Live performance theatre Essay Example For Students

Live performance theatre Essay On Friday 9th March 2012 I attended a live performance of one of the West Ends longest running plays; The Woman in Black written by Susan Hill and adapted by Stephen Mallarat at The fortune theatre. The play proved to be a truly spine chilling experience and captured its audience from the start by using various (literary techniques) performance aspects such as sound, lighting, costume and props. Set in 1920’s England focussed around number of different venues, one of them being an empty Victorian theatre to begin with, and the former market town of Crythin Gifford. However the action centres on the Eel Marsh House; an old building in the middle of a marsh island which is also the previous residence of Mrs Drablow. It comprises of only two characters an elderly Arthur Kipps ‘whose story has to be told’, and a young actor who performs the story of the once junior solicitor. The director combines tone and atmosphere along with certain effective cinematic qualities of a horror/thriller film to achieve the plays chilling effect. The small stage and intimate quality of The Fortune Theatre made for the perfect venue and intensified the overall experience for the audience because we felt a part of the action, every creek of the floorboards; every daunting footstep was audible and added to the play’s terrifying demeanour. The action cleverly takes place in the very theatre in which we are sitting, and opens with a solicitor Arthur Kipps reading from a diary, then enters a young actor who criticizes his feeble delivery, Arthur Kipps goes on to seek the young actors opinion on how best to voice his experience of the events of 30 years prior, and so they commence to perform the terrifying tale. The director utilises an extremely minimalistic set, with the props taking on numerous uses, a large wicker props basket makes for a desk, train carriage, a horse and cart and a bed; Adding to the minimalistic theme established a simple changing of coats denotes a new character, and despite its simplicity it couldn’t have been more effective. The audience are transported to the past as the young actor plays Arthur Kipps whilst Kipps himself narrates as well as taking on the role of all the people he came across during his fateful journey to the bleak North East of England. His purpose is to attend the funeral of former client Mrs Alice Drablow and sort out some of her papers. Kipps discovers that Mrs Drablow inhabited the gothic mansion alone for more than 60 years and later died there; the house is presented to the audience by projection of an image onto the thin curtains of the stage. The events that follow become increasingly more dreadful as during the funeral Kipps catches sight of The Woman in Blacks’ gaunt, wasted and pale face in the distance and from then on terrible consequences occur. Her influence grows as the play reaches its climax and Kipps delves further into the ghastly truth of what happened all those years ago and the ghost that now haunts the house’s terrible purpose. Lighting used to great effect throughout the play to give it another dimension and add to the tension, for example a bright light was used when the actors were in the office thus indicating the story was not being told, however we, the audience were transported into the past when a dim, half- light was used whilst the story was being performed, this clearly distinguished between the two as well as giving a disturbing quality. Spot lights were used to isolate certain images projected, important parts of the set and the actors horrified facial expressions at key moments in the play for example when Kipps discovered the writing on the grave stone of Alice Drablow. Whilst Kipps is exploring the mansion at night a single torch offers the only light on stage, the effect of this is to  Susan Keats candidate number: 7865 centre number: 22066  increase tension and maximise to shock of any unexpected discovery. The audience engaged with the actor at this point and felt that they were a part of the action as they know no more than what Kipps does. .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .postImageUrl , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:hover , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:visited , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:active { border:0!important; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:active , .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8 .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u65d988428834cddc1b574f153762fef8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bottom lines EssaySound, both diegetic and non-diegetic were also used effectively during the play, for example whilst the actors were in the horse and carriage the noisy sound effects of hoofs and the clatter of the carriage was utilised, movement was linked to this as the actors were jerked around in the carriage especially going over humps, this made the play more realistic and credible as well as offering a certain comedic value, it lightened the mood which is essential in any horror performance, film or theatre as it lures the audience into a false sense of security which then heightens the shock and alarming quality of the moment/scene that follows. Another time sound is employed is when the blood curdling scream is heard numerous times throughout, this startles the audience and kept us on edge as we never know when it was going to come. To give the play another dimension a voiceover of Mrs Drablow simultaneously reading an old letter with Kipps fills the theatre, this captures the audience and creates an eerie atmosphere sending a chill down the audience’s spine, as realisation hits us we make connections and the plot develops. There are numerous other times where sound is utilised to produce the plays frightening attributes. Whilst Kipps is asleep the night he decides to stay over at the Drablow house night, he is suddenly woken by the imaginary dog, ‘Spider’, who was