Language is a complex and elegant method of expressing an idea, emotion, or object. Linguistic scholars Ron and Suzie Wong Scollon have expanded the concept of language through researching how it impacts the material world. As a result, the study of signs through analyzing the social meaning and effect on the signage has on the environment, or geosemiotics, was formed. To gain a deeper personal understanding on geosemiotics, I chose to examine signage in relation to cinema marquees. This specific grouping of signs initially attracted my attention due to the wide array of sizes, color, and style they involve as well as my love of movies. However, as I began to further examine the marquees, I came to realize that each sign has a story and a purpose …show more content…
This theatre is located on Lee Street, footsteps away from the Hunt County Courthouse, and has been standing since its construction in the late 1800’s. However, its vintage green and red sign illuminates more than just the street below. The Texan demonstrates nostalgia and history that has prevailed through the ages. In 1975, the shimmering lights of the theatre were shut off without the hope of ever being turned on again. The once lively building was turned into a small retail shop for items such as quilts and flower arrangements (“Texan Theatre,” n.d., para. 2). However, after 41 years of darkness, the theatre was resurrected and restored by members of the community. Owner Barbara Horan refers to the Texan as “an elegant reminder of the past refashioned for the future” (“About,” n.d., para. 8). Despite the struggles the theatre has faced, it continues to persevere and remind its fellow citizens of their Texan roots and heritage. Its lights will continue to beam bright with pride and hope of a successful …show more content…
Found in the midst of the buzzing Firewheel Mall, the AMC 18 is a member of one of the most popular movie corporations in the world. However, a peculiar aspect of this specific theatre is its large sign that wraps around the front side of the building. This grand marquee is covered with a mural that portrays several recognizable movie stars and captivates the attention of people from all ages. This painting brings back memories that bond people with the laughter and tears they have shared in movies over the years. Through my research, I have discovered that this marquee helps define what the AMC Theatres truly stand for--unity through diversity. The AMC’s corporate leaders strive to be inclusive of each person’s heritage and encourage new ideas those people can bring to the company. Every individual “adds a unique set of skills, talents and beliefs” to the company and helps form a world-class team (“Diversity and Inclusion,” n.d., para. 3). The AMC 18’s marquee is symbolic of the joy and love of movies that amalgamates diverse communities
To fit the needs and wants of our target audiences, the theatres have to position and project themselves at a unique level compared to other commercial forms of live entertainment. Community theatre cannot compete if all it offers to its audience is the stage. A theatre experience has to be much more than watching a play. We need to combine the theatre ambience, audience, actors and directors to create a unique mix of a ?cultured? event. For this revival and recast, Memphis community theatres, as a consortium, need to play a vital role in offering a high value for audiences in enjoyment, culture, and bonding to the community.
The story of the drive-in movie theater begins with one man. That man was Richard Milton Hollingshead, Jr., born on February 25, 1900, the "father" of the drive-in.
Presently, Disney known for its mass media entertainment and amusement parks technically bring warm feelings to many children and some adults. Personally, Disney elicits magical fantasies that children enjoy and further encourages imagination and creativity. For decades Disney has exist as an unavoidable entity with its famous global sensation and reach. Furthermore, Disney is a multibillion dollar empire with an unlimited grasp on individuals and territories. An empire per se, since they own many media outlets, markets, shops, etc., you name it they got it. However, the film Mickey Mouse Monopoly presents an entirely new perspective on the presumed innocence projected in Disney films. This film exposes certain traits Disney employs and exclusively portrays through its media productions, specifically cartoons for directing and nurturing influence beginning with children. Mickey Mouse Monopoly points out camouflaged messages of class, race, and gender issues in Disney films that occur behind the scenes intended to sway viewers towards adopting Disney values.
Shakespeare’s shows have been performed throughout the world including Great Britain. They have been seen in the Globe Theatre in London since the Elizabethan times.
When the lights come up the audience is immediately thrown into an old and dingy movie theatre complete with popcorn strewn across the floor. It is within this set that deep social commentary is made throughout the
Millions of people across the country roamed the streets in search of jobs, hoping to find some way to get the money they needed to feed their families. The Great Depression in the United States during the 1930s affected not only those who worked in jobs requiring physical labor, but those involved with theatre and the arts as well. The Federal Theatre Project was one of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)'s projects that was created to help deal with the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression. Thousands of artists, whether it was in the form of writing, music, or performing arts, were put out of work. The Federal Arts projects were created to reinstate jobs for unemployed artists as well as create displays of art for the public. "The Federal Theatre Project, directed by the former head of the Vassar College Experimental Theatre, Hallie Flanagan, was the most important, the most controversial, and hence, the shortest-lived of the Federal One Projects" (Gerdes, 155). Though the Federal Theatre Project caused a large amount of controversy among people in America, it was very important because during its short life it supplied jobs for many people working in the arts and it brought free theatre to America.
