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- Drama: film, television, theatre
- Research support
- Finding and using information
- Subject resources
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Related links
University home > Library > Subject resources and … > Subjects > Drama
Drama resources and support
Your Subject Librarian
Jez Conolly
Other Arts and Social Sciences Library staff can answer your more general library queries.
Drama resources are available in these branch libraries
Most Drama resources will be found in the Arts and Social Sciences Library, with much of the main material at locations PN and PR on the second floor.
Theatre collection
The University of Bristol Theatre collection, based in the Department of Drama, has a library of theatre related books, periodicals and original archival material, including the Women's Theatre Collection. Visit the Theatre collection website for details of its holdings.
Course based materials
A wide range of materials to support Drama courses are available in the Arts and Social Sciences Library (ask at the Desk):
- Recommended textbooks: in the Short Loan Collection (SLC) and, often, long loan copies in the Desk collection (details are on the catalogue).
- Many Drama undergraduate course materials are available on Blackboard.
- Examination papers: past papers can be found on the first floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library, on the shelves next to the pamphlet collection.
Thesis collection
PhD and MSc theses of staff and students of the Drama Department, from 1910 to date, are available in the thesis collection in the Arts and Social Sciences Library.
Special collections
The Arts and Social Sciences Library contains a special collection of rare books.
How to find books, journals, and more
- Quick search on the Library homepage
search for books, journals, or articles and databases using our various search tools, plus Internet search using Google Scholar. - The Subject resources section of these pages includes key drama databases (via MetaLib) for searching for journal articles references, etc, quick reference tools, Internet links, and reviews and bibliographies.
- Our Library collections and eResources pages give full advice on finding all types of materials.
- The Inter-Library Loans (ILL) service can be used to obtain Items not held in print in the University's branch libraries or available online. See below for more details. Access to other university libraries and the British Library may be a useful alternative.
Inter-Library Loans and ILL vouchers
The Inter-Library Loans (ILL) service can be used to obtain Items not held in print in the University's branch libraries or available online. There is a charge for this service, though it may be possible to obtain an Inter-library loan voucher to pay for this:
- Drama academic staff should be able to obtain an Inter-library loan voucher from the departmental office.
- Drama research postgraduates should be able to obtain an Inter-library loan voucher to pay for this from the departmental office.
- Drama undergraduates and taught postgraduates may be able to obtain inter-library loan vouchers from the departmental office.
Information for academic staff and researchers
- Our Research support pages cover finding information, managing information, and exploiting your research, together with sources of further help and advice.
- Each academic department in the university has its own library representative, whose duties are detailed in these guidelines. The Library Representative for Drama is Jacqueline Maingard.
- Book purchase recommendations can be made to the Subject Librarian for Drama or Library Representative for Drama.
- New journal / database subscription requests can be made to the Subject Librarian for Drama or Library Representative for Drama, though you will need to suggest how we might fund a new subscription.
- New academic staff are welcome to contact the Subject Librarian to arrange a session on how the Library can help you.
Databases
- Drama databases via MetaLib
This link takes you to the list of databases with a cross-search option. Click on the Info icon to display the full details.
Internet links
The following resource will help you to use the Internet effectively:
- Internet for Performing Arts - a 'teach yourself' tutorial from Intute
Other useful links
- Artifact - the arts and creative industries hub of the Resource Discovery Network (RDN). Artifact provides searchable access to a collection of rich, high quality Internet resources for FE and HE. Each resource is selected by specialists for its academic quality and subject relevance and includes a description of the web resource's key features
- Backstage - provides a single point of entry for finding and searching performing arts collections in the UK.
- BFI Moving Image Research Registry - a searchable database of research projects on cinema, television and other moving image media undertaken within UK universities and colleges.
- British Universities Film and Video Council - website of the representative body promoting the production, study and use of film and related media in higher education and research
- MAAS Media Online - the BUFVC is developing this Internet resource to assist in the delivery of moving pictures and sound to support higher and further education in the UK
- BUFVC Television and Radio Index for Learning and Teaching (TRILT) - the best source of UK television and radio data on the web
- Equity - website of the Performing Arts trade union
- Exeter University Drama links - contains many links to Drama-related Internet resources
- Internet theatre bookshop - British site selling virtually every play currently published in the English language
- Performing Arts Data Service - a collection of Drama-related Internet links
- The Stage - 'Publishing for the entertainment industry since 1880', online version of the journal
- University of Bristol Department of Drama - includes list of useful Internet links
- University of Bristol Theatre Collection - includes list of useful Internet links
Other online resources
Quick search on the Library homepage includes the Library Catalogue, eJournals catalogue, Google Scholar, and through the 'Articles & Databases' tab access to many other resources via MetaLib: your resource gateway.
