Film Language makes or breaks a non-print text essays

Film Language makes or breaks a non-print text essays If you read a written text and it has a certain effect on you, for instance it makes you scared, we can look closely at the way the text has been constructed to see how the writer has used the tools at their disposal to create the fear. Reading a film works in exactly the same way except that the tools that are used to create meaning are different. We call these tools film language. Film Language generally consists of the use of Camera, Light and color, sound and editing. It is therefore understandable that, without appropriate film language and direction, a film will fail to successfully convey a specific meaning or narrate a particular story. Two films in recent times that have experimented and adopted a new film language style have been The Matrix and The Blair Witch Project in which their success relied on their film language style. For most people, the first thing they say after viewing the Matrix is, the special effects were amazing or how did they do that? The film features a complex and revolutionary plot that is accompanied by groundbreaking special effects. The Matrix shows how the code of film is always changing and evolving with the arrival of new technologies and revolutionary techniques introduced by pioneering directors. A good example of this would be the use of bullet-time in The Matrix which has been used repeatedly in many films since, whether simply using the technique for the same effect as in Spiderman, or parodying it as in Shrek. The film would have never been as successful if such technologies weren't available. The atmosphere created in the Matrix is dependant on its sound, editing, and visuals, which worked together to create a surreal, yet frightening realistic environment. It used surround-sound, computer generated digital effects. When the Matrix wanted action, Hollywood turned to Hong Kong and the legendary fight choreographer,...

Toltec Weapons, Armor, and Warfare

Toltec Weapons, Armor, and Warfare From their mighty city of Tollan (Tula), the Toltec civilization dominated Central Mexico from the fall of Teotihuacn to the rise of the Aztec Empire (approximately 900-1150 A.D.). The Toltecs were a warrior culture and fought frequent battles of conquest and subjugation against their neighbors. They warred in order to take victims for sacrifice, expand their empire and spread the cult of Quetzalcoatl, the greatest of their gods. Toltec Arms and Armor Although the site has been heavily looted over the centuries, there are enough surviving statues, friezes and stelae at Tula to indicate what sort of weapons and armor the Toltecs favored. Toltec warriors would wear decorative chest plates and elaborate feather headdresses into battle. They wrapped one arm from the shoulder down in padding and favored small shields which could be quickly used in close combat. A beautiful armored tunic made of seashells was found in an offering in the Burned Palace at Tula: this armor may have been used by a high-ranking soldier or king in battle. For ranged combat, they had long darts which could be launched with lethal force and accuracy by their atlatls, or javelin throwers. For close combat, they had swords, maces, knives and a special curved club-like weapon inlaid with blades which could be used to batter or slash. Warrior Cults For the Toltecs, wars and conquest were closely linked to their religion. The large and formidable army was likely composed of religious warrior orders, including but not limited to coyote and jaguar warriors. A small statue of a Tlaloc-warrior was unearthed at Ballcourt One, indicating the presence of a Tlaloc warrior cult at Tula, much like the one that was present at Teotihuacn, the predecessor of the Toltec culture. The columns on top of Pyramid B are four-sided: on them they show gods including Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl in full battle gear, providing further evidence for the presence of warrior-cults at Tula. The Toltecs aggressively spread the worship of Quetzalcoatl and military conquest was one way to do so. The Toltecs and Human Sacrifice There is ample evidence at Tula and in the historical record that the Toltecs were avid practitioners of human sacrifice. The most obvious indication of human sacrifice is the presence of a tzompantli, or skull rack. Archaeologists have unearthed no fewer than seven Chac Mool statues at Tula (some of which are complete and some of which are only pieces). Chac Mool statues depict a reclining man, belly-up, holding a recipient or bowl on his abdomen. The recipients were used for offerings, including human sacrifices. In ancient legends still told to this day by locals, Ce Atl Quetzalcoatl, the god-king who founded the city, had a dispute with the followers of Tezcatlipoca, mostly about how much human sacrifice was needed to appease the gods: the followers of Tezcatlipoca (who favored more sacrifices) won the conflict and were able to drive Ce Atl Quetzalcoatl out. Military Iconography at Tula It seems that nearly all of the surviving art at the ruined city of Tula has a military or warlike theme to it. The most iconic pieces at Tula are by far the four Atalantes or mighty statues which grace the top of Pyramid B. These statues, which tower over visitors at 17 ft. (4.6 m) high, are of warriors armed and dressed for battle. They bear typical armor, headdresses, and weapons including the curved, bladed club and dart launcher. Nearby, four pillars depict gods and high-ranking soldiers in battle dress. Reliefs carved into benches show processions of chieftains in battle gear. A six-foot stela of a governor dressed as a priest of Tlaloc bears a curved mace and dart launcher. Conquest and Subject States Although historical data is scarce, it is likely that the Toltecs of Tula conquered several nearby states and held them as vassals, demanding tribute such as food, goods, weapons and even soldiers. Historians are divided concerning the scope of the Toltec Empire. There is some evidence that it may have reached as far as the Gulf Coast, but there is no conclusive proof that it extended more than a hundred kilometers in any direction from Tula. The post-Maya city of Chichen Itza shows clear architectural and thematic influence from Tula, but historians generally agree that this influence came from trade or Tula nobles in exile, not from military conquest. Conclusions The Toltecs were mighty warriors who must have been greatly feared and respected in central Mesoamerica during their heyday from about 900-1150 A.D. They used advanced weapons and armor for the time, and were organized into fervent warrior clans serving different ruthless gods. Sources Charles River Editors. The History and Culture of the Toltec. Lexington: Charles River Editors, 2014.Cobean, Robert H., Elizabeth Jimà ©nez Garcà ­a and Alba Guadalupe Mastache. Tula. Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Economica, 2012.Coe, Michael D and Rex Koontz. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008.Davies, Nigel. The Toltecs: Until the Fall of Tula. Norman: the University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.Gamboa Cabezas, Luis Manuel. El Palacio Quemado, Tula: Seis Decadas de Investigaciones. Arqueologia Mexicana XV-85 (May-June 2007). 43-47Hassig, Ross. War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica. University of California Press, 1992.Jimenez Garcia, Esperanza Elizabeth. Iconografà ­a guerrera en la escultura de Tula, Hidalgo. Arqueologia Mexicana XIV-84 (March-April 2007). 54-59.