taken along to provide Kipps with some desperately required company and sense of security, he senses something, an ominous rocking noise is then heard in a distant quarter of the house and continues as Kipps decides to investigate, he ascends the staircase gradually, closely followed by ‘Spider’; this is where his footsteps are made audible adding to the tension of the moment. As he arrives at a door and stops outside the audience notice that the rocking noise has become quieter. Music is also used to add to the plays eeriness, a child’s music box is played during his discovery of an infant’s room. However in contrast to this, music is also employed to give the play a lighter feel for example the music of a fair ground is used at the end despite its spine chilling twist. Dry ice was also used to high effect at times to create the illusion of a foggy marsh that surrounded the mansion. This gave a sense of apprehension and foreboding as well as creating mystery and an impression of the unknown which in turn contributed to the uneasy quality of the play. In spite of the plays obvious horrifying qualities at times in did have comedic values that eased the tension. The overall thrilling experience of the play was unfortunately tarnished by the frustrating untimely screams of the young school girls seated around me which at times frightened me more than the actual goings on of the performance in front of me. Despite this, for the most part of the play I was either kept on the edge of my seat or had closed eyes in anticipation and dread of what was going to happen. The performance included a range of acting techniques, lighting, and sound effects, the actors themselves David Acton as Arthur Kipps and Den Deery as The Actor are to be credited for their effective use of communication, miming, body language, proxemics and voice modulation. They delivered a truly amazing and credible performance as they captured the essence of the characters. However at times of shocking moments I think they should have waited for the audience to quieten before they started their next line as it was sometimes unclear. It is evident that the director Robin Herford gave much thought to the dynamics of the play and overall thrilling ambience as there was not a moment where the audience were not engaged. The great vocal and spatial awareness of actor David Acton really brought his character to life and captured the audience’s attention. In conclusion, I think the director has successfully brought together all these techniques in order to create a spine chilling, captivating and thrilling production of The Woman in Black.

David Essay Example For Students

David Essay Sometime soon after the year 1430, a bronze statue of David stood in the courtyard of the house of the Medici. The work was commissioned of Donatello by Cosimo dMedici himself, the founding father of the Republic of Florence. It was the first free-standing, life sized nude since classical victorious athletes of Greece and Rome. But soft, and some how oddly unheroic. And the incongruity of the heads: of hair and shaded by a laurel-crowned peasants hat; Goliaths tragic, contorted expression, made sharper by the pentagonal helmet and coarse, disheveled beard. Innocence and evil. The weak triumphing over the strong. The city of Florence triumphing over the aggressive dukes of Milan? David as a civic-public monument. In the year 1469, Ser Piero from the Tuscan town of Vinci moved to Florence to become a notary. He rented a house on the Piazza San Firenze, not far from the Palazzo Vecchio. His son, who was a mere 17 years old upon their arrival, began and apprenticeship in the Florentine studio of the well known artist, Andrea Verrocchio. At this time, Veracchio was at work on a bronze sculpture of the young David. Might the head of this fine piece be a portrait of the young Leonardo da Vinci?For many years a block of marble lay untouched, tossed aside as unusable, irretrievable evidence of a botched attempt to carve a human form. It was eighteen feet high. A young sculptor, 26 years old, riding high after the enormous success of his figure of the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ, decided to ask for the piece. The wardens of the city in charge of such things let the artist have it. What did they have to lose? Getting anything out of it was better than nothing. So this young sculptor named Michelangelo measured and calculated. He mad a wax model of David with a sling in his hand. And he worked on his David continuously for some three years, until, a man named Vasari tells us, he brought it to perfect completion. Without letting anyone see it. A century later, a young sculptor, 25 years old, stares into a mirror at his steeled jaw and determined brow. A contemporary source tells us that on this day, perhaps, the mirror is being held by Cardinal Maffeo Berberini while Bernini transfers what he sees in himself to the face of his David. Bianlorenzo Bernini: sculptor and architect, painter, dramatist, composer. Bernini, who centuries later would be called the undisputed monarch of the Roman High Boroque, identifying with David, whose adversary is seen only by him. The great transformation in style that occurred between the Early renaissance and the Boroque can be followed in the evolution of David. Look at them: A boy of 12, perhaps, looking down incredulously at the physical self that felled an unconquerable enemy; a boy of 14 or 15, confident and reckless, with enough adrenaline pumping to take on an army; an adolescent on the brink of adulthood, captured at the moment when, the Greeks say, sound mind and sound body are one; and another full-grown youth at the threshold of his destiny as KingBibliography:The Davids of the WorldSometime soon after the year 1430, a bronze statue of David stood in the courtyard of the house of the Medici. The work was commissioned of Donatello by Cosimo dMedici himself, the founding father of the Republic of Florence. It was the first free-standing, life sized nude since classical victorious athletes of Greece and Rome. But soft, and some how oddly unheroic. And the incongruity of the heads: of hair and shaded by a laurel-crowned peasants hat; Goliaths tragic, contorted expression, made sharper by the pentagonal helmet and coarse, disheveled beard. .