Quick reference tools
Theatre
| Resource | Location/ reference number |
|---|---|
| Biographical dictionary of actors, actresses, musicians, dancers, managers and other stage personnel in London 1660-1800 | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PN2597 HIG (copy also in the Theatre Collection at YK1 A188) |
| Cambridge guide to theatre | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PN2035 CAM (copy also in the Theatre Collection at YK1 B217) |
| Concise encyclopedia of the theatre | in the Theatre Collection at YK1 E56 |
| Dictionary of stage directions in English drama | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PR658.P76 DES |
| Dictionary of the performing arts | in the Theatre Collection at YX1 M821 |
| Dictionary of the theatre | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PN2035 PAV |
| Enciclopedia dello spettacolo | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at Oversize PN1625 ENC |
| Encyclopedie du theatre contemporain | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at Oversize PN2020 QUE |
| Oxford illustrated history of theatre | in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PN2101 OXF |
| Penguin dictionary of the theatre |
in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at PN1625 TAY
(copy also in the Theatre Collection at YX1 T243) |
Film resources available in the Arts and Social Sciences Library
| Resource | Reference number |
|---|---|
| Biographical dictionary of film | PN1998.A2 THO |
| Complete film dictionary | PN1993.45 KON |
| Encyclopedia of European cinema | Oversize PN1993.5.E8 ENC |
| Encyclopedic reference guide to film noir | Oversize PN1995.9.F54 FIL |
| Halliwell's film and video guide | PN1993.45 HAL |
| Halliwell's filmgoer's companion | PN1993.45 HAL |
| Halliwell's who's who in the movies | PN1993.45 HAL |
| International film encyclopedia | PN1993.45 KAT |
| Key concepts in cinema studies | PN1993.45 HAY |
Television resources available in the Arts and Social Sciences Library
| Resource | Reference number |
|---|---|
| BFI film and television handbook | Serial PN1993.5.G7.B7 |
| Halliwell's television companion | PN1992.18 HAL |
| The researcher's guide. Film, television, radio and related documentation collections in the UK | PN1993.4 RES |
Reviews and bibliographies
Reading review articles can be a good way of familiarising yourself with a topic quickly. Review articles may be published in normal journals, or in review type journals like the following. In many databases you can search for review articles, eg by refining search results in Web of Science by Document type.
The following resources are available in the Arts and Social Sciences Library:
- Early English drama, Everyman to 1580 : a reference guide - Z2014.D7 WHI
- English theatrical literature, 1599-1900 - Z2014.D7 ARN
- Film as literature, literature as film - Z5784.M9 ROS
- Film research - Z5784.M9 BUK
- Film study : a resource guide - Z5784.M9 MAN
- Literature of the film - Oversize Z5784.M9 DYM
- MacMillan film bibliography - Oversize Z5784.M9 REH
- Theatre of the British Isles, excluding London - Z2014.D7 LOE
- Women's film list - Oversize Z7963.F5 ROO
Information skills training for undergraduates
- A number of general 'Self-learning resources' are available below, including video tutorials, downloadable library guides, and web resources.
- Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.
Information skills training for postgraduates
- A number of general 'Self-learning resources' are available below, including video tutorials, downloadable library guides, and web resources.
- Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.
Self-learning resources
- Video tutorials - topics include the Library Catalogue, understanding references on reading lists, using the MetaLib resource gateway, off-campus access to eResources, etc.
- Finding and using information pages - covering key aspects of information skills, including researching a topic, effective use of Google, evaluating your search results, avoiding plagiarism, etc. Also includes a Jargon-buster page.
- Library guides - downloadable guides to each branch library, our main search tools, special library services, etc.
- External resources for developing your information skills - including online tutorials and downloadable guides.
- Find out about referencing in your written work and EndNote referencing software in 'Referencing help'.
Referencing guidance
Referencing
- General referencing guidance
includes Why reference? What is included in a reference? Referencing styles, How to reference, Links to useful sites on referencing, and brief details of EndNote and EndNote Web referencing software (see the EndNote referencing software section below for more details).
Journal title abbreviations
To help in your search for journal abbreviations you may find the following information sources useful:
- ISI Journals Abbreviations Index - covers all journal titles included in the Arts and Humanities Citation Index
- Periodical title abbreviations / compiled and edited by Leland G. Alkire - in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at Oversize Z6945.A2 PER
- Leistner, Otto. Internationale Titelabkürzungen von Zeitschriften, Zeitungen... in the Arts and Social Sciences Library at Oversize Z6945.A2 LEI
If you are unable to find the abbreviation you are looking for please ask a member of the Library staff.
Other resources
For general information, please visit the journal abbreviations page
Writing for the subject, and how to avoid plagiarism
- General advice on writing and style guides
- Our Plagiarism: information and advice for students page explains what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, and the consequences of plagiarism.
EndNote referencing software
EndNote is the University of Bristol's recommended bibliographical management software, which can be used to collect, store, organise and manage references, and to output them as reference lists or bibliographies. A particularly useful function is 'Cite While You Write', enabling you to format Word documents, producing bibliographies and adding references within the text.
- EndNote Basic (formerly EndNote Web) help, advice and training sessions
This is the recommended version for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students - it is available free to UoB students and staff. - EndNote Desktop support
Academics, researchers and research postgraduates can use the desktop version, which may be installed on their UoB PC. See the 'Help and support' page of EndNote Desktop support for details of self help training materials.