Same Business, Different Countries Research Paper

Same Business, Different Countries - Research Paper Example It has a unique status in the consumer market due to the continuous inventions and introduction of latest technology. For instance, it is acknowledged for inventing light bulbs, audio cassettes, C.T. scan machines etc. (Company Profile, 2013). In comparison to this Hitachi is located in Japan and it typically deals in electronic systems in trains, power tools, elevators, construction machinery, medical equipment etc. The core values of the company include harmony and sincerity within the corporation and with the outside world. Moreover, it aspires to make an immense contribution to the society through facilitating its members with the latest technology. Both companies commonly deal in televisions, refrigerators, multimedia projectors etc. (Hitachi Group Identity, 2013). Comparative Analysis One of the biggest challenges faced by both the organizations is that of technology. In the contemporary world, technology has taken precedence over every other business issue due to the fact that today companies dealing in electronic products need to bring an innovation far before their competitors. In addition to this once the new technology is introduced by either Hitachi or Philips, it becomes easier for other competitors to produce its replica (Dubbink, 2011). Although both the organizations are located at entirely different places since the world has now become a global village, companies operating even at different places but with similar products face same problems. This is primarily due to immense competition and same consumer market. For instance, home appliances of Hitachi and Philips are available in western and eastern countries with the same frequency. Therefore when one of them introduces a new technology the competitor has to come up with more advanced products so as to maintain its market share and profits. Otherwise, the competing organization would lose its consumers which can also destroy the overall prestige of the company (Dubbink, 2011). Excelling in t he current business environment needs extra managerial skills and abilities. Although Hitachi and Philips are operating in the same industry on the international level both of them have distinctiveness on the country level and therefore their decision-making style and management strategies vary from one another. Following are most common differences between them: Social: As discussed above Hitachi gives huge importance to the social welfare and overall progress of the society. In Japan, they work while considering the future issues of the society and its variable needs hence when it comes to decision making Hitachi considers the benefits of its society, employees and other related members of the organization (Hitachi Group Identity, 2013). In contrast to this Philips has a major focus over the improvement of lives all over the world which means that their business strategies do not only cover the homeland rather they plan for the welfare of people across the borders (Company Profile , 2013). Political: Political conditions in Japan and Netherlands are better than the eastern parts of the world. However, the political turmoil in countries with consumers actually influences the overall strength and managerial decisions of Hitachi and Philips (Ferdinand & Grapperhaus, 2009). Ethical: Business ethics play a vital role in the overall success of any organization.  Ã‚  

Nielsen MyBestSegments Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nielsen MyBestSegments - Assignment Example The evaluation of the segmentation using PRIZM indicates that Manhattan is an Urban City with midscale earners where the age range is above sixty five years. The median household earning ranges from $52,000 to $53,000. The city has a household range of 1,059,000-1,060,000 with majority shopping done at Lord and Taylor. There are mixed races but whites make majority of the population. The Asians are the second largest group while Blacks and Hispanics trail behind the two major groups. The majority of the couples in the Blacks and Whites households have children while the Hispanics and other races have a higher number of families without children (Segmentationsolutions.nielsen.com). The evaluation of the household income range provides different values of income range for different households (Segmentationsolutions.nielsen.com). The results acquired from the graphical representation of populations of different age groups. The ease with which the houses are affordable with abundant work opportunities has caused an increase in the number of â€Å"The Booming Town Singles. There are no children in the majority of the household and there is mixed race home ownership. The individuals in the â€Å"Home Sweet Home† are below the age of 55 and it has a majority of married couples living without children in their home owned houses. The city has more learned individuals. The â€Å"New Beginners† in the city are mostly young and unmarried who are doing well professionally. The majority are whites with the rest of other races making the other half. The individuals in this category, below the age of 55, have more modest lifestyles with majority living in rented apartments. The â€Å"Suburban Sprawl† has a collection of individuals from a variation of groups who are living luxurious lifestyles. The majority are home owners hailing from different races. The individuals

