My Mother Said I Never Should " Directors notes for Act 1 Scene 10

My Mother Said I Never Should - Directors notes for Act 1 Scene 10 What is the scene doing? It starts out as a normal eight year olds birthday, presents are given and the cake is cut. But really it's a chance for Margaret to dig at Jackie for not being there to watch Rosie grow up, a competition - who can get Rosie and keep her. At the end of the scene Jackie knows that Rosie doesn't need her anymore, Margaret makes sure she does and tells her outright. Jackie asks, "She doesn't need me, does she?" to which Margaret replies simply "No" so Jackie cant say anything back and as if her in her place. Rosie is unaware of all that is going on underneath Margaret and Jackie's conversation, she just wants to have fun on her birthday, another year gone and she wants to move on. She wants to bury her past, and be more grown up. Turning Points The scene starts out with everyone happy, Jackie and Rosie are in the garden while Margaret is busy in the house. They are talking and Rosie just sees it as talking to her big sister whereas Jackie is trying to bond with her daughter. As soon as Margaret comes out though everything changes, Jackie is not able to get close to Rosie and this upsets her but Rosie knows nothings wrong. When the candles are lit everything changes again, Margaret and Jackie start to argue which upsets Rosie. She doesn't want her 'mum' and 'sister' to argue and runs

  • Word count: 1462
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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batman media essay

Batman Media Essay The scene is set in the City. The trains are outdoors and are seen to be run down and vandalised. There seems to be a lot of big buildings and no sign of wildlife. Depressing smoke is everywhere suggesting evil. It is night time so everything is dark showing a sinister atmosphere. The weather is dull and foggy which reflects the negative mood which has already been brought about from the image of the city. The climax of the final confrontation between Batman and Henri Ducard begins with the element of surprise on the look of Henry Ducard's face as he turns towards the sound of screeching and screaming and through the smoky haze the silhouette of Batman flying towards him out of nowhere. Quick shots of about 3 seconds create curiosity and interest. The music builds on the menacing tension towards the two characters; slow, heavy, dullish tones. The quick cuts between close ups of Batman and Ducard gradually build tension and make the scene exciting to watch. This tells the audience that something big is about to happen and makes them want to carry on watching. The music softens when Batman and Ducard are talking so the audience can hear what is being said, but as the shots become slower, the music becomes faster, and as Ducard shots off while his followers come down, a loud collision of music is released; this shows the audience that there is more to come

  • Word count: 1316
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Interview with Takashi Shimizu (The Grudge)

Interview With Takashi Shimuzu . Did you enjoy making the film? Absolutely, working with the cast was exciting and hilarious because they all have great sense of humours. It was also a good experience to be working with an American cast since I am always working with a Japanese cast. That was probably the main reason why I enjoyed it. 2. What were your highlights of the production? Having a laugh with the crew and making the scary scenes, for example at the end when the Grudge kills Doug. This was probably the hardest as it needed the most work, co-operation and special effects. 3. What did you find difficult about the production? Because I knew very little English it was sometimes very difficult to explain a scene that needed a lot of attention and focus. So I mainly had to rely on my translator because if I said something really complicated then even she would struggle at times, so it was quite a nerve-racking experience but we got through it in the end. 4. What was your favourite scene? My favourite scene has to be the scene where Susan is in her flat and she thinks she is safe, but then the phone rings, and when she answers it the Grudge's croaky voice is heard and the doorbell suddenly rings. She answers it and hears Matthew's voice asking her to let her in, so she answers it and when he gets outside her front door she looks through the peephole and sees Matthew.

