Reaction Paper to Movie Hoop Dreams Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reaction Paper to Hoop Dreams - Movie Review Example This is seen in the movie as it entails the story of two high school students In Chicago who had a dream of becoming professional basketball players. The two African American teenagers; Arthur Agree and William Gate, studied in a white, Roman Catholic high school called St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois after being recruited by the schools’ scout (Joravsky, 1996). Despite the economic adversity, long hours commuting, change in environment and difficult training, Agree and Gates worked very hard to enhance their basketball skills despite the competitive industry in the job. Their families also played an important role in supporting them with the school basketball program. In the film we get to see Americas’ present view of education, race, economic diversity, social class and values. William Gates of the two students is obsessed to play in the National Basketball Association. Four years down the line William Gates progresses to the Nike All-America basketba ll camp. During the camp one of the coaches, Mr. Lee, informs them that the only reason they were in the camp was to make their schools win and make a lot of money. At the camp, the college coaches tended to overlook high school players. This reveals the relentless procedure in which coaches and recruiting scouts neglect to recognize such people like Arthur Agree and William Gates. The life of the two students seemed to be opening up smoothly where William is aiming for a stunning college career as well as the pro basketball view whereas; Arthur Agree seems to progress downwards. The two are engaged into a system that is not ready to take them in easily (Joravsky, 1996). The film was also used as a tool to express the social issue in the American community which it achieves and puts in even more important questions. It also portrays how money affected the society as well as major institutions, for example in the case scenario where ‘coach Lee’ gives advice to Arthur Agr ee and William Gates that everything they were getting involved was at it about money and even quoted; â€Å"the whole thing is about money† and tried to explain how they were being used by the school so that it would win and make a lot of money. He even went to further to tell them that, the only way that people like them, people from the poor black neighborhood, would defend themselves as well as their interests from such situation, was through being aware of the fact that it was not just about playing basketball but everything was revolving around money (Joravsky, 1996). Arthur Agree lived with his parents who broke up but later made u and were back together after Arthur’s father had a drug problem (crack) but managed to get over it. They lived in the Cabrini-Green housing project, whereas; William Gates lived with his single mother and his older brother called Curtis who had missed out on his own basketball career in college but didn’t give up but rather inv ested his dreams in his younger brother William Gates. He had so much trust in his small brother such trust in his younger brother such that he even made a comment saying he does not see how the brother, William Gates was not

International Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Market Research - Essay Example Along with that, the interactive setting can help the moderator focus on the non verbal aspects of the participants, i.e., the expression, attitude of the individual etc, which can help in giving clearer insight of the participants’ beliefs. Also, the possibility of screening each participant lets the researcher know who is involved in the discussion process, e.g., a competitor maybe. In our case, if the majority of our participants are the buyers, it can help us gain a better understanding as to what their demands and hence, queries entail(Patton, 1990). The observation method of conducting research is developed to observe individuals in their natural setting. There can be participant and non- participant observations. This method helps in overcoming issues of validity. It also helps in covering those areas which are not easily accessible through means of speech communication, for example, when an individual isn’t cooperating in disclosing certain information. Observat ions can also help researchers in studying trends of a particular market in great detail and how the attitudes of the buyers are affecting those trends.

