative) as a way of exploring the multi-faceted and multi-dimensional nature of the complex phenomena involved in the creation and reception of cinematic media.

Some of the corresponding research methodologies, tools, and practices that will be utilized in this inquiry include:

• 1st-Person (experiential) Methodologies: Heuristic research, phenomenological inquiry, introspection, contemplation, and artistic expression;

• 2nd-Person (communal) Methodologies: Hermeneutics, interviews, surveys, focus/work groups;

• 3rd-Person (empirical/systemic) Methodologies: Experiments, testing, observation, analysis, and mapping.

PHASES OF INQUIRY

This multi-method combined theoretical and practical research and production process will proceed through seven (7) general phases of inquiry. These phases will evolve organically, in that the discoveries and developments of one phase will determine the specific content and approaches for the next phase.

Phase One: Preliminary Analysis (Completed)

Phase Two: Preliminary Theory-Building (Current Phase)

Phase Three: Preliminary Experimentation and Testing

Phase Four: Primary Experiment – Development  

Phase Five: Primary Experiment – Production

Phase Six: Primary Experiment – Distribution

Phase Seven: Research Assessment and Presentation