Category: Art 2722

In his book, Precision Conducting, Seven Disciplines for Excellence in Conducting, Timothy Sharp looks into the different ways of inspiring a conductor. Chapters 1 to 3 discuss analyzing, internalizing, and marking the score. The author argues that it is critical for the conductor to first analyze the score. At this point in music creation, the conductor should study and fully understand the structure of the score.¹. Sharp continues to state that the analysis should ideally lead to charting, which is the written composition of the score that makes markings more visible. Also important to note is that the conductor has to chart both single movements and the full score in order to study it fully.².

Proper charting and analysis of the score will make the internalization process easier.³. Sharp equates singing a different well-versed song without making sounds to internalization. Using this internalization approach, the conductor can affirm any problems that might occur during the singing and make the right decisions based on hearing the music from within⁴. It is important to note that the internalization process has to be accurate in order for the conductor to make viable decisions regarding the structure of the music. It is only after these two phases that the conductor should mark his or her score. This can be done through individual instrumental parts or the performers marking sheet.

Bibliography

Sharp, Timothy. Precision Conducting, Seven Disciplines for Excellence in Conducting. Sydney: Roger Dean, 2003.

Footnotes

1. Timothy Sharp, Precision Conducting, Seven Disciplines for Excellence in Conducting (Sydney: Roger Dean, 2003), 1.
2. Sharp, Precision Conducting, 2-3.
3. Sharp, Precision Conducting, 17.
4. Sharp, 19.

It is always interesting and challenging to visit museum exhibitions and examine works created during different epochs. Each collection presents a unique chance to learn about history and the people who inhabited various periods, including their style of life and their interests. Every painting possesses its own intrinsic meaning to be analyzed and evaluated. I cannot simply look at a portrait to enjoy its beauty; my thoughts are all-encompassing as I try to imagine the whole story. This was the situation when I visited the Kimbell Art Museum and observed its collection of artworks from Antiquities, the Ancient Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Of the more than 300 works the museum offers, Henry Raeburns portrait, The Allen Brothers, attracted my attention on this occasion. A particular feature of this exhibition is the possibility not only to observe the work and analyze its technical aspects but also to read the associated historical background and obtain information about the artist and the people in the portrait. Raeburns Allen Brothers is not only a work of art but a source of information about aspects of life in the 18th century.

My visit to the Kimbell began like any other visit in terms of buying a ticket and choosing which room to visit first. Despite the museums relatively small collection, I needed some time to take the first step. When I reached the South Gallery in the Kahn Building, I was impressed by the variety of artworks. Two reasons governed my decision to stop in front of Raeburns work. First, I admire 18th-century Scotland because of its evident transformations and intellectual progress. Second, I like paintings created using oil on canvas, especially portraits.

The Allen Brothers is a work of art that portrays two young Scottish boys playing a game that involves a hat and a stick (See Appendix). Even with close scrutiny, it was difficult to discern which of them was the younger, and I started making predictions. Next, I compared my results with the information given on the brochure near the painting and found that I was correct in thinking that the older boy is standing and the younger boy is seated (Henry Raeburn). While the boys are obviously occupied, they are also clearly able to decide whether to respond to a viewer or to continue playing.

I find it interesting to identify and analyze possible symbolism in the chosen portrait. For example, the younger boy holds a black hat in his hand. Although during that period of time, Scotland was famous for its blue bonnets, Raeburns virtuosity and free style of painting may offer an excuse for such a choice. The stick may be interpreted as a sign representing conflict and the desire of the country to carve its way to success and prosperity. Finally, even the different direction of one boys sight spurs the thought that the people of that historical period were free to choose and follow their demands and needs.

In general, this visit to the Kimbell Museum served as an educational and important moment in my life, giving me the chance to observe several new works of art and to improve my understanding of Scottish culture and history. Henry Raeburn left a significant mark in art due to his unpredictability and painting adventurism. His Allen Brothers can arguably be called one of the best portraits ever made, properly presenting the social, political, and cultural aspects of Scottish life.

Work Cited

Henry Raeburn: The Allen Brothers (Portrait of James and John Lee Allen). Kimbell Art Museum, Web.

