Database of the Month: Films on Demand

Films on Demand is one of the Bentley Library’s premier online film databases, specializing in educational content that spans all academic disciplines and research interests. With enhancements such as segmented content, customized playlists, embed capabilities, and citation tools, this database is a valuable resource for both educators and students alike.

Content

Bentley University has access to the full Master Academic Collection offered by Films on Demand. This collection includes within it the Humanities & Social Science, Business & Economy, Science & Mathematics, and Health Video collections. In addition, these resources feature content from notable producers of quality programming:

Films on Demand producers

Subject areas covered by Films On Demand include:

  • Art  & Architecture
  • Biology
  • Business & Economics
  • Careers & Job Search
  • Computers & Technology
  • English & Language Arts
  • Health & Medicine
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Features

documentary "Two American Families" is available in Films on Demand

Playlists

Users have the option to create playlists to access and refer to later. To create playlists, click on the “My Films” option on the top right corner of the main page and follow the instructions to create an account.

Segments

Most films in this database feature segments, making it easier for both educators and students to isolate relevant content for instruction or research. Users can also create their own custom segments for use in research and presentations and save to their account to reference later.

Blackboard

Instructors can integrate films into Blackboard with ease by using the Embed/Link option, enabling the posting of assigned films (or segments) directly into the course learning environment without extra clicks or links. To do this, first cut and paste the Title URL link of the video listed below the brief description of the title Then place our proxy server prefix tag in front of this URL so off campus users can view the video.

Here is our proxy server prefix tag: http://ezp.bentley.edu/login?url=

Transcripts

For accessibility purposes, Films on Demand also offers closed captioning and searchable transcripts both available in multiple languages as an alternative way to experience content.

Connect to this Resource

Films on Demand is available from the library’s Streaming Films page and Databases A to Z listing. Contact the Reference Desk if you have questions or need assistance using this resource.

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Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to useful library databases, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of these resources for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

 

Database of the Month: IMDB.com

film reel and slate

Awards season is just around the corner when Hollywood bestows various honors related to film and television. Whether you are a cinephile or a casual viewer, the Internet Movie Database, or IMDb, can be a wonderful resource to help you navigate the ins and outs of the industry.

IMDb (www.imdb.com) is a freely available database that originally started in 1990. The database includes millions of records and is considered to be an authoritative source for film and television.

Content includes:

  • Records for movies and television shows
  • Entries for industry professionals and celebrities including actors, directors, writers, composers, producers, and more (including filmographies and brief biographies)
  • Trivia
  • Quotes
  • Industry news & event coverage
  • Box office charts & trends
  • Release calendars

Found movies on IMDB that you would like to watch? Bentley Library has a number of DVDs and streaming films.

Search the Bentley Library Catalog to find our available DVDs or search one of our streaming film collections:

  • Films on Demand offers educational film titles in a variety of subject areas.
  • Kanopy includes many various collections including films from the Criterion Collection, documentaries, films appearing at various international film festivals, Academy Award winning films and nominees, and more! Browse collections or search for specific titles.
  • Swank Digital Campus includes both classic and contemporary films. Some past award winners such as American Beauty, Argo, The Hurt Locker, and The Departed are available in our collection. Can be searched by title or genre.
Image Credit: thumb_film_reel_2_1. By ScypaxPictures, 2010, (Flickr). Used under Creative Commons License BY-ND 2.0 with no modifications.

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Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or Library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this free web resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

On Display: Instant Expert

Instant Expert name tag, roundedPerhaps you’re at a gathering of people of the sort that requires a name tag, and you need to make some small talk. Possibly you need to get up to speed quickly on a topic that you don’t know much about, or maybe you just enjoy learning about new things. Whatever your motivation for picking up a print or audio book to learn about something new, this month’s display aims to transform you into an Instant Expert. I’ve chosen books and audio books of varying lengths and on a variety of subjects from all parts of the library’s collection. You can reacquaint yourself with the Guinness Book of Records (a personal favorite of mine from childhood), find and implement a business model that makes sense for your company, read about how swampy Boston marshland became today’s Back Bay, brush up on your language skills, learn How to Measure Anything, and a lot more!

If you’d prefer to watch streaming videos, take a look at our Films on Demand collection, where you can watch episodes from the History Channel’s Modern Marvels series, view some TED Talks, or find other videos of interest.

To start the process of becoming an expert on your new favorite topic, come to the Library to browse the display, look at the entire list in the catalog (if you’d like, click the “Request it” link we’ve provided to place an item on hold), or visit the Reference Desk to see titles that are on the list but that aren’t currently featured on our display shelves.

I hope you’ll enjoy adding to your areas of expertise!

Database of the Month: Films on Demand

Films on Demand is a digital, streaming video service which offers thousands of educational titles in many different subject areas.  Films on Demand allows users to view titles in their entirety or by smaller segments, create and share playlists,  and embed titles in Blackboard.

Content

Bentley University has access to the full Master Academic Collection offered by Films on Demand. This collection includes within it the Humanities & Social Science, Business & Economy, Science & Mathematics, and Health Video collections.  Films on Demand also offers users access to special collections by well known, respected media outlets such as Frontline, CNBC Specials, the Biography Channel, and PBS NewsHour.

Subject areas covered by Films On Demand include:

  • Art  & Architecture
  • Biology
  • Business & Economics
  • Careers & Job Search
  • Computers & Technology
  • English & Language Arts
  • Health & Medicine
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Here is the Business & Economics subject page:

Playlists & Favorites

Films On Demand allows users to create both playlists and lists of favorite videos and to share these lists with others.  Creating playlists is particularly helpful for faculty who want their students to watch multiple videos over the course of a semester.

To access the playlists and favorites features, you must first register by clicking on Create Account in the upper right corner of the homepage.  You will just need to input your first and last name, Bentley email address, and create a password.

Off Campus Access & Blackboard

Films On Demand can be accessed both on and off campus through our databases page.

Faculty can embed both full titles and segments into Blackboard for quick and easy classroom use.  To do this, first cut and paste the Title URL link of the video listed below the brief description of the title Then place our proxy server prefix tag in front of this URL so off campus users can view the video.

Here is our proxy server prefix tag: http://ezp.bentley.edu/login?url=

A sample URL containing both the proxy server prefix tag and Title URL would look like this:

http://ezp.bentley.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=15162&xtid=40551

Connect to this Database

Please visit Films On Demand to explore this valuable database further or visit our Databases page to view a complete list of our resources.

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Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please contact the Reference Desk.  If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis