Experiences and difficulties shape us into who we are today. The influence of those around us can mold a person into who they are. Individuals are more likely to respect and value those whose opinions they value. People become more close to other people with a different personality than they. The film Good Will Hunting, for example, is about a troubled young South Boston teenager who struggles to find a place in the world. Will Hunting’s dramatic journey is captured in this film. He is required to undergo psychotherapy instead of being sentenced. Will lived as a foster child and was subject to physical abuse. He had many rejections and was betrayed throughout his life. He never really found someone who could understand him or trust him. Will was a brilliant intellectual who worked as a janitor in MIT. He was a 20 year-old genius with an undiscovered potential. Will’s past was traumatic and he suffered from trust issues. A professor from MIT also discovered Will’s remarkable mathematical abilities. When Will solved a complex mathematical equation left for students at MIT, the professor realized his talent. Will later was taken into custody by authorities after he attacked another officer. Professor Gerald Lambeau proposed a solution to Will’s case. Professor Lambeau proposed that Will be released from jail and placed under Lambeau’s supervision while he studies mathematics. He also wanted him to be supervised by a psychotherapist to help with his anger and deterrent personality. Will accepted the proposition and began seeing several psychologists because he was making them nervous and giving them trouble. He eventually met Sean Maguire, a close friend and psychologist. Maguire doesn’t fear Will. In fact, he had the courage to speak to Will and to break his heart. Maguire got a glimpse into Will Hunting by peeling back layers. Will is reluctant to take on new challenges and try out new activities. Maguire and Will bond because Maguire has shared their pasts. Maguire shares his personal experiences with Will that go beyond normal therapy. But Maguire knew that Will would not have been capable of surviving without the modifications. Maguire is Will’s closest dad figure. He is the one who challenges and questions him. Maguire was able to show Will how to be honest about a terrible experience and how to survive in a harsh world. Will was also restricted in his social interactions due to the abuse he suffered as a child. But, he still enjoys the best of his friends Chuckie Sullivan and his two best friends, Morgan. Although he didn’t have many friends, he was devoted to the people he grew up with. Chuckie is Will’s closest friend. Every morning, he takes Will to work. Chucky loves his best friend. Chuckie shows great support and respect for Will. For example, Chuckie sees Will get ready for a fight and goes to support him. Chuckie knows what it means to have someone to support you, especially when the person is homeless. It is easy to see that Chuck isn’t as brilliant as Will. Will always tries to conceal his genius. Chuckie is a great friend who understands Will need to leave their community, even if that meant moving from the area where they grew up. He knows that his talent will allow him to achieve amazing things.

Skylar was growing in her relationship with Will, although it did not go without difficulties. Both are very educated and well-informed about each other, especially in regards to the qualities, ambitions, and needs they desire in a romantic relationship.

Skylar and Will began to get along almost immediately the night they met. Chuckie tried hard to surprise Skylar by trying to be funny, but instead was bullied and mocked in Harvard. Will heard the argument and tried to defend Chuckie. However, the Harvard student eventually became embarrassed. Skylar and Will both expressed their disgust at Harvard’s rude man and their criticism of the school. Skylar and Will had a brief conversation before they went on their own. Both of them noticed similarities in their personalities and were immediately attracted to each others. While they were dining at a fast-food restaurant, they shared many personal details about each other. Skylar and Will were comfortable together, but Will tried to mask his true identity. Skylar doesn’t think he wants to suggest that he is vulnerable. Although he later admitted to his truth, he felt very guilty and vulnerable. He couldn’t cope with the overwhelming emotions he was feeling. Will couldn’t understand Skylars attempts to make him feel better. He was afraid of her. Skylar was able, despite his attempts to keep her away from him, to provide Will with many experiences to show that he is worthy and not unlovable.

Will is able to accept his intelligence and decides he wants to follow Skylar. He chose to leave in the night, as he didn’t want to grieve his loved ones. Will experienced a new level of confidence after his last encounter with Migure. He was able to let go of his shell, and pursue the passions he had. Will had to let go of his past, but everyone knew he would be fine.

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind depicts two lovers who become close to each other through multiple means. They attempt to erase eachother from their pasts, but fail to fully erase the affections they share. This is their fragile and futile relationship. The movie depicts their relationship over time, showing parts of their many relationships. Joel’s memories are also erased. Clementine’s hair changes through the movie show how she and Joel have changed over the years.

Clementine’s blue hair starts the movie. This is where Clementine and Gondry meet for the first time in Montauk. This is how Gondry’s relationship with Clementine begins to be reconstructed. The movie slowly reveals that Joel’s first encounter with Clementine is actually the end. It is the moment when their memories are removed. Gondry then adds details to the movie, such as the small dent in Joel’s car. This dent was caused by Clementine during their fallout and removal. The scene is rehashed after Joel’s memories are removed. This is to assist the viewer in understanding the nonlinear narrative Gondry skillfully weaves throughout. After the introduction, the movie’s main part has Joel going back to his childhood with Clementine. Clementine gets orange hair when Joel and Clementine are in the final stages of their relationship. This is seen in major conflicts that occur outside of Joel’s memories. Clementine’s hair becomes orange when she sees Patrick Wertz, and falls out. This is evident in Clementine transitioning from her blue-coloured first hair to her bright orange hair. To help her with Joel’s changing relationship, she further uses the colors of her hair.

Clementine’s hair becomes a brighter red during the film’s final sections. Clementine and Joel are trying to escape their nightmares and erase his memories. This vivid red colour is evident as the story progresses towards its climax. This red hair reflects the renewal of their relationship and their unbreakable connection between reality and their minds. This red colour is used by Joel to preserve the last moments of their battle and to end it. They also use this red colour to recall their childhood memories in an attempt to salvage their relationship. Joel is then transported back to the moment they first met. This green is the beginning of their relationship. Joel can be transported back to the moment when Clementine sings the song to Joel. This is done in order to help viewers unravel the nonlinear narrative of Gondry’s looping and climax.

Michael Gondry’s film, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind shows the stages of Joel’s relationship with Clementine. However, he also uses Clementine’s continually changing hair colour to reveal the nature of their relationship. Gondry uses her blue hair as the starting point to reveal the story. Her hair changes to orange after she has lost her relationships with Joel, Patrick and others. The movie ends with the red ending and the softer green ending. This is the beginning of the film’s main complications.

Gondry is able weave complex stories through constant hair color changes.

