Research Insights
Our team conducts data-driven research studies using quantitative and qualitative methods that dissect the relationship between media and society, trends in representation, audience perceptions, and the entertainment ecosystem at large. We uncover actionable insights and share them in interactive, accessible formats.
Research Projects
‘FILMS & SOCIAL CHANGE’: A SERIES ON SOCIAL IMPACT FILMMAKING
What does it take to create media that is not just entertaining, but also socially impactful?
#FilmsAndSocialChange is our five-part video series created in collaboration with Film Companion, where acclaimed writers and directors behind movies like Masaan, Kaala, Visaranai, My Brother Nikhil, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Thappad share their real-world strategies on how to drive change through cinema.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN INDIAN ENTERTAINMENT
The ‘Crime and Punishment in Indian Entertainment’ research report studies the way in which the police and judiciary are represented in Indian entertainment media (films, TV shows, and web series), and its impact on shaping citizens’ understanding of these institutions and the democracy building project, at large.
HOW WOMEN ONLINE REACTED TO THAPPAD: SOCIAL LISTENING STUDY
After the digital release of Thappad, the Tapsee Pannu starrer, in May 2020, we were curious to explore the conversations it generated on women’s attitudes towards violence and patriarchy in marriages. We did a social listening analysis of over 170 comments by members of women-only Facebook groups to glean audience insights.
To read more about our methodology and findings, check out our Newslaundry feature here!
SEVEN WAYS TO CREATE ENTERTAINMENT WITH IMPACT
Developed at the MIT Media Lab under the Civic Entertainment project, this article studies 9 films that had both popularity and impact. The analysis derives seven best practices needed to create media impact.
STRUCTURE OF THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT: INTERACTIVE TOOL
When faced with a local civic issue or reading the news, we’re often puzzled by how our government is organized. In order to improve our civic knowledge on its different bodies, we created the ‘Civic Studios Interactive Tool: Structure of the Indian Government’. It is a free to use, publicly accessible tool that helps visualise and understand the various arms of the Union, State and Local government, through flow charts, brief descriptions and video links.
To explore the tool and learn more, click here.
Research Video Productions
13 WAYS TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A LOCKDOWN
As a response to the rising cases of domestic violence in the Covid lock-down, we spoke to on-ground experts to uncover ways to move beyond the problem. The result was a video that curated practical solutions for people facing abuse as well as bystanders including friends, chemists, and building societies.
POLICING IT RIGHT
Amidst the global Covid 19 crisis, we partnered with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) to bring together senior police officials to share essential tips with their fellow colleagues on #PolicingItRight during the pandemic. The video is based on CHRI’s ‘Respecting Human Rights While Enforcing the Lockdown: Guidelines for the Police’ to help assist the police departments in implementing the lockdown.
POLICING DURING A PANDEMIC
In this battle against the Covid-19 pandemic that struck in early 2020, India’s police and security personnel serve as important frontline fighters. We teamed up with the Indian Police Foundation to create a video for the forces on best practices for safety and policing during this period. We took the help of iconic Bollywood police officer characters to provide the precautions in a unique filmy fashion.
CONSTI-TUITION SEASON 2
‘Consti-tuition’ is a YouTube show produced by Newslaundry focused on educating citizens on parliamentary procedures and constitutional knowledge in a fun, entertaining way. Civic Studios co-produced the show’s second season in early 2019, providing a grant as well as audience research insights.
