Strategic Management and Marketing

Strategic Management and Marketing Background information and theory To manage strategic change effectively, Hill and Jones (2008) state that the management in an organisation needs to determine that change is indeed necessary. Additionally, the managers must identify the type of strategic change ideal for its situation, in addition to identifying the obstacles it is likely to encounter while implementing the change.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Management and Marketing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s senior management must also determine the best ways to manage and evaluate change. In an ideal business scenario, businesses get to choose from three possible forms of strategic change namely, reengineering changes, restructuring changes, and innovative changes. In most companies, reengineering strategic changes are adopted as part of organisation restructuring actions. Specifically, reengineering changes are put in pla ce when a company is seeking to differentiate its operations or products from other players in the market. Alternatively, reengineering changes can be used to integrate the operations of a company in order to improve organisational performance. Reengineering changes are also viable where the management is seeking to downsize its workforce or streamline its operations in order to achieve an identified organisational objective. In the first step, the management determines there is a need for change by: i) recognising that a gap exists between the company’s desired results and the actual performance; ii) analyzing the company’s current position; and iii) determining how best the company can attain the desired results (Hill and Jones, 2008). In the second step, the management needs to determine specific obstacles that the company may experience while implementing strategic change. According to Hill and Jones (2008), organisations usually face corporate, divisional, individ ual, or functional obstacles when implementing changes. In the last two steps identified by Hill and Jones (2008), managers must determine how well the identified strategic changes are going to be managed and evaluated. Specifically, managers responsible for implementing strategic change must decide who between internal managers and external consultants are best suited to spearhead the change efforts. While doing this, Hill and Jones (2008), note that the managers must balance between the need to have independent views presented by external consultants and the knowledge possessed by internal managers on the operations of the company.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strategic recommendations for Arkas New market According to Bhatt and Troutt (2005), change in any organisation â€Å"involves bringing about desired choices and usually involves stopping, starting or m odifying activities† (p. 535). The focus of this study (Arkas Holding- hereunder mentioned as Arkas) is no exception to this. Considering the wide array of services that Arkas has, venturing into new markets would be a more appropriate strategic action than the introduction of a new service. According to evidence available in the Company website, Arkas has ventured into different operation fields, which provide it with an outstanding business presence in and beyond Turkey. Specifically, Arkas’ operations include shipping, warehousing, container deports, port management, air transportation, and land transportation. As is evident in the Moroccan case (Arkas Holding, 2010), diversifying Arkas’ operations into new frontiers could enhance the company’s profitability. Information provided in the Arkas website show that the company’s presence in Africa is wanting. With Morocco, being the only African country that Arkas has ventured into, it is rather evide nt that targeting other African countries could be beneficial to the company. Some of the potential markets include Ghana, Nigeria and Gabon. Ghana is a major exporter of cocoa, gold, tuna, timber, manganese ore, diamonds and aluminium (Workman, 2007). Gabon on the other hand exports oil, manganese and wood to both developed and developing countries (Bureau of African affairs, 2010), while Nigeria is a major oil and natural gas exporter. The Northern Africa country also exports timber and cocoa (economywatch, n.d). Since Arkas may not be able to venture into the three identified African countries at the same time, the management of the company may have to sit back and decide about the country with the greatest potential of serving its interests. Once they decide on the country of choice, the management should then decide on the approach to use when implanting change. According to Hill and Jones (2008), companies usually have to choose between top-down change and bottom-up change. In the former approach, â€Å"The top management team analyzes what strategies need to be pursued, recommends a course of action, and then moves quickly to restructure and implement change† (p. 193). In bottom-up change, the top management in a company consults with other people in the organisation, and develops a plan that details events and steps that the company will undertake during the implementation of change. While the bottom-up change is more comprehensive, the top-down change is more appropriate for Arkas owing to the fact that the company would be venturing into a market, which is already targeted by other shipping and freight companies. Using a top-down change approach would ensure that decisions on implementing change are made at the managerial level, therefore ensuring that they are speedy and prompt.