Featured Post

Course Work Essay Example for Free

Course Work Essay As the Vice President of the Sales, it is his duty in any case to deal with deals the board administration and deals pa...

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Organizational behavior ( UAE company ) Research Paper

Organizational behavior ( UAE company ) - Research Paper Example In the first year of operation, Emirates Airline started its flights in Karachi. It started its European operations to London in 1987. After 3 years, the company was able to double its operations thereby allowing it to grow at annual rate of 25%. The revenue of the company today is approximately $11.8 billion annually. It employs approximately 36,000 employees. Moreover, the number of international passengers between 2009 and 2010 was approximately 25.9 million (Reportlinker, 2012). The number of flights that the company is able to reach per week is approximately 2400. The goal of this paper therefore is to discuss the behavior of Emirates airlines by studying its PETS and SWOT analysis. These will help to identify the various problems that are facing the organization today. Moreover, they will help to explain why the events are happening today. It will analyses the challenges by adopting the OB theory of X and Y. It will also discuss the leadership personality traits and the conflic ts within the industry. SWOT analysis Strengths Emirates Airline flies to six continents in the world. In this perspective, it is able to cover approximately 100 cities. In the Asian continent, the company has a market share of approximately 39 percent (Free Swot Analysis, 2012). Moreover, it is a state owned corporation thereby boosting its financial base. Moreover, it lies in between east and west Asia thereby allowing the company to boost its market share significantly. Weaknesses There is open competition in the country which has allowed other competing businesses to venture in the market. Moreover, the company is faced with a dire need to improve its performance in all the regions around the world in order to increase its market share. In addition, the company does not pay its labor sufficiently thereby limiting its productivity. Opportunities Since Emirates Airline has joined the global airline alliance, it should focus on areas such as Disney Land which is attracting internat ional communities to use Emirates Airline as their first choice. This has strengthened the company’s operations globally. Threats Since Emirates Airline is owned by the state, it is heavily affected by the policies that the government implements. Moreover, since different types of labor are required to cope with different types of aircrafts, it becomes difficult for the company to meet the demands of the employees without any conflicts. PEST Analysis Political The political scene in the Asian pacific has been favorable in 2000s. As a result, most of the countries are making agreements which have facilitated trade within the region. These agreements have opened up opportunities for the company (Articlesbase, 2012). Economic The United Arab Emirates economy has been advancing at a consistent pace thereby increasing the overall income of the country. As a result, the revenue per capita has grown significantly thereby allowing the people in the region to make use of air transport . As a result, Emirates Airline has noted a steady growth in the recent years (Articlesbase, 2012). Social Emirates Airline conducts its operations in an area that has a large number of employees. Most of these employees do not demand high compensation. In this case, there is a huge difference in labor costs with countries such as the US. In this case, the company has been able to boost its profits significantly. However, many employees are becoming aware of their

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Comparison of EUS and ERCP in diagnosis of bile ducts stone Essay

Comparison of EUS and ERCP in diagnosis of bile ducts stone - Essay Example All the authors possess masters degree in medicine and the last two authors possess even PhD degree. They are gastroenterologists with keen interest in study and research pertaining to stones in bile ducts. The first and second authors have published several articles pertaining to this topic. Thus the authors have professional experience and qualifications in this regard. An abstract is included in the study and is described heading wise. The abstract gives clear information in a concise manner about various aspects of the study. The abstract does identify the research problem, i.e., "factors affecting diagnostic accuracy and comparison of patients in the follow-up period for negative outcomes are not thoroughly investigated in a randomized trial." There is no hypothesis in the research. The methodology, sample subjects and major findings in the study are mentioned in the abstract. The rationale for the study is clearly mentioned. The limitations of the study are not mentioned. The literature review in the study is not in detail and very short. However, it is up-to-date. No underlying theoretical frameworks have been identified in the study. The literature review however, does identify the need for the research proposal. There is no hypothesis in the study. The methodology is clear. The study is a prospective unicentric randomized study conducted over one year after appropriate approval from the Ethics committee. 256 patients with suspected biliary stone disease who were hospitalized were included in the study. The aims and objectives in the study are clear and well defined. Even secondary objectives are indicated. All the terms in the research are clearly defined. A standardized criteria defined by Barkun et al 17 was used to determine common bile duct stones. The methodology is clear, reproducible and appropriate to the research problem. The inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria for this study are definite and described

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Leadership And Change Management At Mcdonalds Commerce Essay

