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

*Barbie* Movie Review: Margot Robbie Shines in a Feminist Take

A Deep Dive into Barbieland and Beyond

Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, brings the iconic doll to life in a refreshing cinematic experience. The film stars Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie, alongside Ryan Gosling as Ken, and, naturally, all the types of Barbie you can imagine. Barbie lives an ideal life in Barbieland. Everything is perfect there, with parties full of music and color, and every day is the best day.

Of course, Barbie asks herself some uncomfortable questions that don't fit with the idyllic world in which she and the other Barbies live. When Barbie realizes that she is able to place her heels on the ground and have flat feet, she decides to put on some shoes and travel... Continue reading "Barbie Movie Review: Margot Robbie Shines in a Feminist Take" »

Impressionism

A group of artists renowned for their innovative painting techniques and approach to using colour in art and light in nature. They abandoned the conventional idea that the shadow of an object was made up from its colour with brown or black added. The Impressionists capture the atmosphere of a particular time of day or the effects of different weather conditions on the landscape.

Dadaism

A form of artistic anarchy born out of disgust for the social, political, and cultural values of the time. It embraced elements of art, music, poetry, theatre, dance, and politics.

Surrealism

Was the 20th-century art movement that sought to liberate creativity from the limitations of rational thought by exploring the hidden depths of the 'unconscious... Continue reading "Key Art Movements of the 19th & 20th Centuries" »

• Promote parallel thinking
• Encourage thought in all its breadth
• Separate

The Naturalists' View on Meaning

Ancient Greek philosophers who advocated this position viewed naming as a natural relationship between the signs and what these signs signified. They thought that the form of words was thus related to their meaning. This relationship was said to emanate from rigidly fixed inviolable principles on which man had no control.

The existence of a number of onomatopoeic words in natural languages, that is, words whose phonetic form is an imitation of the original sound they refer to such as cuckoo, splash, crush, and hoot in English, backed up the view held by the naturalist school.

The Conventionalists' View on Meaning

Greek philosophers who argued for the conventionalist explanation viewed the relationship of naming... Continue reading "Semantic Theory: Naturalists vs. Conventionalists" »

Eddie Carbone: A Tragic Protagonist

Eddie Carbone, the protagonist of Arthur Miller's The View from the Bridge, is a complex and tragic figure. A longshoreman living in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Eddie is a man of limited intelligence and self-awareness, whose tragic flaw is his inability to escape the bubble of his own constructed world.

Eddie's Secret Lust for Catherine

Eddie harbors a secret lust for his orphaned niece, Catherine, which ultimately leads to his downfall. This lust is hinted at throughout the play, but it is not until the end that Eddie fully comprehends his feelings. Beatrice, Eddie's wife, is the first to express this possibility, and Alfieri, the play's narrator, also realizes Eddie's feelings during his first conversation with him.... Continue reading "The View from the Bridge: A Tragic Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Redemption" »

Media Production Terminology

Podcast: A digital medium distributed over the internet, accessible on computers and portable media players.

Packages: A pre-recorded radio item which can include interviews, commentary, and music.

Producer: The individual responsible for the financial and administrative aspects of a production, overseeing general supervision, fundraising, and hiring.

PS: Problem Statement.

PVS: Project Vision and Scope.

Paintbrush: This brush allows painting in various shades and patterns.

Pie Charts: A graphic representation of data where a circle is divided into sectors, each representing a percentage of the whole.

Pixel: Short for "picture element," a small square or dot containing a single point of color in a larger image.

Plug-ins:... Continue reading "Essential Media Production Terms and Definitions" »

The Great Debate: Idea 1 vs. Idea 3

Many people argue that __(idea 1)__ is the best alternative. Others, however, hold a different opinion and claim that __(idea 3)__ is much better. Both points of view will be discussed in this essay.

Advantages of __(idea 1)__

On the one hand, the advantages of __(idea 1)__ are worthy of consideration. Firstly, ____say 1 advantage about idea 1. As a result, _______ give the result of this advantage. In addition, __(idea 2)__ add 1 more advantage about this idea and say why it is an advantage.

Disadvantages of __(idea 3)__

On the other hand, the disadvantages of _(idea 3)_ should be taken into account. For instance, give 2 examples of the disadvantages related to idea 3. Another drawback to highlight would be _

James Joyce (1882-1941): A Revolutionary Literary Genius

A Controversial Figure

James Joyce was one of the most powerful and revolutionary minds of the 20th century. However, he was also a deeply complex and often controversial figure. His scandalous, obscene, and offensive prose shocked and challenged readers. Convinced of his own genius, this Irish writer left a lasting impact on the literary world.

Early Life and Influences

Born in Dublin to a wealthy Catholic family, Joyce experienced a religious crisis and a problematic childhood that would deeply influence his writing. In 1904, he left Dublin and lived in Trieste, Paris, and Zurich, teaching to make a living while protesting against hypocrisy and institutionalized religion. Dublin's life... Continue reading "James Joyce: A Revolutionary Literary Genius of the 20th Century" »

Forrest Gump Sound Recording Insights

Shooting Style and Perspective

Recording sound for Forrest Gump was described as a dream because of its unique shooting style. The camera is positioned low to the ground, placing the audience close to the soldiers and sharing their point of view. Viewers don't see the enemy directly but experience exactly what the soldiers see and hear, including the sounds of shots.

Camera Shots Used

Close-up shots were utilized to maintain this shared point of view.

Post-Production Sound

Sound was primarily handled in post-production due to the quality limitations of on-set recorders.

Sound Categories: Premix, ADR, Foley

• Foley: Essential human sounds, like movements, are added in post-production.
• ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)

Supporting Materials in Speeches

The three types of supporting materials are examples, testimonies, and statistics and facts.

Examples

Examples you can use to illustrate your points include:

• Brief examples: Offer a single point of view about the topic.
• Extended examples: Provide multifaceted illustrations of the idea presented.
• Hypothetical examples: Describe what you believe the outcome might be.

Testimonies

Testimonies can add credibility to your speech. There are two main types:

• Expert testimony: Comes from a person with specialized knowledge about your topic.
• Lay testimony: Can be from an eyewitness with firsthand information.

Statistics and Facts

Adding facts and statistics to your speech can strengthen your arguments. Facts are documented information,... Continue reading "Supporting Materials, Persuasive Appeals, and Delivery in Speeches" »