Introduction

The Entire History of You is an episode of series Black Mirror. The creators incorporated various symbols in this show. One of the most significant moments is a scene where the advertisement of a new device is shown. This innovative technology allows watching any moment that a person has experienced. The grain, which is inserted under the skin, can record everything that a person sees. The slogan in this advertisement tells that memory is for the living. However, the life of the main characters does not become better. The main goal of this paper is to analyze this episode, focusing on the advertisement of the grain and its significance for the proper understanding of the presented ideas.

Analysis

This episode of demonstrates the possible problems that might occur if individuals are provided full access to their minds. The creators suggest that the level of anxiety among the general public would drastically increase (Welsh). It might be caused by excessive self-consciousness. The main character, Liam, experiences psychological pressure that the grain puts on him. He is persuaded into buying the grain by an advertisement. Its slogan tells that memory is for the living, and Liam becomes over-focused on every single detail in his life due to the use of this new technology. It lets a person re-watch every event from the past over and over again. Consequently, he becomes obsessed and paranoiac.

This problem is deeply rooted in meaningless fear and self-consciousness. However, the protagonist does not understand that he cannot change the past. He is too self-conscious on the job interview, and that makes him pretend to be someone else. Liam ignores the fact that anxiety is a normal response to a potential problem or failure. He continuously looks back on past events, trying to understand their causes and effects. However, it makes him even more anxious and nervous. The grain drastically changes his life. It does not serve the living anymore. It becomes his living as Liam overwhelmed with regrets.

Facts about memory

This science fiction does not reveal the main principles of the humans memory. However, it shows the effect of intervening in the memory processes on an individual. The way how memory works is not fully comprehended yet. However, several theories are widely presented. Nerve cells in the brain interact via synaptic connections that are complex structures that transfer signals. Neurons start passing signals when they are stimulated by several irritants simultaneously. The strength of such interactions determines the formation of memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the amplification of the connections between neurons (Gómez-Gonzalo et al. 3699).

This process plays key roles in brain function. LTP occurs when nerve cells fire or talk to one another at an elevated rate without further increased stimulation from neurotransmitters (How Does). This process reminds the email system. The more a person sends emails, the easier communication becomes. The sender can be added to a contact list. The brain uses a similar principle, creating synaptic contacts. However, when a person stops communicating with a sender, the relationship slowly fades away. The ability to recall specific memories depends on the strength of such connections among synaptic contacts. LTP serves as a conductor for information in the brain.

It allows a person to upload and download this information at a very high rate. This theory explains why certain memories are stronger than others. It depends on the speed of a connection. Some recollections become more vivid if the pathway on which you contact them performs at a faster pace (How Does). The brain is a very flexible organ, and it can transform itself, depending on circumstances. Also, it can be trained as muscles. A person might enhance memory performance if the pathways among nerve cells are frequently used.

In this episode, the new technology gives people opportunity to avoid natural thinking process. A person does not need to work to make LTP occur. Everything is done by the grain. However, all processes in the brain are interdependent. Therefore, eliminating the necessity of recalling, people worsen their mental status. Such a connection is presented in this episode. The advertisement promotes the idea that the new technology intends to improve the quality of life. Nonetheless, it makes the life of the protagonist miserable and pointless. Liam loses the ability to look at himself from the outside.

He is totally frustrated and depressed. He is constantly concerned about the past and does not think of the present and future. Liam is distracted by the grain. While life is going on, he gets lost in his memories.

Ethical issue

The creators also question the ethical side of the possession of such a technology. A scene showing a security check at the airport reveals the violation of privacy. Security guards browse the memory records of every passenger that include moments from their private lives. Moreover, this scene implies that people who do not have the grain might be denied boarding. Such discrimination goes against basic ethical principles.

Conclusion

The main idea of this episode is that new technologies might be highly beneficial to humans, but people do not understand the purpose of such innovations and overuse them. It leads to various social and psychological problems. The main character gets full access to information about his past. However, it does not benefit him. It only makes his life worse. Therefore, this episode emphasizes the idea that people should be taught how to appropriately incorporate modern technologies in their lives, avoiding harmful effects.

Works Cited

Gómez-Gonzalo, Marta, et al. Endocannabinoids Induce Lateral Long-Term Potentiation of Transmitter Release by Stimulation of Gliotransmission. Cerebral Cortex, vol. 25, no. 10, 2014, pp. 3699-3712.

