Movie Review Secret Window

Movie Review Secret Window Abstract Secret Window tells the story of a writer who succumbs to a psychotic break after discovering his wife’s infidelity. He lapses into a split personality disorder causing him to kill his dog, burn their matrimonial home and finally, to murder his wife and her new lover.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Review: â€Å"Secret Window† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He does not grieve for his losses successfully. His denial of the events makes it impossible for him to recover from the loss of his wife. He behaves fine when he is Rainey, but does grave acts when he is Shooter. It is only at the end that the audience realizes Rainey and Shooter is the same person. The 2004 movie, â€Å"Secret Window† starring Johnny Depp as Mort Rainey is a horror film depicting the life of Rainey as a writer with a dissociative disorder. The opening scene of the movie shows Rainey driving to a motel where he finds his wife Amy cheating on him with Ted Milner. It sets the stage for a lengthy divorce that drives Rainey to a psychotic breakdown. Rainey is a writer and is about to release a new book titled, â€Å"Secret Window†. He is struggling to finish the last chapter because he is suffering from writer’s block. As such, he opts to leave their matrimonial home to go and stay in his cabin out of town, somewhere in rural New York. Before Rainey moves out of town, a man named Shooter visits him and confronts him. Shooter claims that Rainey stole his manuscript. He demands that Rainey comes out clean by admitting to plagiarism. Rainey dismisses him as a sick man.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The next day, Rainey finds his dog stabbed to death using a screwdriver. He calls the police and later hires the services of a private investigator to uncover Shooterâ €™s whereabouts. Shooter pays him a visit one evening and asks Rainey to fix the ending of the book. Rainey insists the book is his and arranges to show Shooter proof. He refers to an article based on the book published earlier than the date Shooter claims he wrote the story. Soon after, Rainey investigator turns out dead and Shooter tells Rainey that the murder ties back to him. Therefore, Rainey sinks the car with the investigator’s body in a stone quarry filled with water. In the end, it turns out that Shooter is actually Rainey’s second personality caused by his dissociative disorder. This becomes clear after Shooter burns Rainey’s matrimonial home, and at the end of the movie, he murders Amy and her new lover Milner outside his cabin, this time as Rainey, but while speaking with Shooter’s accent. The main crisis in this movie is Rainey’s split personality disorder. It enables him to commit heinous crimes without any remorse. One of the gru esome acts is the killing of his dog. The movie does not show how he kills the dog. It only shows the dead dog with Rainey’s screwdriver stuck on it. The dog is an innocent party and therefore shows the gravity of Rainey’s problem. On the other hand, the murder of the investigator is also gruesome, using the same screwdriver. These crimes take place under Shooter’s personality. In the closing moments of the film, Rainey, kills his wife and her lover in cold blood. He uses a shovel to behead her lover and then buries the two.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Review: â€Å"Secret Window† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The final murders take place in the glare of the camera, and this time, Shooter is absent from the scene. Rainey, acting in cold blood, commits the murders with glee. The kind of crisis Rainey had is hard to treat. Split personality disorders arise because of trauma. It is a kind of coping mechanism caused by lack of alternative means of dealing with an issue. This crisis came about because of the infidelity of Rainey’s wife. After he found her cheating on him, he broke into tears and never recovered. It was under these circumstances that Shooter surfaced. Shooter represents Rainey’s aggression. He is the personality he uses to cover up for crimes. The matter of the stolen manuscript is a means of demonstrating the struggle between the two personalities. Split personality disorders require psychiatric treatment. If Rainey found help early, then he would not have committed the murders that Shooter committed. Coping with a personality disorder requires coming to terms with aspects of both personalities. They are all a valid part of the same person. Shooter was the depiction of an aggressive Rainey. On the other hand, Rainey was the hurt husband still in love with his wife. After finding his wife cheating on him, Rainey needed Shooter t o take revenge on his behalf. In the same way, Shooter needed Rainey to finish the book. When Rainey realized that he was Shooter, he accepted his personalities.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, he chose to express his aggression by murdering his wife and her lover. Recovery from split personality disorder requires accepting both sides of one’s personalities and acting in unison. Awareness of the existence of the problem is the first step towards recovery. It makes it possible for the patient to act as a unified person. Grieving process The loss that Rainey needed to grieve was the loss of his wife, first through a divorce and secondly after her murder. It was difficult for Rainey to accept that his wife was unfaithful to him. He spends most of the time in the movie in denial. After he kills her, he behaves as though there is nothing serious that took place, attempting to live his life normally. In both cases, he is in denial. His decision to move to the cabin is consistent with seclusion that a grieving person normally seeks. The second stage of grieving is Anger. In the divorce saga, the anger manifests through his psychotic breakdown. He becomes very irri table whenever he meets Milner. The burning of the house and the killing of his dog both show the extent of anger Rainey felt over his loss. At the point where he murders both Amy and Milner, his anger is out of control and he seeks to make things right by killing them. After his wife dies, he does not proceed to the next stage of grieving. The bargaining stage manifests as Rainey tries to win back his wife unsuccessfully. She does not openly reject him but she refuses to accept his overtures. In fact, Rainey kills her when she tries to bring him the divorce papers in person. Throughout the movie, Rainey is in a state of depression. At some point, he even picks on smoking to drown his sorrows. Throughout the movie, Rainey does not proceed to the last stage of grieving, which is acceptance. He is in denial throughout the movie. The pain of losing his wife and the denial thereafter leaves him with a split personality disorder. He does not grieve for his loss effectively. Reference Koe pp, D. (Director). (2004). Secret Window [Motion Picture].