Casablanca, directed in 1942 by Michael Curtiz, has qualities that are both Classical Hollywood Narrative or Art Cinema. These film structures can be compared to literary formalism, but they also reflect other frameworks such as feminism and postmodernism. Casablanca sees Art Cinema and Classical Hollywood Narrative blending in a way that guides the characters and tells the story. Casablanca shows the changing standard of filmmaking in that time period. It is easy to see the Classical Hollywood Narrative in the film. The Classical Hollywood narrative was and probably still is the standard for Hollywood movies and films. Casablanca’s main components are listed below. Eshowsky.com narrowed down the list to a couple of key components. Some of these components include elision. Cause and effect. Motivation. Hero/protagonist. Narrative closure. The film’s hero/protagonist, often the protagonist, is often surrounded and supported by many secondary characters. The film’s moral is intended to encourage us to support our hero/protagonist as he pursues his goals. Elision is a type of economical editing that requires each scene to connect unambiguously with its next. Each action must be immediately explained for the audience. Elision refers to the ability to connect scenes with each other, and to explain motivation and narrative closure. Motivation refers to the fact that every bit of dialogue, action, and scene in Classical Hollywood Narrative is conjured to create an ending. There is no reason why something happens. Narrative closure is used to determine the final ending. It makes it clear that there is no mystery and everyone knows what it means. These movies usually have happy endings. Casablanca shows how art cinema flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. Filmreference.com has a concise and reliable article about the narrative system. The essence of art cinema is the opposite from Classical Hollywood Narrative. This basically consists authorial expression and non-linear narrative structure. There’s also an emphasis on character psychology and realistic storytelling. The endings often lack closure and are often unclear. It aims to give a more true representation of human relationships. Casablanca’s narrative structure is Classical Hollywood Narrative. Thus, any experiments in language or plotting are subtle and in keeping with the overall film’s larger context. They need to be noticed unless the viewer is familiar with the details. In the film, Rick’s moral dilemma, particularly with Captain Renaud is a clear example of both experimentation as well as a slight streak of postmodernism. Rick, as we see, is a cold and tormented character. The chief of police is his strained friend. This sneaky man cooperates with Nazis in order to not be hassled. Renaud changes his allegiances to Rick when he is victorious against the Nazi threat. Rick actually accepts Renaud’s friendship, rather than rebuking him. Postmodernism is famous for its character ambiguity. A new historical perspective can help us see the American as the reluctant hero, Victor Lazlo as the nobler man, and France’s Frenchman the weasel as secondary characters. Victor Lazlo is the hero of the story. Lazlo is the protagonist in a Classical film. Rick is imperfect and is therefore the main character. Lazlo asks Rick about his morality as well as his sympathy for the poor. We see art cinema as a service to the Classical Hollywood Story. Rick is asked questions by Lazlo about his true sense of morality and sympathy for the underdog. This is not unusual in CHN. However the hero/protagonist normally exhibits these qualities from beginning. Rick could be a representative of the United States as it views the Nazis. Rick attempts to remain neutral as long as possible until war is declared. The United States tried to avoid the theatre of war until Japan forced them into it. Lazlo could easily be seen as a symbol of the American mentality and its plight to save occupied countries. Rick could thus be used to represent the American participation in the war. The film may even be a call to arms for Americans. This is because it was made in 1942, just before America entered World War Two. This framework suggests that film experimentation may be used to manipulate the public for propaganda purposes. A similar issue is character psychology. It is used in the service of the overall Classical story structure. The film doesn’t give much insight into the psyches of its characters. Rick is an exception to this rule. His psychological state helps with the development of the story. Rick is reminiscing about Elsa’s death and the way it all ended. This is called montage. It was an American way to use footage to create meaning and emotion. This footage shows the film’s hands-on experimentation. Rick is shown to be emotionally and morally confused, and he is also lovesick. His psychology allows us to see the direction of the film and Elsa is heavily involved in his quest. This movie’s introduction of this story via character psychology is a slight departure from traditional filmmaking techniques. However, it reinforces the Classical Hollywood Narrative that is so prevalent in the movie. Elsa’s framing and lighting are examples of the pure Classical Hollywood Narrative. The scene in which Sam plays “As Time Goes By” shows a close-up shot of Elsa. Elsa’s feminine features are highlighted in a subtle, yet classic way. Her beauty is praised throughout the film as her greatest asset. You could argue that this scene, with its cinematography and lighting, is representative of Elsa as she plays throughout the movie. Rick can decide whether or not to assist Lazlo. She also claims she is too confused. She is nothing more that a pretty, attractive face. However, when she faces a challenge, she will buckle and rely on men. It is not surprising that she was photographed in a close-up because her most appealing quality is her appearance. This may seem to be a misinterpretation of beauty, but it’s actually a common technique used for portraying beauty. It can be difficult to see the difference between a particular scene and a different film framework. Victor Lazlo’s and Elsa’s flight on a plane can be taken to mean that they are following Art Cinema. It is difficult to see the ending of the scene and there is no clear story. The film’s ending is the result of motivation and cause-and-effect, which are typical of Classical Hollywood Narrative. It’s not what every character expected, but it was determined from the beginning. Rick also needs it to be fulfilled because it is the right decision. The bittersweet ending does indeed resemble Art Cinema. The movie’s events all connect to create a clear ending. This film is a slight shift toward a different style in cinematic story-telling. We are partially saddened by Elsa’s and Rick’s separation, we feel hopeful over Lazlo and are left hanging with Captain Renaud. Casablanca was produced at the dawn of a new era in film-making. It also took its inspiration from Everybody Comes to Rick’s (a play by Murray Burnett), which was at the transition point between modernisms and postmodernism. Casablanca employs experimentation to serve the Classical Hollywood Narrative format. Casablanca’s use these two styles speaks volumes about Casablanca and the time period it was made in. 1. Curtiz, Michael, dir. Casablanca. Prod. Hall B. Wallis’s name. 1942. MGM, 1997. DVD- ROM. 2. Eshowsky, “The Classical Hollywood Narrative Systems.” N.p., n.d. Web. May 11, 2010 <: http://www.eshowsky.com/basic-introduction/classic-hollywood- narrative-systemchns2.html.>. 3. The distinguishing features of art cinema in terms of its text. N.p., n.d. Web. May 11, 2010.

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Table of Contents

Introducing

Current Challenges in BP

Strategies for Creative Thought and Problem Resolution

Management Competencies

Judging/Decision Making

Management

Examination

Teamwork

Corporate Governance & CSR

Moral principles, values, and behavior

Openness

Afficient and effective control

Independence

Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

In conclusion

An opening statement

Deepwater Horizon (2016) is a Peter Berg film. Based on the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Explosion of April 20, 2010, 11 of 126 people were killed. It was the worst US oil disaster, with the explosion lasting 87 days and spilling approximately 210 million Gallons (estimation). Transocean, a privately owned offshore oil drilling company, had begun drilling off Louisiana’s Southern Coast. Mark Wahlberg (the Chief Electrics Technician) was the one who filmed the film. His job was to supervise the rig’s electrical and computers. He was among the first workers to escape the rig. James “Mr Jimmy” Harrell plays the Offshore Inst. Manager. Caleb Holloway (Dylan Ozbrien) is part of Andrea Fleytas (Gina Rodriguez), the Dynamic Position Operator. BP managers Donald Vidrine(John Malkovich) & Robert Kaluza (“Brad Leland”) are also included in the film. The film shows what went wrong and how the workers were rescued. Below is research that details the events and causes of these incidents. Many of these events are caused by a lack or high level of management competencies and poor corporate governance. This project will analyze the business’s failures and identify reasons. BP also receives strategies to help plan for the future.