Leadership And Change Management At Mcdonalds Commerce Essay This report is conducted on McDonalds. In 1st section focus on change and resistances to change, real examples of change process and its implementation, scope of change at McDonalds and possible resistances and conflicts to change at McDonalds. The last section provides management role for making effective plan and strategies to implementation of new change in this way minimise the resistance from employees resistances against this change. Table of Contents Section Name of Contents Page no. 1 McDonald Profile 4 2 Change and Resistance to Change. 6 3 Real example of change process and its implementation. 7 4 Scope of Change at McDonalds. 8 5 Resistances and Conflicts to change at McDonalds. 10 6 Recommendations 13 7 Conclusion 16 8 References 17 cDonalds Profile: McDonalds started his business in 1940 with 1st restaurant opened in San Bernardino, California by Richard. It was the result of the thoughts of two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonalds who introduced a new revolutionary restaurant Speedee Service System in 1948 which was established on principles of the modern  fast-food restaurant. Speedee completely replaced with  Ronald McDonalds  by 1967. 1st time used as trademark on the name McDonalds on May 4, 1961, with the description Drive-In Restaurant Services which is still continues until end of June, 2010. The logo trademark on an overlapping, double arched M symbol was introduced in Sep 13 1961. The M double overlapped arched symbol logo was temporarily disfavoured by September 6, 1962. The modern double arched M symbol started in November 18, 1968. (McDonalds , 25 August , 2010 ,http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk ) The list of inventions, the Big Mac in 1968, the Egg McMuffin in 1973, the Happy Meal for children in 1979, or Chicken McNuggets in 1983 .At the present time, McDonalds have more than 31,000 restaurants in 119 different countries of the world of which a lot are franchised. (www.mcdonals.com.uk) McDonalds vision is to become worlds best and quick service experience restaurant for this purpose McDonalds delivering outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile. In mission statements includes best employer or our people in each community around the world, excellent operational for delivery to customers and enduring profitable growth by expanding the brand and leveraging strength of McDonalds through innovation and technology McDonald Corporation ,2010) Change and Resistance to Change: According to Rev. Sharon Patterson that which people want to changes are babies who have wet diapers. We can be explained that change is an effort that consists of actual physical changes to operations and different exciting incentive is really painful process in the workplace (Bernerth, 2004) Change Process Model Though we all know and believe that progress means change, and we all want and need progress, but not even the prospect of attaining profit from change that everyone will ready and willing to hold change. On the other hand, it is widely believed and trust that most would resist change, (Duck, 1993) According to Duck (1993) bluntly he pointed out that change is intensely personal. but according to Petersen (2002) reckons that for many people, the spectre of change produces Factor of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. (Peterson, 2002) Since change is widely accepted all over the world as almost always from top management to down and its brings by the management, those people which are only being managed would also always show resist against change, before imposing change or before forward change its duty of manager to make a such type framework which should be overcome over all resistance before implementation. (Peterson, 2002) Resistance to change can be defined as its a perceived behaviour of organization members which are refuse to accept any change within organization. (Cheng Petrovic-Lazarevic, 2004).James Hunt says Resistance isnt an indication that something is wrong with what you are trying to change. It is an indication that something is happening. Ansoff defined Resistance as its only cause of creation unexpected delays, costs and instabilities into the process of strategic change (Ansoff, 1988). Resistance is any employee behaviour trying to stop or delay in any change. (Bemmels and Reshef 1991) Real example of the change process and its implementation. British Airways. Past in 1981, British Airways hired on board of Directors a new chairperson.  When this chairperson joined, he noticed that the company was very unproductive and was wasting a lot of valuable resources in useless activities.  To make the organization efficient and increasing the profit ratio he decided to restructure the entire organization.  He realized that Change Methodology Management Plan is the best way to serve that purpose. (Jean Scheid, 2010) Systematically, the British airways started reducing workforce.  But, before started this, through his change management leadership, the chairman gave the all reasons for the restructuring and privatization of the company in order to prepare them for the future change.  He directed his company through a hard time that could have been terrible without  effective change management resistance communication just only through his Leadership Communication (Jean Scheid, 2010) Scope of the Change at McDonalds. The scope of this change for McDonalds is limited to the application of the Integrated marketing Communication (IMC) as part of the marketing strategy of the McDonalds. In this change, the most important area that had been given attention is the advertising and promotional campaign of the company.   