Can Undocumented Immigrants Go to College

Can Undocumented Immigrants Go to College SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips During my undergraduate years at Stanford and in my first job after graduation, I counseled a number of undocumented high school students. Many undocumented students incorrectly assume that they’re not allowed to go to college. While there are additional barriers that make pursuing a college education more difficult, I’m proud to say that I know multiple undocumented immigrants who are now graduates from prestigious universities. In this article, I’ll detail the rules and obstacles for undocumented students who pursue higher education. College Admission Policies for Undocumented Immigrants There is no federal law that prohibits the admission of undocumented immigrants to either public or private US colleges. However, institutional policies can vary, and some states have placed restrictions on undocumented students from attending in-state postsecondary institutions. The Georgia Board of Regents banned undocumented students from attending the top 5 state-funded colleges in Georgia. Also, Alabama and South Carolina prohibit undocumented students from enrolling at any public postsecondary institution. Despite these prohibitions, the majority of US colleges remain open to undocumented students. Many colleges are becoming increasingly vocal and open about their support for undocumented immigrant students. This year, Rutgers University-Newark held a college admissions fair for undocumented students. Furthermore, top colleges like Stanford, Dartmouth, Duke, and the University of Chicago have stated that they welcome the applications of undocumented students and have undocumented students enrolled. Regardless of citizenship status, you can be a college grad! However, even though undocumented immigrants can be admitted to most of the nation's colleges, financial obstacles make attending much more difficult. Financial Issues for Undocumented Immigrants Undoubtedly, the biggest hurdles for undocumented students going to college are financial. Federal Aid Undocumented students can't legally receive any federally funded aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study money. Most students who need financial assistance to attend college fill out a FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and are given federal grants and loans based on their expected family contribution. Undocumented students do not have this option because they're ineligible for all forms of federal aid. State Aid and In-State Tuition Many states treat undocumented students like foreign students. In these states, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for state aid and the lower in-state tuition charged to residents at state institutions. Arizona, Georgia, and Indiana specifically prohibit in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. States That Offer In-State Tuition Some states, though, have passed laws that enable undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if they meet certain conditions, and trends seem to indicate that more states will offer in-state tuition to undocumented students in the future. Currently, 16 states have laws allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition provided they meet certain requirements: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. For example, California has a state law known as AB 540. Undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition if they attend a California high school for 3 years, graduate from a California high school, and fill out an affidavit that says they will apply for US residency as soon as possible. Additionally, Oklahoma and Rhode Island allow in-state tuition rates for undocumented students through Board of Regents' decisions. And, in 2013, the University of Hawaii's and the University of Michigan's Board of Regents adopted policies for undocumented students to have access to in-state tuition at those colleges. States That Give Aid Presently, California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington allow undocumented students to receive state aid. Private Scholarships Most private scholarships require applicants to be US citizens or legal residents. However, there are some scholarships that are open to undocumented immigrants and an increasing number of scholarships are specifically for undocumented students. For more information regarding private scholarships for undocumented students, check out: Golden Door Scholars TheDream.US MALDEF Scholarship Resources QuestBridge Becas Univision Scholarship Furthermore, you can review this scholarship guide for undocumented students. In addition to these scholarships, some private colleges, including NYU, grant scholarships or other aid to undocumented students. How to Address Your Citizenship on Your Application If you're an undocumented student, don't lie or misrepresent your citizenship status on your application. Leave your social security number blank. Don't put in an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, Alien number, or any other number. For the University of California, undocumented students should select "No Selection" for their country of citizenship. In your application essay, absolutely, feel free to address your immigration status and situation. Colleges want to hear about obstacles that you've had to overcome, but don't let those obstacles define you. The purpose of the