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Management and Marketing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Internal improvement using Business Process Improvement Initiatives (BPII) Through incorporating BPIIs in their change strategies, organisations are able to restructure their business programs in a manner that enhances the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of processes (Bhatt Troutt, 2005, p.535). Seeing that Arkas has diversified its business processes to other sub-sectors beyond shipping, it is natural to assume that the different organisational units represented in the company presents an extra management challenge to the company. Specifically, Arkas may have a hard time aligning internal and external organisational processes in a manner that would ensure operational effectiveness and minimal conflict. As suggested in the BPII theory evident in Bhatt and Troutt (2005), Arkas can succeed in internal improvement initiatives through minimising any waste that can be attributed to customer claim settlements, warranty costs, reworking or wasted time. More so, the shipping co mpany can enhance its internal operations by reducing variance among its different activities. Additionally, the holding company can eliminate redundancy by streamlining similar operations across the various departments in the various companies working under the Arkas group umbrella. Trying to streamline operations across the different agencies in Arkas will no doubt present the management with alignment challenges. As such, the management should be prepared to start the process by streamlining operations in agencies whose services are similar. For example, terminal operators can agree on specific approaches of upgrading the quality of their operations in order to attain new performance standards. Among the approaches that the different agency heads can take in order to attain the standards, include reducing the differences among their respective activities, and reducing the wasted hours that goes into repetitive work. Implementing a new Information technology system Arkas has prove n that it is ready to implement information technology systems through the tracking system concept. Information posted on the company website (arkas.com.tr) reveals that the tracking system gives customers an ideal tool to track the progress of their cargo. While this is an ideal way of serving the customers and enhancing customer satisfaction, an information technology system that allows necessary information sharing between different departments and employees in all agencies working under the Arkas group would also serve the company well.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Specifically, Arkas can opt to implement a new system based on â€Å"information systems integration†, which Bhatt and Troutt (2005) define as an integrated technology, which enables the sharing of applications and information throughout the organisation (p. 533). For such IT systems to be implemented however, Bhatt and Troutt (2005) note that management decisions regarding the flexibility and connectivity in communication networks would have to be made. Moreover, the managers in different departments in Arkas would need to determine the level of data integration they would like to have in the new information technology system. This recommendation is made based on the conviction that an integrated information technology system would help Arkas avail consistent information to its internal stakeholders hence improving the organisation’s capacity to form a common internal force to deal with the challenging market dynamics. An assessment of the recommendations’ effe ct on Arkas strategic direction To assess the effect that the proposed recommendations would have on Arkas strategic direction, this report will use a strategic assessment framework. Based on the framework, the recommendations will be gauged against Arkas’ goals and objectives. In addition, the recommendations’ effect on company policies and decision-making will be estimated. Table 1 represent the strategic recommendations scored against two more Arkas goals. Arkas Goal Strategic recommendation Effect â€Å"adopt a management style that is goal-oriented† (Arkas Holding, 2010) Venturing into the Nigerian market Positive Streamlining operations through BPII positive A new IT system that encourages the sharing of data and information across different departments in the organisation Positive â€Å"to invest in sectors that can develop under our leadership† (Arkas Holding, 2010) Venturing into the Nigerian market positive Streamlining operations t hrough BPII positive A new IT system that encourages the sharing of data and information across different departments in the organisation positive â€Å"To Support Arkas employees to develop themselves† (Arkas Holding, 2010) Venturing into the Nigerian market A slight positive Streamlining operations through BPII Slight positive A new IT system that encourages the sharing of data and information across different departments in the organisation positive Due to its multi-criteria assessment potential, SAF will be structured around the Arkas goals. As is evident in Arkas Holding (2011), the shipping company lists adopting â€Å"a management style that is goal-oriented† as its first goal/objective. The first recommendation of venturing into the Nigerian market would serve to help the company meet this objective since venturing into the new market is a goal that would no doubt require the input of managers in the company. The second recommendation (streamlining o perations in line with BPII) would also have a positive effect in relation to the goal/objective since it would require the combined input of managers from different departments. The development of a new IT system, which enhances the sharing of data across departments and agencies under the Akas group, would also score positively towards the company developing a goal-oriented management style since it would requires input from different managers. All the three recommendations would affect Arkas’s goal/objective â€Å"to invest in sectors that can develop under our leadership† (Arkas Holding, 2010) positively since venturing into a new market would be a deliberate decision made by the management. More so, streamlining operations in the organisation through BPII would also qualify as an investment that has potential for growth under the leadership of the management. The three recommendations would also have some impressive effects on the organisation’s goal to sup port its employees towards self-improvement. Specifically, the new markets would create new opportunities for existing employees to work in the new venture, while streamlining operations would enhance the performance of individual employees. The new IT system, would also affect positively affect the organisation’s goal of supporting employees’ self improvement, since it would give them an opportunity to learn from each other through an enhanced mode of information sharing. Theory review, identifying general reasons, and implementation actions for senior management New markets: venturing into new markets comes with a fair share of risk. According to Zacharakis, Meyer and DeCastro (1999), organisations may fail if the product or service they provide is not received well in their target market, or when the organisation fails to respond fast enough to changing market needs. Shepherd, Douglas and Stanley (2000) on the other hand propose that a venture into a new market can fail if customers do not respond well to the new venture. More so, the venture may fail if the production technology used by the company do not meet the needs presented in the new markets, and if the management lacks the business skills, start-up experience or industry-specific needed to make the new venture a success. To succeed in the African venture, the Arkas management would need to research trends in the new target market in order to match the management and production approaches with the customer needs presented in the new market. Information systems integration: According to Bhatt and Troutt (2005) information technology â€Å"does not bring worthwhile improvement in the strategic position if the firm â€Å"(p. 533). Rather, it just acts as an enabler for strategic action. Applying this into Arkas scenario means that the management in the organisation would need to identify clear goals, and take the necessary steps towards attaining them. Only then can new IT systems like those recommended herein, have a positive influence on the strategic performance of the organisation Internal improvement using BPII: According to Harrington (1991), most organisations use BPIIs to restructure business programs with an aim of enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility of business processes. In the Arkas case, the recommendation to use BPII to streamline the company’s operations seeks to reduce time wastage, reduce variance and eliminate redundancy in the organisation. Markedly, Mcneally (1993) posits that strategic actions can only succeed if the management in an organisation considers â€Å"a continual improvement as a standard element of their strategies† (p. 135). As such, the management in Arkas would need to use BPIIs as a means of attaining a short time organisational goal, but would need to use them on a continuous basis. Bhatt and Troutt (2005) support the proposition by McNealy (1993) by stating that continued use of BPIIs would p revent a substantial number of business errors from occurring, and provide the management with new quality benchmarks, which they (management) can use to enhance the quality and capabilities of their business processes. References Arkas Holding (2010) Company website. [online]. Web. Bhatt, G.D. Troutt, M.D. (2005) Examining the relationship between business process improvement initiatives, information systems integration and customer focus: an empirical study. Business Process Management Journal, 11(5), 532-558. Bureau of African Affairs. (2010) Background Note: Gabon. US department of State. [online]. Available from:  https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-gabon/ . Economywatch. (n.d.) Nigeria trade, exports and imports. [online]. Available from:  economywatch.com/world_economy/nigeria/export-import.html . Harrington, H. J. (1991) Business process improvement: The breakthrough strategy for total quality, productivity, and competitiveness. McGraw-Hill, New York. Hill, Charles and Jones, Gareth. (2008) Essentials of strategic management. Cengage Learning, London. McNealy, R. (1993) Making quality happen: a step by step guide to winning the quality revolution. Chapman and Hall, London. Shepherd, D.A., Douglas, E.J. Shanley, M. (2000) New venture survival: ignorance, external shocks, and risk reduction strategies. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5-6), 393-410. Workman, D. (2007). Ghana’s Trade Economy. Suite 101. [online]. Web. Zacharakis, A.L., Meyer, G.D., DeCastro, J. (1999) Differing perceptions of new venture failure: a matched exploratory study of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business Management, 37, 1-27.

