Impact of Sound on the Film Industry

Impact of Sound on the Film Industry The Advancement of Film: Through Sound During the late 1880s the motion camera was invented, a few years later the film industry was created. The first films were usually about everyday life, people walking or playing a prank; these films were usually very short. This was the era of the silent film. Gradually film started to expand rapidly, new technology enabled films to become more complicated, with a storyline and the camera angles. â€Å"The Great Train Robbery†, was one of the first films to incorporate the different camera shots while having a story line. The only thing that these movies were missing was the use of dialogue, sound effects, and music. Sound is truly one of the things that set the film industry on a path to successes. Film makers are continuously use sound to aid them in convening the emotions they want their audience to feel when they watch their movies. Though much of the advancements of the film industry, sound has become the most important aspect of movies; it has come a long way since the â€Å"silent era† in film history, movies would not be the same without it. The start of the film industry was a huge land mark in itself, but without incorporation of sound, they would not have become the multimillion dollar industry that it is today. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Americans were flooding into theaters to watch the latest movie that was out, but in those days the movies were generally very short and had no audio. To compensate for the lack of sound theaters would often have a pianist playing music on a piano or on the organ; he would provide the necessary sound affects movies needed. The Lumià ¨re Brothers were very popular in creating these early silent films. Thomas Edison had been trying to come up with a way to incorporate sound in to film with the use of a phonograph but was un- successful. But his ideas would lead to the huge milestone for the advancement of sound in film during the nineteen twenties. In early portion of the twentys the Vitaphone was invented. â€Å"The Vitaphone was a sound-on-disc system using multiple 33 1/3 rpm discs developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric In August 1926, Warner Brothers debuted the first Vitaphone film Don Juan† (Kay). Thought this movie did use the Vitaphone, to replace the organist, the film still did not use dialogue. The first film to incorporate the use of music and dialogue was The Jazz Singer, this was considered the end of the â€Å"silent era and beginning of the â€Å"talkies†. In 1928 Walt Disney would release the move Steamboat Willie â€Å"It was the first film to completely create a soundtrack in post production including sound effects, music, and dialogue† (Kay). Many critics at the time believed that the incorporation of sound with the actual movies would lead to the down fall of the art, and would ruin the entertainment value. Boy was they wrong the advancement of sound lead to a more hooked audience who couldnt seem to get enough of the theater. These early advancements in sound would aid in the perfection of sound. With the creation and incorporation of sound in movies, film makers wanted to finally be able to perfect the art and be able to use it to convey the cinematographer message more efficiently. One of the most significant achievements in film history was made by Murray Spivak, who was the sound director for King Kong â€Å"[He] was the first person to manipulate sound in a creative way. Spivak used the sound of a lions roar slowed down one octave mixed with the sound at unity pitch† (Kay). Spivak used sound in a way that it had never been used before; he also paved the path for future sound directors. Walt Disney became renowned in nineteen forties he created some of the most important innovations in sound, some of which are still being used today. Some of these creations included the pan-pot, overdubbing of orchestral parts, the multichannel surround system, and simultaneous multi-track recording; just to name a few. The film Fantasia by Disney was the first to use â€Å"[The] state-of-the-art digital sound dubbing and screening facility. Sound mixers blend dialogue, music, and sound effects tracks to the various levels appropriate for a movie theater† (Walt Disney Internet Group). This technology allowed them to make a audience sit on the edge of their seats because the sound could excite a theater thats was three quarters of the way full. This was a huge advancement in technology and Walt Disney definitely set the benchmark high. Before Disney movies did not have the seamless interaction between dialogue, music, and sound effects; they were very choppy and were one of the biggest complaints from movie goers. Another important creation in the advancement of sound was created by Ray Dolby who in 1965 invented the â€Å"Dolby A-type ® noise reduction. It was a sophisticated new form of audio compression and expansion that dramatically reduced the background hiss inherent in professional tape recording without discernible side effects on the materi al being recorded† (Dolby Laboratories Inc ). Its original purpose was for use in recording studios to produce clearer tracks; but the film industries used it as an aid to allow them to make clearer sounding movies. In 1976 â€Å"A Star Is Born became the first Dolby Stereo film. Dolby Stereo was a 4-channel format phase matrixed into a two channel format† (Kay). This was significant because, on the Dolby Stereo they could encoded it into any format including FM, tape, or recording. The present day of sound extends from about the nineteen eighties to today, we are still coming up with advancements in the way we use sound. The main goal for Sound directors today is to make dialogue, sound effects, and music blend together in a seamless fashion to the point that it seems realistic. This illusion is created from the new technology that we have today such as Dolby Digital which is the standard in the industry, it is also used to record sound on to DVDs. With the creation of louder higher definition speakers in theater and surround sound for home theaters; the stress for sound directors is becoming more and more important. They have their job cut out for them because; this new technology is making it easier to pick out flaws in sound. To make sure that sound quality is near perfect sound directors work on a single move for months and months editing in and out different sound clips, playing with the frequency and pitch of the sound until it is perfect. With the higher definition speakers big blockbusters often dont spare cost when it comes to sound. Image watching a movie like the Fast and the Furious or the Terminator without sound or bad quality sound, it would not be the same right. Sound improves the quality of the movie. That is why sound directors spend so much time on perfecting there art, so you can every horse in the engine when it is revving or bullets hitting off of a metal robot. It is these qualities that make movies so aesthetic to watch and listen to. The innovation of sound in movies has come a long way, and will continue to grow, it is one of the most important factors in a movie and can make or break a Hollywood blockbuster. Sound has come a long way from the â€Å"silent† era in film history. After the â€Å"silent† films came the â€Å"talkies† the firs movies to use sound. With ingenious innovations form such patrons as Walt Disney and Ray Dolby, we are able to experience the best sound in movies. It is the sound in movies that creates suspense that makes us sit on the edge of our seats with our heart rushing. Without the use of sound this would not be possible. The movies that scare us and leave us panting wanting more could not happen without the scary background music. People use to believe that sound actually would ruin the art of cinematography, it has done the opposite movies today are just getting better and better. Without sound in movies we would just be left looking at a screen. Works Cited Dolby Laboratories Inc. Dolby The Companys Founding. Dolby Laboratories. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. . Kay, Jonathan. Film Sound History: 20s. Middle Tennessee State University. Web. 12 Mar. 2010. . Walt Disney Internet Group. History. The Walt Disney Studios. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. .