application essay is for the school to get to know you and get a better sense of how you could possibly contribute to the college's community. Focus on your accomplishments and what makes you unique as an individual. The Federal Education and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records at all educational institutions. Whatever you write in your essay or talk about with admissions or financial aid counselors will not be reported. Additional Advice for Undocumented Immigrants State and federal laws change all the time, especially since immigration is such a politically charged issue. Educate yourself about current state and federal laws regarding tuition and aid rules for undocumented students. The two federal laws you should be aware of are DACA and the DREAM Act. If you are DACA eligible, you can get a work permit and be freed from the fear of deportation for at least 2 years. Unfortunately, you still won't be eligible for federal financial aid. The DREAM Act has not been passed and has undergone numerous changes since it was first proposed in 2001. However, if it ever passes, it could have a profound impact on higher education access for undocumented students. Also, if it does pass, you'll be on a path to citizenship if you attend college. If you have a good relationship with your counselor, talk with him or her about your options and get guidance. Remember, though, you do not have to reveal your immigration status or your parents' to any school personnel, and they can't ask you about it. Make yourself competitive for college admission. Get good grades, take college prep classes, do well on your standardized tests, and try to participate in extracurricular activities. Because your immigration status may limit your options, you should do what you can to give yourself the most opportunities. Additionally, some of the scholarships that you're eligible for are more likely to go to high achieving students. Contact admissions officers and financial aid counselors at the schools you're interested in attending. Typically, they'll try to be helpful and they won't report your immigration status. They can inform you of their financial aid options for undocumented students and let you know how to fill out the school's application, specifically in regards to questions about citizenship and residency. Do research on colleges that offer support for undocumented students. For example, UCLA and UC Berkeley have support programs that provide services and advice for undocumented students. Finally, look at the Repository of Resources For Undocumented Students. It has information about state laws. Also, it has information about scholarships you may be eligible for and organizations that can offer you support and advice. While you may have more hurdles to overcome, graduating from college is possible and will likely give you a better life and future. What's Next? If you're an undocumented student, there may be additional factors to consider, but you should review this post on how to choose a college. Also, you'll want to know the best college search websites. Lastly, if you're wondering how to make yourself as competitive for college admission as possible, read this article on building the most versatile college application. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Justin Berkman About the Author Justin has extensive experience teaching SAT prep and guiding high school students through the college admissions and selection process. He is firmly committed to improving equity in education and helping students to reach their educational goals. Justin received an athletic scholarship for gymnastics at Stanford University and graduated with a BA in American Studies. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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Personal impression of English class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal impression of English class - Essay Example When I write, I know I'm leaving a permanent record of my thoughts and visions. I will be judged by the readers who share my writing and it's important to me to be perceived as a competent writer. It gives me a sense of pride and a feeling that I have created a worthwhile essay. The hours spent formulating the idea, outlining, and drafting is hours well spent when I get a feeling of accomplishment at the successful completion of an essay assignment. I especially enjoy the ability to paint a picture, complete with sights and sounds, using only the printed word. One of my favorite descriptions came from an essay I wrote titled "Ocean City: The Best Place to Be!": Ocean City has street parties that clean away the restlessness and replaces it with laughter. Cozy, Old World cafes touched with that European flavor give diners a feeling of sophistication and class; and spontaneous dancing venues with swirling lights, swimsuit-clad bodies, and reggae and salsa music encourage relaxation, cel ebration, and fun. This description of Ocean City gives a feeling of being in the middle of the activity and spending a carefree day with the crowds. It invokes sight, sounds, colors, and smells, I very much enjoyed writing it as I imagined myself at the beach. I have learned that visualizing the setting, the people, and the situation aids me in the ability to describe it. Another skill I have acquired that adds quality to my essays is knowing when not to write too much and conclude the essay with an appropriate closing.

