Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Blockbusters and Star Wars Essay Example for Free

Blockbusters and Star Wars Essay If one views the top grossing films of all time, it becomes easy to see that most of the films rely heavily on computer generated images, whether to enhance live action or the animation of popular animated features. Many cinematic experts cite the fact that blockbusters in the last thirty years have relied increasingly on special effects to the point that they overshadow the plot, which in essence becomes superfluous. However, this is hardly the case, and most blockbuster films feature plotlines and ideologies that date back to the earliest days of cinema when special effects were scarce. One of the most popular film franchises in history, Star Wars contains not only special effects that helped change movie making, but it also features a plot with many of the same elements as classic western films, including the ideological battle of good versus evil, the wild frontier, and archetypal characters. In the first few years of its existence, cinema was nothing more than a novelty that possessed little artistic value. The idea of moving images was more than enough to attract audiences, though like all novelties, the public would soon grow weary of the invention without the efforts of men like Edwin S. Porter. Undoubtedly, Porter can be said to be the creator of the first blockbuster in movie history, with 1903’s The Great Train Robbery. The film advanced filmmaking in many regards, as not only the first western, but also by incorporating action, violence, frontier humor, color, special effects, and a full-screen closeup of a bandit firing his pistol at the audience. While a short film featuring only one reel of action, it soon led to the proliferation of the nickelodeon as the most popular and commercially successful film of the pre-nickelodeon era, establishing the idea that film could be a commercially-viable medium. This realization that films could make money would eventually become the driving force behind the Hollywood film industry, and the conventions of the western would serve as the perfect template for plots to the present day. When the Hollywood studio system emerged in the 1910s and 1920s, films were produced much in the way of automobiles, with an assembly line mentality and factory-based production operations that allowed the studios to dominate the movie industry in the U. S. and abroad. The impact of the western formula on the success of film was apparent and by the mid-1920s, nearly half of Universal Studio’s annual output of feature films was westerns. After remaining the most profitable genre of film for decades, by the 1960s the western had peaked both as a viable Hollywood commodity and as a national myth to ease Americas rural-urban transformation, in part brought low by a combination of market saturation and generic exhaustion. However, many of its familiar conventions would find their way into the plots of some of the biggest blockbusters in history. Over seventy years after Porter’s blockbuster, George Lucas would also change the face of cinema, relying on the basic plot techniques developed through the evolution of the western. Stars Wars is credited as ushering in not only the era of dominating special effects, but also remains one of the highest grossing blockbusters of all time, with a worldwide box office take of $797,000,000, not to mention another few billion from its subsequent sequels and prequels. While Star Wars contains amazing artistry in the scale and scope of its special effects, its plot still relies on the simple conventions of the western film, which are designed to be accessible to all audiences. Often considered the first blockbuster to star one of cinema’s greatest icons, John Wayne, the film Stagecoach is an adult drama that had deep roots and moral lessons that helped make it a timeless classic, whose plot is about a group of strangers thrown together on a journey and put under stress so that the strengths and weaknesses of the character within them is revealed; this same basic formula has been seen in blockbuster films like Apollo 13 and the biggest blockbuster in history, Titanic. While both of these later films are heavy with special effects, they feature these proven plot techniques, much like Star Wars. The first time viewers see the heroic Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, it almost looks like a scene from a western. The classic desert landscape, the flat, expansive land and the big sky are all classic icons of the western genre. It is this vastness that is a key characteristic in Star Wars and westerns. Specific settings for westerns include lonely isolated forts, the isolated homestead, the jail, or small frontier towns that are forming at the edges of civilization. Luke, much like the young heroes of westerns, yearns only to get off the farm and lead a life of greater excitement. It is only when the Empire storms through and kills his family is he forced to become a man and take on the evil forces conspired against him. Usually, the central plot of the western film is the classic, simple goal of maintaining law and order on the frontier in a fast-paced action story: â€Å"It is normally rooted in archetypal conflict good vs. bad, virtue vs. evil, white hat vs. black hat Often the hero of a western meets his opposite double, a mirror of his own evil side that he has to destroy† (Dirks). For Luke, the good, his opposition is Darth Vader, the evil. This point is even illustrated by the color of the clothing they wear, as Luke dresses in white and Vader is decked out in ominous black. This element of good versus evil, or white hat versus black hat is a key to western films and make it easy for viewers to delineate between good characters and bad characters is traditionally easy in conventional western movies. There is little question as to who the good guys and bad guys are. And, this is even seen in Luke’s sister, Leia, who begins the movie wearing an all-white dress. The white clothing of Luke and Leia link them through their apparent goodness, even though it is not revealed until later that they are brother and sister. The only character that is seen in both white and black is Han Solo, who wears a white shirt with a black vest. Unlike Luke and Leia, Han has elements of mischief and is also an outlaw. The white shirt signifies his goodness, while the black vest hints of his less than admirable qualitieshis greed, selfishness, and willingness to deal with shady characters. When Han is introduced into the movie, he kills an alien within the first few minutes. According to author Stephen D. Greydanus, this scene is typical of western films: â€Å"The saloon shootouts, of course, come from that other great American mythology, the Western. (So does Han Solo’s general cowboy look and demeanor. ) By the 1970s, though, the Western no longer enjoyed the hold on the popular imagination it once had, though its influence has continued to be felt in films [like] Star Wars†. With all the element of classic westerns, including cowboy-type characters, evil villains, and a plot filled with action, it would only seem appropriate that Star Wars also possessed a classic theme, as many popular westerns