Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

The Modern Theater

THE MODERN THEATER.
REALISM: An attempt to faithfully reproduce the surface appearance of life, especially that of ordinary people in every day situations.
CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Eliminates traditional conventions; utilizes realistic conventions.
2. Presents controversial and/or unpleasant themes.
3. A box set (3 walled room -- realistic instead of proscenium)
4. Actors and actresses must behave as if they lived in a room; speak and act naturally, which means that they don't declaim in oratorical passion, nor talk to the audience.
5. No soliloquies nor asides.



HENRIK IBSEN (1828-1906): Is considered the father of modern realistic drama, His plays attacked society's values and dealt with unconventional subjects within the form of the... Continue reading "The Emergence of Realism in Modern Theater" »

Key Concepts in Rhetoric and Public Speaking

This glossary defines fundamental terms related to persuasive communication, audience analysis, speech delivery, and logical reasoning.

Ethos

Ethical appeal, based on the speaker's credibility and character.

Pathos

Persuading the audience through emotional appeal.

Logos

An appeal that is rational and reasonable, based on evidence and logic.

Mythos

A term given when content supports a claim by reminding the audience of shared cultural values or history.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive speech and effective communication.

Oratory

A form of eloquent public speaking.

Delayed Feedback

Audience response received after the speech is performed.

Internal Previews

Transitions that tell the audience what you will say next, helping... Continue reading "Essential Vocabulary for Rhetoric and Effective Public Speaking" »

Media Milestones

1. download (v): Move data onto a computer from the internet.
2. broadcast (v): Send out programmes on television or radio.
3. tabloid (n): A type of newspaper that has small pages and contains less serious stories, for example about celebrities.
4. publish (v): Produce a book, newspaper or magazine.
5. launch (v): Start an activity.
6. live coverage (n): Broadcasting an event on television or radio while it is happening.
7. search engine (n): A program or service that searches and indexes content on the internet.
8. gossip (n): Unkind talk about people's private lives.
9. biased (adj): Showing a favour for something, for example in politics.
10. broadsheet (n): A newspaper printed on large paper, usually a respectable newspaper rather than a tabloid.
11. broadband (n)

... Continue reading "Essential Media & Journalism Vocabulary for Learners" »

Essential Film and Audio Production Terms

Radio and Podcasting

• Radcom brief: Similar to a job advertisement.
• Pod: A radio program that is stored in a digital format, which you can download.

Film Production

• Cue: A word or action in a film that is used as a signal by a performer to begin saying or doing something.
• Running order: The order in which the parts of an event have been arranged to happen.
• Debriefing: A document that collects information about the customer.
• Release form: Permission to shoot on certain locations.
• DV footage: Nonprofessional filming.
• Pull focus: The focus of the camera is moved from one point to another.
• Recce: To visit a place to see the location and possibilities.
• Hook: Something that keeps you watching a film.
• Approach: To come

... Continue reading "Essential Film and Audio Production Terms and Definitions" »

Constructivism in International Relations

Main Scholars

• Alexander Wendt

Origins and Core Tenets

Constructivism emerged in the 1980s as an alternative perspective to neo-realism and neo-liberalism. It posits that International Relations (IR) is a social construction, not an objective discipline. Reality is mutable; there is no material world independent of human perception and cognition (linking to Immanuel Kant's ideas).

Theoretical Stance

• It adopts a critical and normative view of IR.
• It links conceptually with idealism and Marxism.
• It rejects the notion of an external, objective reality as such.
• It specifically rejects the Hobbesian state of nature concept.
• Social phenomena are understood as being humanly and socially constructed.
• It favors a subjective

... Continue reading "Understanding Constructivism in International Relations Theory" »

Internet Information — 7 Keys

7 keys of Internet information:

1. Credibility
2. Perceptual filters give distorted outcomes
3. Being online does not depend only on you
4. Multiplayer effect
5. Permanency
6. Engagement, dynamism, dialogue
7. Without privacy

SEO Strategies

On-page

Keywords in the webpage source code: keywords do not count the same depending on their position in the source (e.g., title tag, headings, body, meta tags).

Tools

Useful SEO tools and browser add-ons include:

• Google Webmaster Tools
• SEOquake
• MozBar (free browser toolbar add-on)

Off-page

Link building: acquire links pointing to your webpage. Link yourself by placing strategic links that point to your webpage.

KPI: Key Performance Indicator

Use KPIs to measure success and adjust strategy accordingly.

Overall

... Continue reading "Digital Marketing Strategies: SEO, Social Media & KPIs" »

Managing Audiovisual and Entertainment Production

Audiovisual and entertainment production involves planning, organizing, overseeing, and managing the financial, material, technical, and human resources required for a project. This ensures compliance with production time, cost plans, and overall project conditions.

Essential Skills for Production Management

Successful production managers require expertise in:

• Audiovisual and scenic technical media
• Project planning for audiovisuals, shows, and events
• Administration and promotion of entertainment and audiovisuals
• Management of audiovisual and scenic resources
• Project management across film, video, multimedia, TV, radio, shows, and events

The Six Phases of Audiovisual Production

Phase 1: Development

The... Continue reading "Mastering Audiovisual Production Management and Crew Roles" »

1. The Hook Shot

This shot is sometimes called a leading shot. It’s the shot that grabs you or ‘hooks’ your attention and draws you into the photo-essay. It’s often the first shot of the essay. It is an image of a thing or person that is often very creative and leaves the viewer wanting information about the topic.

2. The Establishing Shot

The establishing shot lays out the visual context for the story. It is often a wide shot that shows the setting or the environment where the story takes place or where the character lives/has been.

3. The Medium Shot

The medium shot serves to inform the viewer who the characters are, and what they are doing. The shot should include both the subject and its surrounding. If your story has people in it, the... Continue reading "Essential Shots in Photo-Essays: A Guide" »

Literary Terms and Definitions

Iridescent: Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

Infallibility: Knowing truth with certainty. Can refer to a person (or a group of persons), to an act of teaching by these persons, or to the information being taught.

Mar: Impair the appearance of; disfigure.

Condone: Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.

Disarming: (Of manner or behavior) having the effect of allaying suspicion or hostility, especially through charm.

Uncanny: Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.

Solicitously: Anxious or concerned.

Scruples: A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.

Zealous: Feeling... Continue reading "Literary Terms and Definitions: Enhance Your Understanding" »

T.1: Feelings and Activities

Enjoyable, relaxing, dull (bored), exciting, interesting, frustrating

Verbs related to Activities:

• HAVE: a bad time, an hour's rest, a laugh (hacer reir), fun, a great time
• TAKE: a break, a rest, an opportunity
• SPEND: your (free) time, your morning
• WASTE (malgastar): your pocket money, energy

T.2: Adjectives and Phrasal Verbs

Complained (quejarse), attention span (capacidad atenc.), medium (medio), seekers (buscadores) / comical, respectable, cowardly, courageous, resourceful, spiteful (rencoroso), sentimental, angry

Phrasal Verbs:

• check over: asegurarse está bien
• work at: intentar hacer algo
• turn over: pensar repetidamente
• write down: apuntar papel
• get across: comunicar idea
• come up, come to

T.3: Achievement and Time Clauses

Reach... Continue reading "English Vocabulary and Grammar Cheat Sheet" »