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .postImageUrl , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:hover , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:visited , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:active { border:0!important; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:active , .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9 .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1e6ebf01e28b40c4e6460ea42dfae9f9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Thirty years ago, on October 8, 1967, gunfire echo Essay Innocence and evil. The weak triumphing over the strong. The city of Florence triumphing over the aggressive dukes of Milan? David as a civic-public monument. In the year 1469, Ser Piero from the Tuscan town of Vinci moved to Florence to become a notary. He rented a house on the Piazza San Firenze, not far from the Palazzo Vecchio. His son, who was a mere 17 years old upon their arrival, began and apprenticeship in the Florentine studio of the well known artist, Andrea Verrocchio. At this time, Veracchio was at work on a bronze sculpture of the young David. Might the head of this fine piece be a portrait of the young Leonardo da Vinci?For many years a block of marble lay untouched, tossed aside as unusable, irretrievable evidence of a botched attempt to carve a human form. It was eighteen feet high. A young sculptor, 26 years old, riding high after the enormous success of his figure of the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ, decided to ask for the piece. The wardens of the city in charge of such things let the artist have it. What did they have to lose? Getting anything out of it was better than nothing. So this young sculptor named Michelangelo measured and calculated. He mad a wax model of David with a sling in his hand. And he worked on his David continuously for some three years, until, a man named Vasari tells us, he brought it to perfect completion. Without letting anyone see it. A century later, a young sculptor, 25 years old, stares into a mirror at his steeled jaw and determined brow. A contemporary source tells us that on this day, perhaps, the mirror is being held by Cardinal Maffeo Berberini while Bernini transfers what he sees in himself to the face of his David. Bianlorenzo Bernini: sculptor and architect, painter, dramatist, composer. Bernini, who centuries later would be called the undisputed monarch of the Roman High Boroque, identifying with David, whose adversary is seen only by him. The great transformation in style that occurred between the Early renaissance and the Boroque can be followed in the evolution of David. Look at them: A boy of 12, perhaps, looking down incredulously at the physical self that felled an unconquerable enemy; a boy of 14 or 15, confident and reckless, with enough adrenaline pumping to take on an army; an adolescent on the brink of adulthood, captured at the moment when, the Greeks say, sound mind and sound body are one; and another full-grown youth at the threshold of his destiny as King

Biomed Central Health Services Research †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Biomed Central Health Services Research. Answer: Introduction: The use of information communication technology to improve the healthcare provision in the hospital is one of the approaches which sparks different opinions in health care. This idea has been seen to have both merits and demerits. I believe that use of ICT could have facilitated Jades to access efficient and convenient health care. First and foremost, the use of ICT enhance efficacy, improve the safety of the patient and further improve patient's outcome. When a hospital adopts the use of ICT, the services such as patients registration and provision of pathology survives would be much efficient. Lack of ICT services has resulted in the manual provision of patient information and referral processes. However, the use of ICT can facilitate care patient to enquire their care providers on issues pertaining health through emails (Buccoliero et al, 2016). Several studies have indicated that the use of ICT has improved the efficiency of the clinic and also it is cost effective. On the other hand, lack of electronic health record (EHR) services in health care have resulted in duplication of data entry processes. The storage of information in HER portal raises lots of ethical concerns and confidentiality regarding patient and their physicians (Shaw et al, 2018, p.10). The use of the ICT services within health care Centre would depend on the e-health literacy of the community, access to the internet and patient age. References Buccoliero, L., Bellio, E., Mazzola, M. Solinas, E. (2016). A marketing perspective to delight the patient 2.0: new and challenging expectations for the healthcare provider. Biomed Central Health Services Research, 16:47. DOI:10.1186/s12913-016-1285-x Shaw, T., Hines, M., Kielly-Carroll, C. (2018). Impact of Digital Health on the Safety and Quality of Health Care. Sydney: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

The Truths and Lies of Belief - A Definition of Truth

