...Module 5: Customs Etiquette and Protocol In an era of globalization, understanding the basics of etiquette and protocol — that is, the type of behavior that others expect of you in both informal and formal settings — is an important skill. It can instill an individual with confidence to handle almost any situation in any culture and allow a businessperson to concentrate on the deal at hand rather than worrying about such peripheral distractions as which fork to use or which hand to use for passing food. Without an understanding of the basics of etiquette and protocol, you risk coming off as a boorish Neanderthal. You may even put your company's image at risk or risk potential failure in the formation of key business relationships that are vital to global success. Finally, a well-honed sense and appreciation of local customs, etiquette and protocol can make you stand out as a world-savvy individual in a competitive global market. The world may indeed be an oyster today for many businesses. The problem is that too many businesspeople are still, like Oscar Wilde, using the wrong fork. The Ancient Art of Protocol Etiquette — the codes and practices prescribed by social convention that govern correct behavior — and protocol — the form of etiquette and ceremony observed by diplomats and businesspeople during formal interaction — are really ancient arts. Ptahhotep, mayor of ancient Egypt's capital and vizier to Egyptian King Isesi around 2380–2340 B.C. (the vizier was ancient Egypt's...
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...Film Assignment: Modern Times (LABR 1F90) 1. What is the significance of the clip of the flock of sheep at the very beginning of the film? In the film Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin, the significance portrayed by the metaphor ‘flock of sheep’ refers to the image of a crowd descending into an underground station. This follows a juxtaposition in which the sheep are the workers. They were being herded as they were streaming out of the Steel factory. Little Tramp played by Chaplin notices that the automation and productivity had literally changed the worker’s views, altering the masses like some livestock of obedient workers. It was as if they did nothing but work a lot with the inclusion of getting paid the least. Furthermore the factory owner or the boss was viewed as someone that was happy and relaxed who watched over all the workers through a pair of panoptic lenses. None of the workers were allowed to neglect any of the boss’s orders. Tramp was seen as a factory worker that has been exhausted from doing repetitive work on the conveyor belt. Critically the flock of sheep filmic metaphor shows that the workers have a sheep like behavior. Even though the two things were meant to represent the same thing; the phenomenon transfer of meaning can be seen as unambiguous. The crowd remains as the crowd and the sheep remains as the sheep. The association of the two simply incites the effect of the symbolic leap from one to the other based on a level that acquires a relative...
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...Essay The powerless protagonist - A reflection on the powerlessness of the individual in modern Russian society through the film “Durak” (The Fool) INTRODUCTION “You must obey the law, always, not only when they grab you by your special place.” Vladimir Putin I grew up on American movies built around stories portraying an underdog protagonist (ex. Erin Brockovich) who against all odds through hardship and danger manages to beat all sources of antagonism, fight injustice, save the day, and ride off into the sunset with cash and a high sense of self-achievement, reaching a full transformation circle in his/her character development. In contrast, after watching “The Fool” by Yuri Bykov, and “Leviathan” by Andrey Zvyagintsev I couldn't help but noticing the exact opposite. Namely, the stories revolve around an underdog protagonist, who in a toxically decaying environment, never seem to change or learn anything while battling against either corruption, injustice or both, ending up with the protagonist being ruined in every way imaginable, losing practically everything including his family and hope, his efforts ridiculed, and he himself severely physically punished. The two protagonists are of course very different, however, one needs to be reminded that behind every movie script there is an individual writer with a goal of conveying a statement to his audience. In the film “the Fool” through Dima, the powerless protagonist, the writer/director describes a society...
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...downfall. The two film adaptations of Oedipus Rex present the same theme but in different ways. In the more modern film of Oedipus Rex, directed by Don Taylor, music was introduced, the language was more understandable and the use of modern apparel which is what separated itself from the dated 1957 version of it. These are the three reasons why the 1984 film of Oedipus Rex is preferred. In Don Taylor’s version of Oedipus Rex, music was introduced and used. The music used made an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. In the first film there was no use of music therefore when something important occurred there was nothing to reinforce it. For example throughout the first film when Oedipus started to get realizations there was nothing to help the audience understand that he has actually done so. While in modern film music was used to build up and prepare the audience for what was to come. Music can be used to build thoughts in the audiences’ minds. The language used in the modern film is much more understandable than the older film. Today most people speak and comprehend the English spoken in the modern film which is why it is preferred. The English spoken in the modern film is simpler than the older film. In the 1957 film a lot of the cast speaks in riddles. The audience can grasp what is going on more in the modern film better than the older. The two ways English is spoken in both films do not display that one is better than the other, current society prefers the modern one simply...