Safety Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Safety Management - Essay Example By carrying out a safety and healthy checkup in a given organization, they could become part of its daily running that would ultimately see to the creation of a better image for both the organization and its workers. In 1997, plant XYZ made a lot of losses that amounted from a high injury and illness case in the manufacturing company. In just a year, the company had a direct loss of nearly one million U. S dollars resulting from injury and illness alone. These losses greatly eat into the company’s profit, which ultimately lowers its profit margin every year. Thus, there is need for the company to reduce the injury and illness cases by fifty percent in order to increase its profits. A reduction in these cases would greatly increase the company’s profit margin by a minimum of two point five percent. At the same time, these safety systems would also benefit the workers in a great way. The illnesses, fatalities and injuries incurred at the workplace result in a lot of pain and suffering for both the workers and their families. They end up costing these families much of the money that they had worked so hard for. Thus, by putting in place these safety systems, both the company and its e mployees would be saving a lot of resources that they would otherwise use in nursing these injuries and illnesses. There are several crucial elements that should be taken into consideration in ensuring that an effective health and safety system is in place. The first element is management commitment in the system as well as employee involvement. The management of any given organization should be committed wholeheartedly to seeing the safety of its workers. Intervention by the management into these issues would reduce the severity of injuries gained at the workplace that would ultimately alleviate a lot of financial burdens for both the company and its workers. By becoming involved in this

Quality Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quality Management - Essay Example (ISO, 2008) Total Quality Management is one approach which can be used to improve an enhance product quality. Dr. Edwards Demming came up with the idea of total quality management, and this idea was first adopted and implemented by the Japanese. Total Quality Management is continuously improving products and processes by focusing on quality at each stage of production. It tries to get it right the first time and not have any defects. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the customer is always satisfied as total quality management has a consumer comes first orientation and in this context the customer can be other people/departments in the same business that the task is being completed for, not just the final customer. (Stark, 1998) Enhancing efficiency eventually adds to quality products in terms of lower costs either in the form of less wastage or higher output per input. The business should keep a constant check of efficiency levels with the help of either factor productivity or labor productivity ratios.

What are events?

What are events? 2.1 WHAT ARE EVENTS? Events play a vital role in human society. The least excuse could be found for good forms of celebrations. Events are planned acts and performances, which originates from ancient history. Events and festivals are well documented in the historical era before the fall of the Western Roman Empire (A.D 476). They serve important function for the society, providing participants with the opportunity to assert their identities and to share rituals and celebrations with each other. Events have its stem from cultural and historical values. In the middle ages, events and ceremonies played a major role in ensuring that a dull daily existence was enlivened and that people was entertained. Since at that time there was no TV or Net for entertainment. People have traditionally celebrated religious festivals, Christmas, Easter, Cavadee, Maha Shivratree. They have also participated in other major events staged by rulers of ancient time. In the seventeen and eighteen century, Kings have organized even ts in a way to have control on the public. In modern societies, traditional religious and national festivals are no longer a key focus for celebrations and gatherings. They focus on creative events like weddings, anniversaries, award ceremonies, and so on.( Shone and Parry, 2004) An event is any gathering that occurs at a given time in a given place. It is an occurrence, a significant gathering that takes place in a social setting. However, there are no standardized definitions of what is an event. An event is â€Å"a unique moment in time celebrated with ceremony and ritual to satisfy specific needs†.( Goldblatt 1997 p. 2) The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) industry glossary of terms (CIC ,2003) defines an event as, an organized occasion such as a meeting, convention, exhibition, special event, gala dinner, etc. an event comprises of many different yet related functions. Getz (2005, p. 16) argues that a principle applying to events is that they are temporary and that ‘ Every such event is unique streaming from the blend of management, program, setting and people. Modern events vary in terms of their scale, complexity and number of stakeholders involved. Small Event Massive Event Few stakeholders Many stakeholders Clear objectives Complex objectives There are different types of events that have been developed around the world to suit the needs of everyone. It ranges from individual to business events that bring together people around the world. 2.1.1The importance of events It is crucial for event organizers to address the needs of the stakeholders, the direct and indirect participants. Event organizers have to keep in mind his clientele. If for them it is the nth event they are organizing, they should keep in mind that this same event may be the first one, the dream and opportunity of a lifetime for its participants and spectators. Bearing this in mind, event organizers must organize each event with the same zeal, motivation and thrill as they organized the first one. Organizers have to address the precise nature of their tasks as each event has different characteristics and requirements. Moreover all events and their customers are important. They deserve the best treatment every time an event occurs. It is important for event organizers to offer the best treatment possible as a poor service will result in customer dissatisfaction and loss of business in the long run.