Personal Motto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Motto - Essay Example Although drawing inspiration from a fantasy film may be somewhat strange, my personal motto has been heavily influenced by the film â€Å"Sucker Punch†. Although the film’s message and even plot line are somewhat substandard and not overly engaging, there was a line that was delivered within the film that has greatly influenced my personal motto and made a very large impact upon the way in which I integrate with life and view my own personal stance towards issues both great and small. As such, the line is as follows: â€Å"If you don’t stand for something – you will for anything†. Due to the relative simplicity of this quote, it cannot be fully attributed to the writers of the film and ultimately traces its origins as far back as Alexander Hamilton who said the following: â€Å"Those who do not stand for anything, fall for everything† (Wolf 155). As a function of the underlying truth that this denotes, it is not surprising that this type of t hought process has been explicated at various points throughout history. As a personal motto, this has helped me to realize the importance of choosing a firm and definitive stance on key issues as well as seeking to self-analyze with regards to many situations that I might otherwise take for granted. Although many mottos are designed as a means of cheering one up with regards to the otherwise mundane or seemingly hopeless nature of life at times, this particular motto is able to engage in me a sense of moral determinacy and ethical strength in situations that others might merely accept at face value. It is important to note within the context of this particular motto that this is not used to define and divide each and every situation that this author integrates with on a strictly black and white basis of ethics or morality; rather, it is used as a rubric for determining which instances demand a firm stance on the issues and an analysis of all of the factors involved and which do not. By seeking to differentiate key components of ideas based upon their ind ividual merit, it is possible for the individual to seek to better integrate with the underlying truth or fallacy that a given concept or approach denotes. In such a way, one can separate fact from fiction and attempt to engage an issue that is partly right or partly wrong rather than merely rejecting it out of hand or accepting it wholesale. With regards to which of the chapter of the text most definitively relate to the motto that has been chosen, it is the belief of this author that the chapters which most closely integrate with the motto include the following: self-awareness as well as goals and obstacles. By analyzing beliefs within the framework of this particular motto, it is possible for me to come away with a much clearer view of what is important and on what aspects of belief and principle it is possible to engage with. Similarly, with respect to goals and obstacles, such a motto allows for the author to view a situation from the core of its meaning and separate a situatio n based upon the obstacles to understanding, morality, ethics, and practice that it represents. As a function of such an interpretation framework, it is possible to then formulate one’s goals in a much more expeditious manner and engage life with a more complete understanding of situations than one could if they merely accepted them at face value or within the framework of how others have accepted them within the past or present. Although it is not the belief of this author that the motto which has been enumerated upon is the be all and end all of ways to interpret reality, it has been highly beneficial with regards to being able to delve deeper into key situations and observe the component parts of an argument or way of life that would otherwise not be considered. At the risk of intellectual arrogance, such an approach is also beneficial from the perspective of an individual who is natural skeptical by nature and seeks to understand the level to which information is

Planning Strategic Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Planning Strategic Change - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in every organization there is a need for change to be made to ensure continuous quality leadership. According to Kotter, change model can be created in steps; the first step is creating urgency. A change will only help when it is required with the organization as a whole. Creating urgency can help ignite motivation for things to move. Secondly, an organization needs to create a powerful coalition. In this step, the company has to show the necessity of change through leading by an example. The company needs to bring together a team or coalition of persons whose powers are derived from status, job title political importance and expertise. This will ensure a mix of personnel from different levels and departments in your organization. Another step for change model is creating changes in your vision. The company needs to create a vision that people can remember and understand easily. Hence, the company needs to ensure that the central values to change are dete rmined, the visual speech is practiced often and a brief summary is developed to capture the organizations future. The fourth step is frequent communication of the vision; the organization should talk about the vision every moment available. The vision should be used daily to solve problems and make decisions in order to refresh it in people’s minds. In addition, the organization needs to apply the vision in its operations in also to lead by example. In step five, the organization needs to remove the obstacles; removing obstacles empowers the individuals required to execute the vision and propel the change forward. The organization should, therefore, identify individuals resistant to change and brief them on what is required, check on the job description, performance, compensation system and organizational structure to ensure they tally with the vision. Lastly, an organization also needs to identify and reward those that are championing for change. Creation of short-term wins is another step that organizations need to look into.

International Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Market Research - Essay Example Along with that, the interactive setting can help the moderator focus on the non verbal aspects of the participants, i.e., the expression, attitude of the individual etc, which can help in giving clearer insight of the participants’ beliefs. Also, the possibility of screening each participant lets the researcher know who is involved in the discussion process, e.g., a competitor maybe. In our case, if the majority of our participants are the buyers, it can help us gain a better understanding as to what their demands and hence, queries entail(Patton, 1990). The observation method of conducting research is developed to observe individuals in their natural setting. There can be participant and non- participant observations. This method helps in overcoming issues of validity. It also helps in covering those areas which are not easily accessible through means of speech communication, for example, when an individual isn’t cooperating in disclosing certain information. Observat ions can also help researchers in studying trends of a particular market in great detail and how the attitudes of the buyers are affecting those trends.

Planning Strategic Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Planning Strategic Change - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in every organization there is a need for change to be made to ensure continuous quality leadership. According to Kotter, change model can be created in steps; the first step is creating urgency. A change will only help when it is required with the organization as a whole. Creating urgency can help ignite motivation for things to move. Secondly, an organization needs to create a powerful coalition. In this step, the company has to show the necessity of change through leading by an example. The company needs to bring together a team or coalition of persons whose powers are derived from status, job title political importance and expertise. This will ensure a mix of personnel from different levels and departments in your organization. Another step for change model is creating changes in your vision. The company needs to create a vision that people can remember and understand easily. Hence, the company needs to ensure that the central values to change are dete rmined, the visual speech is practiced often and a brief summary is developed to capture the organizations future. The fourth step is frequent communication of the vision; the organization should talk about the vision every moment available. The vision should be used daily to solve problems and make decisions in order to refresh it in people’s minds. In addition, the organization needs to apply the vision in its operations in also to lead by example. In step five, the organization needs to remove the obstacles; removing obstacles empowers the individuals required to execute the vision and propel the change forward. The organization should, therefore, identify individuals resistant to change and brief them on what is required, check on the job description, performance, compensation system and organizational structure to ensure they tally with the vision. Lastly, an organization also needs to identify and reward those that are championing for change. Creation of short-term wins is another step that organizations need to look into.