Teen prevention of sex summary of past paper Essay

Teen prevention of sex summary of past paper - Essay Example The students were divided into two groups with one group participating in the sex prevention program and the other group merely exposed to traditional sex education. A questionnaire was distributed to the participants two years after completion of the program and following the conclusion of the sex education lessons at school. The results of the study indicated that the patterns of sexual conduct was vastly the same as between students of the different groups. The only difference in sexual conduct was observed between students who had subsequently dropped out of school and those who had not. In this regard, students who left school engaged in more risky sexual behavior than those who remained in school. The second journal article reviews was written by Sellars, McGraw and McKinlay (1994). In this article, the authors reported on a study in which the assumption that free access to condoms increased sexual promiscuity among teens was tested. The study was conducted with 536 Latinos between the ages of 14 and 20. The subjects were divided into two groups: one group had liberal access to condoms and the other group had normal access to condoms. The research study began by obtaining baseline information from the subjects with a follow-up interview three months later. The study conducted by Sellars (1994) revealed that 80% of all participants reported sexual contact after providing the baseline information. Sexual activities among females in both groups showed no appreciable differences, although frequency was higher for females in the group with normal access to condoms. Sexual activities among females in the group with liberal access to condoms revealed a larger propensity for multiple sex partners. Males reported less sexual contact among boys in the group with liberal access to condoms. Males in the group with liberal access to condoms also reported a higher risk of having

The Management of Patients With Dual Diagnosis Research Paper

The Management of Patients With Dual Diagnosis - Research Paper Example Ms M is a 26-year-old patient who is referred for nursing care by her advisor at work. This followed significant changes in her normal behaviour. The patient history demonstrates that Ms M stays late without any sleep and wakes up earlier than anybody within her neighbourhood. Her employee is also concerned by the fact that she started submitting her work late regardless of her usual behaviour in the past when she used to meet all work deadlines. In addition, the workmates have noticed that Ms M is more enthusiastic and energetic in the morning than before. Ms M’s sister whom they stay with reports that she suddenly becomes irritable and has been talking about becoming a model despite the fact that she never had an interest in modelling before. Ms M also admits that she has trouble concentrating at work and that sometimes she feels lonely. From the case study, it is evident that Ms M is exhibiting multiple symptoms which reflect the complexity of her problems and needs. Ms Mâ €™s symptoms are becoming a problem that is likely to cause her to be terminated from work. This is revealed by the loss of concentration at the workplace and failure to meet deadlines as she is required. In addition, Ms M is faced with a social problem at her workplace. This is disclosed by the fact that she reveals her loneliness when at work. In addition, she needs understanding from her colleagues at the workplace who are unable to comprehend the sudden changes in her behaviour. Moreover, Ms M has a problem with sleep which illustrates that she is not having adequate rest at night. The sudden episodes of energy and enthusiasm that Ms M demonstrates in the mornings reveal an underlying problem.

Rights and Responsibilities Essay Example for Free

Rights and Responsibilities Essay First of all, I want to tell you one important thing. Everybody has some rights and some responsibilities. Our rights are what every human being deserves, no matter who they are or where they live, so that we can live in a world that is fair and polite. Of course since these rights are for everybody, that means we all have to take a responsibility too. A responsibility is something that is your job to do something about, or to think about. It is something that affects our lives and other peoples lives. As everybody knows, children have rights and if you want to know them, you should read UN convention. There are a lot of types of rights. The most important rights is right to protection, because nowadays there are a lot of stories about exploitation and neglect. Perhaps every day somebody talks about this topic on TV. To be honest, I know my rights, but I don’t forget about my responsibilities. It’s very important to me, because It’s very hard to live only by rights. We should think about every person, because they might lose their rights, if we don’t know about our responsibilities. When we move out into the world, we learn more about the responsibilities which go with our rights. We learn that some things that humans do are not acceptable because we are not considering the rights of others. For example, things like telling lies, cheating, bullying, violence, destroying others belongings and stealing. Children are curious about the world, and it seems no matter how much information that you give them they are continuously seeking more. Political views are typically something that children at least initially pick up from their parents. Regardless of a parent’s political affiliation and viewpoint, it is only fair to teach children about a bigger picture so they can grow up informed and capable of making their own decisions. Teaching children about politics can be either a path you choose for them or a doorway to their own political feelings.