( Watt, 1998) Events have a number of roles in a destination (Yeoman, Robertson, et al, 2004). Getz, 1997, identifies these as ‘attractions, image makers, animators of static attractions and catalyst for further development. They have the potential to reduce negative impacts of mass visitation and foster better host-guest relations. Events can expand tourists season, extend peak season or even bring in new season into the life of a community. The community development perspective on event tourism acknowledges the elements of community spirit and pride, corporation, leadership, improvement of community traditions, capacity to control development, improvement to social and health services and environmental quality. 2.1.2 Characteristics of the best events The elements that make best events are: A clear vision and an explicit reason for everyones work. SMART objectives to which everyone is committed. An adequate, flexible organizational structure competent to accomplish precise tasks, but retaining a large unity of purpose. Staffs that is committed and ready to ‘go the step beyond. Strong leadership to be able to manage the event. Exact thorough planning carried out and documented within an suitable timescale. A coordinated team effort that operates within financial plans, drawing on all accessible resources. Well-organized lines of communications. An excellent public image. Successful advertising and presentation, and built in contingency tactics. Full commitment towards customers. Efficient ongoing control and monitoring systems. An ambiance of harmony, focus and hard work, humor and interest. Good post event assessment. (Adapted from Watt, 1998) 2.2Event Concept All events start with an idea. The idea describes the event in its simplest forms. Concepts are clear statements that give meaning and parameters to an event idea. Defining an event concept is a creative process. The 5 Ws: WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN and WHERE, are tools used for transforming an idea into a concept. The Ws helps to know if an event idea is feasible, viable and sustainable. Those questions are crucial as they shape the event design and reflect the event purpose (Goldblatt. 2001). WHO: events bring together people who deliver the event experience. Those people include suppliers, stakeholders, audience, planers and so on. For events to be successful it is important to determine who is responsible for what. Also communication should flow smoothly among all people involved as events have impacts on wider communities. WHAT: Events experiences includes organizational teams that designs the contents of the event. This process is time consuming. By creating a mission statement specific goals and needs are set up. The mission statement defines the objective and assists in establishing the event in the wider external context. WHY: It is important to consider why an event is happening. Consider the purpose of the event. All events have a purpose, whether it is an inaugural ceremony, cultural festival or a political meeting. WHEN: Timing of events is a critical factor for its success. In the design and development stage, planning process, including research, funding, marketing and design has to be considered. In the event delivery process venue availability, production timelines, performers, customers, competing events and supplier availability needs to be taken into account. WHERE: the location of the event needs to be considered. The choice of venues depends on type of events, organizations budget and accessibility to the public. (Source: Robinson, Wale and Dickson, 2010) 2.3Event classification Events are generally classified according to their size and type. Firstly we will look at the event classification by size; which is mainly of three categories: Mega events Hallmark events Major events 2.3.1Mega Events Mega Events are very large events with crowded audience and a good management team behind its organization. Allen et al. (2005) defines mega events as ‘those that are so large they affect whole economies and reverberate in the global media. They include Olympic Games and World Fairs. Mega events require many years of organization and it targets tourists as well as the host population organizing the event. Mega Events look into every aspect of life at the destination during the event; transport, medical services in case of injuries, retail outlets. (Getz 1997) suggests that mega events should have more than one million visitors and capital cost amounting to at least 500 million. It should have a reputation of a must see event. Additionally he argues, ‘Mega events, by way of their size or significance, are those that yield extraordinarily high levels of tourism, media coverage, prestige or economic impact for a host destination. Till now, in Mauritius has not yet organized such mega events. 2.3.2Hallmark Events Hallmark Events are not on such huge scale. Such events take place repeatedly in the same destination. The term hallmark event refers to a recurring event that possesses such significance, in terms of tradition, attractiveness, image, or publicity, that the event provide the host venue, a community, or destination with a competitive advantage.(Getz, 1997) ‘Those events that become so identified with the spirit or ethos of a town, city or region, that they become synonymous with the name of the place, and gain widespread recognition, and awareness. (Allen et al. , 2005). The benefits of such hallmark events are the creation of new facilities, improvements to the infrastructure, an increase in tourism revenues. In Mauritius, the religious festivals, namely, Maha Shivratree and cavadee which are celebrated by the Hindus, attract many tourists and there is also media coverage. 2.3.3Major Events Major Events can involve more people than a hallmark event. Such events have great pulling power in terms of visitors, media and performers/competitors. They also generate significant economic impact in the host destination. Major events are a source of temporary employment for some people (for example, to work on food stalls, cleaning services, etc.). It also attracts a number of volunteers and media coverage. Many top international sporting championships fits into this category, and are increasingly being sought after, and bid for by national sporting organizations and governments in the competitive world of international major events. (Allen et al. 2002) It can be said that, in Mauritius there has been major events. One of them being les Jeux des Iles de lOcean Indien held in 2003 where a games village was constructed at ebene for the accommodation of the athletes. Now the government has sold those apartments. There has also been international media coverage of the event and medical facilities, retail outlets, transportation of athletes, etc were provided. 