The Truths and Lies of Belief - A Definition of Truth'Where does this I believe in come from?' If you ask most people, they'll answer that question with a lot of confusion. There are lots of beliefs out there that we call 'true' and then there are many more 'lies' that we accept without a second thought. So what is really the definition of truth or lies?Most of us assume that the truth is somewhere in between those two extremes. What most people don't understand is that the truth does exist in the middle area of lies and truths. When we're asked about our beliefs, people will tend to gloss over the fact that they may be just like everybody else. However, some of us truly are born with a sense of belief and direction.When you ask someone to identify their beliefs, you'll find that the answer will vary from person to person. For some, belief can be more generalized than others. When we look at many different people and try to determine who their beliefs are, we tend to be able to pick out a few characteristics that stand out. However, when we take a closer look at the actual people that we know personally, we'll find that the answer changes from one to the next.You will also find that the beliefs that you bring with you from one situation to the next may be slightly different than the beliefs that you've adopted in the past. However, it seems like the responses tend to be pretty similar. People will have a tendency to repeat things that they hear, see or read.However, when you ask the people that you know about their beliefs, they will often have no idea what you're talking about. Instead, they'll tell you that they're not really sure what you're talking about, but they assume that you're asking about religion. They may even assume that you're referring to religion. In other words, their response will vary from person to person and each will have a different answer for a different question.As far as we can tell, there are certain people that aren't inclined to sh are their beliefs. There are others that share their beliefs but they're not proud of them. These are the ones that are probably the ones that you should ask about their beliefs. You'll find that they're a little less concerned about making you feel good than you were in the past.The people that you meet in your social circle will likely have a lot of opinions and beliefs, but they won't tell you who they are. If you need to find out who they are, then ask them about their beliefs. Just because they're the ones in the social circle doesn't mean that they have to come right out and say it. When you ask them about their beliefs, they may have something to say, but you might have to wait for a little while to get a straight answer.When you're trying to figure out if someone's beliefs are true or not, the best thing to do is ask them. Don't keep your suspicions to yourself or you'll get a whole lot of pointless questions. Of course, the only real way to find out is to ask, so don't let the silence hold you back.

Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Independence Day and War of the Worlds with particular reference to narrative and genre features Essay Example

Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Independence Day and War of the Worlds with particular reference to narrative and genre features Essay The War of the worlds by Steven Spielberg can be categorised as a hybrid genre, containing a mix of a sci-fi and a family drama. The audience establishes that it is a sci-fi with aspects of family drama right from the start of the film, as there seems to be two openings to the film. The first opening is a voice over by Morgan Freeman, using scientific words to describe how people (referred to as a swarm of ants small and insignificant) were being watched by another intelligent group of people. The speech finishes with the use of paralanguage, a technique whereby his voice takes a more serious tone when discussing how others are going to take over the world. These words are combined with the imagery that appears, as a white light starts to increase, which could be described like an eye, which obviously portrays someone watching. The other opening to the film is used to establish the main character Ray Ferrier and his family. This is where the other genre of a family drama appears. Dr amatic irony is instantly set up as the audience knows that doom is about to occur; however the characters dont. We follow the family throughout the film as they struggle to survive against the aliens, and watch their relationships with one another being tested, as Ray learns more about his family. This is completely contrasted to Independence Day by Roland Emmerich, as this film is categorised as a sci-fi and action film. This film is a lot more involved with the government rather than the family aspect, unlike War of the Worlds. However, there are elements of romance during Independence Day, as one couple gets married and the second couple who broke up before the film started, hold hands and we see a shot of the wedding ring that the man has worn throughout the whole time of their separation. There is also an opening sequence at the beginning of Independence Day. As the title credits appear, the music is very military like, which includes snare drums and even gunshots. The very first image that the viewer sees is the American flag, together with a stretch of footprints on top of the moon. This portrays to the audience past glories that the Americans have achieved. However, this does not last long as the footprints slowly vanish from the scene, perhaps showing an extermination of mankind. After this opening scene finishes, the scene cuts to a shot where the music that starts up contains the lyrics its the end of the world as we know it. This is subtle irony, as obviously the audience knows the end of the world is about to come. Numerous other clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s like this one appear constantly throughout the film such as the use of cigars, to highlight the stereotypical America, but are completely taken out during the War of the Worlds. We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Independence Day and War of the Worlds with particular reference to narrative and genre features specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Independence Day and War of the Worlds with particular reference to narrative and genre features specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss some of the similarities and differences between Independence Day and War of the Worlds with particular reference to narrative and genre features specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The music in War of the Worlds is completely different