Lizzie Borden Essay -- essays research papers fc

It is best described by the closing arguments for Lizzie Borden's defense, made by her attorney, George D. Robinson: The Lizzie Borden case has mystified and fascinated those interested in crime forover on hundred years. Very few cases in American history have attracted as much attention as the hatchet murders of Andrew J. Borden and his wife, Abby Borden. The bloodiness of the acts in an otherwise respectable late nineteenth century domestic setting is startling. Along with the gruesome nature of the crimes is the unexpected character of the accused, not a hatchet-wielding maniac, but a church-going, Sunday-school-teaching, respectable, spinster- daughter, charged with parricide, the murder of parents, a crime worthy of Classical Greek tragedy. This is a murder case in which the accused is found not guilty for the violent and bloody murders of two people. There were the unusual circumstances considering that it was an era of swift justice, of vast newspaper coverage, evidence that was almost entirely circumstantial, passionately divided public opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, incompetent prosecution, and acquittal. 	Not much is described of Lizzie Andrew Borden's childhood. On March 1, 1851, Emma Lenora Borden was born to Andrew and Sarah Borden, and on July 19, 1860, Lizzie had arrived. While Lizzie was at the young age of two, Sarah died of uterine congestion. In 1865, Andrew Borden wed Abby Durfee-a short, shy, obese woman who had been a spinster until the age of 36. Abby's family were not as well off as the Bordens. 	Lizzie suffered from psychomotor epilepsy, a strange seizure of the temporal lobe that has one distinct symptom: a "black-out" in which the patients carry out their actions in a dream state, aware of every action without knowing what they are doing. Lizzie Borden seemed to have two entirely different personalities: the good daughter (a member of the Congressional Church, and a brilliant (conversationalist), and the bad daughter (deeply resentful of the patriarchy). These two personalities could be explained by the families' contradiction about their social statuses. She also had a habit of stealing from the local merchants. The Borden family of Fall River, Massachusetts, was well known-not only because of Andrew Borden's wealth, but also because of the New England name. Lizzi... ...rders took place. The Lizzie Borden House Bed and Breakfast Museum was to open on, appropriately, August 4. The breakfast includes food eaten the morning of the murders, such as bananas, johnnycakes, sugar cookies, and coffee with the management dressed as and playing the part of the Bordens.   Bibliography "Borden Murder Trial Begun." New York Times June 6, 1893. Clover, Carol J. Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. Princeton: Princeton Publishing, 1992. Kent, David, ed. Lizzie Borden Sourcebook. Boston: Branden Publishing Co., 1992. The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Video. Director William Bast. George Lemaire Productions in association with Paramount, 1975. Starring Elizabeth Montgomery. "Lizzie Borden is Acquitted." New York Times. June 21, 1893. Porter, Edwin H. The Fall River Tragedy: A History of the Borden Murders. Portmand, Maine: King Phillip Publishing, 1985. http://www.sirus.com/~rlf/lizzie/chronology.html "Lizzie Borden Basic Chronology." http://www.bram.addr.com/newpage41.htm "Try to Catch Forty Whacks†¦ Er, Winks†¦ At This B&B." by Bram Eisenthal

Discuss how Baz Luhrman reaches his audience Essay

In this essay I am going to discuss how Baz Luhrman reaches his audience and establishes mood in his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. To do this I am going to discuss the difference between the screenplay and Shakespeare’s original text, the genre of the film, the mise-en-scene, lighting, camera shots and soundtrack. Baz Luhrman wanted to reach a teenage audience this is portrayed through clothing, the fast pace action, and the soundtrack. Luhrman may have wanted to reach a teenage audience because there is no other recent film adaptation of Shakespeares’ plays catering for a teenage audience. Baz Luhrman reaches his audience and establishes mood in the opening credits and first scene of his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by his use of modernisation of the original text. The genre is communicated to the audience immediately in the opening credits in the screenplay. The prologue from the play is used in the form of a news report. We then hear a voice over that sounds as if he is writing what he is saying. The main points of his speech are shown in the form of newspaper headlines or flashed up on screen. When we hear the voice over stating the prologue his last fatal line is, â€Å"A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. † This is the last sentence flashed on screen before the