Serving Justice in the Case of Billy Budd Essay Example for Free

Serving Justice in the Case of Billy Budd Essay From the case of Billy Budd, one must ponder about several important questions in regards to the power of the law and the extent to which it should be recognized. â€Å"Although Billy Budd killed Claggart unintentionally, he was aware that striking a superior officer was a serious offense, however, Claggart had provoked him by accusing him of organizing a mutiny† (Hunte). Thus, Billy Budd is described as the following, â€Å"His simple nature remained unsophisticated by those moral obliquities which are not in every case incompatible with that manufacturable thing known as respectability† (Melville). Perhaps Melville is emphasizing the point that Billy is some sort of special moral being, completely incapable of conceiving evil and bearing malice. Perchance, the case of Billy Budd should not be manipulated to fit the law; rather the law should be made to fit the case. In society, laws are made to serve justice and to protect individuals. Each case has unique circumstances and no one case is the same. Therefore, in order for justice to be served, the laws should be interpreted differently in each case. Captain Vere has illustrated his realization that this case has special circumstances, stating that â€Å"This case is an exceptional one† (Melville). Everyone on the Bellipotent knows Billy for his kindness; Billy even has attempted to befriend Claggart. By sentencing Billy to death, the Drumhead Court would eliminate a kind-spirited and hard-working man from the ship. Billy’s good heart and benevolent nature show that he is not likely to kill another man in the future, and killing him wont protect any individuals. Since a law is made for serving justice and protecting people, and sentencing Billy to death does neither. Furthermore, there are many things that make this case unique, and that need to be taken into consideration when devising Billy’s punishment. When considering this case, one must recognize that Billy Budd is crippled. It is true that he is not noticeably mentally or physically handicapped, but he does have a disability. In a situation where any other person would be able to speak up for himself, Billy was unable to. He has a condition that prevents him from verbalizing his thoughts when he feels very strongly about a certain topic or situation, which causes him to stutter. When Claggart accused Billy of conspiring with his fellow sailors, Billy could not verbally defend himself. As a result, he defended himself in the only way that he could, by striking Claggart across the head, causing his death. Because of his inability to protect his honor with words, Billys use of physical force was somewhat justified. Because every case is unique, and laws are made to properly serve justice leaving those responsible with clear consciences, they should not be made so strict that they do not allow for manipulation and mitigation depending on the situation at hand. Billy Budd’s case is unique for many reasons, including his own disability, and Billy’s lack of malicious intent. Through the eyes of an individual, Bill Budd can perhaps be viewed as innocent. Can one not support Bills actions of self defense? In order for justice be made, the case should shape the law and not the law mold the case as it happened in Billy Budd. Works Cited Billy Budd Morality and Ethics Quotes Page 1. shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2013. http://www.shmoop.com/billy-budd/morality-ethics-quotes.html. Erudite , Mann. Literature Criticism.Literary Works. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2013. http://www.mannmuseum.com/essay-serving-justice-in-the-case-of-billy-budd/ Hunte, Richard. West Port Wolf Pack .World Literature. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. www.marion.k12.fl.us/schools/wph/teacher Melville, Herman. Billy Budd. Raleigh, N.C.: Alex Catalogue, 199. Print.

College Students and Stress Essay -- Health Nutrition Diet Exercise Es

College Students and Stress      Ã‚   Today a college education can overload students with too many stressful situations. Not only does Stress overload today's college students, but it is also the leading cause of personality disorders. In her essay, Cathy Bell explains that major depressive disorder strikes 5-12% of men and 10-20% of women; half of these people will have more than one occurrence and 15% of them will commit suicide ("Depression for the young"). For instance, many depressives are first recognized and treated during their years in college. For a large amount of people, depression exposes itself because of traumatizing experiences, such as leaving home and/or academic stress. For other students alcohol and drugs become a first time experience.    Now pile on top of all that academic stress, bad eating and sleeping habits with no exercise. Bell makes it known that the average first time sufferer is about 25 years of age, yet depressive disorders seem to be continually rising among teenagers. Suicide is now the third leading cause of deaths between the ages of 15-24 years old ("Depression in the Young"). The Counseling Center for Human Development explains their definition of stress, stress can be defined as the way in which your mind and body react to any situation that is new, threatening or exciting. Often, backaches, loss of appetite, constant fatigue, depression, and serious physical problems can result from prolonged stress.    However stress can also give you an extra burst of energy-more adrenaline enters the bloodstream, heart and breathing rates increase, blood flow quickens, and muscle strength improves. Learning to harness this energy can help you meet the physical challenges, solve problems... ...tp://www.emufam.org/~cmbell/depress/depstud.html Counseling Center for Human Development. Coping with Stress in College. U of South Florida. 3 Dec. 2000. http://usfweb.usf.edu/counsel/self-hlp/stress.htm "Depression: Facts, Definitions, and Statistics." Statistics. Colorado HealthSite. 3 Dec. 2000. http://www.coloradoheakthnet.org/depression/depression_facts.htm Franklin, Donald J., Ph.D. Psychology Information Online. 3 Dec. 2000. http://psychologyinfo.com/deression/causes.html Health Tips for College Students. 14 Jul. 1999. MayoClinic. 3 Dec. 2000. http://www/mayohealth.org/mayo/9609/htm/college.htm Knight, Chris. Personal Interview. 27 Nov. 2000. Posen, David B., MD. "Stress Management for Patient and Physician." The Canadian Journal of Continuing Medical Education. Apr. 1995. 3 Dec. 2000. http://www/mentalhealth.com/mag1/p51-str.html

