rather than picking a topic within cinema studies (something i have yet to do) there is the option of picking up a book like _Film Theory: An Introduction_ by Robert Lapsley and Michael Westlake which does a decent enough job of summarizing the history and angle of various approaches to cinema studies (ie Politics, Semiotics, Psychoanalysis, Authorship, etc). IT might be a little assuming for someone totally unfamiliar, but should provide the reader with the feeling that some directions are more interesting than others and therefor provide a little direction. (this is to presume that the reader will have a preference, not to suggest that the book is slanted toward some approaches) there are other, more general, summary type books out there as well. another good idea if these things really interest you is to take alook at something like Terry Eagleton's _Literary Theory: An Intorduction_ which does the same sort of thing, except for literary theory (and with an arguably more blatant slant toward marxist political theory). there is enough common history and shared elements that a literary background does not hurt serious considerations of film. Eagletons' book has the benefit of accessibility. it's a nice read. hope this helps, shawn ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]