Usually, advertisement or promotional activities are concerned as an open sponsorship of offering products, services and any ideas through the use of any mode of communication. In this purpose, there are different kinds of mode of communication or media which are use for advertising and promotional campaign. Basically, in this new Integrated marketing Communication (IMC) theme will be major focus on advertising and sales promotion activities. Particularly this change will give importance to the Integrated Marketing Campaign (IMC) as part of the marketing strategy of the McDonalds. (McDonald Corporation , 2009) Basic aims of Integrated Marketing Campaign to take on a new health-conscious rule that would be constant with the latest trend of health awareness and the growing concern in corpulence among children and target market. In addition, its aim is to  introduce the implementation of a new and separate menu of low fat for children, planned to counter the rising bad publicity being thrown at McDonalds. The company is well known that this new strategy which most concerns with the health of consumer would effectively inform both children and parents regarding the nutritional value of new, McKids Meals, and how these meals are different from the traditional McDonalds meals.  In addition, the implementation of the new innovation namely Integrated Marketing Communication might be able to provide an effective advertising and public relations campaign that would successfully introduce the new McDonalds change to the world. For implementation of this new change in the organization, the company has been able to create a team that would be responsible for all essential matters related this change.(McDonald Corporation, 2009) The major focus of this change would be on the sale promotion and advertising, not only to mention other marketing mix which would be included and participated to make successful this innovation or change. Today McDonalds different kinds of menu for kids had faced different criticism, mostly in terms of its nutritional contents. The Integrated Marketing Communication has been implemented only changing public image towards the McDonalds. We can say Integrated Marketing Communication is a technique for ensuring that a companys mission and vision is included and promoted in every advertisement or promotion that will be happened (McDonald Corporation,2009) According to Forgeson and Green Basically there are three major categories of change resistances are organizational, group and individual. The following are resistance or conflicts faced by McDonalds during implementation of this change: McDonalds employees and customers, McDonalds organizational culture and behaviour. (Mabin, Forgeson Green, 2001) Resistances and Conflicts to change at McDonalds:   1st resistances due to reactions of the McDonalds staff and customers of the company , some employees are in favour of this new change and some are against this new change mean using the Integrated Marketing communication. Managers and some employees only against this change due to fear, they think might be this change instead of resolving problem it will increase the problems of the company. There are not only employees have negative reaction towards this change but also customers are not showing positive reaction towards this campaign so it lead o another conflict in the shape of not positive attitude of customers towards this new change in this way McDonalds cant achieve benefit from this change as whole of the company.   One more resistance against this new change of the company the shortage of qualified personnel in company who assigned the maintaining these tasks to maintaining crew and application of this new marketing change but they are not much professional so this is the conflict in the way of new change. In strategic implementation of the change there are lot of barriers and enablers which are attributed as the main factors for the success or failure of the implemented changes. Barriers may include different resources which are not may be available for the innovation process. These include insufficient financial budget, organizational or stakeholder resistance to change and ineffective used of communication media. One more of the conflicts or resistances that may arise in the implementation of change in an organisation are the absence of support in sustaining the success that can be achieved in the change process. (Cheng Petrovic-Lazarevic, 2004) According to Carlopio Innovation is a social process that should be undertaken in a regular phases and not just a decision event so within McDonalds these forces are the ones attributed which may hinder strategic implementation of the innovation. The company may not be able to implement the Integrated Marketing Communication as part of its marketing strategy lacking of one of these hurdles, or incapability to handle these hurdles effectively, the company may not be able to implement the Integrated Marketing Communication as part of its marketing strategy.(Carlopio, 1998) The difference in culture between the different employees of the organization is another inner conflict. Due to difference in cultures in McDonald in different members of the company so in this way they unable to do work in pleasant environment and in good way and also this cultural leads to create difficulties in the way of implementation of new change in organization. According to Wilkins Dyer the administration and management of the management of McDonalds must be identify and understand those subcultures that might provoke a work environment more or less empowering than the larger organizational system at the time of assessing the interaction between culture and empowerment. (Wilkins Dyer, 1988). Recommendation: In restaurant industry managers play vital role in any change so in this way what McDonalds managers pay specific attention at the time of implementation and initiating change towards reducing possible resistances and achieve better organization performance. Manager is the person who initiating and start the change and employees have to accept and adopt it. Through Effective communication, perception of managers actions, employees attitude and harmonious working situation can be overcome resistances to change and also play important role in attaining better organizational performance. Implementation of Change in the Restaurant Industry Effective communication is the most important components in restaurant industry and played a vital role in the success of organizational operations. Effective communication is very important among the managers and employees and among the employees to employees.Good listening skills are the essential for a successful manager of any organization specially in fast growing