2.4Special Eventsand Festivals In recent years special events have become one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. As stated by G. Bowdin, I. McDonnell et al, 2001, the term special events enclose specific rituals, presentations, performances and celebrations. Special events are staged to mark or celebrate a special occasion. The defining characteristic of a special event is its transience; ( Gilbert and Lizotte, 1998: 73). This suggest it would be impossible to tempt and maintain the same sense of thrill if a particular special event were to be held more often ( Yeoman, Robertson, et al, 2004). Special events include national day celebration, sporting events, and important civic occasions. An example could be, the Maha Shivratree festival celebrated by the Hindus in Mauritius. Getz (2005, p. 16) Defines special events from two perspectives. One from the point of view of the event organizer and the second from the eye of the guest. ‘A special event is a one time or frequently occurring event outside normal programmes or activities of the sponsoring or organizing body To the guest the ‘event is an opportunity for a leisure, social or cultural experience outside the normal range of choices or beyond everyday experience. Getz added that the characteristics of special events are specialness, it creates a mood of festivity among the guests, they are unique and authentic. They have specific themes. The word festival is derived from feast and implies a unique time for celebration. Festivals connect landscape to lifestyle and complex ways by introducing the human dimension. Those events entertain locals and offer recreational activity in and out season for visitors. Media coverage generated by events helps destinations build assurance and a positive image in the tourism market place. Festivals are striking to communities looking to tackle issues of civic design, local pride and identity, heritage, urban renewal, employment opportunities and economic growth. The more an event is seen by its host community as emerging from within rather than imposing on them, the greater that communitys approval of the event will be. Festivals and events generally represent the host communitys sense of itself and sense of place. Among the attributes that Getz believes makes an event special and unique are its festive spirit, uniqueness, quality, authenticity, tradition, hospitality, theming and symbolism. Conferences fall under the generic umbrella of the term event. Therefore, it is important to consider the MICE industry when talking about events. 2.5 The MICE Industry The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry is known as a service industry that combines trade, transportation, travel and finance. It is also known as business tourism whereby people come to attend conferences, for example. MICE Tourism attracts invaluable business to a region and in return brings high returns to local economies in the sense that business tourists spend more, not only on hotels and restaurants but even on leisure activities such as visits to retails and local attractions such as museums and theaters (Clark, 2004). Attendees of MICE activities are known as ‘high spend travelers that meet the needs of yield driven tourism strategies (Braun, 1992). The MICE industry is characterized by the 3 Highs High growth potential, high added values and highly beneficial innovations†. ; The â€Å"three larges large output, Large opportunities for employment and large industry associations† ; and the â€Å" three advantages advantage s over industries in human resources, technological knowhow and the efficient utilization of resources†. It has been cited that within tourism, meetings and conventions are one of the fastest growing segments (Weber Ladkin, 2003; Oppermann, 1996; Oppermann Conn, 1997). The MICE sector is considered to be the blue chip of the tourism industry. The stakeholders in Mauritius are placing special interest and investing highly in this lucrative business of conferences to attract MICE businesses from particularly high profile destinations. Meetings are structured events which bring people collectively to argue a topic of common interest, may be commercial or non commercial, may be attended by 6 or more people and may last a few hours or a week. What makes a meeting qualify as part of the tourism business is that it engages some of the service of the tourism industry, and is generally held away from the location of the organisation running it ( Davidson, 1994). There are various types of meeting that occurs in different settings and many goals or objectives for conducting a meeting (Boehme, 1999). Incentive travel is a universal management instrument that uses an outstanding travel experience to encourage and/or recognise participants for improved levels of performance in support of the organizational goals. (SITE, 1998) Conferences are participatory meetings that are designed mainly for the purpose of discussions, to find about a particular subject, to solve problems and consultation. Conferences are usually on a smaller scale and the flow of information is less complex. Conferences are usually limited in time and have specific objectives. The Meetings Industry Association (1996) defines a conference as ‘ An event involving 10 or more people for a minimum of four hours during one day or more, frequently held outside the companys own premises. Exhibitions. ‘Exhibitions bring suppliers of goods and services together with buyers, usually in a particular industry sector. (Allen et al. 2002:15) Recently there has been an initiative to not use the â€Å"MICE Market† label but instead â€Å"The Meetings Industry† as it encompasses every aspect of the MICE label. 