Interview With with a Grunt Sergeant Essay -- Interview Essay

I sat down with a former Grunt Sergeant, Jake Stone, on a calm, sunny, Saturday November morning, to ask about his experience in the Marine Corps. Mr. Stone is a rather frail looking man in a wheelchair that you can tell used to be a powerful man despite his age which is approaching late seventies. I learned a lot from him. For example, Mr. Stone was a training officer during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in California teaching hand to hand combat, bayonets, pistols, rifles, hand grenades, flamethrowers, just a wide assortment of deadly weapons. He led ninety men in a strike team that was prepared to be deployed at any time. They were to be ready to pack up and leave in an hour. Just because he wasn’t deployed, that’s not to say he didn’t see his share of the action, he just didn’t get to see enemy fire, he saw plenty of horrors that would terrify many people. He also had access to quite a bit of classified information that has since been declassified. One of them being a strike team tactic that seems quite dangerous. A jet designed originally designed to drop bombs was outfitted with four marines instead. A few jets would fly real low altitude, and just before the targets, the pilots cut the engines so their flying would be nearly scant, opening the bay doors, the pilots drop the payload of marines, instead of bombs, who’d parachute down onto the enemy from above. This was a strategy designed to confuse and overwhelm the enemy. This idea was scrapped after too many people broke their legs and dislocated ankles in training, I also learned about a training accident that killed twenty one people. His men were practicing a beach style invasion, everyone was fully equipped and had landing vehicles, boarding craft, b... ...e of his accidents and the nature of the officers above him. I may have even asked for more details about his involvement in security detail, I got lots of various detail but no finite description. I don’t know the details which is what I largely base my writing on. I take details and make the reader see it clearly, I did not receive the visual detail I would have enjoyed writing about. I would have asked him more of what his day to day life was like and what he felt at any given time. I expect anxiety but that’s not something I can just assume. I will be looking in the archives for other people with similar stories. Perhaps I would ask about his involvement with the Commandant, four star general in the Marine Corps. I would ask what it felt like to be near the most powerful man in the marines, and to be in a position of securing and protecting him from harm.