  • Word count: 788
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Themes In Jurassic Park

Themes in Jurassic Park Released in 1993, Steven Spielberg's ground breaking summer blockbuster 'Jurassic Park' contains many themes, such as parenthood, money and greed, and the ethics of science. In this essay I will explore these themes and show how the director illustrated them in this film. In the film, Jurassic Park's owner John Hammond is being sued millions of dollars after a man is eaten by one of the raptors at his park. The lawyers say that in order to keep it running he needs endorsement from experts. Hammond seeks out the help of Palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant and his girlfriend Palaeobotanist Ellie Satler. The two of them, along with physicist Dr Iain Malcolm, are flown to Jurassic Park and are initially stunned by the huge, genetically engineered dinosaurs. However, when the dinosaurs escape and leave them fighting for their lives they decide not to endorse the park after all. The theme of money and greed is developed throughout the film. One of the fist times we see this theme is when John Hammond says: "we spared no expense". He says this phrase again and again many times during the film, which shows us that Hammond has more money than sense, and believes that money will solve everything. To highlight greed even more, Spielberg created the character Dennis Nedrey - the epitome of greed. The very fist time we see Nedrey he is gorging on food at a

  • Word count: 1032
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How far is the Simpsons a parody of the Waltons?

How far is The Simpsons a parody of The Waltons? The Simpsons and The Waltons are two very different TV shows; the latter is a rural drama about a large American family struggling during the Great Depression, while the other is a city cartoon about a dysfunctional family trying to cope with modern American life. The title sequence of The Simpsons opens with clouds in the sky parting to reveal big, yellow writing "The Simpsons". This title is very similar to the yellow title "The Waltons" which appears in the Waltons sequence. This is a clear statement that The Simpsons parody the Waltons; surely such a conspicuous example can't be deemed a coincidence? The puffy clouds at the start of The Simpsons represent pollution in the modern-day world which contrasts with the clear blue skies at the beginning of the Waltons sequence. A mock angelic voice sings in the background as the image zooms through the letter "P" of the title and gives us an establishing shot of Simpsonesque Springfield. This is quite different from The Waltons sequence which opens with a guitar solo accompanying the establishing shot of a rural, picturesque area surrounded by unspoilt hills and trees. While The Simpsons moves quickly to a view of the nuclear power plant after the title, The Waltons opening show us the surrounding countryside. This highlights the development of modern & urban culture in The

  • Word count: 1392
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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the midnight betrayal

The Midnight Betrayal "I'm looking for my brother," whispered George. "You're lucky you came in time, because he's going to get moved to the Berlin camp facility next week!" Fernando whispered back. Both men were sitting in a dark cell. Rusty metal bars were along one side and three dull walls along the other sides. The only sign of freedom was the wind that crept in slowly through the window. The tiny window to the left had railings on it, but these looked newer. Half of George's face was covered in shadows, and the only feature of his face that was visible were his eyes. His eyes were small and stretched on the edges. You could tell just by his eyes that he was a smart and cunning man. Fernando was tall and of medium build like George. However, Fernando looked more handsome, and more of a gentlemen than George. Suddenly, Fernando's complexion loosened and a big smile crept onto his face. His face lit up like a burning stove. "George Taylor?" Fernando said in a light voice as if he was intoxicated. "Yes... why?" George replied, with a look of curiosity on his face. "George it's me... Fernando Anrio!" he burst out in delight. Georges face lit up as well and they both embraced whilst the strong chill of the wind crept up their necks. They did not feel it because they were in a different world, one of happy memories and joy. These were the only things you could

  • Word count: 2334
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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english coursework media

998 saw the release of saving Private Ryan directed by Steven Spielberg and was set in 1942 during world war two, Starring Tom Hanks, Ed Burns, Matt Demon, Tom Sizemore and Jeremy Davis. Etc This shocking and realistic film re-creates the horrific events that took place during the Normandy landings. In the opening scenes of this down to earth movie, the director illustrates an emotional, sad, shocking and horrendous image by starting the movie with a bang of overwhelming and harrowing scenes which evokes all the horror and terror of the Normandy invasion. In addition, He also uses a faded and metallic America flag which represent that the film is set in past and which also suggests that the theme is about war. Furthermore, the camera zooms into James Ryan's face which implies that he is depressed and feels sorrow for his fellow soldiers that lost their lives in the battle. In brief, the big white crosses in the graveyard emphasises that the director is being more realistic about huge loss of lives in war which makes the audience feel distressed and pitiful for soldiers that lost their lives for their countries. However, the movie is in contrast with older war films for example the 'dam buster' because in Saving Private Ryan, it started off with a sad and emotional tone whereas in old-fashioned war movie the tone is appealing and optimistic which make war seem interesting