Current Challenges facing BPThe Deepwater Horizon exploded oil, causing an estimated 210,000,000 gallons of damage to the Gulf of Mexico. According to Smithsonian, this was the worst accidental ocean spillage ever recorded. The oil plume lasted 22 miles and allowed oil to mix with the seawater, settling just below the surface. 20% of oil spilled onto the seafloor and on the surface. Deep sea corals and ecosystems below the surface were also affected. According to biologicaldiversity.org, BP is responsible for the harming/killing of 82 000 birds, 6 165 sea turtles and 25 900 marine mammals.When the facts about how the oil spill started reached the public BP faced a bad image being created. Customers were not willing to stay loyal to a company that did not follow safety procedures and caused such severe damage to the environment, marine life and the environment. Experian Simmons DataStream’s statistics prove this: BP lost a large number of American clients. Between April 26th and June 28th 2010, the percentage dropped from 26.4% down to 16.4%, which represents a 38% loss in their customer base over nine weeks. BP lost 56% of its loyal customers during this time. BP has to regain lost customers. BP suffered a $6.26 billion loss due to customers.

BP was forced to pay $61 million in damages. This is more than the market cap of ConocoPhillips or Occidental Petroleum’s next largest independent U.S. petroleum companies and twice the amount of Anadarko Petroleum the largest U.S. independently owned oil company. Various parties received damages costs, including hundreds, 400 local governments, thousands, Transocean, the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) for Clean Water Act penalty and natural resources damages. The EPA payment covers all costs associated with medical and cleanup, as well as economic losses. Fadel Gheit from Oppenheimer & Co said that BP was worth $180 billion prior to the accident. One-third was lost in the company’s capitalization due to the accident. It is amazing that the company remains in business.

BP initially tried to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision to settle claimants, but it was rejected. The company now has uncertainty about how much additional they will have pay, beyond $18.7billion in the initial settlement claim. Five years later, half the parties to BP’s monetary claims have still not been paid. This could mean that BP could be sued and pay out more than was originally agreed.

After the spillage of the oil, BP’s stock plummeted by 51% in just forty days. It fell from $60.57 Billion to $29.20 Billion. They had 30 billion assets to sell and nearly $22 trillion in disposals. Their company’s stock price dropped and their value fell. Since the 20th April 2010 oil spillage, BP has lost $105 billion.

The Delphi Technique allows for creative thinking and problem-solving strategies. BP could organize an international forum to get experts to give their input and advise on the best way to clean up oil. BP could act as facilitator and create a questionnaire to gather lots of information. BP can analyze every questionnaire and make a decision once all options have been considered and the best option has been chosen. BP might place barriers in the ocean that trap oil, making it easier for it to be cleaned up.

The negative image that BP created was a danger. They could lose a lot clients and suffer a loss. This was exactly what happened. They lost 38% and suffered a loss totaling $6.26 billion. BP could use the SWOT analysis strategy to identify external threats. BP can use the strategy of performing an external SWOT analysis to identify potential threats and create new opportunities. Reporters must be brought on board to report on the clean-up initiative. BP can show the world that they care about the environment by announcing it in this advertisement. This strategy is crucial for BP in order to identify the problems and fix them.

BP was required to pay $61 Billion in damages. They now have to pay back the money and rebuild the company’s value to benefit their shareholders and customers. The Decision Tree strategy is a way to encourage rational decision-making and clarify the options available and their consequences. A process can be used to calculate each option and then determine the probability that each one will succeed. This will allow BP to make a decision about how to address this issue. This will increase their customer base and result in increased sales. The Decision Tree will help them make the right decisions regarding how to improve their image. BP needs to have options that will improve their image.

BP may be sued and have to pay more money due to the fact that they did not pay claimants. BP needs to create a Pros and Cons Chart in order to determine if paying claimants is a long-term strategy. BP has two cons. They could be sued and have to pay more than they had planned. Additional cons they could add are that customers won’t support businesses who don’t care about the victims of the spillage. They would save money on the amount that would have been spent. This strategy is critical for BP. It will enable them to clearly understand the consequences of their decision and better analyze it. The pros and cons of this chart will outweigh the cons. BP will then realize that they made a mistake in not paying claimants initially. The strategy can be formulated to meet this challenge. They can increase their sales by making their initiative known to the public. This will help them regain some lost clients.

BP’s share price fell and the company’s shares prices declined. To help with this problem, a Value Chain Analysis could be useful. BP must be careful with how and where they spend their money after the spillage. This strategy allows them to determine where there is value in their overall business operations. This will allow them to cut costs and stop spending on activities that aren’t creating value. You can begin by analysing each sector’s activity and determining where value is/isn’t created.

Management CompetenciesJudgement/Decision MakingThere is mud in the pipe drilled into the seabed to pump up oil. This mud can be called “cement” by the film as it helps to prevent gasses and flammable oils being released onto the rig. Vidrine and Kaluza, BP managers, sent the Schlumberger team away. They were supposed to test the mud for strength and allow drilling to begin (cement log test). This decision was taken because BP was on schedule for 43 days but $50 million ahead of budget. BP decided to skip the test in order to reduce expenses and avoid losing money. Although they are supposed be risk-oriented companies, BP sacrificed the test that would have ensured safety for their employees prior to performing hazardous work. Schlumberger would’ve known that the mud was too weak to withstand excessive pressure, and could have prevented an explosion. Vidrine, Kaluza should have examined the situation and decided if they were right before they took action. Instead of acting with integrity, they acted out selfishly. They were unable to pass the test because they thought it was stupid and would have put their safety at risk.

The unexpected outcomes of the two failed tests on the drill pipe posed a difficulty on the rig. It was found to be high in pressure and no mud was seen leaking into the rig. Normaly, high pressure indicates a leak. The drill pipe will then rise with mud. Vidrine assumed leadership qualities to handle the situation. Vidrine came up with a solution. He did another test, but this time it was on the killline and not the drillpipe. It is a sign that the drill pipe’s sensor was not working correctly. Vidrine insisted that this was the right solution, as no-one had provided another. He initiated the test regardless of disagreements. As a leader, he needs to ensure everything runs smoothly. Accepting that there was another reason that the mud wouldn’t leak through would have increased the costs of returning the Schlumberger team, stopping drilling operations and performing the cement bond test log. Because BP was running behind schedule and exceeding budget, he attributed the problem to his employees. This demoralized them.

Analysis In case of emergency, no safety procedure test had been performed. Vidrine Kaluza ought to have documented all system checks. This would have allowed them to see how problems could have developed and lead to solutions. They would have created alternate plans and practiced the safety procedures in an emergency to prevent any problems. The aftermath of an explosion is where all this comes into play. The mud exploded when it was first. Caleb Holloway called out to engineers asking “what do you do?”. An engineer advised an employee that the EDS (also known by the AMF Deadman system) could be used to cut the pipe. Holloway saved an employee and instructed them to get to the lifeboats. Vidrine and Kaluza would have made sure that employees were trained in emergency procedures.

Teamwork Jimmy Harrell from BP and his managers didn’t work together. Each party had a different opinion about the situation. BP managers didn’t listen to Harrell and his point about safety for employees. BP defended themselves by saying that they believed in the integrity their cement job. Although each party may have different goals, they should work together towards the same goal. The disagreements were not constructive and led to Harrell accusing them of being wrong and Harrell defending Harrell. Jimmy, trying his best to protect the safety employees, forced them to find a method of working together. Managers and Harrell are of a different opinion. Harrell is worried about the rig and its crew. Managers focus on the company’s financial performance and do not care about its employees.

