Film Matters: Please tell us about your article that is being published in Film Matters.
Vanessa Zarm: My article centers around Matt Spicer’s 2017 dark comedy Ingrid Goes West and discusses its contemporary representation of social media, which shares a rare, behind-the-scenes insight into the world of influencers and their famed lifestyle in Los Angeles. In particular, my article focuses on the journey of the film’s protagonist, Ingrid Thorburn, whose obsession with Instagram, alongside her mental instability, dives into the psychological ramifications of using such apps on a day-to-day basis and how heavily it influences today’s generation.
FM: What research and/or methodologies do you incorporate in your article?
VZ: Initially, the starting point of my research primarily focused on individual reviews of the film, before leaning toward contemporary journal articles analyzing the changing nature and influence of social media. These were immensely helpful in solidifying the knowledge I needed to strengthen my main argument! However, following these film-specific resources, I consequently searched for works dealing with the notion of Hollywood and Los Angeles, as I was keen on integrating this contextual study into my article. Using methodologies of sequence analysis to guide the main body of my essay, it allowed me to link detailed observations to the film’s wider themes. Lastly, in order to analyze the impact of social media through the protagonist’s psychotic, albeit tragic, narrative journey, I subsequently took a more psychological approach to appropriately analyze the implications of this behavior, thereby concluding my research paper.
FM: Describe the original context for/when writing this article while an undergraduate student.
VZ: In order to successfully complete the “Career Passport” — a mandatory component within one of my first-year modules — I eagerly spoke with my professor, Dr. Anat Pick, regarding my growing interest within the research branch of film studies. Following our conversation, she enthusiastically advised me to write a research paper on a topic of my choice and submit this to Film Matters, as it offered a rare opportunity to publish undergraduate work! As I prepared to write my research paper ahead of my second year, my main line of thought was to thereby take the most original approach possible, exploring a topic I was both passionate about and which may not have been as widely researched yet. With an innate interest toward social media in relation to cinema, as well as a personal love for Los Angeles, Ingrid Goes West seemed like the ideal opportunity to tackle this subject matter, as its themes appeared both fresh and relevant to me — especially within this day and age!
FM: How has your department and/or institution supported your work in film and media?
VZ: I’m particularly grateful for the way my course was structured throughout my first year, as our varied modules not only helped mold a thorough understanding of film studies, but the department’s academic structure equipped me with a diverse set of film analysis and critical-thinking skills. Not only has this knowledge provided me with a crucial foundation progressing into my final year, but it has certainly given me the confidence to apply and challenge these skills as I continue to dive into the exciting world of film and media studies.
FM: How has your faculty mentor fostered your advancement as a film scholar?
VZ: My faculty mentor has been an incredibly important guiding figure throughout my undergraduate studies thus far! From personal meetings to casual conversations, I always felt I had such a welcoming and steady support system! By encouraging me to write about issues I was passionate about outside of the curriculum, their supportive nature has given me a sense of creative liberty I very much treasure as an undergraduate student.
FM: How has the Film Matters editorial and publication process impacted the development/evolution of your article?
VZ: The editorial and publication process has been an exciting and thought-provoking procedure, challenging me to reevaluate my work whilst being mindful and open toward the critical feedback I received. Going over my paper with a more detailed and knowledgeable eye, I feel like my article has gained much more of a refined structure, as well as a thematic and stylistic consistency ahead of its publication. This process has therefore created a space for self-reflection, which has been incredibly valuable to me as a young and evolving film scholar.
FM: What audience do you hope to reach with your Film Matters article and/or what impact do you hope it has on the field of film studies?
VZ: I hope to reach any audience engaging with social media in some form or another, which seems to be the majority of the people my age! As influencers have gained an even stronger sense of authority and recognizability within today’s culture, especially since the film’s release back in 2017, more and more people seem to engage on online platforms in a significant and economical way. For that reason, I hope my article will help shine a balanced light on how we interact with social media, and how particularly younger users should not fall into the trap of edited images, body shapes, or enhanced, artificial facial features! As my article explores the most extreme repercussions of social media, its readers will hopefully approach these apps with more vigilance, and not allow these staged images to dictate their own ideals and expectations. Most importantly, I hope it will spotlight the importance of a balanced relationship between our real lives and the virtual world of Instagram.
FM: What are your future plans?
VZ: After graduating, I hope to continue on with an MA, or perhaps even a PhD, in the field of film and media studies. In order to further explore my research interests, I’m determined to contribute to issues I’m passionate about in a scholarly and meaningful manner. As I find research within film studies incredibly diverse and ever-evolving, I’m eager to nurture a more in-depth understanding of film’s contemporary connotations and its growing relationship with social media. I’m particularly intrigued by how modern cinema both responds to, and negates, what today’s audiences wish to see reflected on-screen, which also happens to parallel the ongoing dialogue of diversity and representation within modern cinema. As a biracial student myself, exploring these issues through research would hopefully only push further meaningful discussions regarding these relevant matters at hand.
Author Biography
Vanessa Zarm is entering her final year of a Film Studies degree at Queen Mary University of London; her interests lie within contemporary issues of mainstream film, including the growing role of social media bleeding into contemporary cinema. She plans on further pursuing these research interests through postgraduate studies.