to Independence Day. This is because the music heard at the beginning of War of the Worlds is not military and is more thrilling and emotive. This highlights further that the genre of War of the Worlds is not just a sci-fi/thriller movie, but also more of a family drama. Narrative is constantly used to make sense and to create meaning out of our chaotic experiences and is essential to our understanding of experiences of the world. Narrative structure is also used to give order and shape to the series of events. The structure identified in War of the Worlds is linear owing to the fact that it is single stranded as there is only one main story throughout the film. The film starts off as a low concept film and ends as a high concept film. This is completely contrasted to Independence Day, which has a multistranded narrative and is very fast paced with a collection of short sequences. This represents the chaos that everyone is experiencing, and the fact that everyone is bewildered. From all of these different narratives occurring through the film Independence Day, the viewer knows we will eventually come to a conjunction with all these different storylines and this appears true when the audience arrives at July the 4th and the narrative from then on is s ingle stranded. Narrative also requires a narrator, someone who tells the story from his or her point of view. In War of the Worlds, the entire film is from the point of view of Ray Ferrier and his family. This helps the viewer to relate to the characters and become more emotionally involved. This does not happen in Independence Day, as there are several main characters and all different storylines and therefore it becomes increasingly difficult for the audience to participate in the action of the film, and has to merely sit on the sidelines as an observer. The narrative of War of the Worlds also contains references to the 9/11 attacks. This is noticeable at the beginning of the film where the voice over is heard and suggests we are being watched by another intelligent group of people. Furthermore, throughout the film there are other references that signify this, such as the plane crash, clothes falling from the sky, and ash fogging up the sky. This is clearly a post 9/11 film, unlike Independence Day, which is a pre- 9/11 film that suggests that America is confident that they are the leaders and everyone else is following them. The film Independence Day portrays an idealistic view of how they would like to think America is. Firstly, President Whitmore is an idealistic representation of a president, as he is clearly hardworking, witty, an ex-warrior and a family man. Furthermore, throughout the film there are shots of certain landmarks, which show the very iconic America, such as shots of the moon landing, and the Statue of liberty. In addition to this, the scenes in Independence Day are completely varied from City scenes to the deserts. This suggests to the viewer that America is a country of a multi-ethnic society. The stereotypical America is also represented further in this film by the use of glasses being worn by important and clever people, showing that glasses signify intelligence. Also, it contains every type of character including young and old, and straight and gay. The mise-en-scene presented in War of the Worlds is a lot bleaker and darker than Independence Day, which portrays more War-like imagery. Furthermore, there is a lot more death and destruction than there is in Roland Emmerichs film. The vulnerability of the children is also a lot stronger, which highlights again the fact that War of the Worlds focuses on the family point of view. The whole script of the film is a lot more authentic than Independence Day, and contains more realism, for example when Ray says to always put yourself first. The overall film doesnt pay attention to the sci-fi genre, but is more of a sci-fi played on a modern film. This is also emphasized right from the beginning of the film, as we learn that this film is taking place in the 21st century, and the majority of sci-fi films are set in the future. Throughout War of the Worlds, there are many shots that are over exposed, which suggests that the things that are happening are beyond reality, and hyper-real. This is completely juxtaposed to Independence Day, which has a lot of different creeds of colour situated in the film. This suggests Independence Day is a more light-hearted film, rather than War of the Worlds, which is a lot more dismal. Throughout War of the Worlds, the News on the television in the film acts as an exposition tool, which gives the audience the background of the characters and the present situation. This does not happen in Independence Day, the script of this film plays out contemporary anxieties and fears which Americans have, and expresses important US values. Having looked at the similarities and differences of Independence Day by Roland Emmerich, and War of the Worlds by Steven Spielberg, it is clear that the way each film is portrayed, through the use of mise-on-scene, the music, the characters, and the way the films are structured, generates the type of genre and narrative each film can be identified as. War of the Worlds can be described as a hybrid genre, containing a mix of a sci-fi and a family drama, owing to the emotive elements and scenes of the film, whereas Independence Day could be categorised as a sci-fi/action film, owing to the usage of the strong, military music, the government, and the general alpha-male context. Although both of the films narratives are extremely identical, the structure of it is completely different. This is due to the fact War of the Worlds has a basic narrative structure, owing to the fact it is linear and single stranded, as the film has one storyline which commences as a low concept film and ends a s a high concept film. This is contrasted to Independence Day, as this film contains a multi-stranded narrative up to the last day, which keeps the film fast paced, and highlights further the chaos and tension of Americas society.