fast food industry. Before, after and during the change process managers should carefully listen to the employees opinion and should modify the new change according to the opinion of the employee. For implementation of successful change in organization it is compulsory for manager he should always alert regarding employees reaction towards change. McDonalds Managers should realize that if employees against that change and dont want to cooperate with them so in this way customer service delivery will get worse. Conflict may arise amongst colleagues and managers when employees resist change. In this way employees may not perform well which directly effecting reputation of restaurant and might be it will also become cause of resignation of employees. So befre implementation of new change McDonalds managers listen very carefully arguments of employees and change the situation according the time need and should avoid the create bad environment in which employees proved poor environment for work and end all go for resignation. Not only this but also they should encourage the employees for better service and development of performance of the company as well as the employees.. So there should be a framework for possible improvement in efficient working system and better customer service within a working environment. This framework indicates and encourage to both parties managers and employees should look for a better technique of getting things done. We should clear one thing improvement always goes along with change. If there is no improvement, it means no change in this way restaurant will most likely become sluggish in particular when unforeseen circumstances or events occur restaurants and that time might be it will very difficult to keep pace with competitors. Managers should also provide a pleasant environment to employee for keeping happy to workers and cheerful staff will contribute to higher level of motivation and high performance. High-spirited employees would be able to creation and maintain harmonious working relationship with workmates. Managers should always maintain and keep a lovely pleasant environment for employees to keep them motivated because stressful environments always negatively impact the restaurant (A Paton, R. and Maccalman, J. ,2008) Further more, the success of the new change is still under process and difficult to convert the children attitude towards healthy fast food meals. But at the other hand, there are very strong chance for this success due to strong campaign and promotion activates for prompting the characteristics of the this new change. Furthermore, McDonalds should assure the message has been reached to every child in 119 countries where McDonalds is serving for this purpose help from every type media is the best strategy. There should be a new theme for new advertisement I love it even more! and hopefully this new theme and way of advertisement will inspire the parents and also encourage the childrens towards healthy food. This campaign should be long lasting, strong concerned on healthy characteristics of this new change and should be in friendly way like kiddie-friendly way. If McDonalds carefully make plan and use best strategy and good and effective method for implementation of this new change so there are bright chance of the success of this new change and in this way company can achieve very easily mission and objectives of the company. The most concerned of this company to give image of health conscious which is good match with the latest trend of health conscious measures for this world and also for the future world. Conclusion: According to Beverage the management change leaders must be willing to keep their fingers on the pulse of the organization, by monitoring what is working and what is not working and in the change process.   The management must create s safe environment for changes, reassure, support, and commitment on the organization in order to application the strategy of change effectively and successfully (Beverage (2003) Therefore, it is concluded that, changes of management is not bad until they enhance the competitiveness and power of an industry. If any change implicated through proper planning and investigation so it will be very effective and will also increase the performance of the organization. So organizations should impose the any change at the right time when studies proved that no time of change. Because we dons forget the change management system not only critical and complex but also very sensitive so only one wrong decision of any company in any change might be it push company to in under clouds and prove harmful for organization profit and inspite giving development instead company feel difficult to survive in perfect market. This is strongly recommendation for McDonalds that must see and again and again ensure that future changes are well very planned there implication is very carefully because these changes will be cause of the success /or failure of any company.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Barn Burning - Sartys Struggle Essay -- essays papers

Barn Burning Sartys Struggle Barn Burning: Sarty's Struggle The theme of William Faulkner's Barn Burning is Colonel Sartoris Snope's desire to break away from the oppressive conditions of his family life. He is pulled between his family and his morality. In this essay, I will discuss Sarty's struggle between the two sides of his conflict and the point at which it becomes resolved. First, we will look at Sarty's pull towards his family. At the first trial, we find Sarty looking at his father's opponent sitting behind the table. Sarty identifies him as "his father's enemy", but he quickly changes his thought to "our enemy". Then after the trial, Sarty fights a boy twice his size because the boy yells out, "Barn Burner." These two instances are attempts by Sarty to fit himself into his family. He feels he might be able to do this by taking up his father's offense. Later in the story, after Abner has ruined the rug, Sarty says to his father, "You done the best you could! If he wanted hit done different why didn't he wait and tell you how! He won't git no twenty bushels! He won't git