How Does Memory Works? Science Daily. 2016. Web.

Welsh, Brian, director. The Entire History of You. Zeppotron, 2011.

Introduction

Medieval art is presented in various masterpieces of literature and architecture. Several styles were widely spread in the Middle Ages. The main goal of this paper is to describe examples of medieval art, highlighting their distinguishing characteristics.

Manuscripts of the Early Middle Ages

The Rochefoucauld Grail is a medieval illuminated French manuscript. It was created in the 14^th century (The Rochefoucauld Grail, n.d.). The manuscript was commissioned by the French aristocrat Baron de Rochefoucauld. One of the possible reasons for creating this book was to highlight the noble status of the owner. The book describes the main human problems relating to love, friendship, and dignity. The author demonstrated his view on how to cope with human passions and emotions. The book contains various visuals illustrating violent battles. They emphasize the authors idea of difficulties that people living in this brutal time had to overcome.

Codex Amiatinus is a manuscript that presents the Latin translation of the Bible. Codex Amiatinus was commissioned by the Benedictine monk, Ceolfrid, in the 8^th century in Tuscany (Illuminated manuscripts from Europe, n.d.). The book was created as a gift for the pope. The manuscript presents narratives from the Old and New Testaments. The authors handwriting is distinguished by big beautiful uncial letters. Also, there is no punctuation, which makes a reader focus on a sentence structure more carefully. It contributes to a more accurate understanding of the main biblical concepts.

Rule of Saint Benedict is a manuscript commissioned by Charlemagne at the end of the 8^th century in Rome. The main purpose was to establish an official version of the rule of monastic life (Illuminated manuscripts from Europe, n.d.). The main idea of the document was to describe principles that monks should have abided by and spread them throughout the country. The accurate and modest handwriting manner emphasizes the main attributes of the monks life. The decoration of the initials demonstrated the beauty and comprehensiveness of simplicity underlined in this work.

The reasons for creating most religious texts nowadays are the same as before. These medieval books are focused on the controversial human nature and present the vision on how to resist the temptations to which all people are exposed. Modern religious texts are brightly illuminated, though they lack the beauty of handwriting compare to medieval works.

Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals

Chartres Cathedral is an example of French Gothic art. It was built in 1145 in Chartres, France (Chartres Cathedral, n.d.). This masterpiece has distinguishing attributes of Gothic style like the pointed arch and the flying buttress. The cathedrals exterior is decorated with stained-glass windows and various sculptures. The most remarkable element of the cathedrals interior is the nave made in the ogival style. The sculptures stresses the mission of the church to teach and preach (Chartres Cathedral, n.d., para. 20). The windows filter the light, turning it into the warm glow that creates a peaceful atmosphere. Numerous paintings present different episodes from the Bible and images of the saints. Visitors experience awe and admiration as this incredible architectural achievement is filled with the power of medieval history.

Lund Cathedral is an example of Romanesque architecture. It is located in Lund, Sweden. The cathedral was built in the 11^th century (Lund Cathedral, 2015). The Romanesque style might be seen in the floorplan, the arched gallery, and the vault beneath the church. The main exterior details are the cathedrals towers with the pyramidal roofs. They decorated with various sculptures that present biblical motives.

One of the most distinguishing Romanesque characteristics might be noticed inside the cathedral. These are small windows that barely allow light to get through, creating a dark atmosphere. Also, there are five organs and the astronomical clock. Various paintings decorating the interior depict scenes from the Old Testament. Viewers experience silence and peace, mixed with profound inspiration from the past accomplishments of great craftsmen.

Conclusion

Medieval art had a crucial impact on the modern world. Its masterpieces withstood the test of time. The mentioned above examples present the outstanding works of the talented artists of the past.

References

Chartres Cathedral. (n.d.) 

Illuminated manuscripts from Europe. (n.d.).

Lund Cathedral. (2015). 

The Rochefoucauld Grail. (n.d.). 

Comparing and contrasting works of art throughout history is expected to shed light not only on the different approaches of separate artists but also reveal the evolution of society through the ages (Kleiner 78). The current analysis will focus on comparing the sculpture of Kritios Boy, which is dated 480 BC and Dying Gaul, which is dated late 3rd century BC. While both sculptures depict men in the nude, the approaches taken by the sculptors who created them differ not only in the artistic methods used but also in the themes that the works were meant to portray.