Of Mice and Men Chapter Summary Essay

Chapter One Two itinerant workers, George and Lennie, are introduced. They rest in a small clearing by the Salinas River, on their way to a nearby ranch where they expect to sign on for work. They have hurriedly left the last ranch, following an incident involving Lennie in Weed. Lennie pleads with George to tell him over and over again about their dream ranch, where Lennie’s main task will be to tend the rabbits. Lennie’s Aunt Clara, whom he refers to as â€Å"that Lady†, is briefly introduced to the novel, as is Lennie’s love of petting mice. Key Points: †¢ Introduction of George and Lennie – character descriptions (p.19-20) †¢ We first hear about the American Dream (p. 31-33) †¢ First hints of what happened in Weed (p.24, 29) Chapter Two The next day George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and go to the bunk house, where they meet most of the other main characters in the novel: Candy, an old â€Å"swamper† with only one hand; Curley, the boss’s son; the boss, who is suspicious that George will not let Lennie speak for himself; Curley’s â€Å"purty† young wife, who flirts with the other men; Slim, the top ranch hand who is respected by all the other ranch hands; and Carlson, another of the established hands. Slim is friendly towards George and Lennie. His bitch dog has recently given birth to pups and begs George to ask him if he will give one to Lennie as a pet. Key Points: †¢ Introduction of the other characters (and mention of Crooks, the stable buck) – character descriptions are throughout the chapter †¢ We can begin to see the hierarchy on the ranch – introduction of Curley (p.46-48) – introduction of Slim (p.55-57) – CONTRAST †¢ Introduction of Curley’s wife – important for the theme of sexist attitudes towards women? (p.53-54) Chapter Three George reveals to Slim the real reason why he and Lennie travel together. Slim realises that Lennie has the mentality of a child. George tells Slim about the supposed rape in Weed involving Lennie. Carlson bullies Candy into allowing him to shoot his ageing, smelly, rheumatic dog. George, at Lennie’s insistence, describes to him again their dream farm, and Candy who is listening in, also becomes enchanted by the idea. Curley starts a fight with Lennie and at George’s command Lennie eventually unleashes his strength and crushes Curley’s hand with ease. Slim persuades Curley that to avoid further humiliation, it would be in his best interests to pretend that his hand got caught in a machine. Key Points: †¢ Further character development of George and Lennie – reader gets more of an insight into their past together – George’s â€Å"confession† of how he used to treat Lennie ( p.65-66) †¢ Shooting of Candy’s dog – a forewarning of what is to happen to Lennie? Because the relationship between Candy and his dog could be seen as similar to George and Lennie’s. (p.70-72†¦74-76) †¢ George and Lennie realise their dream could become a reality, as Candy gets involved, and the three realise they could save the money together (p.83-89) Chapter Four All the men go into town on Saturday night except Lennie, Candy and Crooks. Crooks reluctantly allows Lennie into his room where they talk and Crooks taunts Lennie that George may not return, leaving Lennie on his own. Lennie begins to panic at this thought and Crooks is forced to apologise in an attempt to calm Lennie down. Candy joins them and he and Lennie let slip to Crooks their intention to buy a farm. They are interrupted by Curley’s wife, who is looking for company. Candy and Crooks resent her presence and when Crooks orders her out of his room, she attacks him verbally, using her superior social status as a white woman. Key Points †¢ Proper meeting of Crooks’ character – insight into life as a coloured man in 1930’s America and the hardships he has suffered. (p. 98-105) †¢ Character development of Curley’s wife – a sense of vulnerability is revealed about her as she describes how her life could have been if she wasn’t married to Curley – the grim reality of life is shown when she attacks the three men when they tell her to leave. (p.109-115) Chapter Five Most of the men are outside the barn playing at throwing horseshoes. Only Lennie is in the barn, where he has just accidentally killed his pup by stroking it too hard. Curley’s wife comes in and starts to flirt with Lennie who confesses to her his liking for stroking nice things. She invites him to stroke her long, soft hair, but as his stroking becomes harder, she panics; the harder her strokes the more she panics and in the end, Lennie accidentally breaks her neck. He half buries her body in the hay and runs off. Candy discovers Curley’s wife’s body and informs the rest of the men. Curley is furious and decides to seek revenge, organising a man-hunt to pursue and kill Lennie. Slim suggests that Curley stay with his wife, but Curley shows his true feelings for her as he is more concerned about getting revenge on Lennie that grieving for the loss of his wife. Reluctantly, George joins the hunt. Key Points: †¢ Further development of Lennie – a violent side to him which was always present is shown in the extreme, although it is made clear that Lennie meant no harm – killing the pup (p. 121) – killing of Curley’s Wife (p. 127-128) †¢ CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – Curley’s Wife’s dream to become an actress, how her dream never worked out (p.124-125) – in death she appears more vulnerable and innocent, and the most positive way in which Curley’s wife is portrayed throughout the novel is in death – (p.129) †¢ Character development of Candy – the importance of the dream to him in particular is shown (p. 132) †¢ Curley’s lack of love for his wife even when she has been killed – all he thinks about is revenge (p.133, 135) Chapter Six George meets up with Lennie at the clearing where he had instructed Lennie to go in the event of any trouble. Lennie is panicking and George attempts to calm him down by telling him once again about their dream ranch. George distracts Lennie’s attention and shoots him in the back of the head with Carlson’s Luger pistol which he had stolen from the bunk house. The other men come running to where George and Lennie were on hearing the gun shot. When Carlson asks George how he killed Lennie, George replies tiredly â€Å"I just done it†. Slim kindly tells George he â€Å"hadda† kill Lennie, and the two go for a drink. The novel ends: â€Å"Curley and Carlson looked after them. And Carlson said, â€Å"Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?† Key Points: †¢ The novel ends where it began – by the Salinas River with George and Lennie by the brush †¢ CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT of Lennie – for the first time, the reader gets an insight into Lennie’s mind as he hallucinates, whereas before throughout the novel Lennie appears simplistic and not much feeling is shown. (?) †¢ Lennie’s death – like Candy’s dog, but George does it himself – Candy wishes he had killed his dog himself. †¢ Bond formed between Slim and George, which, like George and Lennie’s bond, seems unusual and strange to the other men – Carlson, who perhaps has never known such a close bond between itinerant workers, says â€Å"Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?† – He will never understand the close bond Slim and George now share.