do. However, Han’s goodness is finally known and he becomes one of the rebels’ greatest assets and is one of the movie’s best examples of a western style cowboy. While Star Wars could be considered a western set in space, it certainly possesses more elements and intricacies of plot than are given credit. While none of the conventions are new, they helped infuse the modern blockbuster with the spirit of old Hollywood, to very profitable results. A few true westerns have become blockbusters in the past thirty years, most notably Dances with Wolves, which grossed $424,200,000 worldwide, and featured many of the same elements as Star Wars, including good versus evil, the encroaching omnipresent technological power, and the perseverant hero. Ironically, Dances With Wolves even won the Academy Award for best film, beating out the film Goodfellas, which actually ended with an homage to Edwin S. Porter’s original western; it featured one of the most sinister mobsters in the movie shooting his gun directly at the audience at the end of the film, almost exactly duplicating the ending of Porter’s film. This just goes to show that regardless of what genre today’s Hollywood blockbusters fall under, the plot elements of the American western permeate most, from the simple battle of good versus evil to the ultimate victory enjoyed by the pure-hearted hero. Bibliography All-Time Worldwide Box office, Internet Movie Database, 2008, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://imdb. com/boxoffice/alltimegross? region=world-wide. Dirks, Tim, The Great Train Robbery (1903), The Greatest Films, 2008, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. filmsite. org/grea. html. Dirks, Tim, Western Films, The Greatest Films, 2008, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. filmsite. org/westernfilms. html. Eyman, Scott and Gianetti, Louis, Flashback: A Brief History of Film, New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 1991. Greydanus, Steven D. , An American Mythology: Why Star Wars Still Matters,† Decent Films Guide, 2007, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. decentfilms. com/sections/articles/starwars. html. Levy, Emanuel, Oscar History: Western GenreBest Picture, EmanuelLevy. com, 2008, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. emanuellevy. com/article. php? articleID=7193. Lucas, George. Star Wars. Hollywood, CA, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. Schatz, Thomas, Cowboy Business, The New York Times, November 10, 2007, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. nytimes. com/2007/11/10/magazine/ 11schatz. html? _r=1ref=magazineoref=slogin. Schatz, Thomas, Studio System, Film Reference, 2007, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. filmreference. com/encyclopedia/Romantic-Comedy-Yugoslavia/Studio-System. html. Williamson, Ed, John Waynes First Blockbuster Movie, Epinions, 2002, retrieved 2 April 2008, http://www. epinions. com/content_75406675588.

Monday, January 27, 2020

Analysis of the Swamp in Psycho

Analysis of the Swamp in Psycho Adrian Secter Murder, Candy and Chains: An Analysis of the Swamp in Psycho â€Å"Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you.† Carl Jung Understanding a swamp is to understand what exists in shadow. Not the shadow of night or shroud, but that of the mute. The marginal. To know the scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho where Marion Crane’s corpse-filled car is disposed of, is to know the film. Bogs have always been a place in flux, the last remainder of a primordial ooze. They serve as a place where strange organisms, many of which cannot survive elsewhere, can breed and grow. The same holds true for ideas. For a man such as Norman Bates, the swamp affords him (and his mother) the luxury of anonymity. Removed from the scrutiny of dry land, the rigors of reality, Bates’ imagination does as swamp creatures do. It experiments, it mutates and most importantly, it uses its natural habitat to dispose of any outsiders who threaten it. Given that the absorptive nature of the swamp scene is both literal and metaphorical, Michael Fried’s â€Å"Absorption and Theatricality† readily lends itself to this analysis. While Fried ostensibly concerns himself with Denis Diderot and 18th century French paintings, the case he presents all but begs to be deftly applied to film. A plea heard anachronistically by Psycho. This 1960 film is replete with striking scenes, and indeed it could be argued that the movie is comprised entirely of such scenes. It is however, the alluded to â€Å"swamp scene† that is most pertinent. In this scene, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) hides the car that his most recent victim, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh). After murdering Crane in her motel room and disposing of all the evidence thereof, Crane’s body and 1957 Ford remain. Cleverly vanishing both corpse and car, Bates wraps Crane in a shower curtain, dumps her in the trunk and rolls the car into a nearby swamp. All of this exposition appears fairly straightforward, and would be, were the film not directed by Alfred Hitchcock. With Hitchcock behind the camera, the scene is elevated beyond mere plot and into a realm worthy of Fried and analysis. The crucial point of this scene is that the only remaining proof of Crane’s murder, the car, does not go quietly into the swamp. In filming this descent of woma n, Hitchcock positions the car on a controllable platform, allowing him to adjust the speed with which the car is lowered into the murky gloom. The car is swallowed up, but only piecemeal. At first it proceeds smoothly, as the muddy waters seep into the front of the car. Then it stops. Half of a bone-white car still sticks out of the darkness. The trunk, with Crane inside, stares back at a watchful Bates. He stares back, munching on candy corn. The water finds its strength again and consumes more of the car. Then it stops. The trunk lies like a Nile crocodile, its back above the water. On the shore, Bates continues watching. At last, the water covers the trunk and its morbid contents. The camera lingers on the last bubbles, expiring as they flee towards the shore. With this knowledge of the scene itself in hand, it is now possible to delve deeper into the swamp. Fried begins â€Å"Absorption and Theatrically† with an explanation of the prevailing Rococo style which he neatly summarizes as being â€Å"exquisite, sensuous and intimately decorative†. Fried contrasts the ostentatious and often dull (an artistic combination of decided difficulty) Rococo style with its artistic antithesis, the return to imbuing paintings with absorptive qualities. Fried defines absorption as an â€Å"†¦.insistence on the unity of the painting and the insistence on the irrelevance of the beholder (Fried also reminds his readers that the effort to establish the unity of the painting must itself be understood as nothing but an effort to affect the beholder). Reading Fried with Hitchcock’s film in mind results in a fascinating adaptation of Fried’s explanation of relationship between Rococo and absorption. While cognizant of the perils analogies present, a careful cinematic examination of the dynamic between Rococo and Absorptive art sees a similar dynamic in the dynamic of the studio