The sculpture of the Dying Gaul, which was found to be from the Pergamon, depicts a partially naked man on the ground, who seemed to have fallen from a chest wound (Dying Gaul). His entire body weight is placed on a weakened arm, creating a sense of defeat and imminent death. The piece transfers the feeling of loss hope and the grand drama of pain and the loss of life.

In contrast to the Dying Gaul, the sculpture of the Kritios Boy was intended to show how the human body acts as a system. While the Gauls body is dramatically posed, the Kritios Boy is relaxed in a naturalistic pose that transfers the balance of movement (Kritios Boy). This method of depicting a human body is known as contrapposto, which was widely used by Greek sculptors.

Therefore, while the significance of the Dying Gaul is associated with the sculptors ability to transfer the drama of death and defeat, the Kritios Boy is rather an ode to the human body and its functions. Despite depicting male bodies, one of the pieces is dedicated to exploring a sophisticated philosophical theme while another glorifies the human body, its beauty and its function.

Works Cited

Kleiner, Fred. Gardners Art through the Ages: The Western Perspective, Volume 1. 15th ed., Cengage Learning, 2016.

Dying Gaul. YouTube. 2010, Web.

Kritios Boy. YouTube. 2014, Web.

Experiments play a significant role in the progress of medicine. They help researchers to fill in the gaps in knowledge in certain areas through testing, analyzing clinical and laboratory effects, and research of information. However, sometimes, the methods of conducting experiments can go against ethical principles. In this essay, the summary of the movie named Miss Evers Boys, which shows a story about a secret medical experiment, will be discussed.

All the events of the movie revolve around the secret Tuskegee Experiment conducted by the U.S. government in the first half of the last century. This study aimed to passively watch hundreds of black men who had syphilis despite the availability of effective therapy (Alsan, & Wanamaker, 2018). The main character of the story is a nurse, Eunice Evers, who is sent to Tuskegee to assist doctors in the treatment of black men with syphilis.

The government promised free treatment for people, but in reality, ordered to provide fake therapy to see how the disease develops in human bodies. The movie shows an unprecedented act of violence of duty-based ethics by healthcare professionals. They neglected the main principles of the medical statute, the Hippocratic Oath. Being aware of effective medication, they were destroying peoples lives pretending to be helpers.

Indeed, maintaining ethical behavior by medical workers is very important in the process of peoples treatment. Healthcare professionals, especially those who have leadership roles, should control ethical vigilance and implement a certain strategy of how to fight inappropriate behavior in a medical environment. Those who violate these rules and intentionally destroy peoples health should be punished according to the law and excluded from medical practice. Unfortunately, as it is shown in the movie, sometimes it can be too late to correct mistakes made by dishonest employees.

Reference

Alsan, M., Wanamaker, M. (2018). Tuskegee and the health of black men. The quarterly journal of economics, 133(1), 407-455.

Erin Brockovich (2000) is a biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh that depicts the story of an American legal clerk, consumer, and environmental activist who played a vital role in building the case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California in the early 1990s. Survey research represents one of the critical aspects of applied social research measurement and is associated with the procedure of data collection associated with questioning the population.

Surveys come in different forms depending on their lengthiness and the form in which questions are administered. In the movie, Erin Brockovich used one-on-one interviews in her investigation (von Tunzelmann, 2013). This research technique is beneficial for collecting in-depth data and encourages respondents to elaborate on their answers and provide information that is valuable but may not have been included in the initial study objectives.

The method used by the characters of the film to gather information with the aim to uncover important data that could be used in a legal case. The way of collecting data does not rely on the knowledge of research but rather is concerned with performing some detective work. However, it is imperative to understand that the method of data collection depicted in the movie is different from how it occurs in real life. For any movie that explores the issue of advocacy, it is recommended for directors to understand the situations being researched and show how data collection is implemented in real life.

A needs assessment refers to a systematic process that is used for determining and addressing gaps between existing conditions and desired conditions. The discrepancy between the current and desired conditions represents the need that should be addressed. In the movie, Erin Brockovich investigated the ratings of water quality and identified harmful substances that are found in the drinking water that the citizens of Hinkley, California, were consuming. The characters work required her to pay extensive attention to detail to identify the needs of the population and be highly patient when uncovering new information.