audience see the characters picture and their name in a freeze frame. Luhrman could have done this to show the audience who the possible main suspects were for the cause of Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. There are shots of the film shown in quick succession which builds to a climax. In these shots are images of shooting, fast cars and police. These all show conflict, action and death i. e. tragedy. As the film progresses, it shows the audience that there are going to be deaths. Also the operatic music we hear becomes faster and faster. This goes well with the sequence of quick film images helping to create the feeling of tragedy. In the news report there is a picture of a broken wedding ring, this also helps to portray the message of tragedy and heartbreak. In the screenplay Shakespeares’ original text has been adapted to suit the modern audience. This is seen clearly in the first scene at the petrol station. The screenplay shows a Montague biting his thumb at the Capulets, whereas in Shakespeares’ original text, it is a Capulet that bites his thumb at the Montague’s. The roles may have been reversed because the Montague’s seem childish and the Capulets are more serious. The biting of the thumb is an immature thing to do, therefore suiting the Montague’s. In Shakespeares’ text the Capulets are at fault for starting the fight. In this screenplay both the Montague’s and the Capulets are to blame for the fight. Baz Luhrman has adapted the original text in this way because he wanted to show that both families had involvement in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, and it was not more the Capulets fault then the Montague’s. They were both at fault. To get this message across, Luhrman started at the beginning showing continuity. Also certain lines from Shakespeares’ text have been left out of the screenplay. For example, in the original text a Capulet states, â€Å"Let us take the law of our sides, let them begin. † However this is not included in Baz Luhrmans’ screenplay. This maybe because he wanted to make their actions and statements spontaneous. If he had included that line it would have shown that they have thought about their actions, which could then lead to the Montague’s being the cause of the fight. The film is set in Southern California. The first scene is set in a petrol station; this is so there can be a fire at the end of the scene. The cars both families drive have the first three letters of their family name as the license plate, which would make the audience believe they are wealthy. The Capulets’ car is dark signifying evil, whereas the Montagues’ car is bright revealing their childlike, playful personalities. The Capulet’s guns have their family logo on it and the word ‘sword’ (because it was the term used for gun at that time) as do the Montague’s. The Montague’s are portrayed in quite a ‘laddish’ manner and come across as harmless. They wear bright coloured clothing, have dyed hair, bald heads, fair complexions, clean shaven skin and behave scandalously. They seem more like boys, rather then men and come across as quite laid back and relaxed. These characteristics show their personality. The Capulet’s have a Latino look about them; they have a darker complexion, dark facial hair, and are stylishly dressed. Stereotypical archetypes (dark meaning villainous). They have slick gelled back hair which suggests to the audience that they take pride in their appearance and like to display their wealth. With the Montague’s, they do not seem to care what people think and so do not dress to impress. The Capulet’s also have silver heeled boots and one in particular has a silver cap over his top teeth saying ‘sin’. This shows the Capulet’s hypocrisy because they wear Catholic waistcoats. A better example of the Capulet’s hypocrisy is Tybalt who has a picture of God on his waistcoat and says he hates the word ‘peace’. Because the Capulet’s are conscious of their reputation, they are keen not to be insulted. Tybalt is smoking a cigarette in the petrol station showing rebellious behaviour and a danger to others. Unlike the Montague’s who appear harmless. During the gunfight, the Montague’s continuously fire off target and the Capulet’s shoot accurately and have a stylish handling of their guns, (Tybalt in particular). This along with appearance and behaviour, show the audience aspects of the character and a contrast of personality. There are a variety of camera shots in the opening credits of the film. There is lots of zoom in and out, when words flash up on screen and fast panning. There are high and low angle shots in a rapid sequence which creates visual excitement; it is very dramatic and almost confusing. Luhrman chose to use these types of camera shots because it escalates to a climax and adds to the mood being created. The first scene is top lit, has a quick fiery pace, uses slow motion when Tybalt drops