Blaine Kitchenware - 1766 Words

BLAINE KITCHENWARE INC. Blaine Kitchenware was a mid-sized producer of small appliances primarily used in residential kitchens. By 2006, the company’s products consisted of a wide range of small kitchen appliances including deep fryers, griddles, toasters, ovens etc. Blaine had just under 10% of the $2.3 billion U.S. market for small kitchen appliances. For the period 2003 to 2006, the industry posted modest annual unit sales growth of 2%. In 2006, 65% of its revenue was generated from shipments to U.S. wholesalers and retailers. The company shipped approximately 14 million units a year. There were three major segments in the small kitchen appliance industry: food preparation appliances, cooking and beverage making appliances but†¦show more content†¦Thus, the returns to shareholders are lower from the industry average. Blaine is an over-liquid and under-levered company and its shareholders are paying a price for it. It would not be rational for a public company to be funded only by equity. It s too inefficient. In 2006, the company Return on Equity (ROE) was 11%, which is below the industry average of 19.5%. Also the increasing trend in BKI’s payout ratio was unsustainable Debt is a lower cost source of funds and allows a higher return to the equity investors by leveraging their money. In addition, the company can deduct the interest paid on the debt from their income and thus reduce the tax burden. With an increase of future corporate tax from 30.8% to 40%, it would be beneficial for the firm to deduct interest payments to pay fewer taxes. Debt greatly reduces the role of integrated enterprise cost of capital. Therefore, it can increase earnings per share and its stock value by improving the proportion of corporate debt appropriately, which assumes a crucial role of financial leverage. Enterprises financial leverage of funds has a magnifying affect, when the business uses the liabilities, the effects of financial leverage will show. However, debt is not always excellent, and we should firstly analyze whether the profitability of raising the funds for capital is greater than the interest rate. If it is so the use of debt will substantially increase th eirShow MoreRelatedBlaine Kitchenware3691 Words   |  15 PagesTIMOTHY LUEHRMAN JOEL HEILPRIN op yo Blaine Kitchenware, Inc.: Capital Structure On April 27, 2007, Victor Dubinski, CEO of Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. (BKI), sat in his office reflecting on a meeting he had had with an investment banker earlier in the week. The banker, whom Dubinski had known for years, asked for the meeting after a group of private equity investors made discreet inquiries about a possible acquisition of Blaine. Although Blaine was a public company, a majority of its sharesRead MoreBlaine Kitchenware674 Words   |  3 PagesAhmad Mohammad Analysis of Blaine Kitchenware Inc. case Brief Background Blaine Kitchenware Inc., a mid-sized producer of branded small appliances primarily used in residential kitchens, has a very conservative practices regarding taking debt. It only took debt twice in its entire history. An investment banker prompted the idea of repurchasing some of the company’s stocks to the CEO Mr. Dubinki. The CEO is not sure whether the repurchase will benefit the company or not. Problems with BlainRead MoreBlaine Kitchenware763 Words   |  4 PagesRATE  F FINANC CE   C CASE  II   Blaine  Kitche enwar re,  Inc. .:  Capital  Str ucture   r e                   Grou up  Mem mbers   Shivam m  Pitaria  (3 336/50)   Tanuj j  Madan  (37 76/50)   Vinit  Ã‚  Bansal  (395/50)   Yuvraj  S Singh  Bist  (402/50)      Q1  Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚  Is  Blaine’s  capital  structure  appropriate?  Give  reasons.   Blaine’s  capital  structure  is  not  appropriate  because  of  several  reasons.  The  biggest  of  them   being  not  using  debt  financing.  Without  debt,  Blaine  is  not  realizing  its  true  potentialRead MoreCase Study Solutions Blaine Kitchenware1356 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Blaine Kitchenware Case Study Answers 1. ABOUT THE COMPANY Blain Kitchenware, Inc. (BKI), founded in 1927, is a mid-sized producer of small appliances for residential kitchens. 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