none! We'll gether hit and hide hit!" This is another attempt by Sarty to find his place. Although he knows his father is guilty of ruining the rug, he is willing to help his father hide the crop to avoid paying damages. His father, Abner, even tries to influence Sarty's decisio n. After camping the first night, Abner takes Sarty aside and tells him, "You got to learn. You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain't going to have any blood to stick to you." These attempts to defend his family and his father in particular are his way of exploring this realm of his conflict. He is trying to find out if there is a place for him. H... ... is at this point that Abner realizes that he has made his decision. Abner tries to contain him by having his mother hold him but Sarty gets free and runs to warn the de Spains. It is at this point that we know the end to the conflict has arrived. Instead of running back to the house to help with the fire, Sarty runs into the wood and continues to run. He is leaving and he is not looking back. He decides to stand on the side of morality and turns his back on his family. Sartoris Snope resolved his dilemma by exploring both sides of the coin. He then found something that represents his ideal situation, the de Spain plantation. Then he made his decision and he did not look back. The conflict that Faulkner brings to life in the Barn Burning is not uncommon. We each face a similar struggle at some point to find our morality. It is simply part of the human condition.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Lord of the Flies- the Proof of Savagery

The Proof of Savagery When we first open our eyes to this vast world, we are simultaneously introduced to a civilized society. We are taught in school to do the right things and avoid wrong behavior: respect and consideration is crucial, harassment and bullying is unacceptable. But, what if we are placed on a deserted island, where there are no pre-established rules or norms for us to follow and stick to? Does our human nature reveal itself then?Do we start to believe in survival of the fittest, thus lose all sense of reason and pity? Do we forget all the rules of society civilization? In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of boys are forced to learn to live harmoniously after a plane crash, which lands them in a foreign island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In the process, some manage to remain rational and in control, as their leader Ralph, whereas others gradually transform into savages and intimidators, as the aggressive hunter, Jack.Golding introduces the stark c ontrast between civilization and savagery and how human nature is exposed at critical moments through many symbols that echoes throughout the book. The interactions between the older and younger boys, the ‘beastie’ and death are three of the many symbolisms that show the different actions and thoughts of people placed in a difficult, or even impossible situation. The saying â€Å"Survival for the fittest† is often seen in the wild, where stronger animals hunt down the weaker ones.A civilized society educates people not to scornfully despise or put down others. The group of boys on the island consists of both older and younger kids. The interactions between them show how human nature can retain its purity and goodness, as well as reveal its selfish and merciless side, exemplifying the conflict between civilization and savagery. Jack, Ralph and Piggy were three of the older boys. Jack, compelling and authoritative, often ignores the littluns and doesn’t real ly care about their safety and needs.When the older boys are out hunting for the beast, Ralph is concerned about who would take care of the little ones. Jack cries ‘Sucks to the littluns! ’ (101), though he knew that there are possible dangers on the island, as previously a littlun with the paint on his face had vanished after mentioning about a ferocious snake. Piggy, despite his older age than the littluns, is laughed at and made fun of by everyone, including the tinier kids. Jack demonstrates the uncaring, self-centered aspect of human nature, which leads him to radually savagery; while Ralph and Piggy both show the considerate and amiable nature of us. However, Piggy also reveals that being overly unopinionated and softhearted can result in being bullied and manipulated. As the plot progresses, we observe how Jack becomes increasingly uncompassionate and callous, neglect the littluns or merely use them to exhibit his power and authority. When he separated from Ralph ’s group and lead the ignorant littluns to their own site, he abused Wilfred to show off his capability. ‘He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up. (159) Roger recalled. After the commotion and showdown, ‘The newly beaten and untied Wilfred was snif? ng noisily in the background,’ (160) haven’t been punished and harmed by no specific reason. Ralph is extremely nice and accepting to the littluns from start to finish, but at the end of the novel, the littluns influenced by Jack’s desire for blood and murder, are driven to hunt Ralph down as if he was an animal. Ralph’s interaction with the little kids so the civilized side of human nature, with cannot sustain very long with the simultaneous presence of savagery.Piggy, unfortunately, met his end because of the Jack and his affected and corrupted ‘minion’ littluns. The interactions between the older and younger boys prove that human nature become crystal clear in a desperate sit uation, but evil and savagery usually unfortunately takes over and attacks the civilized. Fear is a small and inevitable part inside each animal being. On the island, the boys worry and ponder over the ‘beastie’, making guesses about what it is, what it looks, what it wants etc.The beastie in the novel, does not exist at all, its existence only mistaken by the boys having seen the dead pilot crashing down; in fact, it symbolizes the fear within boys, and how their anxiety, doubt and panic are strengthened over time and reflect their transforming personalities. In the beginning, the boys really lead a carefree life on the island. In their innocent perpectives, the island