Comparison Between Two Paintings Essay Example for Free

Comparison Between Two Paintings Essay During the 14th century, when the beginning of the Renaissance took place, Florence was one of the main political, economic, and artistic cities in Europe. The Black Death, the plague that reduced the population of Florence, and the difficulties Florence encountered by this time explain the heavy influence of gothic style in architecture and the elegance found in every artwork created in this era. Florence was one of the top European cities when it came to painting, because it had the greatest school of painting where many important artists assisted. Florence, throughout the years, has always been an important influence in history and art. Even though many artists have a vast aspiration for art, each artist possesses his own criteria and methods that they acquired during the time in which they lived. Artists in Italy from the 1400s throughout 1900s shared many common techniques and skills that were characterized by their era. This period brings a new perspective of life to the European countries in the early fourteenth-century. By this time, people in Italy thought that a new and contemporary era had begun with a new style in painting and architecture and a new evolution in music, science, philosophy, and literature as well. Lorenzo di Credi, is an Italian painter who belonged to the Renaissance period of the 1400s. Lorenzo di Credi, who lived in Florence, was learning about this new era that had a huge impact in everyone’s life. This new era had an advanced development in society and a rise of civic culture. A new sense of realism in art, new discoveries in the material world, and new more joyous vision of the world around them were taking place during the era. The Renaissance influenced the social, economic, spiritual, scientific, and religious aspect of Italy. Lorenzo, who started to have a special interest in art when he was in Florence by the 1450s, was already starting to produce his own paintings. When Lorenzo started his vocation as an artist, he always had a special interest in portraits. â€Å"He is known primarily for his devotional paintings, although he was also much in demand as a portrait painter and was a sensitive draughtsman. † Lorenzo also started painting in oil, which was a new technique that arose in the Renaissance period. This new technique was usually painted in wood or canvas. Oil has a deep, intense tone and has hard, enamel-like surfaces. With oil, painters could also demonstrate the glowing and the light and, if needed, they could arrange any possible mistake or part they wanted to change because oil dries very slowly. This technique is not easy to adapt and adjust, but this did not keep Lorenzo from painting with it. â€Å"It is not known how oil painting was first developed, but in Western Europe there are indications of its use from at least the 12th century AD, and it was widely used from the Renaissance. Oil was also very popular because with it, artists could produce the finest clarity of colour. Artists manipulate the oil using stiff brushes made out of hog hair. Lorenzo was recognized for possessing patience when working in his paintings, he did not only use oil, he also adapted other methods of painting that required a lot of skill. A perfect example of a famous artwork of Lorenzo di Credi is Portrait of a Young Women. In the Renaissance, women were not lucky to live in Florence if they wanted to be involved in society. Woman by this era were just a subject of men. The Portrait of a Young Women exhibits a widow woman. When looking at the painting, one can find a variety of characteristics that lead the viewers to think her husband has died. In the Renaissance era women in Italy dressed very elegantly, wearing long gowns with baggy and loose fitting dresses. Woman used to wear very complex fabrics that covered their entire body. Wool was usually the dominant fabric woman in Italy used to wear in different types of quality and colors. This young woman in the painting is wearing a long, simple black dress with long sleeves and a black veil on the head. The dress may not seem extravagant because she is dressed as a widow. The dress does not contain any important detail, but stills looks elegant. Besides her clothing, her appearance does not demonstrate a positive one. The look on her face and the body language the painting resembles has a negative connotation. It is said that this woman was Lorenzo di Credi’s sister-in-law. She is also holding a ring in her left hand, which one can assume is her wedding ring. The way she holds and places her hands leads the viewer to think she is thinking about him, she is recalling him. The look on her face, her eyes, nose, and mouth are all-static, they don’t have any positive expression. When looking at the eyes, one cannot tell where she is looking at. One may think Lorenzo was imitating Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting Mona Lisa. It is said that Lorenzo admired and followed Leonardo’s paintings. When looking at Lorenzo’s paining, one can relate with her because of the rigorousness body. Her hands and her face are painted with in an accurate manner. Lorenzo’s skills are perfectly demonstrated in this painting, one can see the shadows all over he painting and the different tones of colors he uses in his work. The young woman’s body is so realistic that one can even see the perfect nails and the wrinkles in her hands. Behind the widow woman is a beautiful garden and an enjoyable view. The background contains many details in the tress, especially in the leaves. The background incorporates the mountains and the sky with a variety of tones of blues and greens. The tree