Here are some examples of effective research ideas:
Website research: http://evening-angels.blogspot.com/2009/12/website-research.html
Audeience research: http://evening-angels.blogspot.com/2009/12/audience-research.html
Film poster codes and conventions: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/09/codes-and-conventions.html
Target audience: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/11/target-audience-and-notional-bbfc.html
Genre research: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/11/genre-research-and-intertextual-links.html
Here are some examples of effective planning:
Costume planning: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/10/costume.html
Effective storyboarding: http://evening-angels.blogspot.com/2009/12/riains-storyboard-explained.html
Deadlines: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/10/deadlines.html
Production schedule: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/11/production-schedule.html
Storyboarding, narrative and screenplay: http://crossley-ameliaa2.blogspot.com/2009/12/revised-final-narrative-storyboards-and.html
Finally...
Look at the number of posts on this blog - this is what you should be aiming for!
http://www.latymermusiccharlotteameliahollylaura.blogspot.com/
The more work you put in now, the easier life will be next year.
Mr Kirkaldy