system and Psycho. Psycho follows in the artistic footsteps of painters such as Chardin and thus stands apart from the studio system of classical Hollywood films. On a very practical level, Psycho can also been seen as at odds with the prevailing system. In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s Paramount contract guaranteed the studio another Hitchcock film (his previous Paramount film being Vertigo in 1958) but studio executives found Hitchcock’s latest proposal to be repugnant and refused to finance it. Undaunted, Hitchcock produced the movie in cost-cutting black white, using his own television production company and filming at Universal Studios. It is fascinating and relevant to note that reviews of Psycho were decidedly mixed, with the New York Times praising the horror movie’s depiction of â€Å"†¦the little details of ordinary life, a virtue in keeping with the lesser genres†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Or so it would have been had that quotation not pertained to a Baroque critique of Chardin in the 1730’s. Taking quote from art critics in the 18th century and applying them to the Salon of 1960 prompts an examination of the qualities of the film that are reminiscent of Chardin’s â€Å"Soap Bubbles† and thus it’s theatrical and absorptive qualities. The swamp scene is an excellent case study for this as the previously articulated manner in which it is constructed allows the beholder to become a subjective character within the scene. The technique used to achieve this are very similar to those used in â€Å"Soap Bubbles†. Fried identifies this the painters (or directors) â€Å"choice of a natural pause in the action which, we feel, will recommence a moment later†. The result of these choice is paradoxical, as Fried goes on to say that a static painting or a film’s (static in its celluloid repetition) â€Å"stability and unchangingness are endowed to an astonishing degree with the power to conjure an illusion of imminent or gr adual or even fairly abrupt change.† Within the scene currently under analysis, this paradoxical choice is further amplified by the unique way film as an artistic medium can be re-watched. Despite the fact that an aesthete can (and many do) return to a certain museum to view a particular painting as many times as they please, and the fact that viewing and watching are for all intents and purposes synonyms, it cannot and is not said that an individual who has gone to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa fifty times has â€Å"re-watched† the Mona Lisa, regardless of the pedantic truth of that statement. But film, and Psycho more pointedly, is a â€Å"re-watchable† form of art. It is not a petty quibble over semantics, but rather speaks to the manner in which knowing the inevitability of the outcome mutates the audience’s conscious viewing experience. When the swamp scene is watched for the first time, the viewer is struck with a tense and remarkable feeling. Despite just having witnessed the jarring murder of Crane in the infamously jarring shower, the audience finds itself wanting the car to go into the swamp. Hitchcock masterfully creates a situation of such deft tenseness that the audience is placed in the same mindset they have when watching a hero character disarm a bomb (always with one second left). The mastery of this scene is that it takes that expression of bomb-disarming relief and channels it for the benefit of a man who just brutally murdered a woman. A woman whose death has now been covered up, to the relief of the audience. In this crucial moment, the viewer does not want Bates to be caught. Upon re-watching the movie, and armed with knowledge of absorptive techniques, theatricality and French paintings of the mid-18th century, Hitchcock’s masterpiece offers up even more. Gazing (but never re-watching) paint ings such as Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s â€Å"La Pià ©tà © Filiale† with the Bates’ Motel’s swamp in mind, one realizes that they are lost in the scene because of the manner in which Norman absorbs himself in his task. Much like Greuze’s painting, wherein Fried says that â€Å"the primary emphasis is no on the variety and multiplicity of individual responses to a central event so much as on the merging of those response in a single collective act of heightened attention†, the audiences’ and Norman’s responses to the slow descent of a hearse into the swamp merge into an â€Å"act of heightened attention. Fried illustrates what is at the heart of the â€Å"absorptive state†. It creates and maintains a fiction, a fiction the beholder, the viewer, the audience, call it what you will does not exist at all. Both the family in Greuze’s painting and the candy-corn eating Bates are depicted in such a way that they not only forget themselves, they forget us too. Furthermore, there is a direct relationship between the degree to which the fiction of the viewer is omitted and the ability of the actual viewer to emerge themselves in the world of the art. In turn, the reality created by Greuze or Hitchcock sees more real because it seems to be, regardless of whether or not it is being beheld. But at the same time, the tension that manifests itself in aligning with Norman results from not being absorbed. This is in line with â€Å"Absorption and Theatricality† as the very same tension that absorbs the audience also results in the problems Fried makes out for Parisian salons in the 1750 and 60s’ when he says that the â€Å"illusion of negating the spectators presence creates both the absorption and the undermining of the images reality.† For the Salons, Fried makes the case that the fact that the absorption was being admired by critics made the illusion of negation increasingly difficult. However, for Psycho’s swamp scene, the latter effect serves to prod the viewer into realizing they were enthralled by the film’s antagonist, one who had dispatched the supposed protagonist not a third of the way through the film. It is fitting to being to draw this examination to a close the way that Hitchcock brings Psycho to a close. At the end of the movie, it is not the penetratingly insane stare of Norman Bates the audience is left with, but rather a shot of car being pulled out of the swamp with chains. It is only right that as the viewer was pulled into the film watching the car sink deeper into the swamp, that they should be returned to their world as the car is pulled out of the swamp. While Psycho may appear to conclude with a bland and straightforward explanation of Bates’ psychotic condition by a psychologist, appears can be, and frequently are deceptive. Receiving a medically valid reason behind the events that they have beheld is a poor balm on the confusion and terror they have absorbed. Hitchcock is fully aware of this and it is the primary reason why the film does not fade to black after the doctor’s rational explanation. The last fleeting moments of the film are reserved for the swamp. The re-introduction of the swamp, and the rising of the car, with all its macabre and money contents, raises introspective questions for the audience. While the police will undoubtedly open the trunk to find Marion and most of the stolen cash, the audience is faced with the prospect of opening their own conscious self to examination. Through the use of Michael Fried’s â€Å"Absorption and Theatrically† and a subsequent examination of the parallels between the Rococo and the studio, the absorptive and Psycho, this analysis has taken the crucial scene following Marion’s murder and used it demonstrate the manner in which the film’s audience becomes a subjective role in the film. The residual horror of the film is not merely the product of jarring murders but rather showcases the power of the absorptive technique in creating within the viewer shifting identification with the film’s characters. Ultimately, the audience is left with haunting questions regarding their own motives for things such as wishing the swamp would cover the car fully. And as the above analysis concludes, the answer can be a bit unsettling. But there is no need to upset. After all†¦ we all go a little mad sometimes.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Assisted Suicide and the Right to Choose Essay -- Euthanasia Physician