Viola’s Gender Roles in Twelfth Night

The fluidity and ambiguity with which Viola presents gender is central to the drama of Twelfth Night. But to what extent are Viola's gender roles essential to the comedy of the play? The arrivals of Viola and Sebastian in Illyria serve as the catalysts for drama in Twelfth Night. The presence of twins of different sexes yet identical in appearance is a dramaturgical device crucial to the comic resolution, whilst being somewhat farcical.It is the misunderstandings which Viola’s cross-dressing inevitably causes which make her inverted gender roles so essential to the comedy of the play. Through her disguise, she assumes typically male roles such as of the ‘fool’, and the comic value of her double identity is heightened through the questioning of the gender conventions of Shakespearean theatre.Yet, Viola’s disguise brings with it a strain of melancholy, lessening her assumed gender roles’ comic impact on the play. Viola’s cross-dressing subverts normality in the respect that she abruptly assumes typically male roles such as that of the Fool. Her first meeting with Olivia as a messenger of Orsino’s love is marked by her different approach to courtship.She launches into a preprepared speech of compliments with a poetic apostrophe: ‘most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty’, only to break into prose to check that she is indeed speaking to Olivia. Viola’s repeatedly her speech as conventionally courtly, as it is ‘excellently well penned’ and ‘tis poetical’; yet, these comments essentially refer to its artificiality.In fact, juxtaposed to the opening of the play, this whole meeting is a parody of Orsino’s clichà © approach and indeed the conventions of courtly love. Viola deflates the romantic pretensions of Orsino’s embassy, and such ridicule of the ‘male archetype’ by a woman is highly comical for its suspension of the accepted inferiority o f women in society.Yet, somewhat more absurd is the fact she has also unintentionally assumed his positions of Olivia’s courtier and indeed of a character of great power and superiority, as her actions free both Orsino and Olivia of their rigidity. Furthermore, it is such witty manipulations of others that prove her to be a kind of fool.Act Three Scene One is marked by Viola and Feste’s repartee of attempts to surpass each other’s wit; Viola’s reply to Feste’s comment ‘Now Jove in his next commodity send thee a beard’ is ‘I am almost sick for one, though I would not have it grow on my chin’. Both comments are pointed references to gender and are thus dramatic irony;Feste’s taunting of Cesario’s lack of virility may also serve as a comical meta-theatrical reference to the boy actor playing Viola. However, there is a degree of pathos to Viola’s admission, as the beard she desires if not her own is surely that of Orsino; thereby, she emphasises the complications of her disguise in pursuing her love interest.Yet, most prominent is Viola’s parallel to Feste as a Fool. They have a mutual appreciation of each other’s wit, as Feste comments: ‘I think I saw your wisdom there’, whilst Viola appreciates the intelligence behind his foolery: ‘for folly that he wisely shows is fit†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ She realises the irrationality around her and employs it to her advantage in choosing to cross-dress. Certainly, the whole nature of her disguise itself questions the gaps of seeming, being and knowing, of which the Fool typically explores. Such challenges to male roles make her gender ambiguity amplify the comedy of the play.Viola was played by a boy actor under the conventions of Shakespearean theatre, and this physical fact adds a level of confusion heightening the comedy of her gender roles. Such misplacement is denounced by Olivia’s remark in Act One: Ã¢â‚¬Ë œyou are now out of your text / but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture’ and certainly by the repeated allusions to Cesario’s femininity, such as Orsino’s remark on her appearance: ‘all is semblative a woman’s part’.Olivia’s unveiling is a pivotal moment as it represents the end of the mourning for her dead brother and essentially ‘allows’ the comedy to commence for the audience. It is an ironic act to a character ‘veiled’ herself, and meta-theatrical reference of ‘curtain’ indicates the misplacement of the actor of Viola as much as the character.For as much as her disguise is her own ploy, it is Shakespeare’s dramatic device. Orsino taunts Cesario for his lack of virility, yet he may also be commenting on the male actor’s credibility for the ‘part’ of a woman. No matter how convincing the boy actor was playing Viola, the audience is continually aware that there is a male body under the disguise of a woman and thus a double sex reversal is taking place in Viola’s disguise.Yet, the ‘curtain’ could be symbolic of the uncovering of much more radical approaches than the conformities of Elizabethan theatre. Much of the play’s comedy comes from Shakespeare’s trifling with homosexuality. In Elizabethan England, the idea of such relationships would have been unusual and considerably more absurd than a modern audience may appreciate.The misunderstandings caused by  Viola’s cross-dressing are the root of what audiences of the day would have seen as comic ambiguity. The audience knows Olivia unwittingly desires a woman when she is drawn to the young servant, and we see the relationship between Orsino and Cesario develop throughout the course of the play; indeed, some modern productions show the bond between them in overtly homosexual terms to heighten the comedy. In keeping with the conventions of Eliza bethan comedy as a whole, the play resolves in heterosexual marriage; yet, despite references to Viola in female clothing, this never actually happens.Orsino’s parting lines are: ‘Cesario, come – / For so shall you be while you are a man’. Distinct references to her male alias yet none of her feminine form still denote a comic male to male relationship. For, whilst the fact the use of a male actor for Viola is humorous in itself, it is the radical implications of this role which make Viola’s character so vital to the comedy of Twelfth Night. However, despite the obvious comic implications of her disguise, from Viola’s double identity arises sexual conflict and the potential for tragedy.In her aside at the end of Act 2 Scene 2, she sympathises with Olivia, remarking ‘poor lady, she were better love a dream’, emphasising that as an object of Olivia’s desire she is unattainable. She understands because as Cesario her love for Orsino cannot be reciprocated. He insinuates her gender ambiguity in the previous act: ‘For they shall yet belie thy happy years, / That say thou art a man’. For whilst the disguise grants her access to both parties, the price she pays is the loss of any gender identity, as she cannot be a woman to Orsino or a man to Olivia .She frequently alludes to her gender disparity, such as when Olivia confesses her love in Act Three Scene One, as Viola’s reply is: ‘I am not what I am.’ Her response is dramatic irony at its most explicit and effectively summarises the extent of her travesty in inciting Olivia’s affections. However, this statement is typical of her expression throughout the play; such evasions and wordplay are because she cannot speak of her real self.To the audience, it is somewhat striking that her real name is not pronounced until the very last scene, when Sebastian greets her: ‘Thrice welcome, drowned Viola.’ The playâ⠂¬â„¢s resolution aligns with the conventions of comedy in settling misunderstandings and proving a ‘happy ending’; there is no sense of Viola’s individual identity until the reunion with her brother, when correct gender roles are asserted.However, the tragedy of her  character is heightened further by the fact Orsino does not even mention her real name in his parting line. Overall, while some critics argue Viola is the most developed of the characters in Twelfth Night, for she is not constrained to a stock character, this inevitably adds an oblique side.Her gender roles may heighten the comedy, but the emotional toll of the disguise which she calls a ‘wickedness’ should not be ignored, and detract her from the role as a simple asset in the play’s comedy.To conclude, the inversion of her gender roles is radiant of the ‘carnival spirit’ so prevalent in Twelfth Night. We see that the play’s comedy is very much enhanced by V iola’s cross-dressing, in as much the gender conventions her masquerade breaks as the inevitable misunderstandings.However, we see also that cross-dressing has certain tragic implications, true to the nature of comedy harbouring a dark underside. Thus, her gender roles are to a limited extent essential to the comedy of the play.