2.6 Marketing of events and conferences Marketing is seen as an integrated process of producing, distributing and selling goods and services. Lyndsey Taylor sums up the key characteristics and messages that genuine marketing contains: Meeting customer needs Attracting new customers Reacting to market trends Keeping up with competitors Encouraging customer loyalty Targeting specific customers Identifying market opportunities Noting customer feedback Getting it right every time The event industry is seen as a service industry. Events have the same characteristics as services (Watt, 1998). They are: Intangible customers enjoy the benefits and enjoyment of the event, but they cant touch the event Perishable- the benefits and enjoyment cannot be stored and carried forward to a future time. It has to be enjoyed on the spot. Inseparable- it takes event organizers and customers to make an event happen Consistent- it is important to offer consistent products an services as todays customers are looking for consistency Lack of ownership- events do not belong to any one. They are temporarily enjoyed by many. Since events are the same as services it becomes important to market them. Marketing is a persuasive tool to attract people to an event. Event marketing is defined by: 1. â€Å"The marketing concept holds that the key to achieving organizational goals consists of determining the needs and wants of target markets (defined as the set of actual and potential buyers of products) and delivering the desired satisfactions more effectively and efficiently than competitors†. (Kotler, 2000) 2. â€Å"The functions of event management that can keep in touch the events participants and visitors (consumers), read their needs and motivation, develop products that meet those needs, and build a communication programme which expresses the events purpose and objectives. (Hall, 2000) 2.6.1 Factors in marketing Marketing can be affected by a range of factors, some controllable and some not (Watt, 1998). He further stated companies must be aware of them: Location; attractiveness and accessibility of the place as well as environmental factors like traffic and scenery. Social factors; the attitudes of those involved in making an event or conference to happen affects peoples attitudes to what is appropriate. Cultural influences; different groups in society; ethnic groups, social groups, will view events from different angles. Fashion; at certain period certain events will be in craze and will attract large attendees. Political factors; government will be in favor of those events that fits their beliefs. Economic factors; how much money is available to hold an event or conference. Is there a need for sponsorship? Philosophy; the beliefs and attitudes of people will affect the range of events provided. 2.6.2 Marketing Concept; theMarketing Mix The marketing mix is a combination of marketing tools that are used to satisfy customers. It is the parameters that are within the control of marketing managers. The marketing mix is dependent upon environmental scanning, market research, understanding users and offering quality products and services. The marketing mix can be adjusted on a frequent basis to meet the changing needs of target population and other dynamics of the marketing environment. In the events industry, event organizers take into consideration the changing needs of its customers to develop their marketing mix. Jerome McCarthy (1960), a famous marketer states that marketing decisions fall under four categories: 2.6.2.1 Product This is the end result the event; exhibition, show or conference. It also involves all ancillary contributions like programmes, presentations, quality production and customer care. 2.6.2.2 Price Can the event be provided at an affordable price? Can price packages be assembled to support group attendance or tourist rates? 2.6.2.3 Place Place has several aspects. These include: Venue, transport, accommodation, emergency access, car parking, geographic location, host town, catering location, environmental conditions, signposting, country, maps, region. 2.6.2.4 Promotion Promotion also has several aspects, including: Advertising, logo, pamphlets, displays, publicity, posters, merchandising. Appendix K elaborates on the role of promotion in the marketing mix An excellent event manager will balance these aspects to produce a fine marketing mix. The leading thought must be for people and their quality concern; all operations at each phase and at any level need to acknowledge the elements of the marketing mix. For some services, including events, another 4Ps needs to be considered. These include; People; they are the vital picture in delivering events and conferences, especially proper customer care and effective teamwork. Packaging; is concerned with the way events and conferences are being presented; whether as part of a holiday/ business package. Any marketing is dependent upon the packaging, e.g, a family package. Partnership; the help of others and their marketing presence is very beneficial to make the event or conference successful. Programming; when an event or conference is scheduled will be a main tool in its marketing. It should arouse curiosity and create interest by using extra projects around it. (Adapted from: Watt, 1998) 2.7Impacts of special events and conventions Impacts of events encompass a large number of positive benefits and negative impacts which arises because of an event taking place. Impacts can be positive as well as negative. It is the task of the event manager to identify and predict these impacts and manage them in order to achieve the best balance. Those impacts may be visible before the events actually take place, during the event and after the event and affect the stakeholders and the host population. Thus, it can be argued that there is inequity in the distribution of the impacts and benefits of events. (Hall. 1989) typically impacts from events fall under four categories, namely: Economic Impacts Physical and Environmental Impacts Socio cultural Impacts Political Impacts 2.7.1 Economic Impacts Researchers and industry professionals agree that special events and conventions contribute to regional and national economies (Rutherford Kreck, 1994). According to Crompton et al. (2001), economic impacts of events supplements the traditional financial balance sheets that do not address the issue of what the host population gets in return of those events. The economic benefits that events bring to host destination are diverse. They bring an increase in employment and high income among the community, increased tax receipts and infrastructure. Hosting events demand work force, therefore, the host countrys population benefit from temporary as well as permanent jobs. It can be said that it is more beneficial to employ people residing in the region the event is held because there is no transport cost incurred. But