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abstract: Religious or moral beliefs may prevent some of us from seeking the assistance of others to hasten our own death. But should we hold others accountable because of the standards that we choose to live by? With adversaries of assisted-suicide opposing the legalization of such acts, we are forcing our beliefs onto others who prefer peace and comfort at their time of death. As Christians, non-Christians, philosophers, teachers and laypersons, we all share one very key affiliation other than life and death itself. We are born with the "freedom of will", either by the Grace of God, or some other greater force. As such, it appears logical that we have some preconceived right to choose whether or not we aggressively seek death.   Throughout the centuries, there has been increasing debate regarding suicide and the acceptable reasons for committing such an act. Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and David Humes are just a sample of the many philosophers and theologians that have commented on this delicate subject - each with slightly differing views. For this essay, I will focus on assisted suicide as it relates to the development of acceptable standards that would be uncompromising to the beliefs and ideals of differing social groups. It is in this manner that I will attempt to outline some of the increasingly difficult dilemmas presented by this hotly debated subject. Do terminally ill patients have the right to choose death with the assistance of others? Do religious and political leaders have the right to intervene with a patientà ­s decision to die with the assistance of others? These two questions are some of the many about which this increasingly complex debate thrives. Society is often asked to answer each ques... ...on à ± The Second Year." Amy D. Sullivan, Katrina Hedberg, David W. Fleming. The New England Journal of Medicine. February 24, 2000. v.342, n.8 "A Right to Choose Death? Moral Argument for the Permissabilty of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide." F. M. Kamm. Boston Review on the WEB. Summer, 1997. "Beyond the Call of Duty: A Daughter Reflects on the Meaning of Her Motherà ­s Suicide. Vivian Rothstein. Boston Review on the WEB. Summer, 1997. "Right To Die Denied" Online Focus(PBS Newshour). June 26, 1997. Books Uhlmann, M. (1998) . Last Rights? Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Weir, R. (1997) . Physician-Assisted Suicide. Indiana: Indiana University Press Shavelson, L. (1995) A Chosen Death. New York: Simon & Schuster Hamel, R., DuBose, E. (1996) Must We Suffer Our Way To Death? Texas: Southern Methodist University Press   

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Separation of Church and State is Necessary for Freedom of Choice Essay

Separation of Church and State is Necessary for Freedom of Choice We in America have the right to be free, so why not listen to the words of Thomas Jefferson and build a â€Å"wall of separation between church and state?†Ã‚   The wall of separation was Jefferson’s interpretation of the first amendment; however, the idea was actually founder of Rhode Island Roger Williams’.   Jefferson’s belief was that religion was a personal relationship strictly between a man and his God and the government should not be allowed to restrict anyone from practicing their religion. With so many different religions in the United States, church and state must be separated to a certain extent because a close relationship between church and state puts constraints on the freedom of other religions. To begin with, creationism is a great example of an ongoing religious conflict which has caused a lot of discussion.   It is a lesson that all students should learn, whether in public school or private. The main concern is how teachers can teach creationism without crossing religious boundaries. Anderson addresses the importance of teaching creationism: Considerable care and effort are needed to help students understand the difference between the methodology of science, with its naturalistic operational assumptions, and the naturalism as a worldview. (Anderson 89)Schools should not neglect teaching creationism when students are able to benefit from being informed about both beliefs of evolution and creationism.   It is relevant as long as religious views are not infringed upon them.   Furthermore, school vouchers are unconstitutional and public funds should not be used to fund any kind of religious organization. Back in 1971 was the first time that the Sup... ...igious beliefs do affect the opinion of many voters. In conclusion, the separation of church and state remains a controversial issue. It is evident that church and state should be separate in some cases, such as in public schools and politics. Public schools are responsible for exposing students to diversity. Without the separation of church and state it would be practically impossible. Separation of church and state guarantees choice. Works Cited * Anderson, Ronald D. â€Å"Religion and Spirituality in the Public School Curriculum.† New York. Peter Lang Publishing. 2004. * Davis, Derek H. â€Å"The Separation of Church and State Defended.† Texas. 1995. * Doerr, Edd. â€Å"Gathering Storms.† The Humanist. Volume 64, number 6. Washington.American Humanist Association. November/December. 34-35. * Maddox, Robert L. â€Å"Separation of Church and State.† New York. 1987.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Freneau and Wheatly