behind the woman is painted in a circular way looking like a halo, which can resemble an image of the Virgin Mary. Her face looks calm and docile, which can also be associated with the Virgin Mary. After analyzing Portrait of a Young Woman from the 15th century, one is going to encounter a whole new perspective of life with new techniques and characteristics in a painter from the 20th century even though both artists are Italian. This Italian artist, Umberto Boccioni, was not only a painter; he was also involved with sculptures, theories, and literature. Even though his career came to an end very fast when he died at a young age, he still influenced many artist around the world and had a very productive career. Boccioni was from the Italian city of Verona, but he spent the majority of his childhood in Forli, Genoa, and Padua. It is not until he moves to Rome that he found his passion for art. Boccioni, inspired by Balla, relates himself a lot with landscapes and nature. â€Å"In his first years of activity, closely following his master’s teaching, Boccioni produced oil paintings, sketches, pastels, studies in tempera, and advertising posters. † After several years he went to Paris where he got inspired by the modernity and the French metropolis, which impacted his life and his work in many ways. Boccioni was leaving in a new era were the Futurism, art movement, was taking place. The Futurism movement had a great influence in his artwork; it later became a distinguished characteristic in all of his paintings and his career as an artist. He established this movement, so by demonstrating his painting with this new movement, he also inspired other artists to follow the Futurism. Self-Portrait was painted in Rome in the 1905 when Boccioni was twenty-three years old. In Boccioni’s famous painting, one can see Umberto Boccioni well dressed in black also with a black, flat hat on his head. The painting does not show the body’s parts with clarity and the painting only covers less than half of his body. The way Boccioni paints himself is in a more modern manner using vivid colors in the background and in his face. This portrait is also painted with oil, but this time on a canvas instead of wool. Oil on canvas was the other method artist used in the 1400s, but still was popular in the 20th century. One can see that oil became an important gadget for artists in their paintings and is still currently in use by many artists at the present time. Boccioni’s painting, Self-Portrait, reflects a change in style from light tonalities in colors to stronger contrasts of light and dark. With the way Boccioni applies the oil in this painting, one can see that the body itself is not well defined because of the longer brushstrokes. His face has a deep, serious look with his eyebrows twisted even though his black, little eyes are almost close. At the background, one can see a wall with different tone of yellow, baby blue, and the leaves of a tree. One can see that Boccioni avoided the straight line and has used complementary colors to create a vibrant effect and express a positive connotation in his portrait. Now, one can see that even though both artists are Italian, they still have very different styles; they both have different perspectives of life because of different periods the lived in. Although they both have very different techniques, one can still find some characteristics that relate them and connect their paintings. Di Credi shows a more complex, divine, almost perfect human being while Boccioni portraits himself in a more modern manner. Both paintings are portraits; yet, one can find a lot of distinction between the two of them. While the young woman shows a negative connotation, Boccioni’s self portrait shows a lively man with vivid colors that gets the viewer’s attention immediately. Both artists found a way of establishing a human body in different styles using different methods with the brushes. Another difference in the way these two artists painted is that with di Credi’s painting one can see when he exactly ends in the edges. One can see that the young woman seems real, while Boccioni’s portrait has more shadows. In Boccioni’s painting is more noticeable the use of brushes than in di Credi’s young woman. Usually, each artist demonstrates his feelings in their paintings; or shows a current event happening in the artist’s era. Or they just produce something that has impact their life or them in any certain way. Zeitgeist , â€Å"spirit of the times† can be related with theses two artists and their paintings because both are presenting their passion for art in the epoch in which they are living. All artworks are a reflection of the time. By analyzing and comparing these two paintings, one can find many interesting aspects of art. Art is more than a painting; art is a history behind an artwork that each artist is trying to evoke in every viewer. Art is using one’s creativeness to transmit one’s thoughts. One can appreciate more the Art when learning the â€Å"spirit of the time†; one can comprehend the artist’s emotions by analyzing every single detail in the artwork and the historical background of it. It is beyond belief how many details one can find when observing in detail each painting; one can find intriguing how every artist was impacted and influenced by the political, economical and historical aspect of their own country. The techniques, skills, and styles di Credi and Boccioni possessed are still influencing other artist nowadays. Their artworks will always be recognizable and distinguishable to people because art will never be forgotten. As centuries go by, one will still see these two artists dominating, impacting, and influencing new artists and viewers.