Basic Family Systems Theory free essay sample

Running Head: BASIC FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY AND MICROSKILLS Basic Family Systems Theory and Microskills Used by the Helper Basic Family Systems Theory and Microskills Used by the Helper In terms of a system, the meaning is a consistent arrangement of things connected to form unity or to operate as a whole. These systems are dated back in origins to the 1950’s and 1960’s. In this theory we must understand an individual’s family and how it works for that family daily in the community, neighborhood, social aspect, and etcetera. When one part of the system changes, the whole system changes. When everything is balanced it is said to be in equilibrium or homeostasis which seemingly is a good thing (Poorman, 2003). There are many skills involved in working in the family system. I will address the three main microskills that I would use in my own setting as a helper toward this theory. We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Family Systems Theory or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are a few basic things that need to be addressed first to begin to understand the concept of working in family systems. Within the family system as a whole there are similar smaller systems knows as subsystems. Generally, there has been focus on three primary subsystems: marital (or couple), parental, and sibling. These can also branch off into other systems. This is where the saying, â€Å"A family is greater than the sum of its parts† comes into context (http://web. pdx. edu, 2009). The subsystems are defined by who makes up each and what their purpose or goal is in the family as a whole. Related to this concept are boundaries. Boundaries occur at every level of the system and subsystems (http://family. jrank. org, 2009). Depending on the family and how they work, some have very open boundaries and other may have tight restrictions. These boundaries affect who and what is let in or out of the family as a whole and among the subsystems. There have been many developments in approaches to family systems theories. There are a number of professionals in this field, I will try to discuss a few here in some detail and how they may be used in a helper setting. Salvador Minuchin focused primarily on structure of the relationships within the system and subsystems. I would tend to agree that you have to first identify the makeup of the whole family system and then also each individual subsystem to understand its organization. This is when you can address and understand the problems that shape not only the family problems and issues, but the individual problems and issues also. Minuchin believes there are two types of family structure; disengaged family and the enmeshed family. I believe you have to identify which family type you are working with so you can focus on how to handle and help deal with the issues at hand. The boundaries and manner in which the system and subsystems approach each other directly affects how you as the helper should and would tackle your job. Disengaged families have rigid boundaries and share little or no contact with family members. They operate in a very neglectful and isolated manner. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the enmeshed families. In this situation the boundaries seem to overlap and become over involved in each other’s subsystems (Poorman, 2003). This being said, it is my belief that when these are present they have to be addressed to get to the root of the problems or issues among the family and its subsystems. Even if you need to address one individual’s behavior above all others, it is still vital to understand the context of the family and how such problems develop. It is very crucial not to ignore or deny the importance of each individual that makes up the family system. Murray Bowen, in a sense, built on Minuchin’s beliefs and thoughts about structure. Bowen believed that triangulation would improve issues- with a third parties involvement. Bowen believed that a triangle made a strong family structure (Poorman, 2003). With this, as a helper I would see it fit to use the Family Systems Theory because using the whole family would seem to be a sure way to bring about changes. If one person can change, but nothing else can, like the environment in which the problems are occurring, then what is really going to be achieved? It is my job as the helper to facilitate the whole process. I would join the family in the discovery process, then help them understand and use their interacting with one another, then challenge them to change their interpretation of the problems and try to think of alternative ways to make things happen. It is not my job to be above them or against them but to join them and help the process. I am not there to preach or sit back and try to let them blindly discover something on their own. Communication is a very important skill for everyone to have. An equally important skill that I think gets overlooked a lot of the time is the non-verbal communication. As a helper who is focusing on the family as a whole, you will need to be able to read and understand non-verbal quos and positioning, but you will need to be able to use them well. To be affective, you need to try to help the family as a whole understand non-verbal communication. Be aware of the setting, your position in consideration to the client(s), physical distance, posture, gestures, eye contact, facial expression, and other things that your client could take one way or the other. Be aware also that silence is a non-verbal skill and use it as a listening skill. Non-verbal communication may sprout some other forms of communication that can get things that may not have been relayed out into the open. There are many ways of being a sort of intervention with a family in this type of situation. First you are going to want to use another of your micro skills and being asking questions. When your client(s) are there a lot of the time they are going to be in shut down mode. So, asking questions is a way to dig down into what is really going on and start from there. Asking questions is a skill that you want to use when a client(s) experience, thoughts and/or feelings become unclear. Sometimes probing and exploring more into the experience, thought or feeling can be useful. It may also be beneficial to help your client(s) hear what they are saying so they can begin to understand more or start a different direction so that something can be more easily understood. You want to be sure that when you are working with your client or in this situation your family that you be careful not to use poor judgment on the type of questions that you ask, or ow you ask them; it is important