Philip Freneau was brought forth in New York of Huguenot ancestry in 1752, and died near Freehold, New Jersey, in 1832. Freneau became the unrivaled â€Å"poet of the Revolution† and regarded as the â€Å"Father of American Literature†. Romantic is defined as marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized. In my opinion, Freneau’s poems make him a romantic writer because of the following reasons: First, his poems demonstrate the love of nature. In here the emotions and instinct came to be more important than reason.There was an adoration of â€Å"The Natural Man†, the â€Å"noble savage,† and the primitive and untutored individuality. The thought that the simple and unsophisticated life was best, also grew popular implies primitivism. These perceptions led to curiosity in old civilizations, glorification of Greek society and a search in archeology nurtured as a science. Another thing wa s that his poems show heroism. The overcoming of our natural fears and limitations to achieve great things is heroism. The way he wrote those predicaments, he was not afraid to tell what’s inside his heart and the actions he would do to be able to help those who are in need.He is romantic because his poems represent the love of the common man. He gave ideas about the social and economic classes as they were denigrated or put down. An era of revolutions opened when the governments were overthrown, due to the fact that it often seemed to constrain elimination of social classes. He also imparted a way to satisfy a cultural need for wisdom, or a mythology suitable to a new nation. He also shared that life was like a flower. It bloomed and died because of its short life. In my opinion, he wanted us to enjoy life and made it worth living because life is too short to be wasted for nothing.Freneau explained about the strange and far-away places. This feature relates to the love of ex otic locations around the world and in time and space. This could comprise the past or the future as well as strange places or situations in the present. He also emphasized the love and respect to the dead people that they must be treated right despite of their condition. Finally, as a whole, Freneau’s poem make him a romantic writer because he stressed deeply the exact meaning of love in all his poem. Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in Gambia, Africa and died on December 5, 1784 while still struggling with poverty.The salvation of Christianity evident in her three poems namely: To the University of Cambridge in New England, On being brought from Africa to America, and On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield 1770. Salvation is the deliverance from the power and effects of sin and the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death. The message of the poem entitled â€Å"To the Un iversity of Cambridge in New England† wanted to interest us on how Jesus had redeemed us for our sins and gave us another chance to enjoy the privilege of being with him.We cannot measure the goodness and passion of the Lord for us because even though we are sinners, he decided to reach us by allowing his only begotten son, Jesus to die and redeemed us and be with him someday. We should be thankful about it. While in the poem, On being brought from Africa to America it implies that there is no discrimination in the sight of God when it comes to salvation. The race or the color of the eyes is not matter in front of God. Even though, we belong to the clan of the sinners, we can be purified by the love of God if we are also willing in return and become a member of His kingdom.On the third poem, it dwells on the good motives of our God. I believe that no parents, who love their children, desire evil things for their siblings but of course the favorable and best things. Just like o ur Lord and Savior, he is inviting us to accept Him, whoever you are, whatever your condition is and what race you belong, he never chose whom He will love and save. In the sight of God everybody is fair because He is a just God, no favoritism and is loved without hesitatio

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Creation and Aspects of a Product Plan

INTRODUCTION Origin of the Report As we are doing Marketing Management, our course instructor Prof. Dr. Mijanur Rahman has instructed us to prepare a paper on the product plan. Purpose †¢ To get a clear concept how to make the product plan †¢ To acquire knowledge how to make mission, vision, marketing mix etc. Limitations 1. We did not collect the current information related with our product. 2. We had to give lot of times to collect information about competitors, market situation because enough information not available. Research Methodology Secondary: †¢ Internet: www. google. com , www. ekipidia . com, Source: thedailystar. net †¢ Other: Collected information from marketing report, magazines, running newspaper. 1:00 CURRENT MARKET SITUATION Today the chips market is dominated by Potato Crackers, Mr. Twist, Meridian, Cheese Ball, Lay’s, Sun Chips and other chips. We find out that, there is no high quality chip which is suitable for children health. But we found much normal category chips. Our product quality is more high comparative to the other competitors, because our main ingredients is Mushroom which is totally new flavor and taste and also work against for the cancer.So it’s a big gap that we find out. Our new chips has been received a new market challenge to cope with them. At the very beginning, our sale will be low, profit will also be little. We hope that we will be able to get the first mover advantage, because there is no such product especially for children health. 1. Market Description: We know, the market means potential customers of a product or service. Bangladesh is a highly populated country. The birth rate is very high . As a result the children rate is also very high. We are not producing our product not only for children but also for teenagers, young generation.So our total target market is very large. Market demands of market will also increasing as much we can position in our customers mind. (All this f igure are estimated depending on class and age to have an idea about demand on chips on this variables) This is our target market. We want to target children as well as young people of middle and higher class of people. We are not eliminating lower class people but first we want to create demand for our product then we will try to reduce our product price and serve to all class of people. 2. Product review:The product quality is more high comparative to the other competitors, because our main ingredients is Mushroom which is totally new flavor and taste and also work against for the cancer. It is suitable for children health. It is highly reached by Protein-15. 53%, Fat-20%,Saturated fat-1. 42%, Carbohidrated-2. 45%, Sugar-2. 40%, Energy-100gm, Colastrol-0%, Sodiam-. 64%, which is very much essential for specially kids and young age people. 1. 3 Price: Price levels are set for launching our product for our targeted customers. 4. Sales:We want to produce 960000 of products in our fir st step of production. Depending on increasing demand rate, we will increase our production rate over a month. Every year, we will increase our 10% of production. We will observe the sales and satisfaction levels of our customers through our sales representatives. Our Product will sale only in Urban and town side areas of Bangladesh, that’s why we are not distributing and sales product in rural areas because our price level is bit high. After increasing our product demand and sales, we will try to reduce our cost of production.As a result, we reduce our product price and distributed in rural areas in Bangladesh. 5. Gross margin: We have a great competition in our market. 1st year; we want to create huge demand by good quality advertisement and promotional activities to create position in our customers mind. As a result, we expected low gross margin for 1st year, it will be just cover the fixed asset. 