Corporate Governance & CSREthics Harrell confronts BP Managers Vidrine and Kaluza on their unethical conduct in sending the Schlumberger team away without performing a cement bond test, fearing that they would discover a problem. It would cause additional delays and incur additional costs. Mineral Management Service (MMS), though it is allowed, did not perform this test and was therefore unethical. Managers should ensure that their employees work in safe environments. This is something they have to do. Harrell is insisting on the compliance of ethical standards by requiring managers and supervisors to carry out a negative test to ascertain the cement’s integrity. This test is vital for certifying that employees are safe. Safety was not considered and risk analysis wasn’t done thoroughly, which would have helped prepare the employees in an emergency.

During the Negative Pressure test scene in the movie, the people working were perplexed by the fact that the pipe had an unusually high pressure, yet nothing was coming out. The lack of transparency was the reason. The lack of transparency meant that the Schlumberger crew and BP managers didn’t give the workers accurate information about the pipe, its condition and the quality. The employees would have been able to plan and execute their next steps if they had had this information. Vidrine’s insistence resulted, however, in the inability to provide transparency which caused uncertainty among the workers. The BP managers ought to have ensured that the cement bond log test was conducted so that they could trust and make informed decisions.

Adequate, effective control One of them is helping the other by putting on the jacket and telling him what to do. Because of the absence of safety evacuation protocols in an emergency, BP managers didn’t have effective and adequate control. This is the result. The employees were unsure what to do when they got into shock. Managers must have made sure all employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain a safe culture. Managers should have ensured that there was an evacuation team ready in case of an emergency. There was no oversight over training, which resulted in no knowledge about how to evacuate this rig. The National Commission report reveals that the senior management was not responsible for the accident’s prevention, response, or recovery. Instead of BP ensuring safety, there was a culture whereby risk assessments were abandoned and complacency was encouraged.

IndependenceWhen there’s an explosion on a rig, there is one last procedure that shuts down the pipe. This happens when there’s no hydraulic pressure or electric power. This is known as the AMF Deadman System (or the EDS in movie). It cuts the drillpipe to prevent oil and gases from rising. Andrea Fleytas had been in the control rooms and was planning to push the EDS buttons that would disengage the oil rig. She is a strong independent worker. Although she was willing for her to be independent and take the right decision that would have prevented the gases from reaching the surface to ignite on the rigs, an employee stopped it. She reminded her that she wasn’t authorized to press the button. The system wasn’t working because it was defective, and the batteries were drained.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Vidrine at BP tells Harrell that their goal in the office is to increase profits and eliminate expenses like the cement bond log testing. They did not follow ethical guidelines in achieving CSR. They wanted shareholders to be satisfied by increasing BP’s value. They made a lot of cuts, which could have dangerous consequences for the safety of their workers.

Analyzing the events that led to the oil explosion and spillage can show that BP’s management team did not possess the right management skills and corporate governance characteristics. These attributes are critical for managers in order to run a business efficiently and effectively. BP is responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil leakage. This was due to poor management practices and teamwork. Their management team failed to set BP the right goal and this has caused severe problems for BP. The problems were solved using problem-solving techniques and strategies. This movie is relevant to Grade 12, Business Studies. It gives us a close-up look at the business of the oil industry. It is clear to see the negative consequences of not being a leader/manager or engaging in unethical behavior. Students need to learn this lesson as they can see the consequences of poor decision-making. Vidrine (the film’s main character) and Kaluza (the movie’s supporting characters) embody characteristics taught in Business Studies’ Management and Corporate Governance syllabus.

A social problem is one that has a significant impact on the lives of many people. It can often be a conflicting opinion based on what is deemed a moral right. While we live our normal lives, social problems are constantly in the news. Photographic documentation is key to addressing these social issues. I am focusing on homelessness today. I will explore how social documentary photography can impact viewers and raise awareness about this terrible issue. Before getting into this topic, I will be looking at the origins of social documentary and the evolution of it throughout history. It’s a type of documentary photography that aims to bring attention to current social issues, sometimes within a particular time frame. It can also be referred to as a socially critical type of photography that focuses on the lives of those who are less fortunate or disadvantaged. (2) Social documentary photography is a way to raise awareness. How has social documentary photography affected society?

Social documentary photography began in the 20th Century. However, the practice of photographing people in their everyday lives started in the 19th Century. FSA employed writers and photographers to document and report on the lives of the poor and disadvantaged farmers. These photographers documented the harrowing situation of the farmers, whose survival was threatened by the American Depression stage. FSA “seeks to restore faith and hope in American society” (10) Americans were subject to disasters like dust bowls that were out of their hands during the Great Depression. (10) This created a new way of photographing social problems. Since then, social documentary photography has been used throughout history to document poverty and the sufferings of certain races. These social problems are now being addressed and we now focus on the present. The UK is not the only country where poverty is a major problem. Poverty may include both homelessness and not being in a position to buy water or food. Low income, high daily costs, discrimination, poor relationships, and low education can all lead to poverty. Social documentary photographers create awareness by documenting daily life of the less fortunate or creating horrifying images that shock viewers. Lee Jefferies, a photographer, is doing just that. First, he meets the homeless by sleeping in their homes and then shares his desire to spread awareness through photography. Although the images are shocking and disturbing, they have served their purpose. All images are sold and some proceeds go to the homeless who consented to their photos being taken, as well as the other homeless charities (7.8,9).

Social documentary photography is about raising awareness.

This documentation all began in 19th century. FSA (Farm Security Administration), hired photographers in the 20th century to document the difficult and dangerous work of poor farmers. During the Great Depression in America. The new style of documentary photography was born by the need to document social problems. Arthur Rothstein, Social Documentary Photographer. This is a 1936 photo of Arthur Rothstein and his two sons. “All days were almost the same back then. Three-year-olds are able to go outside, play with sand and dust, and they don’t know the difference. One night, a dark duster arrived from the North. We had kerosene lamps. The darkness got so bad that the kerosene lamp couldn’t be seen. –Darrel Coble. (The boy on the right, recalling the Dust Bowl days when he was an adult) “” – (6)

FSA photos created sympathy for farmers through widespread distribution in magazines and newspapers at the time. These photographs, which were intended to be a demonstration of how vital government assistance programs are in the survival efforts of those hardest hit by the depression and the dustbowl disasters, also prove that they work. (6) The Great Depression and dust bowl drought combined caused massive damage to the country’s finances, physical and emotional well-being, as well as its reputation for being a disaster. The Great Depression began with a severe economic recession in 1929 that lasted over a decade. Stock market volatility, especially from investors who borrowed money for stock purchases, led to an unreasonably high level of speculation. Investor panic set in when stocks started to lose value. The country was plunged into years of unemployment and bank closings due to the massive sell-off. The Great Depression was almost exactly the same time that the Great Dust Bowl disaster started. Extreme weather patterns brought droughts to the southern Plains. This affected Texas, Oklahoma, western Kansas as well easterly Colorado and New Mexico. Hard-rooted soils had already been damaged by drying out, and some land was over-farmed. Fearsome dust storms were created by the combination of fierce winds and drought.

My perceptions/views… This is my view of America’s Great Depression. I also see the horrific everyday life of American farmers during that period. The American dream was not possible during this time. Their house is a shed-like structure that seams broken and worn. It tells me about the extreme poverty of this time. This has made me feel grateful for my home and the conditions in which it is located. The image shows how the society was affected at that time. There should have been a lot of change and a desire to see it again. This image shows how lonely people were during those times. This is why there were many children during that time.