not to be accusatory or ask double-barreled questions, as this could lead to anger, frustration, misunderstanding and confusion. You want to be careful not to use questions that only require a yes or no answer also. Using questioning the whole time as your only approach will not get you very far, you do not want to seem controlling and uninterested in the issues (Poorman, 2003 ). When beginning with your family, you are going to want to know what their definition of family is. You also will want to identify certain other characteristics in the family concept; boundaries, power and intimacy, freedom of expression, organization and value systems (Stratman, 2009). Then you are going to want to work on addressing what the factors are that are causing the problems. Lastly, you are going to want to use Preparing for Action! In preparing for action there are many requirements that you are going to want to meet with your client(s), but the main focus of this skill is to set goals. Make the goals realistic and obtainable. You want to write them all down and then make a plan of action of how to make the goals happen. You have to operationalize the goals also. Set up a schedule with the client(s). Make time for brainstorming, a timeline and a written plan! In working with families it is definitely different from working with the individual. Working with the individual you focus on just that- the individual. Working with family in the theory is everyone combined into the system called family and finding out how it works and what makes up everything about them. Even when you are working with an individual I think the Family Systems Theory is a good one to use, to find out the root of the problems and get things on course. Poorman, P. B. (2003). Microskills and Theoretical Foundations for Professional Helpers. Pearson Education Inc. Family Systems Theory-Basic Concepts, â€Å"Family Systems Theory. † http://www. family. jrank. org (Accessed 9. 29. 09) Using Family Therapy, â€Å"Family Systems Theory. † http://web. pdx. edu (Accessed 9. 28. 09) Stratman, T. (2009) Power Point, â€Å"Family Systems Theory. † (Accessed 10. 1. 09)

The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Essay Example

The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Essay Example The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Paper The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Paper The final step in the opening credit sequence is the title screen detailing The Sopranos. The viewer is presented with a black scene in the centre of which is the white block letter spelling out The Sopranos. This title screen itself may semiotically provide much information regarding the themes of the television programme once its layers of meaning are extricated and analysed. Treating firstly the importance of the simple colours of this screen- black and white- the themes of the show are visible. The traditional semiotic meaning that is assigned to these two colours aid in the production of these themes. White is mostly explicitly recognised as the colour of the good, the virginal/pure in contrast to the assigning of the colour black to the evil, the mysterious, danger, death and malice. The assigning of meaning to these two colours can be traced back in anthropological terms to the Western worlds view of white people as being good whilst the black people from the continent of Africa were inherently evil and not to be trusted. This dichotomy was later applied to the notion of the goodies versus the baddies and can be seen in the title of graphics detailing a main theme of the show- the good guys or the police, reflected in the white, battling against the bad guys or Tony Soprano and his mafia family, reflected in the black. These colours can also represent the struggle in Tonys world between right and wrong and his struggle with his morality and religious faith. Throughout the series, Tony has many crises of faith and a few attacks of conscience. Thus the black may reflect Tonys dark side, with his underhand dealings and deadly intent, and the white may represent Tonys faith, his belief in Catholicism and his need to do good in some form. However as the graphics show the black impedes on the white possibly illustrating the fact that Tony has a great struggle between right and wrong. To analyse the typography of the sequence it is again possible to find meaning implicitly embedded in it. The letters spelling out The Sopranos are thick and have blunt edges. The letters in the original are also large and white and stand out prominently from the black background. The typography used is illustrated below. This may be analysed semiotically as being a reflection of the character of Tony Soprano- solid and dependable with a large stature who is rough around the edges; possibly a reflection of his brutal streak. It may also serve to provide meaning about the Soprano family as a whole- large, close-knit and very prominent in society (reflected by the white standing out against the black background). Finally the representation of the downward facing gun as spelling out the R of The Sopranos is important for the assigning of meaning also. According to Freud, the gun can be viewed as a phallic symbol, a representation of the male penis and thus is a reflection of the male sexual drive. The gun may connote power and male sexual potency along with aggression and danger. The sexual exploits of Tony Soprano and his power sexually as well as physically is a main theme of the show, and is referred to implicitly in the title graphics. Thus it is possible to say that the title screen of the opening credit sequence of the show provides meaning semiotically through colour codes, typographic presentation and symbolic representation. Themes of the show such as the good versus the bad, violence and sexual prowess are all reflected through the simple yet highly effective title sequence. The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos may also be analysed semiotically as one explores the assigning of meaning to maleness and indeed the image of the gangster i. e. Tony Soprano. By analysing this sequence in-depth it is possible to detail information that the average viewer may neither implicitly nor explicitly decode whilst watching the television programme. The semiotic representation of Tony Soprano in the opening credit sequence reveals a lot about his character. Throughout the sequence Tonys face is obscured by shadows and darkness, the lower part of his face i. e. from his nose down, is the only part visible. If one is to assign meaning to this it is possible to say that Tony is a mysterious man with a dark mind/ dark thoughts. His face is obscured as he drives from New York to New Jersey; from work to