2nd year, we will try to sale more and more and reduce the cost of goods sol d. It will increase our gross margin. 1. 6 Profit: We expected earning profit within 2 years.Before that we will try to cover our fixed costs and make break even points of sales. 1. 6 Distribution review: Factory Warehouse Divisional warehouse Salesman Retailer Customer †¢ Our factory situated at Tongi in Gazipur. After producing our products it will store in our own warehouse Mirpur. †¢ From this warehouse products are distributed 6 divisions by our own transport and then storing these goods in divisional warehouse. †¢ Then our trained salesman distributes our products in the market to the retailer. And finally retailers sell it to the ultimate customer. 1. 7 Competitive Review: 1. 7. 1 Potato Crackers: Potato Crackers is a very popular snack prepared with combination of wheat, starch together with potato. It is a light, crispy snack and less oily. It has an average food value and is available with spicy tomato flavor. Ingredients: Potato Powder, Potato Starch, Wheat flour, Refined Vegetable Oil and Seasoning. 1. 7. 2 Cheese Ball: |  |Cheese Ball is an extruded product made from corn and rice and coated with rich cheese powder.It is superb in taste and | | |something to be enjoyed all the time. | | |Ingredients: Corn, Rice, Salt, Vegetable Oil, Cheese Powder & Seasoning. | 1. 7. 3 Mr. Twist: Mr. Twist is especially attractive to youngsters. This potato based snack has a certain amount of modified or native starch to give it a beautiful twisty shape and fine texture. Available with tomato paprika flavor. Ingredients: Potato Powder, Modified Potato starch, Native Potato starch, Refined Vegetable Oil and seasoning. 1. 7. 4 Meridian Chips: Meridian Chips is especially attractive to all people.Total annual sales below US$1 Million. Export percentage 1% – 10% per year. 1. 7. 5 Lay’s: Lay’s is the brand name for a number of potato chip (crisps) varieties as well as the name of the company that founded the chip brand in 1932. Lay 's chips have been marketed as a division of Frito-Lay, a company owned by PepsiCo since 1965. Other brands in the Frito-Lay group include Fritos, Doritos, Ruffles, Cheetos, Rold Gold pretzels, and Sun Chips. | | | 2. 00 SWOT ANALYSIS:SWOT analysis is an important tool for auditing the overall strategic position of a business and its environment. SWOT is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Opportunities and threats are external factors. For example, an opportunity could be a developing distribution channel such as the Internet, or changing consumer lifestyles that potentially increase demand for a company's products. A threat could be a new competitor in an important existing market or a technological change that makes existing products potentially obsolete. Strength: |Weakness: | |[pic] Technological skills |[pic] New company | |[pic] Distribution channels |[pic] Absence of importer skills | |[pic] Product quality |[pic] Unreliable product | |[pic] Value delivery network |[pic] Financial problem | |Opportunity: |Threats: | |[pic] Changing customer taste |[pic] Changes in government politics | |[pic] Technological advances |[pic] Acceptance the product | |[pic] Changes in government politics |[pic] Competitor rate high | |[pic] Availability of raw materials |[pic] Strict rules and regulation | 2. 1 Strength: [pic]Without any touch of hand the product is made because of development of technological skills. [pic] There are another strength of the company is distribution channels. Our distribution channel is very strong; relation of the supplier and resellers is very strong. pic]The product quality is more high comparative to the other competitors, because our main ingredients is Mushroom which is totally new flavor and taste and also work against for the cancer. [pic]Because of our good relationship with supplier, reseller and for the good transportation facility our sale will be definitely increases. Our value delivery Network is in strong position. We are having good relationships with our suppliers for a longer period of time. 2. 2 Weakness: [pic] Although the company is new, it has not established a brand or images in the market place this is the weakness for the product popularity. [pic] Because of the new product and company importer skills are absence here that’s why we can’t includes any internal facilities. pic] For the first time the mushroom is exit in the market that’s why people can’t properly reliable to the product quality. [pic] Financial problem is another weakness of the company like what will be the price Cost and investment. [pic] Quality of the Mushroom is not up to mark. 2. 3 Opportunity: [pic]It’s an available product but of the new version of taste and quality create a new change of the customer taste. [pic]For the technological changes and advances it’s easier to give any information and promotional activities to know the product popularit y to the people. [pic]If the government changes politics then it will be easy to access the product to the market. pic]Availability of the raw materials is increasing day by day which is help to produce more products. 2. 4 Threats: [pic]If government is increase the taxes and the political issues are not favor then it will be the threats for the company. [pic]The product may not be accepted to the people then it will be the great threats for the company. [pic]The product competitor rate is very high that’s why sometimes we are facing many competing problem, which can be a threats of the company [pic]Company establishment rules and regulation is strict that’s why sometimes to take any easy decisions are create complicated situations. Adjustment of opportunities and threat: The usefulness of SWOT analysis is not limited to profit-seeking organizations.SWOT analysis may be used in any decision-making situation when a desired objective has been defined. If the raw material s are available to the market then the cost of the raw materials will be reduced then we can produce more product in minimum price, and if the government politics are favor then the supply of the product and the transportation cost will be reduced. These products have new taste and a new ingredient which is changes the customer taste. We have to overcome the threats. If the product is not the accepted to the peoples, then we have to increase our promotional activities to attract the peoples and create more differentiations better than our competitors. 3. 0 OBJECTIVES AND ISSUES 3. 1 Financial objectives: Achieve first year total sales revenue of Tk. 48,00000, based on average price of Tk. 14 per unit. But first three month we cannot achieve any profit because in that time we invest lot of money for sales promotion campaigns, electronic trade show, provide mini pack sample to the selected customer. †¢ Produce net profits of Tk. 9,60000 next year with a target profit margin of 20 percent on total sales. †¢ Marinating a significant research and development budget. †¢ Increasing production level each month by 1 % †¢ Investing more in Cultivation Of mushrooms. †¢ Establish 3 Big factory for producing large amount of product 3. 