was a paradise without the supervision of strict adults. However, as Jack and certain boys started to develop an obsession in hunting, their behavior brings the ‘beast’ into existence.This figment of their imagination stands for the primal animal instinct of savagery. As the boys become incr easingly savage, their belief beast grows stronger and more persuasive. Jack stated â€Å"When you’re hunting, when you’re on your own, you catch yourself feeling as if you’re not hunting, but—being hunted, as if something’s behind you all the time in the jungle. † (53) Their assumption in the existence of the beast represent the breakdown of the civilized society and development of savagery.Towards the end of the novel, not only did the boys offer sacrifices to the beast so it wouldn’t bother them, they even brutally killed Simon having mistook him for the vicious creature they had been forever dreading. Savagery had blinded them completely, hindering their ability to tell whether the beast was real. Death may seem like one of life natural processes, that everyone will experience death. However, in throughout this novel, the seemingly simple and uncomplicated word death symbolizes the uncontrollable urge and yearning to but through f lesh and spill blood.Death is important in the book because the ends of different characters truly uncover how savage and insane the boys had become. In the beginning, when Ralph, Jack and Roger first encountered a piglet, Jack pulled out his knife in preparation to kill it. But he couldn’t perform the deed, and all three â€Å"knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living ? esh; because of the unbearable blood. † (31) At that point of time still, blood seems to be such a taboo subject that is unendurable and disgusting.However, at least for Jack, the perception of this red fluid, and even death, totally changed after his first successful kill. From then on, Jack and the other boys have lost their sanity, from killing animals to their own kind, boys they had lived with for the past weeks. First, there was the unintentional death of Simon; then, the deliberate murder of Piggy, and finally, the hunt for Ralph , before which the boys consciously prepared for; Roger even â€Å"sharpened a stick at both ends. † (190) Death is no longer a scary or distant thing for these ferocious boys.In contrast and in fact, since they had been savagely corrupted, they embraced the blood and flesh that came along with death. This symbol shows how uncivilized most of the boys had become over the course of their stay on the island. In conclusion, the conditions of the environment on the island in Lord of the Flies expose the true human natures of different characters in the novel. Some are naturally unforgiving and menacing, while others are rational and pleasant, even under harsh or unimaginable situations.The interactions between the older and younger boys, the â€Å"beastie† and death are three symbols that showed the naked distinction between civilization and savagery. Regrettably, when people are not restrained or limited by already created rules, they tend to turn to cruelty, savagery, an d barbarism. These vices spread more easily than do the virtues of remaining civilized, and this is why society crumbles and collapses without respected and obeyed laws which everyone is willing to live by in harmony and accord.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Film Analysis

How To Analyze a Film As you might guess, conducting a semiotic analysis of a film is a somewhat more complicated venture than conducting a semiotic analysis of a print advertisement. This is not to say, of course, that movies and advertisements do not share similarities. Both, for example, are â€Å"texts† that rely on visual imagery to tell specific stories, and both are in the business of promoting specific ideologies. At the same time, print advertisements are limited by the static nature of their medium. Film, on the other hand, is not a static medium, and thus its stories are much more complex. Analyzing a film, then, as our text relates, is much more like â€Å"reading a novel† (307). In short, analyzing a film requires you to take a careful look at the setting, plot, characters, dialogue, symbols, metaphors, archetypes, etc. , as well as those factors that have an influence on the film, such as the social, historical, and political context in which the film was created. STEPS FOR CONDUCTING A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF A FILM Despite the differences between movies and advertisements, the goal of a semiotic analysis of a film is nonetheless the same as a semiotic analysis of an advertisement, namely to determine its current social significance. With than in mind, here is an expanded and modified version of the steps for conducting a semiotic analysis, tailored specifically to film: 1. Establish the sign (film) to be decoded 2. Set aside your opinion; your task is to analyze the current social significance (This assignment is NOT a review of the film!! 3. Determine what the sign means (analysis of setting, plot, characters, symbols, etc. ) 4. Discuss how the film represents its topic 5. Sketch the overall context (historical, cultural, and political) in which the sign appears 6. Develop a list of questions, concerns, and/or issues that will guide your analysis 7. Develop a thesis statement Again, this is NOT the order in which everything should appear in your paper. This is merely a step by step of how to P REPARE to write a film analysis. It would also be helpful to find other important films in same genre of your chosen film and see HOW your film is different, and WHY that difference is important. ASSIGNMENT Using the steps for conducting a semiotic analysis of a film outlined above as the foundation for your argument, write a three to four page analysis of your chosen film. Preparation for this assignment requires the following: 1. ) Locating, renting, and watching the film 2. ) Going through the steps for conducting a semiotic analysis of a film as outlined above After completing the steps, your paper should include the following: 1. A thesis statement 2. A short but detailed description of the film 