The needs assessment depicted in the movie was associated with conducting a comprehensive investigation to ensure that all relevant details are used against a large corporation. The Erin Brockovich movie did not exaggerate or idealize the in-depth and conscientious nature of the work done by the main character. Interviewing individuals who were affected by the contamination of water is a complicated task, both emotionally and professionally, as the search itself is tedious and time-consuming. Erins research also entailed going through large volumes of data, including public records, and spending days in the same place trying to uncover something. However, most of the coincidences depicted in the movie that allowed the researcher to gather relevant evidence are unlikely to occur in real life.

In order to use the needs assessment for obtaining information about the distribution, prevalence, and relationships between variables within the affected population, Erin utilized the tragic reports from those affected by the unethical practice of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. When the main character started investigating the problem, it was revealed that the number of victims was measured in numbers, and they were helpless in defending their interests on their own.

When Erin discovered that the affected population needed someone to support them and fight for their rights, she puts the needs and concerns aside in order to help them in the long run. In the case of Erin Brockovich, a needs assessment was necessary for ensuring that the interests of the population are represented by a skilled professional who is would fight for their rights.

While the investigatory task carried out by Erin Brockovich was quite demanding, but it paid off as she managed to help many people who have become victims to unlawful and unethical practices of a corporation. However, in her research, Erin had to deal with several ethical challenges. One of the most significant issues is highlighting the deception of businesses as well as such practices as bribery, untrustworthiness, deception, and intent to harm. It is important to understand that people working in the company were affected, and most of them were regular employees and did not have to suffer from the unethical practices of their employers.

The corporation was driven by selfishness and did not care about the welfare of its customers, workers, and members of the community. It was also necessary to preserve the confidentiality of individuals interviewed by Erin in order for them to avoid further persecution of the victims. In general, Erin Brockovich is a movie that does not only shows the brilliance of a woman-investigator and a woman-activist but also sheds light on unethical practices of corporations and how they can affect innocent consumers.

Reference

von Tunzelmann, A. (2013). Erin Brockovich: Jury out on the details. The Guardian. Web.

One of the most prominent principles used in Woman with a Veil is balance. The composition of the painting is symmetrical, with the womans face being the focal point, and her figure and hands creating a vaguely triangular shape. This composition creates a sense of serenity.

Another important principle that contributes to the overall aesthetic experience is chiaroscuro or contrasts between light and shadow. The womans face, clothes, and the veil are light, while the background and the shadows are dark brown. This use of contrasts makes the figure stand out and accentuates the models dark eyes. Besides, the shadows are done in a soft manner, reminiscent of Leonardos sfumato technique. It makes the figure appear luminous and creates a warm effect.

These techniques contribute to the principle of realism used in the painting. The face and the folds of fabric are rendered realistically, following the Golden Section principle. The woman does not only seem life-like: she appears dynamic as if she is going to move. This effect is achieved by the rendering of her pose, especially the hand.

Judging by the color palette and the womans facial expression, the overall mood of the painting can be described as dignified and luminous.

Many scholars believe that the artwork depicts Raphaels lover Margherita Luti, who is also featured on other paintings, such as La Fornarina and the Sistine Madonna. However, not all experts believe it to be true, and the identity of the model is still considered a mystery. The painting is also considered to be inspired by Leonardos works, in particular by Mona Lisa, with which it shares some similarities.

Following the tradition of the High Renaissance period, the painting represents the ideal of beauty, as seen by the artist (Alcorn, 2014). The fact that the woman is believed to be Raphaels lover shows that the painting conveys the painters attitude towards the model, as well as the womans physical beauty and a range of emotions expressed by her face, most prominently dignity and serenity.

The main artistic statement appears to be the beauty and grace of a person, in particular a woman. It is also the part of the human condition which the artist chose to depict. It corresponds with the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance era, such as that people are not inferior to God, but are, on the contrary, dignified and close to perfection.

As we already mentioned, Raphaels Woman with a Veil shares many similarities with Leonardos Mona Lisa. Both paintings depict women sitting with their arms folded, turning their faces towards the audience, and looking directly at the spectator. They are also characterized by the use of soft shadows and close attention to the details. Both women have dark eyes and appear to be slightly smiling, demonstrating their emotions in a subtle manner. However, while Leonardos work depicts a woman wearing a black dress against a light background done with cool colors, Raphaels model is painted with white and gold colors against a dark background. Mona Lisa suggests mystery and contemplation, while Woman with a Veil looks warmer and more inviting. Besides, Raphaels work looks dynamic in comparison with its more static counterpart.