Donnie Darko †Detailed Summary Essay

Donnie Darko is an intelligent, yet delirious and emotionally-ill teenager, who’s idealistic fantasy of correcting the wrongs in society, finally appears possible in a ‘tangent universe’ (an imaginative reality), where he is guided by an imaginary friend Frank, who appears as a malevolent giant bunny in Donnie’s day-time hallucinations. In the early stages of the film, Frank literally lures Donnie from reality and introduces him to a tangent universe where Donnie observes what would’ve been, (yet ultimately is) his own death in reality, where he is crushed by a plummeting airliner engine that crashes through the roof of his house directly above his bedroom where he sleeps. In the tangent reality though, he is merely a bystander, bemused and frightened by the calamity of the aftermath, as he returns home the morning subsequent to the disaster. He realizes that his long sleep-walk adventure the previous night, (Summoned by Frank) had ensured the avoidance of his death. The viewer is initially under the impression that Frank is a product of Donnie’s disturbed and inventive sub-conscious, as he is but a vehicle to allow Donnie’s inhibitions to express themselves through acts of desecration. In many ways, Frank seems to take advantage of Donnie’s mental state by coercing him to perpetrate crime. Yet Donnie appears to advocate his own actions, indicating his intentions for societal change, reformation, and also for companionship – he fears the prospect of â€Å"dying alone,† in which case, Frank is an ally who can assist Donnie in coping with his emotional struggles and hardships. The fact that Donnie’s mental condition is later classified as ‘paranoid schizophrenia’ by Dr Thurman (Donnie’s psychiatrist), would appear as another viable theory or impression, for the viewer to follow. However, it proves not as strong. The reason being, is that the initial or aforementioned theory supports the film’s noteworthy theme that ‘destruction is a form of creation’ (an idea propagated by Donnie’s secondary literacy teacher, Mrs. Pomeroy), whereas the latter is a shallow, yet logical conclusion that isn’t glaringly in keeping with any underlying messages of the film itself. Later in the film, the tangent universe allows for the discovery of Frank, as an authentic person, who is murdered by Donnie as he is directly responsible for a fatal car accident involving Donnie’s much- adored ‘tangent’ girlfriend, Gretchen. This enlightens us as to the reason for Frank’s contact with Donnie. – Frank has traveled back through time, to in-turn; open a port-hole to Donnie’s future and enable Donnie to view aspects of his life ahead as a series of visual manifestations, (ie post airliner engine catastrophe). In doing this, he informs Donnie that Armageddon will arrive in twenty-eight days, which conveniently serves as a manipulative motive to aid his primary objective: – To discourage Donnie in continuing his life in reality; in the hope that Frank’s life will be spared. At this point in the film, the recurring theme of time travel claims its stronghold, regardless of previous acknowledgements and inferences. For instance, in one particular scene Frank implies he is from the future, and in numerous others, Donnie is seen eagerly researching and discussing theoretical revelations, pertaining to the philosophy of time travel. Evidently though, these scenes and others, such as the ‘Frank-influenced’ despoilment of Donnie’s school and the arson of a corrupt perverts house, illustrate critical stages of Donnie’s inner journey – that is, from a disillusioned teenager, troubled by the folly of mainstream attitudinal beliefs, to an individual who transcends reality in order to subsist in an idealistically superior society, of his own invention. After twenty-seven days of endeavor through outrageous public displays and clandestine defilement, the foretold event of Armageddon looms near. Donnie ambles through the final moments of his tangent existence (inner journey), as his character-defining tenacious dynamism begins to fade. As expected, he assumes his fatalistic mentality of â€Å"all living things have a set path,† and that humans are merely vessels traveling along â€Å"God’s channel,† gradually nearing a pre-determined destination. At this stage, Donnie’s mindset suggests a search for spiritual solace and religious meaning. Whilst denying an utterly defeatist outlook, Donnie exerts a courageous exterior by modestly welcoming his fate, in the hope that there will be â€Å"so much to look forward to.† He is of course referring to a reformed humanity that is devoid of inadequacy, corruption and suppression. It is here, that the film takes an unexpected turn, whereby Donnie’s inner journey in the tangent universe is virtually thwarted due to the sub-conscious acknowledgement of an audible phrase, originally voiced by his late girlfriend, Gretchen. It is part of her conjecture of emotional solace: â€Å"What if you could go back through time, and replace all those hours of pain and darkness with something better?