Dorothea Lange took the photograph “Migrant Mother” in 1936. It was during the Great Depression. The mother’s sad, unhopeful appearance makes it clear that the viewer is wondering what she is concerned about. Are her concerns about her family? Is she worried about how she will feed her family? Will her children be okay for one day more?

The year saw social documentary photography continue to document events, problems, and issues. These included fighting, protesting, poverty and wars. John Florea, a war photographer, captured in photo form the truth and beauty of concentration camps. John Florea (1896 – 2000) (1) was an American photographer. His photography included everything from comedic images, such as “Columnist Sidney,” and “Columnist Bob Hope,” Hollywood, 1943, to photos of concentration camp conditions. These horrific images are a source of social awareness and should be shared with newspapers and media. John Florea – The bodies of 3000 Nazi slave laborers, Nrdhausen Germany 1945.

This image, in my opinion, shows the real horror of Nazi’s treatment of slaves of war. They are then gassed and shot once they have become unusable as slaves. They died from starvation, diseases or lack of food. They are portrayed as criminals by the way they are arranged in rows. In addition to this, their beliefs are wrong, and they should be punished. The row also created that, even though they are all different, Jews are treated the same because they believe the same thing and therefore placed on the same level. In Hitler’s eyes, the Nazis treat them like they did more good than they did by getting rid wealthy people. Everybody who challenges Hitler’s beliefs is considered a threat. This place also looks like a rubbish dump to the Nazis’. They pile them up (the Jews), ready for mass burial or burning, just as we do with trash that cannot be reused. The soldiers walk away from the site as though it is the end of their workday, their normal daily lives.

The image is viewed from one point. There are endless rows of bodies at the bottom of the image, leading to a dark silhouette. This gives the image an unsettling look that suggests the bodies have been taken into their final days and are ready to be burned to the ground. The image’s overall effect is to disturb me by the idea that death can be caused by one person’s thoughts. This makes me feel insignificant as a viewer. I cannot bring back the Jews of the past. If I had been there in 1945 and seen this image, I would have been horrified. I would do everything I could to end this madness.

“Sometimes they got that picture nobody wanted,” LIFE’s editors wrote Nov. 5, 1945. – (2)

“Some people, such as Robert Capa, knew about war before that. Not John Florea,” Feyeux says. It is evident in the photos. He was shocked.” – (2)

“Have your ever really been hit in your gut and lost your breath, and fallen to your knees?” Florea shared his experience as a war correspondent with John Loengard in 1993. “I felt so badly hit by someone–I actually cried.”

These statements indicate that the images taken by these (socially-documentary photographers) had a significant impact on the war effort. They were both shocking and disturbing. The images are so distressing and shocking that almost everyone who sees them can only grieve or protest the war. This is the horrible reality of social documentary photos. While you may not be able to change the world, it is possible to look and make an impact. These victims were actually victims from the US terror attack at Nordhausen on the 4th April 1945. Despite the end of World War II, German cities were still being bombed.

The bombing of Nordhausen, which almost completely destroyed the entire city, was called Consequence. Two days prior to the evacuation of Bergen-Belsen camp, the city of Nordhausen was bombed. The tragic, un-needed deaths resulted from the destruction of Boelke barsracks where the inmates were staying. The US soldiers have buried almost 3,000 dead slave laborers. – (2)

John Florea – A prisoner in Nordhausen concentration camp’s barracks, Germany, 1945. John Florea took this image that shows the conditions prisoner of wars lived in. The shadow draped across his eyes gives him a desperate look, which is evident as he stares at the camera. The shadow also highlights the bones in his face. He is probably underweight and starved. His posture suggests he is weak. He lifts his arm to get up and sits down. The image shows light streaming in but it’s as if there’s no exit.

Many photographers have tried social documentary photography over the years. They mostly document poverty and protests. Lee Jefferies is a social documentary photographer who photographs intimate photos of the homeless in order to bring attention to those people often ignored.

Lee Jefferies works as an accountant and amateur sports photographer. He photographs intimate portraits of homeless people with terrible detail. Jefferies began the process in London. He took photographs of people as they went. He saw a young woman in need of help in the street, who was ignored by the large crowds. Jefferies took pictures, but he was too far away. Jefferies (1) noticed that he was making a lot of fuss. Jefferies sat down with the girl and got to know her story. The project began to capture intimate shots and raise awareness about the homeless. He continues to help his “subjects” after the photos become successful and pays them for their photos. Jefferies is not always able to take photos of homeless people. He has been threatened with a gun and demanded money from them. This project is entirely self-funded. Jefferies selects the “subjects” he wants to photograph. – (1). Jefferies photographs everything first naturally using natural lighting and black-and-white captures. To create emotion and impact in his photographs, Jefferies edits them to get a grainy look. It makes his photos look “artistic”, he claims – (1)

This image is so beautiful that it makes me feel like I can’t help but to cry for her. Her eyes are my first reaction. They water and tell her story. We don’t have the information to tell her story, but we can suggest some possible scenarios. These could range from her abandonment to her parents living in poverty with her, or even her fleeing from home. She is weak and tired because of the way she looks up. She may have slept too little due to the street conditions. Her face appears slightly sloppy, almost like she is trying hard to suppress all her emotions. Her clothes are also dirty, suggesting that she has nothing. The clothes look like a uniform for school. Will she go to school and receive the education that she deserves? As a viewer, I notice that her hair falls in clumps and she isn’t able to wash it. The grease makes your hair matt and clump together. The child’s desperate expression in the imager Lee Jefferies captures is heartbreaking. This will help to spread awareness about the many people who have been forgotten. Jefferies makes his images grainy and focuses on the face of the homeless, making it more impactful. This allows viewers to better understand the heartbreaking reality of the story.

This is another Lee Jefferies picture. I am here to show that the homeless can be any age and gender. Lee Jefferies has encountered many people over his years of working with the homeless, each with their own stories. His face is covered in wrinkles and he looks very tired. He has a sloppy face. But this isn’t sadness. It is anger and aggression. This could mean that he has turned to drugs or alcohol to escape the sorrow and sadness. On closer inspection, I can see someone who might have taken some risks. This could also indicate that he was successful in life prior to becoming homeless. Jefferies aims to create impact with his photo by making one eye open. His hair is matted and grown out, which indicates that he may have been homeless for some time. Jefferies is able to use his photos together to have a bigger impact on those who see them. His photos show Jefferies meeting a variety of people, including homeless people of all ages. Jefferies’ photography has helped to create awareness for intimate up-close photography, which is part of the social documentary genre.

Social documentary photography is a way to show the truth behind the events of the past and present. From the American Depression through to the Dust bowls and onto the World Wars, there has been a lot of social documentary photography that documents poverty. My social documentary photography proved to have an impact on history. It allowed viewers to feel sadness and to grieve, even though not much was done for the farmers. Also, there was no way to turn back the clock to save those who were killed in war bombings. The technology changes have allowed us to be more connected and to share more information. It allows us all to express our opinions, which allows for greater implementation of the aid. My project was to create scary people types that would shock viewers and make them distrust others. I wanted the stigma of a killer to be dispelled. I was also inspired by my research into real-life murders and the fact that they are often not suspected. After having read the artist’s statement, I wanted to know what people thought about my project. The overwhelming image makes them feel afraid, so they became more aware. It is important to be aware of what you are seeing. Social documentary photography has made us all more aware, and it is creating impact.