We can conclude that despite the apparent similarity between the two artworks, the aesthetic experiences produced by them are very different. However, just like Mona Lisa, Woman with a Veil can be considered a masterpiece. It is a painting done with great skill, attention to detail, and realism. A slight smile suggests dignity, dark eyes hold an intense look, and red paint used on the womans cheeks make her appear lively and animated. The painting conveys emotion in a subtle manner, leaving room for interpretation. All this proves that the artwork deserves to be called a masterpiece.

References

Bosch, L. J., & Mancoff, D. N. (2009). Icons of Beauty: Art, Culture, and the Image of Women. ABC-CLIO.

Alcorn, C. (2014). Raphael: 118 Paintings. Osmora Incorporated.

Introduction

Cinematography is a primarily visual form of art, so it is only natural that the viewer concentrates on what is visible on the screen. As Gunning suggests in his essay, the invisible in films is often neglected: it is not seen as a valuable element worth attention and exploration. The author cites Maurice Merleau-Ponty who famously stated that the visible always implied that the presence of the invisible as well as what we see entails the zone of what we do not. Gunning concurs with Merleau Pontys approach and reprimands the limiting prioritization of the analysts view over the complicity of the medium. According to the researcher, this especially applies to the seventies cinematographic theory that relied too heavily on evaluating visual mastery. This essay argues that the invisible plays an essential role in urban representation in movies and cannot be disregarded when analyzing them.

The Dialectics of Urbanism

With the rapid urbanization that commenced at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, cities have found a place in visual arts and have since been poetically and philosophically conceptualized. Gunning makes a compelling argument for the dialects of modern urbanism: the researcher states that every city is characterized by an inarguable duality of being. Firstly, the researcher points out that there are two layers to any urban space  the facade and the backend. The former is something that the residents and tourists capture first: it is the surface that is often made to look good. However, this attractiveness and neatness are misleading: the backend of the city is intricate and complicated.

Another juxtaposition that Gunning brings up is the one between the order and the chaos of urbanism. In a quite riveting manner, the author compares this dichotomy to the two key characters in any detective literary work: the detective themselves and the criminal. The first one represents an order: they need to know their around the city and they have to keep it safe. The criminal, on the other hand, uses the chaos that is integral to any urban area to their own advantage. They seek to flee, hide, and misconduct in the dark, away from other peoples eyes. Lastly, one more interesting opposition described by Gunning is that between the birds eye and mole view. The author argues that the same city can be presented in two completely different ways depending on the externality or internality of the observer. The points made by Gunning are consistent with those made by Castello who sought to rethink the meaning of space (98). Marrying the two approaches, one may conclude that urban areas are complex and often combine conceptual opposites.

Light and Shadows of The City in Cinematography

Even early films were focusing on both natural and urban views with the latter being paid more attention. Gunning describes various techniques that may seem pretty ordinary today but that were novel back in the day: a phantom ride and an overview. It becomes apparent that the setting became an integral part of any cinematographic work, giving it some extra character and flavor. This view finds a further reflection and development in an article by Saul and Ells (110). The researchers explain that settings do not merely exist: they have the potential to transform the viewers perception. Around the time when photography was invented, people realized that there was something about it that was not reachable by the human eye. By manipulating images, fitting them into narratives, and playing with lights and shadows, photographers and cinematographers could put the viewer in a certain, desired emotional state.

Cities are emotionally charged to the point where they may even act as sentient beings, living organisms. Gunning provides an example of a classic film noir, City that Never Sleeps, where the so-called Voice of Chicago becomes the narrator, an entity with a personality and an opinion. Another example is Naked City directed by Jules Dassin that as Gunning claims, contains a thought-provoking contradiction. One would expect a naked city to be a city that has nothing to hide. However, the first sights shown to the viewer dispel this misconception: they see the scenes of murder, corpses, slums, and other terrifying elements of the citys underground life. Soon it becomes apparent that the nakedness of the city is in its exposure and vulnerability. Dassin shows that the night only highlights the detachment and loneliness of the citys residents. The producer depicts night shift workers, people coming home late at night, and anyone because of whom the city never truly falls asleep. It turns out that despite the seeming interconnectedness, city residents stay confined to their niches and rarely communicate with each other.