† At this point, Frank uses his god-like essence to summon Donnie in reality, assuming that he’d been subjected to enough to be dissuaded, and, much to the viewer’s astonishment, Donnie awakes in bed, hysterically laughing in awe and disbelief of his ‘dream.’ Whilst conscious, he remembers the tangent visions of pain and anguish, including Gretchen’s death, and the murder of Frank, and decides that his future should be exempt from more emotional suffering. Donnie opts to conclude his inner journey heroically, by means of self-sacrifice – that is, to allow the plummeting airliner engine to destroy him, thus ensuring an extended life for his beloved female tangent counterpart, Gretchen. The film Donnie Darko is significant to the theme of ‘imaginary journey’ as it details a person’s sinister epigrammatic voyage into the future, and consequent development of emotional alteration. Director Richard Kelly uses the character Donnie as a representation of idealistic thought inherent in society. It is no undisclosed fact that society itself, is pervaded by thoughts and ideals that are in contrast with expected societal opinion. Kelly hints at the notion that we are engaged in the journey of life, yet our propulsion is suppressed somewhat, by the  undeniable need to conform to society’s bounds and restrictions – thus society would seem to preclude humans from achieving their primary goal(s) or concluding their journeys. Also intertwined with this perception, is the suggestion of the faà §ade of human nature. Kelly suggests it is unnatural for veritable human inclination to be constrained, hence the rationale of life-long journeys that are embarked upon to discover a sense of self. Donnie’s self discovery is shown through his sacrifice for Gretchen. Whilst on his imaginary journey, Donnie identifies with her troubled emotions and sinister background of family trauma. He discovers a person remarkably similar to himself, so his sacrifice in essence could be perceived as an effort of self-preservation as he was intent on ensuring continuity of his ‘spirit’ within a physical entity other than himself. This is a viable interpretation, relevant to a reflective ‘inner’ journey, as it is a primary motive for initial commitment to the journey itself. Kelly realizes that Donnie’s journey is exceedingly implausible and unrealistic. Without detracting from the intended solemnity, it seems a feat such as Donnie’s could only be surmounted by a ‘philosophical super-hero’ with ethereal powers. Kelly deliberately captures the fervent yet slightly naà ¯ve central vision of Donnie’s ideological expectations in the films title, and in Donnie’s heroic bravado. Nonetheless, he encourages provocation of thought and motivational urge on our set path in life, or inner journey. The reason being is that humans are inclined to stray from reality, if indeed; there is an absence of true accomplishment in their existence. By this, Kelly infers that an inner journey is necessary to undergo, as it induces self-gratification and contributes to the conservation and perpetuation of ones psyche. Director Richard Kelly uses the medium of time travel to symbolize the eternal human endeavor/journey in Donnie Darko. I use eternal, because we yearn for such an easy method as time travel to reveal future outcomes and destinations, yet we are simultaneously disenchanted by its obvious  impracticalities. Kelly expresses his interpretation of fatalism via ‘liquid spears,’ which consist of water and metal, and appear as a cylindrical protrusion from a human’s chest. In the scene known as the ‘liquid spear waltz,’ (tangent universe), Donnie in his hallucinatory state, sees these spears connected to the chests of his friends and family. He observes that the individual always follows the path of the spear, to their immediate destination. For example, Donnie’s spear leads him to the fridge on one occasion, whilst he was thirsting for a drink. He would’ve made that same trip even if the spear wasn’t there. Furthermore, the inclusion of mystical activity in the film, such as the liquid spear, adds to the surrealism of the tangent universe, reinforcing the ‘imaginary’ focus of Donnie’s journey. Kelly has portrayed the same dream-like atmosphere via other medium also. For example, many of the tangent universe scenes are in slow-motion, and filmed from an aerial perspective. This informs the viewer of the simulation of the tangent universe, whilst creating a mystic atmosphere and mood. Finally, Kelly’s concept of fatalism may well be perceived as a mere scapegoat for human failure, yet such a perception would be grossly incorrect. He emphasizes that; we shouldn’t knowingly inhibit ourselves because we travel on a set path in life. If anything, a pre-determined future should provide motivation, and encourage one take advantage of daily opportunities and prospects. After all, we are oblivious as to when exactly, our journey of life shall ultimately cease.