300 is a Zack Snyder movie that was based on real events from the B.C. era. It focuses mostly on the Battle of Thermopylae. It was an important battle during Greco-Persian War. The film is essentially focused on King Xerxes, a ambitious Persian ruler who invades Greece in order to expand his massive slave empire. This was around 480 B.C. King Leonidas of Spartans was his opponent, with only 300 men in his army. The Spartans have a large army, so the title simply represents how many men fought for them.

Zack Snyder is known for using visual effects throughout the film in order to enhance the viewing experience. The film was shot entirely indoors, on a blue backdrop. This is in contrast to other locations. Larry Fong, the cinematographer, reversed lighting to make filming faster and more efficient. The backgrounds were added later so neither actors nor camera needed to move. Filming took place on a soundstage that featured 1300 effects. Horse scenes were a bit more complicated than others. Some of the characters were made to ride their horses up to the edge and then stop. The music was composed of haunting vocals that sound like they are singing Hebrew or Latin. Dilios is a Spartan soldier, voiced and narrated in the film. This film uses narration to emphasize the importance and events surrounding the battle. The film also highlights emotions. The movie was rated R with bloody scenes and multiple decapitations. It also features stylized violence. In reality, the Persian army wasn’t made of monsters. Many of the enemies soldiers in the film are intentionally made monstrous and nonhuman. Most battle scenes in the film are fakes. Spartans pretend to honor their formation but leave it to do individual heroics. There are numerous differences in Spartan motivation, including the reasons for sending a small force, Persian army size and chronology, as well as equipment. These details are presented differently on the big-screen than they are in written sources.

This film was one of my favorites. Many viewers were amazed by the use of editing and visual effects. The film’s main message is more about the viewer’s emotions than on their rationality. The main message of this film was accurate. 300 Spartans had to fight an army of Persians. Even though every Spartan lost, they brought many more Persians along. This film made me feel like I was in the past through its extensive use of visual effects. This film was filled with emotion. The Spartans and King Leonidas will be bonded by the film’s emotions. It’s evident that the film has many genres. It portrays the bravery, loyalty and strength of the ancient Greeks who fought the Persians in the 480 B.C.

The Civil Rights Movement and jazz music are closely linked because only one thing was important in the world of Jazz. Jazz music was hugely loved and appreciated by everyone, regardless of race or gender. Jazz music helped build a bond between blacks and whites, bringing them together to enjoy the simple joy of art. The Civil Rights Movement was greatly influenced and shaped by jazz music’s ability to break down social barriers. Martin Luther King Jr. said that jazz was important in the movement’s success, adding, “jazz speaks about life.” The blues tell the story of life’s challenges. They take life’s most difficult facts and make music. Only then do they have hope or triumph. Louis Armstrong, one if the most iconic figures of jazz, played a key role in the movement all through his career. Armstrong, who was the victim of racial prejudice, was not afraid to speak out, but he was controversial among jazz musicians for not making more use of his position to stand up against the injustices faced by the black community.

Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1901. His life was difficult and difficult. His career spanned approximately fifty years, beginning in 1920 and ending in 1960. Armstrong was a highly gifted performer and charismatic. Armstrong was a prominent trumpet player and a beautiful, rich singer. Armstrong also moved the focus from jazz music to be improvisation in a group. Armstrong knew from an early age that he was not a stranger to racism. Armstrong was born during the Robert Charles Riots in 1900, when an African American Robert Charles killed a police officer who harassed him. After the incident, tensions between black people and white people went up. Armstrong’s success was made possible by the fact that he was respected and loved by all white people, despite being a part of a social climate that saw him as an inferior human being. Armstrong experienced segregation from whites and blacks in his early years of music playing on a riverboat. Although there was strong communication between him and his audience, it was not possible to bridge the gap. Although the audience enjoyed his music and was moved by it, they didn’t feel able to show compassion for him or his band members. Armstrong stated that after the performance, the African American band members “were forbidden from mingling with the white guests in any circumstance.” Armstrong stated, quite shockingly, that he “never felt any bitterness” for how he was treated in front of his white audience. These statements about how he felt regarding segregation and the white audience he was exposed to clearly didn’t go over well with his African American audience. Armstrong’s inaction and general political neutrality regarding such issues, a result of his internalized fear that he would be judged, is what most alienated him. They wanted him be more assertive about the discrimination African American residents experience daily. He did little to help social change within the white community, which was something that the black community didn’t like.

Armstrong though considered it dangerous to openly confront discrimination and prejudice. Armstrong believed being subservient in white people was necessary to his happiness and success. Armstrong discovered that success could only be enjoyed and protected if there was a white captain who would support you in the past (Armstrong). Louis Armstrong recounts his anger at Johnny Collins’ racial slur and how he had no choice but to suppress it. Even though he wanted “to smash his obscenity heads out…But that’s another story. It’s just a white person. He resisted the temptation to obscenity about Johnny and kept his mouth shut to keep him from getting into trouble. Because he wasn’t an established person with sufficient power at the time, he chose to keep his mouth shut. Armstrong maintained his silence about political issues and did not speak out until later in the course of his career. Armstrong was an established artist who had earned a reputation within white communities.

Louis Armstrong used his power to protest the actions of President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957. He wrote a letter to him. Armstrong wrote a scathing letter to President Dwight Eisenhower criticizing his inaction regarding Brown vs. Board of Education’s decision to de-segregate schools and allow nine African American students at Little Rock Central High School. It was possible to resist the law because of his silence on this important issue in American society. Armstrong’s harsh and unexpected criticisms weighed a lot and had a significant impact on Eisenhower’s administration. They also contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. His anger over the treatment of his people in South America led him to refer to President Eisenhower with the words “two faces” and “no guts”. As a protest, he even cancelled his Russia goodwill tour. Armstrong’s vocal disapproval over the resistance to segregation contradicts many who claim that he is an Uncle Tom. Armstrong was also a strong advocate for his culture and did not sell out to white audiences. Armstrong kept his style, fashion and hairstyle intact, while not compromising on the white standard. Armstrong refused straightening his hair to appeal more to white people in the 1930s. He was true to his roots. Armstrong was an individualist in a world of homogenization and never gave up on his music.

Louis Armstrong was a pioneer in American history, transcending all boundaries to help propel the country forward. His ability to connect with a predominantly white audience helped him to create a better future. Armstrong showed white people that African Americans were just as capable, if no more so than average white people. Armstrong was a gifted performer who had an impressive singing voice, a great trumpet playing ability, and a vibrant personality. He was afraid of black punishment and white brutality because of his rough childhood. He was seen as an unassuming racist by the black community. Many thought Armstrong was uncaring about the problems facing black people. But, he cared. Armstrong was even a critic of the President of the United States of America at the time for his support of desegregation. He believed that there were ways to address discrimination without having to speak directly about them. He made music that normalized the experience of African Americans, and helped them to feel more comfortable with their culture than they did with Caucasian folks. He showed an audience, who were often hostile to him for his skin color that black people could be just a as talented, funny, charismatic, charismatic, and amazing as him. Armstrong created a space for black and white people to connect through music. Armstrong was deeply concerned about his race. Although he did not often use his voice to show support, he refused to conform to white culture and remained true to his roots. Louis Armstrong is an example of a jazz musician who was able to play a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Ava DuVernay was the one who actually wrote the documentary “13th Documentary”. This documentary, which was described as “13th Documentary”, was truly amazing. It went in depth about the current American prison system. A 13th documentary appears also to demonstrate the extent of racial inequality that exists among Americans of different races. It’s clear from the beginning that America’s black population was being treated poorly all their lives. After the 13th amendment bill passed, civil war had ended. The 13th Amendment bill attempted to abolish slavery, in particular to blacks who were most directly affected by the slave trade. The 13th amended also allowed all Africans who were previously enslaved to be freed and returned home to their country or obtained American citizenship.