3. An analysis of the film that includes some of the details/discoveries that you made while completing the steps (NOTE: You may NOT use first person pronouns in this essay-â€Å"I†, â€Å"me†, â€Å"my†, etc. ) 4. A title page 5. At least two reviews of the film quoted and cited properly 6. Works Cited/References Page Film Analysis Throughout this scenes is John Watson who romantically searches for Sherlock realizing his friend is in great danger. Using this scene we discuss the language of film (Gaucheness. & Startled, 2012), observing the main elements and techniques- miss-en-scene, cinematography, editing and soundtrack- to create a scene in a film. In regards to miss-en-scene the scene takes place in what seems to be a classroom of sorts, Sherlock is face to face with the killer who, as mentioned earlier, is a taxi driver. The characters are facing each other, the dialogue intense yet offhand.With two tootles of pills between them, and the scene set in the evening, the only light that appears to be on is the one above the two characters as the emphasis of focus is on the them and the pills as Sherlock is trying to decipher which bottle contains the pill that kills and which doesn't. While the scene is set in a classroom with the constant close-ups on the faces of the two characters, there are times when it almost looks like they are in an interview room with the lighting above and sitting on opposite sides of a table.The music helps intensify the scene constantly creeping in and out of the scene building drama around these two people and these pill bottles. Sherlock dressed familiar attire of a long coat and scarf with his superior condescending look deduces that the cable dressed in his recently laundered but outdated clothing is a dead man walking with a brain aneurysm. Thus the scene is dramatic but with a sense of realism in the way the characters are dressed and set for an intense showdown. As this is all taking place in the classroom, during the intense moment the scene is then taken back to Watson as he realizes that Sherlock is in danger.The music has a sense of urgency to it as John after discovering the danger his friend is in searches frantically in the classrooms. Close ups are a main part in the scene as it builds the tension showing the facial expressions on both charact ers faces. As they take their seats in the classroom, the establishing shot is a mid-shot of the characters but a long shot of the classroom which helps set that particular scene. There are moments in the scene where the camera pulls back almost as a way to relieve the viewers from the tension.While the sighting is bright when they enter the classroom, it slowly dims so the focus is always on the two characters emphasizing the dramatic undertones of the scene. But the emphasis is the close ups on the characters. The scene is deliberately shot as a dialogue between to characters constantly switching from a close up on character to the other At first low angle shot on the taxi driver which portrays as being the dominating character as he is in charge of the scene but slowly as Sherlock pieces together the reasons for the taxi drivers murderous campaign, the angle is more eye level.Meanwhile during this intense meeting we cut to Watson with mid to long shots that are used as he is stil l looking for Sherlock in the school. There are close ups on his face showing his genuine concern for Sherlock the pace a lot faster than that in the dialogue scene of Sherlock and the Taxi driver. Within this scene it should be noted that continuity editing is apparent through shot reverse shot, eye line match, match on action, the 180 degree rule and the continuity of action sound and lighting. (Gaucheness. Startled, 2012) Watson running around scenes are fast paced and he dialogue between the two characters seems a slower pace but both are the same type of pace as the duration between the shots do in deed decrease heightening the suspense within this scene. Because of this constant dialogue between the two characters the camera is constantly cutting from one character to another developing this rhythmic editing used with the constant back and forth banter between Sherlock and the Taxi driver. Also established in this scene is the match on action â€Å"wherein a movement or actio n is started in one shot and completed in the next† (Gaucheness.Startled, 2012) This again, is portrayed well in this scene as the tension builds between the taxi driver and Sherlock with those who are smarter than who dialogue. Within this scene the non-dietetic sounds are blended with dietetic sound. During the dialogues pieces between Sherlock and the taxi driver the music is only heard quite faintly whenever Sherlock makes a deduction and when the taxi driver emphasizes his superiority. Through Watson scenes the music is urgent and you hear his footsteps so you are able to pick up on his urgency to find his friend.The USIA used is a repetition of the shows theme either with Just certain part taken or the same sequence in the score repeated in variation. The music theme is used constantly through the entire series of Sherlock and seems to play an integral part to the telling of each scene in any Sherlock episode blending in with the characters and the scenes themselves. As seen with the tension that is built up between the Taxi Driver and Sherlock. It's quiet yet as the drama unfolds it gets a little louder and quietest again making sure that the focus us on every little word that is said between the two characters. Film Analysis Film Analysis Assignment When first reading about this assignment I thought about movies that had a strong culture theme to it. I didn’t want to choose a movie that I’ve only seen once, only because I wanted to be sure of its cultural theme and I also wanted to be sure that I knew exactly what the movie was about and everything that happens in it. The movie that I decided to write about is Mulan. It is very clear that the context of this movie provides us with the information that the film takes place in the ancient times in China.We know this because in the opening scene it shows a Chinese soldier standing on The Great Wall of China. Also the clothing that