2 Marketing Objectives: Achieve a first year unit sales volume of 1,15,20,000 which represents a projected market share of 10 percent with one type in product line. †¢ Increase second year share to 15 percent, based on sales of three types in product line. †¢ Generate 30 percent brand awareness within the consumer target market and 40 percent brand awareness within the business target market by end of next year. †¢ We want to be no. 1 Chips Company in Bangladesh. †¢ After one month, we are collecting our sales review and satisfaction level of our customers. †¢ Diversification in our product line. †¢ We want to create social value for position in customers mind. 3. 3 Issues Our new brand o f chip that is Mushroom chips is completely unknown into the existing market.So, our major issue is to establish a well-regarded brand name linked to a meaningful positioning. We will have to invest heavily in marketing to create an excellent, distinctive brand image projecting innovation, quality, and value. We also must measure awareness and response so that we can adjust our marketing efforts if necessary. 4. 0 MARKETING STRATEGY 4. 1 Market segmentation: Geographic: divisions and district town side areas such as Dhaka, chittagoan, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, Khulna . Dhaka – (gazipur district -town side) Demographic: Age-5-12, 12-18, 18-24, 24 to others and higher class, middle class of people. Product related: †¢ Regular customers †¢ Irregular Customers †¢ Negative customers 2.Target market: †¢ Children †¢ Young people †¢ People Middle class and higher class †¢ urban areas people 4. 3 Positioning: To children, young people, chips custom ers who are seeking for delicious taste with nutrition . Mushroom chips contains mushroom that gives you taste with good nutrition because it has the highest level of Protein-15. 53%, Fat-20%, Saturated fat-1. 42%, Carbohidrated-2. 45%, Sugar-2. 40%, Energy-100gm, Colastrol-0%, Sodiam-. 64% 4. 4 Differentiation: Mushrooms are good sources nutrition and this is our main ingredients. Top of Form Bottom of Form 4. 5 Marketing mix: Marketing mix consist of four basic things which is known as â€Å"four Ps†: roduct, price, place, promotion under the consideration of our product (Mushroom Chips) These four Ps are specified as 4. 5. 1 Product: The Mushroom chips, including all the features described in the product review section. The product is very healthy and a better quality compare to our competitors. Mushroom Chips (Burke) Recipe By : Cooking with David Burke Serving Size: 4 Preparation Time: 0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method —â€⠀Ã¢â‚¬â€œ ———— ——————————– 1 pound large white mushrooms Or Portobello mushrooms 2 cups clarified butter OR vegetable oilCoarse salt OR kosher salt — to taste Quality that we are first assure in our product. It is highly reached by Protein-15. 53%, Fat-20%,Saturated fat-1. 42%, Carbohidrated-2. 45%, Sugar-2. 40%, Energy-100gm, Colastrol-0%, Sodiam-. 64%, which is very much essential for specially kids and young age people. Each and every process of the production is done by automatic machine. Design is the factor that will often give a company its competitive edge. It is the totality of features that affect how a product looks and functions in term of customer requirements. Feature leads to the materials which are used in production for making the product. ‘Regal industries used Mushroom powder, Mushroom starch, and Wheat flour, Refine vegetable oil, Seasoning and P otato powder for producing the chips. The top management of the Regal Industries has decided to give a brand name to new product as â€Å"Mushroom Chips†. Packaging which gives an extra attractiveness to any particular product. That’s why we also design a packet for â€Å"Mushroom Chips†. The whole packaging process will be done without any kind of hand touch in an automatic machine. 4. 5. 2 Price: â€Å"The Regal mushroom chips† will be introduced at tk. 14 wholesale and tk. 15 estimated retail price per unit. We know that the price is much higher than the other Chip present in the market but it will give a high quality.We expect to lower the price of packets within few months. Because of the first time at market the company would like to give some discount to the retailers which will make them some profit. The company is also giving some credit terms facilities to their wholesaler and retailers. 4. 5. 3 Promotion: The management of Regal Industries has budgeted tk. 1,80,000. 00 for their advertising and promotion activities for per month. As a new product in the market it needs huge amount of advertising and promotion activities to tell the consumer about the product and its features. For that reason management decide to go for more fancy advertise in Television, Radio, Billboards, and Web site and in News paper.The policy makers has decide to offer different types of popular cartoon and super hero characters stickers and tutus with per packet of Regal Mushroom chips for Childs and purchase intensive to the wholesale and retail for sell promotion. By organizing Charity concert, Open concert, Sports tournament, Reality shows etc; Regal Industries would like to build a good relation whit people in near future. 4. 5. 4 Place: At the very beginning Regal Mushroom Chips will distribute to the town area of 6 divisions across the country with companies own transport system. By considering the future demand it has planned to distribute in the whole country area.For unexpected future demand it always kept sufficient amount of inventories in its own warehouse. 4. 6 Marketing Communication Strategy: By integrating all messages in all media, we will reinforce the brand name and the main points of product differentiation. Research about media consumption patterns will help our advertising agency choose appropriate media and timing to reach prospects before and during product introduction. The agency will also coordinate public relations efforts to build the brand and support the differentiation message. To attract, retain, and motivate channel partners for a push strategy, we will use trade sales promotions and personal selling to channel partners.Until the brand has been established, our communications will encourage purchases through channel partners. Our distribution channel is quite different from other chips because our main target consumers are the upper class and upper middle class people, who are Not usually conc erned about the television advertisement because they are more cautious about the product quality. 4. 7 Marketing Research: Using research, we are identifying the specific features and benefits that our target segments value. Feedback from market tests, surveys, and focus groups will help us develop the â€Å"Regal Mushroom Chips† brand. We are also measuring and analyzing customers’ attitudes toward competing brands and products.Brand awareness research will help us determine the effectiveness and efficiency of our messages and media. Finally, we will use customer satisfaction studies to gauge market reaction. 4. 8 Marketing Organization: Chief marketing officer holds overall responsibility of all the companies marketing activities. Company has also three top level manager for advertisement department , sales department and promotion department . And under sales manager company has six divisional sales manager . They are responsible for divisional sales increasing. Ma rketing Organization Abdur Rahman Chief Marketing Officer 5. 