The 13th amendment appeared to be a release for slaves. However, the amendment bill was void because it allowed “Neither slavery nor involuntary service except as a punishment of crime.” This allowed the whites an ideal opportunity to “legally enslave” African Americans and rebuild southern economic activity that was in disarray after the Civil War. The truth is that 13th amendment didn’t stop black people being enslaved, but it only allowed for an excuse (however insignificant) for them to be mistreated and enslaved. All of us expect that the police and other authorities will be able to enforce the bill or provide an example. Contrary to what we expect, the 13th amended loophole was largely exploited by police departments. Any person of any race, including black Americans, could be charged with the most serious offenses. Black people could be charged with walking, intending to cause damage or loitering among other offenses. Blacks were arrested by police for minor offenses like loitering. This loophole is where the first American prison boom was achieved. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared that drugs were killing America’s economy and that blacks were to blame. It is clear that black Americans have a strong relationship with marijuana. It is evident that the war against drugs has only gotten more dangerous and lethal. Nixon used to call the black community a threat to his community. He hated black people and created a system that only targeted them without the motivation or inspiration of a criminal system. One possibility is that war against drugs was simply another way of referring to war against black people.

Let’s conclude by saying that America’s drug trade is mostly for the richest. Because of the poverty and structural inequalities in black communities living in urban areas, there is a good chance that they will not be the beneficiaries of this drug trafficking business. But the well-known and respected members of society will continue to reap the benefits. Given all of this, it is possible that the federal authorities are targeting the black population through the ‘war against drugs’.

People were quick to praise the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (or simply the Academy) for their diversity efforts after they released nominations featuring many female and black nominees. Many felt that this progress wasn’t enough and that they were still failing to include Latinos. They are hereby called the gender neutral Latinx.

In response, #LatinosLeftOut was formed by those who were opposed to their claims about progress. Although it hasn’t grown into a nationwide movement like some of the other hashtags mentioned, #LatinosLeftOut draws attention to an underrepresented group in American cinema. Hollywood critics and producers have made efforts to increase diversity within major American films. However, Hollywood has a tendency to focus too much on black actors, which leaves little recognition for the vital Latinx population. Latinx film industry professionals, actors, directors, producers and filmmakers are very important. They should have more chances to be recognized on an international scale. Despite not being well-represented in entertainment, the Latinx community is crucial to the industry’s success. According to a study, “Latinos account for 17. One study found that 8 percent of Americans are Latinos and they bought 21 percent in movie tickets in 2016. This means that they are overrepresented in the moviegoing population (Moreno). It seems fair and logical to make films that people can identify with, as they are a large supporter of the entertainment industry. Gina Rodriguez, the Latina star on Jane the Virgin, believes that more Latinx-led movies should be produced by movie studios because it would not only be a service but also be… integrity. This idea puts the responsibility on white executives and not Latinx filmmakers who decide which films are funded. Both contribute to the underrepresentation Latinxs among major American films. However, both can be changed by white executives, while Latinx filmmakers not under their direct control have no such power. White Hollywood executives have the ability to make movies and decide who makes them. This means that they can help minorities who are interested in working in the entertainment field by giving them opportunities.

The majority rule society, so the Latinx community should be the dominant group on the big screen. However, this is far from reality. Latinx directors may not be able to enter the entertainment industry but the barriers that Latinx actors face are equally difficult. Even though 18% Americans are Hispanic-American, only 3% occupied speaking roles in top 100 films. This is a huge gap between the actual representation of major ethnic groups and their population. Although Asian-Americans and African-Americans appear less often in films, their speaking roles are still significant compared to the total U.S. population. The American film industry must continue to promote diversity. The Academy needs to make significant improvements in this area before it can be called truly diverse.

In recognition of the Academy’s inadequacy in Latinx speaking actors, there has been a lack of acknowledgment. These awards are very rare for Latinx actors, both in terms of nominations and wins. The honor has been given to Latinx actors for supporting roles, which is almost as rare as Oscar-winning Latinx actors. Penelope Cruz won the award in 2009 for Vicky Cristina Barcelona’s supporting role. Worse, Jose Ferrer has won Best Lead Artist in 1951 as a Latinx, while Penelope Cruz was awarded the award for her supporting role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It is quite shocking that such a large group of Latinx actors has not been awarded any awards, especially since the industry is based in Los Angeles, where half of the population are Hispanic. It is no surprise that so many Latinx people are looking for roles. These people are often overlooked by Hollywood executives, who want to “romantically” find international talent. While this continues to promote diversity, it does not benefit the Latinx community. This is because foreign actors have different experiences than Latinx-Americans. They can also be used to spread unfair stereotypes, which have been pervasive in American filmmaking for decades.

Latinx people have been stereotyped from the beginning of silent film. These include the “greaser”, which describes “Mexican Bandits and other lazy and untrustworthy Mexican characters”, as well as the “Latin Lover,” that portrays Mexicans being “innately passionate” and sexual. While this portrayal was protested, white executives created neutral Latinx that were not tied to any country but still offensive. Stereotypes like those shown in these films are no longer prevalent, but their long-lasting history has forced us to pay more attention to stories that reflect the negative aspects of the Latinx population, such as drug lords. Stereotypes are perpetuated, creating a misperception of Hispanic culture. To change this perception, Hollywood must make entertainment more accessible for Latinx actors and filmmakers to create accurate representations of America’s Hispanic experience.

Latinx movies don’t have to be about Latinx culture or traditions. This can alienate non-Latinx viewers and be too overwhelming. Simply by having more Latinx actors in speaking roles, it will tell the story and show how Latinx people live. Speaking roles allow characters communicate their inner thoughts and can be used to translate Latinx stories into English. This means that it doesn’t make sense to make movies about Latinx characters, like those in poor Mexican villages, or Latinx activists in America. Simply swapping Latinx actors in love stories for white ones would increase diversity and awareness of Latinx because Latinx people are inherently more exposed in America than their white counterparts.

Latinx actors do not get the recognition they deserve. This is because they aren’t given the chance. However, Hollywood is already trying to change the reality. Christy Haubegger (Agent at Creative Artists Agency, CAA) is the founder and CEO of Latina Magazine. She dedicates her time to helping young people of colour get into this highly competitive industry. Haubegger aims to help minority youth realize their Hollywood dreams. Even though Hollywood executives may not all have the time or ability to dedicate their lives to minorities, Haugger’s commitment to them gives some insight into ways to fix the problem. Even if they are unable to give their time, executives can make it easier for people to get into the entertainment industry. Open auditions are a common feature in film productions. Talent agencies and production companies might consider creating an open application to make their executive hiring process more inclusive. While this is not a panacea for Hollywood nepotism, it might offer opportunities for certain minorities not available otherwise.