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...The film that I have been analysing is ‘Friends with Benefits’. Will Gluck directed the film and the producers were Martin Shafer, Liz Glotzer, Janet Zucker and Will Gluck. The impact of the director of this film is a good one because he has directed many rom coms such as ‘Easy A’, this could attract the target demographic because the film was very successful which means that they would want to watch films by the director. The total budget of the film was around $67,000,000, the opening weekend was $18,622,150, the total domestic gross was $55,802,754 and the worldwide gross was $150,421,779. This shows that the film did very good at the book office. Poster The advertisement would have been seen on billboards, bus stops, on the buses, train stations, cinema. The impact on the target demographic could be that they want to see the film because it is interesting and also you can put the poster anywhere so they don’t have to go and search for it themselves. On the poster there was a release date to inform when they can go see the film. I think that the mis-en –scene was very modern and simple for example the background colour is mainly white which connotes peace and modern and the target audience is modern, this is good because it would not be difficult to understand it. It also uses things that the target demographic can understand and relate with e.g. the masthead is white and blue which connotes fresh and modern also FWB is highlighted in blue which might be linked to the...
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...Luhrmann’s Modern Day Shakespeare The 1996 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet provides viewers with the same theatrical influence as the original play. Baz Luhrmann was able to accomplish this through modern filmmaking techniques and visual imagery. Luhrmann’s adaptation maintains much of the same elements of the original play. However, Luhrmann was able to make it more appealing to modern audiences by integrating modern elements into the film, thus turning Shakespeare’s original love story into a more modern yet controversial, interpretation of the original love story. In today’s society Shakespeare’s poetic language would leave viewers perplex. Luhrmann is able to keep Shakespeare’s original language by incorporating creative cinematography, editing, and style. Luhrmann recognizes early on that it is imperative to modernize the prologue in order for viewers to fully comprehend the film’s plot; any misperception would leave viewers confused and not emotionally involved. He is able to accomplish this through the use of dialogue, written text, and visual images. In order to reach modern audiences, Luhrmann has to be inventive in his filmmaking techniques; therefore he integrates modern-day media language. By adding news media and displaying selected pieces of text onscreen he is able to intensify the romantic teen tragedy, thus turning Shakespeare’s original play into a distinguishable film for modern audiences. Luhrmann’s use of visual imagery...
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...“thunderheart” explores how past decisions and activities helped shape the modern day America. Indigenous Americans Sioux enjoyed an attractive traditional background before the institution of a modern American society. The only aspect they had to deal with, then, was the moderation of their culture by the American Government. Moderation of culture plays a part in degradation of spiritual and cultural beliefs. (John, Macionis & Vincent, Parillo, 109). Moderation was effected by stripping them off their indigenous land and placing them in reservations. This marked the beginning of a long term cultural warfare alluded to by George and James that latter led to labor differences between the rich and the poor in modern day America, (George, and James, 1) “Thunderheart” movie tactfully captures real activities that took place in the reservations that led to the shaping of modern day American Culture. This paper seeks to scrutinize a number of planning issues that have helped shape the modern day America. These planning issues include: cultural discrimination, assimilation, corruption and lawlessness. This paper puts into perspective the lives of Indigenous Americans as presented in thunderheart and in harmony with literal documents. This is done to give explanation to the shaping of a modern America. The paper also explores cultural changes between the 20th and 21st Century as presented by Michael Apted The film features themes such as corruption, cultural discrimination, politics...
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...In the film (Arranged, 2007), it tells a story of two women who are going through an arranged marriage. Arranged marriage is something that is seen in traditional cultures, not really seen in modern western culture. Modern western culture and traditional cultures are very different. Patriarchy is followed in the home of these families, where the father sets the rules. Dating is also done differently. In traditional cultures, women have arranged dates with men, whereas in modern western culture people can decide who to go on a date with. Touching is also different, women from traditional cultures are not used to being touched by other men. They have little contact with other humans, unlike in modern western culture people are used to being touched by their friends or just shake hands when you meet someone new. Differences of Traditional Conservative Culture and Modern Western Culture: In the United States of America there are many type of traditional cultures people follow. There is a traditional culture that was shown in the film “Arranged”. Then there is the modern western culture that the majority of people follow in the United States. The traditional cultures seen in the film are from the character Rachel, who followed an Orthodox Jewish culture and Nasira who followed a Muslim culture. These two cultures may seem completely different to some people, but some traditions that they follow are similar. However, they are very different from the modern western...
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...a play called Romeo and Juliet and it was loved by so many people that in 1996 Baz Luhrmann made a modern film based off of it. There are only a few differences between the play and film. Those few include weapons, transportation, and clothing. They are just some of the things that differ in the film from the play. The play Romeo and Juliet is very different than the 1996 film. One of the many differences between the 1597 play and the 1996 film is the weapons. In the play the weapons are very primitive and are rarely used in the modern times. While in the film they use more modern weapons that kill and are much more deadlier than the plays primitive weapons. In the play they used swords and knives...