Whether or not a naïve approach to film as an inclusive medium holds true to fact, however, is questionable. Since its popular arrival in American culture during the 1930s, film has sparked controversy over ...
entertainment trying to catch our attention. If we're interested, we can simply go the the nearest
A young girl steps out of a yellow cab with a sparkle in her eye. As she looks up, she sees the biggest and brightest marquee hovering over Sixth Avenue, on the corner of Fiftieth Street. Wearing her finest red dress and paten strapped shoes, she grabs her mother’s hand and smiles with excitement. Walking into the largest indoor theatre in the world, this young girl is about to experience a spectacular like she has never seen before. New York City has forever marked the heart of this seven-year-old girl. For this one experience eternally transformed her view of the theater. After entering Radio City Music Hall and seeing the glistening chandelier hanging from above, the magical charm of this New York City landmark will forever be engraved. A “palace created for the people”, Radio City Music Hall is a place for entertainment, amusement, elevation, and inspiration (“History”). If the history wasn’t enough to keep Radio City alive, the future continues to look bright. Radio City is not only an artifact of the past, but the origin for the future. With advanced innovations and consistent pressure to compete with the rest of New York City, Radio City Music Hall thrives as the showplace of the nation.
My group’s umbrella topic focuses on race. My group will be discussing race and diversity in the media and in populated areas. I decided to question what effect the lack of diversity has had on theatre. With the world’s eyes on the actors on stage, the theatre has a large influence on its audience. The media and populated areas, such as cities, also have that power of influence. Growing up my childhood consisted of the theatre. I have a connection to the stage and off the stage. In my time working with my school’s theatre, I have seen a lack of diversity. I have experience and an interest in theatre. In my time of exploring the theatre culture, I did not come across much diversity. Two years ago I listened to the musical Hamilton:
Elizabethan times in the 1600s was a progression for the world of the theater. A period named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, it is from this period that modern day society has its foundation for the entertainment industry. From the violence that was prevalent because of the Black Death, people turned to the theater for its poetry and romance. During this time period, there were two types of theatrical performances that were available for the people’s viewing, comedies or tragedies. These two genres were never really intertwined until the time of William Shakespeare. His play, Romeo and Juliet, is an example of both a comedy and a tragedy. It starts off as a comedy with Romeo weeping like a baby because of his love Rosaline, who did not love him back and ends as a tragedy when Romeo and Juliet, a pair of star crossed lovers, commit suicide because the lost of each other. It was also during Shakespeare’s time that writer were finally acknowledged by the people. Before this time, writers were not considered upper classman. Another group of people that began to rise into a higher social class were the actors. Actresses were not present back then because women were not allowed on stage. It was considered unladylike to have a female actor. Men played all the parts. Theater owners were dependent on actors to make them a profit. Rehearsals for the plays were fairly short, only lasting for about a week. The performances themselves would only show for three to four days.
...ssignment has showed me the different views I have towards the culture of moviegoers. It made me understand their major purpose for coming to the movies with an outside view and made me look deep in to their purpose as a moviegoer myself in an insider perspective. It was a fun experience for me to go in to this particular subculture as I can relate to it. Many of us, if not all, are moviegoers ourselves. Seeing why they come and watch a movie with not just the purpose of watching moving pictures dumbfounds me. Seeing them escape the harsh realities of life simply by stepping foot through the front doors. That’s what makes this group truly interesting; the fact that we can escape from ourselves by entering the culture of moviegoers. This tells us that people in general have this inner ability deep within them guiding them through a stairway of happiness.
“The theatre was created to tell people the truth about life and the social situation,” says Stella Adler. Theater is unique and intriguing because it blends literary and visual arts to tell a story. Before Theater 10, I viewed theater on the surface level: cheesy plot lines with dramatic scenarios for entertainment purposes. Throughout the course, I have learned what it means to appreciate theater, such as understanding Brechtian and Chinese theatre; however, I believe understanding theater’s ability to convey crucial historical and social messages, such as in the production of RENT, is more relevant and important for theater appreciation.
Theatre serves to reflect society. From Shakespeare to Sophocles, a playwright’s work illustrates the different mechanics within a culture or time period or society. Theatre offers viewers the experience of taking a step back and looking in on themselves. In this way, theatre is a mirror for the world and the way it functions.
Movies take us inside the skin of people quite different from ourselves and to places different from our routine surroundings. As humans, we always seek enlargement of our being and wanted to be more than ourselves. Each one of us, by nature, sees the world with a perspective and selectivity different from others. But, we want to see the world through other’s eyes; imagine with other’s imaginations; feel with other’s hearts, at a same time as with our own. Movies offer us a window onto the wider world, broadening our perspective and opening our eyes to new wonders.