  • Word count: 2167
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Discuss Harper Lee(TM)s presentation of the trial of Tom Robinson

Discuss Harper Lee's presentation of the trial of Tom Robinson Harper lee was born in 1962 in Monroeville, Alabama. Her father, A.C Lee, worked as editor of a local newspaper as well as being a, member of the Alabama State legislature, a kind of regional parliament with the power of making or changing law. He was also a trained lawyer and his daughter would visit the Monroeville courthouse to watch her father in action. Alabama was one of the southern most states, which decided to split from the union of American states in 1861 in order to continue using slave workers even after they lost the civil war, southern status like Alabama remained racist, and laws were passed which discriminated against blacks. These attitudes carried over into the 20th century. Much injustice against black American continued. Harper was 6 years old and she saw many injustices done to the black, so she wrote "to kill a mocking bird", because of which readers of future generation will learn about the social injustice in America in 1930s, which includes a lot of different ways of prejudice and controversial issues. Harper projected Jem and Scout, two of the principle characters of the book, start off as being childish and play full kids, but as the story goes on, we can clearly see that there is growing awareness, specially during the trail, when their feelings are altered by injustice and

  • Word count: 1284
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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broadsheet on homelessness

Times 2 70p www.timesonline.co.uk/ 11/12/2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Homelessness A report by Louise Bain Myths & Facts about Homelessness Homeless people not only suffer from the hardship of their condition, but also must deal with the alienation and discrimination brought about by the myths and stereotypes about homelessness. What follows are some of the myths and the realities about homelessness. Definition of homelessness: Homelessness is the condition and social category of people who lack housing, because they cannot afford, or are otherwise unable to maintain, regular, safe, and adequate shelter. Homelessness, lack of secure accommodation or a settled lifestyle are major barriers to finding stable employment. Most homeless people, therefore, are dependent on welfare benefits. Apart from winter shelters, almost all hostels require residents to pay rent. In most cases this is met through Housing Benefit which is only available to people who are unemployed or on low incomes. Restrictions in recent years to the eligibility for various benefits have presented particular difficulties with accessing accommodation for young people, students and people from abroad. One out of four homeless is employed full-

  • Word count: 908
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Romeo & Juliet:Describe the tension in Act 3 Scene 1

Romeo and Juliet Speaking Exam Intro: * Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in the 1500's, and is the story of two "star-cross'' lovers from two rival families who find love with one another amongst the hate and violence between their two families. * The play belongs to the genre of plays known as "tragedies", and more specifically, belongs to "Romantic Tragedy", a genre Shakespeare created, and started off with this very play. "Romeo and Juliet" is a tragedy as the two main characters (Romeo and Juliet), die at the end of the play. * The main themes of the play: Love, Destiny, Power, Honour, "Masculinity and Manhood". * Socio-historical Context: Male Dominance, Arranged Marriage, Plague, City of Verona-City associated with hot-blooded people. Act 1 Scene 1: * The Elizabethan society was strongly male-dominant, and men had the role of the "breadwinner", the person who works and earns income. Women were thought of as "mothers and child bearers" and were considered "subservient" to men. Masculinity is a key theme of this scene- servants show off and boast - "I strike quickly to be moved." "Thrust his maids to the wall". * Shakespeare contradicts this widely-held belief of the time in Act 1 Scene 1, where he portrays the wives of Lord Capulet and Lord Montague as being very strong, powerful women, who prevent their husbands from going to war. "Crutch!

  • Word count: 1163
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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