they were is often affiliated with the Chinese culture so we can tell from this context where the movie takes place. Also a few times in the movie it shows the Chinese language written on certain things. I believe that the context of this film affects the communication between characters for a few reasons. One reason is whenever people greet each other, especially someone important, they would bow to them.Another way the context affects communication is that the characters talk to their elders so properly and respectfully. One of the main social identities in this film was the one that Mulan held. Since Mulan was pretending to be a man so she would be able to fight in the war, she definitely had to fit in with those among her. She had to talk like they did, walk like they did, participate in the things that she did. She did this so she would not blow her cover and be caught. The obvious culture identify in this movie is that they are all Chinese.We can tell this because of how they are dressed, their surroundings as well as their facial structure. One of the huge ways one of the characters helped us understand her perspective was when Mulan sang the song â€Å"Refection†. In this song Mulan is talking about how she doesn’t feel like she is good enough and that if she were to act h ow she really is she would break her family’s heart. She thinks that her reflection is someone she doesn’t know. With her singing this song we are able to truly see what Mulan thinks of herself and it helps us understand her more.The relationship between her identity and the context of the movie is pretty understandable. The context in the movie shows us the true identity of who Mulan really is. There is a major change in Mulan’s identity by the end of the movie. Throughout the movie Mulan is trying to prove to everyone that she will bring her family honor. At the end of the movie she ends up getting to take home the Emperors Imperial crest along with Shan Yu’s sword. The history in this movie greatly affects the characters standpoints. As we all know, Mulan takes place during the ancient dynasty days in China.So many details throughout this movie give that away. But the one of the many ways that history affects the standpoints of the characters in this m ovie is how they train as well as travel for their battle to fight against the Huns. With it being ancient days the soldiers’ are trained to fight with their hands, they are taught ty kwon doe and how to use a bow and arrow. If this movie had taken place in the 21st century, the soldiers’ would be trained how to shoot guns. This right here shows you that history greatly affects the characters.If Disney had decided to place the movie in present days the climax fight scene would be completely different. The perceptions of history in this movie can teach you many things. There are just so many little details that show you the films history. There’s a scene in the movie where the General has sent a letter to the training camp and we can see its history because Mushu writes the General back with pen and ink. Near the end of the movie the soldiers’ that fought in the battle parade through the city on horses and they have the traditional clothing from that time on as well.One of the main relationships between history and one of the main characters (Shang) is that he is now the leader of the army. Since he is now the leader he has to train the men how they were taught for battle back in those days. There was only one language used in this film, which was English. But there were many different communication styles used in the film. Since Mulan is portraying a man for most of the movie her communication style is very different from the others. She tries to make her voice sound like a man and say things she thinks they would say.At a few points in the movie she forgets to talk in a manly voice, but surprisingly does not give her cover away. There weren’t many uses on nonverbal communication/codes throughout the movie. I can honestly only think of a few things. In the opening scene when Shan Yu appears over The Wall, the Chinese soldier lights a big torch and says â€Å"Now all of China knows you’re here,† Also the cricket, who plays on of the sidekicks of Mulan is silent throughout the whole film. But through his gestures, as well as Mushu being able to know what he’s saying, helps the audience understand the cricket.There are a few main beliefs and values that are reveled throughout this film. In the begging of the movie we see Mulan’s father praying to their families ancestors. The ancestors are of great importance to her family. They believe that the ancestors will bring Mulan protecting with helping her fight in the battle. They also have a high value in their families honor. The littlest things that someone could do would bring their family so many dishonors. There is a scene in the movie where Mulan is to meet with the Match Maker so she can help find Mulan a husband.But through many clumsy mistakes the Match Maker is furious and tells Mulan that she will never bring her family honor. When her parents and grandmother hear of the news they are greatly disappointed in her. That is o ne of the main reasons she goes off to fight in the war. Doing this Mulan believes that she will be able to bring her family honor. There are a plenty of issues of power and hierarchy that are used in this film. At one point in the movie there are a few men sent in from the imperial city to give the town a message. The Emperor has ordered one man from every family must serve in the imperial army.This clearly shows just how powerful the Emperor is and how he can change a family so fast. There is also a scene in the movie where Shang (left in charge by his father General Li) has power over everything that goes on in the camp. There are some men fighting after dinner and as soon as he walks in the men immediately stop and salute him. There is also a scene when Shang is not thrilled with how Ping (Mulan) is training. He wants to â€Å"make a man out of her† but she just isn’t meeting his expectations. He tells her that in the morning she has to go back home. These two exam ples show how powerful he is over the men in the army.