However, Naked City did not solely seek to show the individual struggle of every person living in this urban area. If one takes into account the historical context of the movie, one will discover that it was created shortly after the Second World War. Back then, cinematographers expressed their commitment to revolutionizing the American film industry. They wanted to be serious about exposing social problems and speaking out about something others did not dare to point out. Naked City managed to show the tension and the class struggle that characterized post-war America. Interestingly enough, this tendency persisted and lived on: for instance, Marrero-Guillamón describes the power of cinematography in shedding light on ethnic problems (20). In a way, to this day, the film industry has evolved to not only accept the invisible but also use it as a tool to bring about change.

Exposing the invisible may not always be as optimistic: sometimes it is terrifying. The next example provided by Gunning is another film noir classic, He Walked by Night, directed by Alfred L. Werker. The director shifted the focus from the New York City beloved by other cinematographers of that era to Los Angeles. The movie opens with a voice-over that sets the tone and once again emphasizes the dialectics of the city: [Los Angeles has] been called a bunch of suburbs in search of a city, and its been called the glamour capital of the world; a Mecca for tourists, a stopover for transients, a target for gangsters, a haven for those fleeing from winter, a home for the hard-working, a city holding the hopes and dreams of over two million people (Gunning 328).

It becomes clear that in a city this hectic, vibrant, and diverse, it is easy to blend into the crowd and work undercover. This is exactly what the main character, Roy, is doing. He is a sociopath with impressive knowledge of technology and police procedures, which allows him to escape the law time after time. However, even brilliant people like Roy make mistakes, and in the final scenes of the movie, the character finds himself out of luck. The finale demonstrates the dual nature of his relationships with Los Angeles. If previously, its chaos and darkness helped Roy to flee and do his evil deeds without observers, now they devoured him. He Walks By Night ends with the police discovering Roys body in the sewer and seeing his face for the first time, thus, making the invisible visible, albeit a tad too late.

Gunning closes his argument by stating that light and shadow for a polar pair need to strike a balance to engage the viewer. According to the researcher, sometimes, they are used to depict an ideological concept, but their use does not have to be political. Darkness does not have to be purely negative either: it is there for the intrigue and the secrecy. Gunning states that light and shadow areas complementary as hide and seek and a promise and a threat.

Conclusion

When it comes to cinematography, one tends to focus on what is shown. However, the question arises as to whether this approach to cinematography is too limiting and misses the point. In his essay, Gunning describes the versatile use of light and shadow in depicting what is on the surface and what takes a deeper exploration. The researcher analyzes film noir classics, emphasizing the dialectics of urban areas that tie together order and chaos, light and darkness. Gunning proves that urban settings are more than the background to films: they have a personality and they can interact with the characters. However, the invisible is often neglected, and it takes the viewer thoughtful reflection and insightfulness to understand its role in cinematography.

Works Cited

Castello, Lineu. Rethinking the Meaning of Place: Conceiving Place in Architecture-Urbanism. Routledge, 2016.

Gunning, Tom. Invisible Cities, Visible Cinema: Illuminating Shadows in Late Film Noir, Comparative Critical Studies, vol. 6, no. 3, 2009, pp. 319-332.

Marrero-Guillamón, Isaac. The Politics and Aesthetics of Non-Representation: Re-Imagining Ethnographic Cinema with Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Antípoda. Revista de Antropología y Arqueología, vol. 33, 2018, pp. 13-32.

Saul, Gerald, and Chrystene Ells. Shadows Illuminated. Understanding German Expressionist Cinema through the Lens of Contemporary Filmmaking Practices. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Film and Media Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, 2019, pp. 103-126.

Introduction

Hamilton is a famous Broadway musical devoted to the history of the United States. Based on the story of its success, there is a variety of ways to generate profits in the theater industry, including merchandise, social media strategies, and touring. This essay is devoted to the potential of new content and online contests in converting young people into playgoers and the use of books and films as revenue-generating opportunities.