a match and his cigarette. This creates suspense. There are lots of close ups used and one of most significant is the close up of the eyes (Benvolio and Tybalt, highlighting their evil intent) before the gunfight. This shoes intensity. Fast moving cameras make it hard to keep up with the action. This affect has been produced via the editing and helped with the formation of mood. Also a comical effect is created when a woman in a car is hitting a Montague in the head with her handbag. This is to try and relax the atmosphere because the scene is so tense. Luhrman has used a steady camera shot to involve the audience into the movie. This also adds tension as it makes the audience feel as if they are part of the gunfight. The operatic music in the opening credits reaches a climax. In the first scene, the Montague boys have their own introductory music called ‘The Boys’. It is an up beat retro sound revealing their adolescent characters. This caters for the teenage audience Luhrman is trying to reach because it is a modern style of music revealing their adolescent characters. The Capulet’s have a Western type music mirroring a cow boy style to represent their villainous characters. The soundtracks introducing the two families give the audience a sense of their personalities. The sound effects of the screenplay are Western; this creates a Country and Western style atmosphere and tells the audience there is going to be a gunfight. Also the pan pipes (symbolising the whistling of wind) and the creaking of a rusty sign, indicate a gunfight in the making and create a comical effect to relax the intense atmosphere. When the Montague’s and Capulet’s meet there is complete silence suggesting the starting of a gunfight. During the gunfight there is a blend between opera and a western style of music, showing equality at that point. In this essay I have explained how Baz Luhrman has reached his audience and established mood in the opening credits and first scene in his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by his modernisation of Shakespeares’ original text. I have done this by discussing the genre, the difference between the screenplay and the text, the mise-en-scene, lighting and camera shots and the soundtrack. Baz Luhrman has made clear changes in his screenplay and has produced a successful modernised film of Romeo and Juliet.

Chinua Achebe s Things Falls Apart - 969 Words

Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Falls Apart, displays the struggle between tradition and changes which were brought by the British to the Umuofia tribe. The Igbo community of Umuofia was led by a man named Okonkwo, who is the main character of this story. Okonkwo is a vigorous and brutal man. However, his fear of weakness leads him to tragedy. Okonkwo, the leader of the Umuofia tribe, is described as tall and massive. He is also powerful, and everyone respects him. Okonkwo is a prosperous farmer of yams with his three wives and multiple children. Even though many admire Okonkwo s strength and leadership, they are afraid of him. Okonkwo has many positive characteristics, yet he also has his flaws. Okonkwo’s nature is symbolized as fire because he is fierce and destructive. He often acts before he thinks, is abusive, stubborn, demanding, and impulsive. He often acts before he thinks. His irrational behavior was caused by the fear of being weak. Throughout his life, as told by the book, Okonkwo tries hard not to be like his father, Unoka. According to Okonkwo, his father was an embarrassment because he was lazy and a coward. Okonkwo fears that he will become like his father, which drives him to become successful in life. Achebe, the author, explained, â€Å"his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness.† (13) Due to his fear, Okonkwo does not want to lose his self-worth. Therefore, he pushes himself and everyone around him. Okonkwo s hard work andShow MoreRelatedChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1719 Words   |  7 PagesThings fall apart is a classic novel written around the turn of the century, the novel focuses on the protagonist who we can also call a hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected leader within the Igbo tribe of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Strong individual with a passionate belief in all the values and traditions of his people. Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a particular kind of tragic protagonist, a great man who carries the fate of his people. Okonkwo is a man who is inflexible andRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1033 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian novelist in worldwide. Things fall apart is Chinua Achebe’s first novel published in 1958, the year after Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence. And this novel is one of the first African novels to gain worldwide recognition. (Phil Mongredien, 2010) This novel presents people a story of an African Igbo tribal hero, Okonkwo, from his growth to death. The fate of Okonkwo also indicates the fate of Africa caused by the colonizationRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart883 Words   |  4 Pagesdehumanize the native population and convince themselves that they are helping. Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart attempts to correct these misguided views of African societies by portraying a more complex culture that values peace, and the art of conversation. Achebe also tries to portray the idea that not all European people they come in contact with are aggressive, and misconstrued in their view of the African societ ies. Achebe tries to show us the value of his society through repeated views into conversationsRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1410 Words   |  6 PagesTeddy Manfre Ms. Blass ENG 209-001 April 24, 2017 Things Fall Apart In 1958, Chinua Achebe a famous Nigerian author publishes one of his most famous novels Things Fall Apart. The novel takes place in a Nigerian village called Umuofia. During the time that this novel is published Nigeria is being criticized by the Europeans for being uncivilized. In response, Achebe uses his brilliance in this novel to express the valued history of his people to his audience. His focus in the novel is on the pre-colonizedRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1015 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Things Fall Apart, author Chinua Achebe utilizes his distinctive writing style in order to accurately capture the culture and customs of the Igbo people despite writing his story in a foreign language. Five aspects of Achebe’s style that make his writing unique is the straightforward diction present in dialogue, the inclusion of native parables convey Igbo life authentically, the inclusion of native Igbo words and phrases, detailed descriptions of nature and the usage of figurative languageRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1702 Words   |  7 PagesTitle: Things Fall Apart Biographical information about the author: Chinua Achebe was born in Nigeria in 1930. He had an early career as a radio host, and later became the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nigeria. After moving to America, he became an English professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Achebe has won numerous awards for his poetry and fiction, including the Man Booker prize and Commonwealth Poetry Price. He currently teaches at Bard College. Author: Chinua AchebeRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesCulture is an Important Element of Society Chinua Achebe is the author of when Things Fall Apart while Joseph Conrad authored Heart of Darkness. Conrad and Achebe set their individual titles in Africa; Achebe is an African writer whereas Conrad is Polish-British. The authors draw strength from their backgrounds to validity the authenticity of their fictional novels. Conrad writes from his experiences in the British and French navies while Achebe uses his African heritage. The theme of culture isRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1248 Words   |  5 PagesChris Lowndes Ms. Cook A.P.L.C. 21 October 2015 We Are Family: Hardships in One s Family in Things Fall Apart Specific attributes correlate with each other to help create or not create the ideal strong family. However, through those attributes arise conflicts and major disputes. This issue of trying to achieve and create a strong family is of immense importance in one’s life, especially in Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart, a milestone in African literature. For instance, the father leaves his legacyRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pagescertain degree of the priest class, libation, holidays, creation stories, divine systems of punishments and rewards. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is a story of tragic fall of a protagonist and the Igbo culture. Achebe demonstrates different examples and situations of where an African culture, in the instances of tribal religions, did certain things because of their tradition is and the way they developed into. African cultures pondered life mysteries and articulated theirRead Mo reChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1314 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebe masterpiece â€Å"Things Fall Apart† (1959) is the classic story of Okonkwo, a young man who strives to be revered by his village and family but because of his own internal character flaws meets his own demise. In the Igbo culture, family traditions are an important narrative throughout the novel. Okonkwo, the protagonist character of this story, begins with many attributes of what would be concluded as a hero with his cultural society. He is hard working, a material provider, feared and