Grant Wood, American Gothic Painter

Grant Wood, American Gothic Painter Grant Wood (1891 -1942) is one of the best-known and most revered American artists of the 20th century. His American Gothic painting is iconic. Some critics derided his regionalist art as influenced by pernicious political theories. Others saw hints of sly camp humor impacted by Woods closeted homosexuality. Fast Facts: Grant Wood Occupation: PainterStyle: RegionalismBorn: February 13, 1891 in Anamosa, IowaDied: February 12, 1942 in Iowa City, IowaSpouse: Sara Maxon (m. 1935-1938)Selected Works: American Gothic (1930), Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (1931), Parson Weems Fable (1939)Notable Quote: All the good ideas I ever had came to me while I was milking a cow. Early Life and Career Born in rural Iowa, Grant Wood spent much of his childhood on a farm. His father died suddenly in 1901 when Grant was ten years old. Following the death, his mother moved their family to the small nearby city of Cedar Rapids. Along with his older brother, Grant Wood took odd jobs to help provide financial support for their family. Wood showed an interest in drawing and painting while attending Cedar Rapids public schools. He submitted his work to a national competition in 1905 and won third place. The success cemented his determination to be a professional artist. Grant Woods boyhood home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bill Whittaker / Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons 3.0 While in high school, Grant Wood began designing stage sets with fellow artist Marvin Cone and began volunteering at the Cedar Rapids Art Association, which later became the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Following high school graduation, Wood took a summer course at the Minneapolis School of Design and Handicraft in Minnesota. He also took art classes at the University of Iowa. In 1913, Grant Wood moved to Chicago, making jewelry to support himself and his night classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Following the failure of his jewelry business, Wood returned to Cedar Rapids in 1916 and worked as a home builder and decorator to support his mother and his youngest sister, Nan. Rise to Prominence After World War I ended in 1919, Grant Wood took a position teaching art at a local Cedar Rapids middle school. The new income helped finance a trip to Europe in 1920 to study European art. In 1925, Wood left his teaching position to focus on art full time. Following a third trip to Paris in 1926, he decided to focus on the common elements of life in Iowa in his art, making him a regionalist artist. Residents of Cedar Rapids embraced the young artist and offered jobs designing stained glass windows, executing commissioned portraits, and creating home interiors. In the wake of national recognition for his paintings, Grant Wood helped form the Stone City Art Colony in 1932 with gallery director Edward Rowan. It was a group of artists who resided near Cedar Rapids in a village of whitewashed, tidy wagons. The artists also taught classes at nearby Coe College. Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (1931). Francis G. Mayer / Getty Images American Gothic In 1930, Grant Wood submitted his painting American Gothic to a show at the Art Institute of Chicago. It depicts, presumably, a farming couple, either married or a father and daughter, standing in front of their frame house with a large gothic window. The models for the couple were Grant Woods dentist and his younger sister, Nan. The Chicago Evening Post published an image of American Gothic two days before the show, and it became practically an overnight sensation. Newspapers across the country reproduced the image, and the Art Institute of Chicago bought the painting for their permanent collection. Initially, many Iowans criticized the work thinking that Grant Wood depicted them as grim-faced Puritans. However, some saw it as satire, and Wood insisted that it represented his appreciation for Iowa. American Gothic (1930). GraphicaArtis / Getty Images American Gothic remains one of the most iconic American paintings of the 20th century. Countless parodies from Gordon Parks stunning 1942 photo American Gothic, Washington, D.C. to the closing image of the opening credits for the 1960s TV show Green Acres are a testament to the enduring power of the portrait. Later Career Grant Wood painted most of his key works in the 1930s, including 1931s Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,- a theatrically-lit depiction of Henry Wadsworth Longfellows legendary poem- , and 1939s unique take on the George Washington cherry tree legend in Parson Weems Fable. During the period, he also taught art at the University of Iowa. By the end of the decade, he was one of the most famous American artists. Parson Weems Fable (1939). Amon Carter Museum / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain Unfortunately, the final three years of Grant Woods life and career were rife with frustration and controversy. His ill-considered marriage, according to his friends, ended in the late 1930s. Lester Longman, a devotee of European-led avant-garde modern art, became the chair of the art department at the University of Iowa. After clashes with Wood and public efforts to discredit him, the universitys most famous artist left his position in 1941. Later investigations discovered that rumors of homosexuality also drove some of the efforts to remove him from the university faculty. In 1941, just as it seemed that some of the controversies were settling down, Grant Wood received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He died a few months later in February 1942. Legacy For many casual observers of art, Grant Wood remains one of the most popular and revered of 20th-century American artists. Along with Thomas Hart Benton, Wood is one of the most prominent of American regionalist painters. However, the controversies that began at the University of Iowa have raised questions about his reputation since. Some critics dismissed regionalism as inspired by fascist and communist principles. Daughters of Revolution (1932). Francis G. Mayer / Getty Images Art historians also continue to reevaluate Grant Woods art in the light of his closeted homosexuality. Some see the satire and double meanings in his work as part of the camp humor sensibility in gay culture. Sources Evans, R. Tripp. Grant Wood: A Life. Knopf, 2010.Haskell, Barbara. Grant Wood: American Gothic and Other Fables. Whitney Museum of American Art, 2018.