Leveraging Hamiltons Success

Making the musical more popular among young people would be extremely positive when it comes to profitability and developing the new generation of theatre lovers. In their book, Aaron and Moorman argue that the practice of leveraging and using opportunities involves building on the core business to create synergy. Broadway can use Hamiltons success as a source of knowledge to convert more teenagers and young adults into habitual playgoers.

First of all, Broadway can achieve the mentioned goal by creating more content that is reflective of their aesthetic preferences. Young people differ from their parents when it comes to tastes in music. The 2015 production of Hamilton utilizes different genres of music, including hip hop, and this variety is among the factors that allow attracting younger viewers. To appeal to this audience, Broadway is recommended to invest in new shows that combine modern and traditional music in a unique way. This strategy involves two potential challenges, such as financial constraints and the reaction of the adult playgoers. To guarantee popularity, it can be necessary to reinterpret the most well-known shows, which involves a lot of work and increased wage expenses. Moreover, trying to meet young peoples interests, Broadway will face the threat of losing its more mature audience that prefers different styles.

Secondly, to make more young people become playgoers, Hamiltons team can benefit from this age cohorts social media activity. Modern teenagers and those in their early twenties often fail to survive at least two hours without online communication. Some theater columnists argue that it can be exploited and even advocate for the introduction of laissez-faire approaches to phone use (Hassoun, 2016, p. 101). Hamiltons team can use the plays success by rewarding young playgoers for sharing their impressions of Hamilton and other projects on social media. For instance, by organizing social media contests, the team will increase the young audiences interest in visiting Broadway shows. Concerning the challenges peculiar to the strategy, contests aimed at young social media users can cause older Broadway fans discontent. Thus, the team needs to make sure that all contests attract the required age group but do not discriminate against other playgoers.

Alternative Revenue-Generating Options

Prior to being implemented, leveraging options should be analyzed and evaluated to avoid the use of ineffective and costly development strategies. Aaker and Moorman propose the following evaluation criteria: attractiveness of the product market, core businesss success and transferability to new product markets, new businesses chances to become market leaders, and leverage strategies repeatability.

The revenue-generating options for Hamilton include creating a high-quality film version of the musical and distributing it in cinema theatres in the U.S. and abroad. Despite decreases in movie attendance rates that took place in the 1990s, the cinema industry market is still profitable and attracts new entrants (Gil & Gutierrez-Navratil, 2017). The success of the teams core business, live performances, is also obvious as Hamilton tickets used to cost up to $500 (Aaker & Moorman, 2017). The core business can be easily adapted to the new market just by changing the format of the show. The musical is hugely popular, but Broadway show tickets may be too expensive for some populations. The proposed decision will provide less wealthy people with an affordable alternative to visiting the live show. The musicals popularity is likely to make its video version regarded as a competitor to high-grossing movies, but the presence of its market leadership potential remains an open question. The growth option being discussed is relatively simple and easy to implement. Due to that, the experiment can be repeated with other Broadway projects in the future.

Apart from selling merchandise, Hamiltons team can grow the shows revenues with the help of books about the play, its history, and funny situations behind the scenes. The book market is still associated with substantial profits, especially when it comes to highly visual books (Button, 2019). Hamiltons team is extremely successful in its primary business, which is clear from the shows profits. The business can be transferred to the new field by compiling exciting facts about the show and rare photos and presenting them in printed and electronic books. It will be hard for Hamilton to become a new market leader, but the shows fans will definitely give the book a warm reception. In case of success, it will be possible to duplicate the strategy and create books about other Broadway musicals.

Conclusion

Finally, being able to recognize new opportunities and leverage success is among the key traits of successful teams in different industries. Broadway can leverage Hamiltons success to increase the number of young playgoers by investing in shows that use their favorite styles of music and rewarding this age group for popularizing musicals on social media. Other growth options for Hamilton include publishing the book for the musicals fans and presenting the film version of the play to reach less wealthy audiences.

References

Aaker, D.A., & Moorman, C. (2017). Strategic market management (11th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Button, L. (2019). BookExpo education: The state of the publishing industry today [Blog post]. Web.

Gil, R., & Gutierrez-Navratil, F. (2017). Does television entry decrease the number of movie theaters? Economic Inquiry, 55(2), 736-756.

Hassoun, D. (2016). Engaging distractions: Regulating second-screen use in the theater. Cinema Journal, 55(2), 89-111.