Some argue that #LatinosLeftOut is invalid since Latinos are fairly represented in the American entertainment industry. These individuals claim that the Oscars actually do justice for diversity. They cite Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro in Mexico, and Chile’s A Fantastic Woman which tells the story of a transgender girl. These films are great examples of Latinx filmmaking that have been recognized. However, these were the only Latinx-directed projects to be nominated. The Academy nominated only two Latinx films out of dozens. It is clear that they have not made much progress towards diversifying entertainment. Del Toro’s film also features Latinx characters. The same holds true for Oscar-winning films Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity as Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman (Carroll) and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman (Carroll). Latinx filmmakers don’t have to tell stories only about Latinx culture. However, the overwhelming enthusiasm in support of a film featuring white characters illustrates the lackluster diversity that is America’s critically-acclaimed films.

These directors also failed to hire American Latinx producers and other high-ranking positions. In Hollywood, Latinx directors are often overlooked and do little to increase diversity. These instances of Latinx filmmakers who succeed are more rare than they should be. It is not a sign of progress in Latinx representation that a Latinx movie is nominated in the foreign-film category. However, this film will always have Latinx actors. It is a good thing to nominate films from Hispanic countries, but it does not affect the inclusion of Hispanic American professionals who are struggling to get recognition in America. Although the Academy’s responsibility to promote diversity in film is not solely theirs, they are a key institution many respect as they make the final decision on which films should be recognized. They have some responsibility to make sure that the culture is inclusive of the Latinx community. They often choose to hinder diversity and do the opposite.

Whitewashing is an act of replacing a traditional person of color with a white character or actor. It can take on many forms. The whitewashing Latinx parts in Hollywood films such as Argo and The Magnificent seven has been a problem since the 1970s. This is evident in Catherine Zeta-Jones playing Griselda Blanco, a role she played in the biographical TV movie Cocaine Godmother. The fact that the Colombian drug lord’s protagonist was played in this role by a white woman prompted outrage. This is one reason Latinx actors are underrepresented in the entertainment business. White actors are often given roles that are about Latinx people, even if they can play them better. Zeta Jones defends her controversial role with multiple explanations. She explains that Zeta was selected for her talent through screen-testing with six Hispanic females. Her cross-cultural portrayal is also compared to “against kind[casting]” other actors do in other films. But this is where she has a deep understanding of the issue. It’s like a comedian playing an important character. Or a similar dissonant casting which doesn’t address one of the deep-rooted traits of one’s identity. This ignorance contributes towards the problem of underrepresentation as white actors do not realize the harm they are doing to Latinx communities and to diversity in the entertainment business. Another issue is the interplay of Latinx underrepresentation. Some have called #LatinosLeftOut unnecessary while others call it exclusionary. Like many movements, it tends to focus on white and light-skinned people in the group and does not give people of color equal representation. A survey of over 1500 U.S. Hispanics revealed that 24% thought they were “Afro-Latino”. Although nearly 25% of Hispanics identified as having Caribbean/African roots, Americans view Hispanics as being lighter-skinned. This is in line with many Latinx celebrities like Sofia Vergara and Jennifer Lopez. Afro-Latinx Hispanics often portray light-skinned Hispanics. Therefore, Americans tend to overlook the Afro-Latinx population. Exclusion is the primary problem facing Afro-Latinx communities, much like the issue of Latinxs being underrepresented in film. Afro-Latinos will be better understood by Americans if they have more access to the film industry. Afro-Hispanics will be more visible, which can help them gain greater acceptance and respect.

It is possible to hope that Hollywood will see more of the rapid changes sparked by #OscarsSoWhite 2016 and other similar initiatives. While diversifying Hollywood requires significant effort, even small changes can result in a new experience for Latinx audiences. Their stories should be true to their experiences and dispel the stereotypes that have plagued Hispanics’ perceptions for many decades. It is possible to make more films about Latinos and increase their visibility. Latinx people should be in a position to see someone who looks, acts, and talks like them.

Mulan was born in China thousands of years back. Mulan was taken to the matchmaker by her family. He commented that Mulan is too thin and not suitable to marry. Mulan didn’t impress the matchmaker. She is disgraceful for her inability to be poised and dignified as a woman. Mulan feels lost and is trying to discover her true self. Mulan disguises herself as a mean woman to help her father, an injured veteran. Mulan had difficulty fitting in and training with the soldiers. Mulan is injured in a battle against the Huns. Mulan is revealed to be a female and she is expelled and sent home. When she returns home, she finds that the Huns were able to survive the avalanche. She attempts to warn them by going to the imperial capital, but they are not listening. Mulan saves the emperor.

Mulan is an animated Disney film set in ancient China. Mulan is a young girl who pretends to be a boy to replace her father, a wounded veteran from World War II. It is her search for her true identity, and her place in society. The film explores sociological concepts like gender roles, conflict theory, and culture. Gender roles represent how men, women, and their society are perceived.

This film shows a lot of gender socialization, which is a form social control. Mulan, on her way to the matchmaker, is first told by the man she sees that she’s too thin to bear children. He then explains to Mulan what it takes to be a good bride. In ancient times, women had to have children. Women were expected only to become wives and help their husbands with household work and domestic duties. Mulan, her fellow soldiers, and their journey to battle are discussing what the ideal woman is. Mulan claims she wants a woman who can think for herself. The other soldiers disagree. It is evident that women were judged by their looks back in those days, not their inner beauty. This leads to young viewers who believe that the only thing that matters is the outer beauty, not the inner beauty.

Mulan teaches that men are the dominant gender in Mulan and are expected to provide for their family. Mulan was told by the general that her father should not fight in war. Women could not speak in front men. Men were superior to women. This was clear evidence of gender inequality in society. The movie illustrates men’s superiority, as the general states this and allows only women to fight in war. Women are, however, perceived as being weaker in sex. Mulan attempts to replace her father in war but is stopped by the fact that she is a female. Mulan was inspired to become a man by Chinese culture and disguise her gender to get to war.

Culture is the second concept that you see in the film. With the film set in ancient china, there is a lot to be learned about Chinese culture. In the film, there are two types non-material culture. Nonmaterial culture refers to intangibles that are created by intellectual or spiritual growth and is represented through society’s belief. Material culture refers to physical objects that people give meaning and can be seen in Chinese culture through the way people dress in Kimonos and wooden slippers, and how they eat with chopsticks and bowls. Mulan’s father prays at the ancestors to receive protection and luck.

The movie also showed conflict theory, which shows unequal power distribution. Religion creates hierarchies which support the status-quo in conflict theory. This is a way of putting labels on people based upon their social status and appearance. Mulan’s words were ignored by everyone at first, as she was labelled a weakling women. Mulan found out that the Huns were heading towards the Emperor’s house. She tried to warn people, but no one listened to her, not even the general. Fushu the Dragon asked her why she wasn’t listening. Fushu replied, “Remember, you are a female again.” Mulan was finally able to sav China after this label had changed her mind. People began to respect her and changed their perspective. This transformation is demonstrated when Mulan acknowledges the Emperor and bows down at her end.

Mulan is feminine power. Mulan shows that Mulan can win respect even when she is considered inferior or weak. Mulan also displays the effects culture can have on an individual’s attitude towards others. Mulan, through all this, discovers and changes her identity in order to be a respectable member of society.