Getting an Equity Card

Getting an Equity Card Having an Equity card basically means that you are a member of the Actors Equity Association. Representing both actors and stage managers, the Actors Equity Association (AEA) has been negotiating wages and benefits for its members since 1913. Benefits According to the AEA, benefits include: Minimum salaries (negotiated rates, overtime, extra pay for additional duties,  free housing or per diem on tour)Work rules (length of day, breaks, days off, safe and sanitary conditions)Health, pension and 401(k) benefitsDispute resolution (including recourse to impartial and binding arbitration)Just cause (penalties for improper dismissal)Bonding (guaranteeing payments to the Actors if the producer becomes insolvent or defaults)Supplemental Workers Comp insurance, which provides additional compensation over-and-above Workers Comp if youre injured on the jobEquity-only auditions via casting call and Equity hotlinesAgency regulationsMember discountsThe Equity News and websiteSeminars and special eventsProfessional name protectionTax assistance through VITAVoting privileges Union membership also includes access to service organizations like The Actors Fund, Career Transition for Dancers, the Actors Federal Credit Union and the AFL-CIO. These organizations offer a host of additional resources such as emergency assistance, seminars, career counseling, low-cost financial services, loans and discounts. Starting a Career Every year, thousands of Broadway hopefuls flock to New York City hoping to break into the theater business. Before you rush off, you may want to stop and visit the Equity website to find out if a union is right for them. If you arent yet an Equity member, you might still land a role on Broadway. But your chances are slimmer. Many theater employers will only hire card-carrying union members. How to Get an Equity Card Gain employment under Equity Contract (this is often tricky because some shows wont let you audition unless you are already an AEA member).Be a member of a sister union such as SAG, AFTRA, or AGMA. Members of these unions can also register for AEA.Utilize the Equity Membership Candidate Program. If you are an actor or stage manager-in-training, you can register with AEA and earn credit towards eventual membership.

Knowledge and skills expected to acquire from M.Sc in Project Essay

Knowledge and skills expected to acquire from M.Sc in Project Management - Essay Example "Like any other manager, the project manager has to have team building skills, leadership skills, planning skills, administrative skills and organizational skills. But there are more skills such as entrepreneurial skills, resource allocation skills and management of technical expertise"(Russell, 55). These skills can be acquired only through the exposure to professional project management techniques.Knowledge about various project management tools are very essential for the planning of resources and execution of the project. "Project management has become a necessity in many corporations because of the increasing pressure due to increase in technology, more money invested in R & D, more information available and shortening of project life cycles"(Kerzner, 31). A person without special knowledge about the risks involved and the techniques to handle the risks cannot make the project a success. Hence, I aspire to acquire knowledge about special tools and techniques, skills related to te am development, resources utilization and entrepreneurship which are essential to avoid duplication of work, wastage of resources and conflicts among team members. These skills and knowledge is very essential because, "when a person is appointed as a project manager, as he assumes accountability for the resources used and the result achieved"(Kerzner and Thamhain, 195- 197) 2. Development of my career in future with M. Sc in Project Management "When a person is exposed to information from different sources, the person develops strategies for processing information, these strategies may be habitual or ingrained". (David Whetton, 68). To explain further, to be successful, a person has to learn continuously and it is clear from Whetton's argument that knowledge base is essential for competitive advantage which is very essential for my career. "The other characters essential for senior level executives are problem solving ability, capacity to generate alternatives and to encourage innovation" (Riley, 67). The management skills and project management skills acquired can make me more fluent with the ideas from different sources and can increase my flexibility in making decisions. "Fluency of ideas and flexibility of thought are the ways to generate alternatives to solve problems" (Sternberg, 23). The creative problem solving techniques which I acquire in this course will be very helpful in fostering innovation and critical thinking of my team members and set priorities with my superiors. Another major way in which this course can be useful in my career development is by helping me to influence others. "Influencing others is a major factor to build effective teams and to lead the team to success"(Cuming, 19). A manager can influence others to achieve a common goal only when he is able to set priorities, clear about the goal and aware of the errors that are commonly done. The manager has to be able to communicate the ideas, encourage participation and lead the team. To effectively overcome interpersonal conflicts on the job, the project manager should be able to positively influence others. All these characteristics mentioned above are essential hence, this course will be very vital for my growth as I like challenges. 3. Academic strengths and weaknesses The major strength academically is that I was able to apply my knowledge I acquired in my B.Sc (Honors) degree in my job. "Conceptual knowledge should be met with opportunities to practice and apply observable behavior"(Bandura, 43). My current job is very useful to apply the knowledge I gathered from

Englsih - Rhetorical Appeals analysis (logos, ethos, pathos) Essay

Englsih - Rhetorical Appeals analysis (logos, ethos, pathos) - Essay Example The commercial appeals to viewers by implying that when we drive, we are responsible not only for our lives but the lives of others as well. Consequently, when we drive too fast, the consequences can be very tragic. As the commercial showed that the reckless driver was sentenced by the court, accountability is the lesson projected here. Ironically, the last scene showing the cemetery shows that we cannot bring back the dead and suffer the consequences. All throughout, emotions was effectively used to convey the message to the public. The commercial chosen was about transport safety that showed the difference in driving at higher speed when you hit a person. The theme of the commercial was â€Å"The faster you go the bigger the mess†. This commercial was one of the most discussed commercial in Poland. It showed two simultaneous situations ( split frame )with the same characters. The first one showed two joggers of which one was almost hit by a speeding car at 50m/h. The jogger was unhurt but run away scared after the car stopped. The other frame showed the same woman being hit by the car and thrown a few meters resulting to her death. In the end, the left frame showed 50m/h while the right frame showed 67m/h. The commercial has used logos argument since it directly argues to the audience that a difference of 17m/h can result to fatality. It rationally persuades viewers to drive in a certain limit. The commercial was balanced in using pathos and logos although the emphasis was more on the effect of the incr eased speed rate. The commercial that uses an Ethos argument well is the South African advertisement of BMW titled †Innovation†, although it was originally titled †Kinetic Sculptures†. The main endorser is world-class sculptor Theo Jensen who creates moving sculptures. Indeed, he is an authority when it comes to