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...see and learn about Shakespeare by being portrayed in all types of media. Shakespeare is not longer exclusive to the stage; we see his works in modern day media such as film and TV now more than ever. The way we learn about Shakespeare today had to be conformed to the way our modern society has advanced. I will discuss the history of Shakespearean theatre and its rapid diffusion into modern day films as well as the specific elements originated by Shakespeare that are seen in those films. Beginning somewhere around...
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...in their roots as human beings. Although modern American culture tends to suppress this trait, under the right conditions this aggression can be harnessed with positive results. However, before this can happen, eyes must be opened to the realization that life, core values, and everything society has conditioned us to believe is not necessarily the best way to take on the world in which we live. Though its content is both graphic and highly controversial, the film Fight Club is a film that every American man and woman should see. The film tells the story of how “a ticking-time bomb insomniac... and a slippery soap salesman... channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy.” (FIGHT CLUB) The film is arguably one of the best examples of masterful film making coupled with deep philosophical content and key concepts which analyze modern American society giving new insight to ways of finding purpose and meaning in everyday life. Without a doubt, Fight Club’s name can easily be misinterpreted to many who hear or read it. While it is easy to assume that the film has nothing more to it than men simply fighting each other, in reality “Fight Club presents an overload of thought-provoking material that works on so many levels as to offer grist for the mills of thousands of reviews, feature articles, and post-screening conversations.” (Review: Fight Club) The film was directed by David Fincher, one of the brightest of modern directors. Rather than filming the movie in...
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...compare the differences between premodern and modern societies. The level of technology available and in use is the line of demarcation between these two societies. Premodern societies include hunting and gathering societies, horticultural or pastoral societies, and agricultural societies. Modern societies begin with the industrial revolution and the shift away from highly manual labor to advanced sources of energy and production of goods in factories with specialized tools. Modern society also includes the current postindustrial society which is focused on the production of information by using computer technology. The film The Return of Martin Guerre depicts an agricultural, premodern society, whereas I live in a postindustrial, modern society. In the film, statuses and roles are primarily ascribed rather than achieved. For example, Martin (or rather fake Martin) claims to deserve the profits earned from the land because the farmland belonged to his father, and therefore now by him. Modern society has a larger influence by achieved statuses. In my case, for example, I did not choose to work in the same type of career as my father, but chose to work in the field of electronics and earn a degree in electronic engineering. I am now back in school by my own choice as I work towards a business degree as well. The differences in group interaction between premodern and modern societies is seen by comparing the film with my life. In the film, the group interactions were mostly with the...
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...The film "The Gods Must Be Crazy" illustrates the stark contrast between the culture of the Bushmen and modern society through the interactions between socialized members of each of these very different cultures. The cultural contrasts are evident in the characters' actions, values and differing world views. The film paints an exceptional portrait of the differences between human cultures, as well as the belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group, that runs common to all. The Bushmen culture is one of simplicity and contentment. The pace of life in the Bushmen culture is relaxed and slow. The Bushmen culture was one without social classes. They never punished or even spoke harshly to their children and yet the children were surprisingly well behaved. The Bushmen place the greatest value on their family and their relationship with god. The Bushmen seem to have a deep respect for all life both human and non-human. In the film, the Bushman shoots an animal with a tranquilizer dart and waits until the animal lays down to go to sleep; before taking the animal's life the Bushmen would apologize for having to kill the animal and explained that he must do it so that his family could eat. His action was important because it showed that the Bushmen hunted only out of necessity and never for sport. Although the Bushmen lived in circumstances that we think of as squalor they seemed to be very happy and completely content with their lives. The most striking aspect of the Bushmen...
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...extravagance and authenticity of these parties is shown in the film versions of The Great Gatsby. The 2013 film version of The Great Gatsby achieved great extravagance, but did not properly represent the time period, whereas the 1974 film version lacked in extravagance, but stayed true to the time period. Gatsby’s parties in the 2013 film version of The Great Gatsby were portrayed with modern music and great extravagance and lavishness. At these parties, Gatsby’s colossal mansion...
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...are some distinct differences such as Jordan and Nick’s relationship, the modern spin on the film, along with Gatsby’s death that ultimately distinguish the movie apart from the book. The first difference is one that involves a two character relationship between Nick and Jordan. The director of the movie, Baz Luhrmann, cut out one of the notable side stories from the book: the romantic relationship between Nick with Jordan Baker. Jordan is a friend of Daisy’s who is described in the novel as a famous golfer. In...
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