home. It is only when he arrives home that Tony is fully visible/ fully illuminated. This reflects the idea that Tonys work life is dark and mysterious, full of secret dealings and murders, and that his home life and his family provide him with the bright/highlights of his day. In the car, Tony is the only person visible. He steers the car suggesting that he is a person who is solely in control and in power. It also suggests that he is an actor in his own future, that he directs his life and controls his destiny. This is again emphasised by the continuous close-up shots of Tonys hands and arms. The affluence of Tonys life and his materialism that is shown in the show is reflected in the opening sequences. There is a continual emphasis on Tonys gold jewellery connoting opulence, richness and his carelessness with money. The cigar that Tony smokes is also a symbol with several layers of signification for this opulence but also on another layer of meaning it may be seen as phallic, reflecting Tonys masculinity and raw sexual energy. The theme of money is again reinforced with the shot of the bank reflecting possibly Tonys implicit need for financial security for himself and his family. The religious aspect of Tonys personality is also detailed. The shot of the cathedral/church illustrates Tonys Catholicism but the shot is somewhat obscured by branches of trees. This may signify the crisis of faith that both Tony implicitly and his wife Carmela explicitly have in the show. Tony is religious, he has faith but this faith is obscured by the sins that he has committed and the illegal dealings that he is involved in. the image is almost a black and white image reflecting the clear cut base belief in God that Tony and the Soprano family hold. A red canopy on the front of the church is important as its semiotic analysis reveals that the colour red connotes a raw energy, vigour and spirituality. This reinforces the strong position that religion plays in Tonys life. The appearance of the graveyard also provides us with information about the show. The long shot of the gravestones illustrates that death will be a prevalent theme as it proves to be with all the murders carried out by Tony and his mafia gang in the show. The appearance of the butchers shop stands as signification on two levels- the butcher per se as the murderer e. g. Tony, and as standing for an immoral behaviour. The pig on top of this shop stands as a symbolic representation of Tonys greed for both food and money and for his selfishness and over-indulgence. The Pizzaland shop also reflects his greed for food and Tonys traditional Italian roots. Tonys arrival at home is also important to analyse semiotically. His movement through the gates signifies that he has entered a new phase of his life and as he moves up his driveway this signifies that an end has come to his journey, he is at rest and secure/content. Thus by performing a semiotic analysis of Tony and certain scenes from the opening credit sequences it is possible to ascertain what are the important areas of Tonys life i. e. family, religion, sex, money, food, revenge etc. The use of colour in the opening credit sequence is of particular importance in this semiotic study. There are many different meanings assigned to colours and their use in certain contexts can be highly significant in the development of meaning and therefore, themes. Tony is dressed in a maroon coloured shirt. This colour is associated with bravery and strength, which is indicative of Tonys character despite his cruel and brutal streak. The road signs signalling New Jersey, Tonys home-place, are green. Green is associated here with Tonys home-life and his family and this colour connotes peace and serenity, all feelings that Tony himself hopes to associate with his family. A colour that is of a particular significance due to its connotations is silver. The colour silver connotes justice and purity due to its association with the silver swords of the knights of olden times- protectors of freedom, upholders of morality and keepers of peace and justice. For this reason the colour is also connotative of the police as they have taken on the contemporary role of the knight. Silver freight lorries are frequently shown in the opening sequences but they are always shown travelling in different directions to Tony, never with him or even close to him. A freight truck may act as a symbol for carrying a heavy load or a burden, so the silver trucks may connote Tonys anxiety regarding being caught/followed by the police. His journey in opposite directions to these silver trucks may also act as signification that he has left purity/justice behind and is leading an immoral life. It is possible to even suggest that the colour of Tonys house is indicative to meaning. As Tony drives home, he passes by many white family homes, which bear the American flag thus connoting morality and good. Tonys house however is brown or not white signifying something other than purity and wholesomeness. Thus by analysing the use of colours and in particular their use in certain contexts it is possible to ascertain that themes such as immorality, family and fear of the police will feature as themes in this show. An important part of any semiotic analysis of a film or television programme is that of the soundtrack. Music works primarily on the level that it can rely on the spoken word as it is sung to create meaning instead of the visual image. Non-verbal communication is also employed in music to create meaning with the use of certain instruments to evoke emotions and atmosphere. According to Self (1988:116) title sequences together with title music, are instrumental in communicating the mood and themes of the coming production. The show uses the same song at the beginning of each episode. The song is Goy yourself a Gun and its lyrics play on the notion of the mob and the gun which are both themes in a way in the programme. The song plays slowly and quietly at the start of the sequence as Tony leaves the city and gains in speed and audibility, as he gets closer to home. This illustrates that he feels strongly about where he lives and about his family. According to the song, if one is to relate it to Tony, he was born under a bad sign with a blue moon in your (his) eyes (lines 7-8). This provides a hint to Tonys character, that he is immoral and does not follow the rules. Having blue moon in ones eyes is indicative of Tonys upward gazing idea, that one must better themselves regardless of how they do this even if the rules must be broken. The repetition of this song at the beginning of each episode helps to continually create the overall atmosphere of the show as being one of immorality and violence connoted by the gun in the song.