0 ACTION PROGRAM Our company â€Å"Regal Company† will be introduced in February 2011.Following are summaries of the action programs we will during the first three months to achieve our stated objective. January: We will initiate a Tk. 300000 trade sales promotion campaigns to educate retailers and generate excitement for the product launch in February. We will exhibit electronic trade show, provide mini pack sample to the selected customer. Our promotion manager is responsible for this work. February: We will start an integrated print, radio and media advertisement targeting consumers. This advertisement will show our products differentiation from other competitor. Advertisements also show our products feature to the ultimate customer. Our Advertisement manager is responsible for those works.March: As the multimedia campaigns continue, we will add consumer’s sales promotion techniques such as giving scratch card and lottery etc. Our sales manager is responsible for this type of sales increasing techniques. 6. 0 FINANCIALS PROJECTIONS In this section we make expected budget of sales and cost monthly and yearly. We count breakeven point unit sales. We also present our expected sales revenue and profit. Our product per unit cost is 13. 5 Tk. And wholesale price is 14 Tk. And Maximum retail price is 15 Tk. Expected Sales Budget |Division |Monthly |Yearly | | |Unit |Cartoon |Unit |Cartoon |Dhaka |5,00,000 |5,000 |60,00,000 |60,000 | |Chittagong |2,00,000 |2,000 |24,00,000 |24,000 | |Barisal |70,000 |700 |8,40,000 |8,400 | |Sylet |80,000 |800 |9,60,000 |9,600 | |Rajshai |50,000 |500 |6,00,000 |6,000 | |Khulna |60,000 |600 |7,20,000 |7,200 | |Total |9,60,000 | |1,15,20,000 | | Expected Cost Budget |Type of Cost |Monthly(TK) |Yearly(Tk. ) | |Variable |1,10,40,000 |13,24,80,000 | |Fixed |20,00,000 |2,40,00,000 | |Total |1,30,40,000 |15,64,80,000 | Per Unit Cost Per unit Cost = (Fixed cost + Va riable cost) Unit Production 2, 40, 00,000 + 13, 24, and 80,000) = 1, 15, 20,000 = 13. 5 Tk. Break-even Unit Sales (Yearly) Per Unit Sales 14 Tk. Per Unit Variable Cost 11. 5Tk Per Unit Contribution 2. 5Tk. Fixed expense Now, B E S in Unit = Per Unit Contribution 2, 40, 00,000 = 2. 5 = 96, 00,000 unit. Expected Revenue (Yearly) Sales (1, 15, 20,000* 14) 16, 12, 80,000 Variable Cost 13, 24, 80,000 Revenue 2, 88, 00,000 Expected Profit (Yearly) Revenue 2, 88, 00,000 -) Fixed expense 2, 40, 00,000 Profit 48, 00,000 7. 0 IMPLEMENTATION CONTROLS The controlling process: In the control Process, we will compare our total result with the expected things that we are mentioned. If there is mistakes then take necessary steps to control the overall process. There will be two way of controlling. One is operational control and second one is strategic control. Operational control: If any changes occurred to our production process, then it will be done by operational control. Strategic control: If any changes occurred into strategic plan than it will be done by strategic control.Market Audit: We will hire a market audit or researcher to evaluate our marketing plan and give advices how to improve in operational control, strategic plan, others plans. Implementation Plan: The following identifies the key activities that are critical to our marketing plan. It is important to accomplish each one on time and on budget. †¢ Online advertising, which cost BDT 50,000. †¢ Separate rack in shopping malls and the departmental stores, which costs BDT 200,000. †¢ Other advertising costs BDT 10,00,000. †¢ Event sponsorship, which costs BDT 300,000 References: 1. http://trade. coa. gov. tw/showProduct. do? isTemp=false&rid=2465&lang=e&showMenu=true 2. http://www. recipesource. com/fgv/vegetables/mushrooms/00/rec0053. html 3. ttp://www. malaysiabest. net/2006/03/06/snacks-mushroom-chips/ 4. http://ihor5. freeyellow. com/mushchip. html[pic][pic][pic] 5. http://banglapedia. s earch. com. bd/HT/M_0416. htm 6. http://www. mushroomlovers. com/Health. htm [pic] ———————– Md. saley uddin , Reasonal Sales manager, Chittagong Ms. Sabrina Azam, Reasonal Sales manager, Sylet. Mr. Rafique Khan, Reasonal sales manager, Rajshahi. Md. Jahidul Islam, Reasonal Sales manager, Khulna Ms. Sayla Zaman , Reasonal Sales manager, Barisal. Md. Azad, Reasonal Sales manager. Dhaka Ms. Bristi Rani Advertising Manager Md. ,Hasan Mahamud,Promotion Manager Ms. Nancy Christina Sales manager

Friday, January 3, 2020

Ticketmaster Case Analysis - 3311 Words

Introduction and Case Background Company Background Founded in 1976 and headquartered in West Hollywood, California, Ticketmaster is the world’s number one live entertainment ticketing and marketing company. Ticketmaster operates in over twenty markets worldwide, serving more than 9,000 clients across multiple event categories. It provides exclusive ticketing services for leading arenas, stadiums, professional sports franchises and leagues, college sports teams, performing arts venues, museums, and theaters. Ticketmaster’s pledge to its clients is, â€Å"To provide the best systems, services, and tools for the optimal sale of tickets to the widest possible audience. For Ticketmaster consumers, its pledge is, â€Å"To provide convenient,†¦show more content†¦Ticketmaster though has the solid relationship built with the client and works differently as they only work to sell tickets at the pre-determined price set by the client they work for. Stubhub is different in that they are a niche ticket market for c onsumers seeking tickets to events only. Ebay in fact purchased Stubhub as to acquire market share in this sector. Stubhub also provides consumers the option to buy directly from each other but this is the only specialty service they provide. They are the industry leader in the type of ticket sales. Stubhub has been very innovative in providing some specialized services such as VIP packages. They also split the commission cost with the buyer and seller. So although the price of the ticket is the same, the seller retains more of the revenue from the sale of the ticket. This obviously entices sellers to use Stubhub. They also have partnered with Fedex to be able to guarantee delivery of the tickets to the buyer. This eliminates some of the potential problems of buying and selling tickets through such a service as Stubhub. Tickets are guaranteed for both the buyer and seller from Stubhub. Internal Analysis When we reviewed Ticketmaster internally, we looked at the firm value chain, the core competencies that exist, Ticketmaster’s technology, and the social and legal challenges that may exist. The firm’s value chain and core competencies are its paper tickets, etickets, and their box officeShow MoreRelatedThe First Sfx Entertainment Was Formed By Robert F. X943 Words   |  4 Pagesconsolidation of regional concert promoters into a single national entity. In 2000, Sillerman sold the company to the radio broadcasting company Clear Channel Communications for $4.4 billion USD, which spun off in 2005 to form Live Nation, and merged with Ticketmaster in 2009 to form Live Nation Entertainment. In June 2012, Sillerman publicized his intent to focus on the growing electronic dance music market by reviving the SFX brand to form a new conglomerate in the electronic music industry. 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