even if labor is not available in the region the event is being held this is not such a major issue. As Mauritius is a small island, one can reach the farthest distance from one place to another in one hour. Tourists and locals come to events to spend; they purchase the tickets to attend to entertainments shows, they spend on food and beverage and so on. Money spent is injected in the local economy. Hence, events enhance the quality of life of people since the positive changes brought to the locality will remain even after the ev ent has been held. The costs associated with the economic impacts of events are the exploitation of resources, inflated prices and opportunity costs. Sellers choose to augment their prices, making more profit to the detriment of the host population Customers of events make inefficient use of the resources. For example, in a sporting event, in a moment of excitement, they can damage the lightings. Once the infrastructure is damaged, people will no longer be attracted to the event. There will be negative word of mouth and they may choose to stop coming there. For a local economy that depends entirely on hosting events, its economy suffers. Also, tourists have high spending powers. 2.7.2 Physical and Environmental impacts Events are excellent way to showcase the unique features of hosts environments. In the interest of sustainability, sound strategic management, cost effectiveness and maximizing sponsorship/funding, it becomes increasingly important to consider environmental impacts of events. Todays customers are looking for eco friendly products. Events market the environment in which it is held. Hall (1989) states that selling the image of an event comprises of the marketing of intrinsic properties of the destination. The impacts will be fairly visible for events that are held in suitable purpose built venues, e.g, stadium, sports ground or conference and exhibition centres. Impacts will be much greater if the event is to be held in public areas not ordinary reserved for event purposes. An event requires an environmental impact assessment before permission is given by government authorities to proceed Events have positive effects on the natural and physical environments. The infrastructure at the destination is re organized, proper road network, lighting and scavenging facilities are set up to accommodate events. There is an improved transport and communication facility in the region. Many of Londons landmark venues have been the legacy of major events, including Crystal Palace (1851 Freat Exhibition) Negative environmental and physical impacts of events occur when the level of visitor use is higher than the carrying capacity of the region. Aspects such as crowd movement and control, noise levels, access and parking are crucial elements. Other important issues include wear and tear of the physical and natural environment, heritage protection and disruption of the local community. Events cause potential threats to natural and built areas. This put enormous pressure on the area and leads to impacts such as land degradation (erosion), increased pollution, discharges into the soil, loss of natural habitat. It often put a strain on water resources and in the long run can force locals to compete for the use of critical resources. The different forms of travel used by the delegates, attendees performers and organizers of events impacts on traffic congestion. Good communication and consultation with local authorities can help resolve of these issues. In addition, careful management planning is required to modify impacts. 2.7.3 Socio cultural impacts Hall and Getz (1997) points out that all events have direct socio cultural impacts on participants as well as host community. Events increase pride of its residents, which results from some community events, national days celebrations, and the validation of specific groups in the regions. Some events leave a legacy of greater awareness and involvement in sporting and cultural activities. Others widens people cultural horizons and uncover them to new and challenging people, traditions and values. For example, the melas held in Leeds every summer have brought about the powerful religious Asian traditions and cultural associations before wider audiences. Events have the art to challenge the imagination and explore new avenues. For example the installation of the Ice Cubes outdoor ice-skating rink at millennium square in Leeds. Moreover, events have the power to form the cornerstone of cultural strategies. Newham Council have developed its local cultural strategy, ‘Reasons to Be Cheerful at the centre of which is the vision that people choosing to live in Newham by 2010. In essence, events can become an o pportunity to improve social relationships, for strengthening peoples abilities to understand one another and for peoples wellbeing ( Kurtzman and Zauhar, 1997). The bigger and more high profile an event is, greater possibilities exists for things to go wrong, hence creating negative impacts. Major events can give rise to unintended social consequences like, substance abuse, unaccepted crowd behavior and an increase in criminal activity (Getz, 1997). If not managed well, these unintended consequences can hijack the agenda and determine the public perception of the event. English football clubs have successfully implemented strategies to deal with alcohol related bad crowd behavior in order to protect their reputation. Badly managed events can also have broader impacts on social life and community structures. These can include loss of amenity because of noise or crowds, resentment of inequitable distribution of costs and benefits as stated by (Getz 1997). Furthermore, commodification, staged authenticity and standardization are classified as negative impacts. 2.7.4 Political Impacts Politics as well as politicians play an important part in the equation that is contemporary event management. Politicians believe that events will keep its population in good health and themselves in power. This is because politicians use events as an indirect means to build their personal profile and gain political advantage. Arnold et al. (1989, pp 191-2) argued that ‘Governments in power will continue to use events to punctuate the ends of their periods in office, to arouse nationalism, enthusiasm and finally, votes. Governments are aware of the ability of events to raise the profiles of politicians and the areas that they lead.

Alternate Worlds Essay -- Movie Film Matrix Essays

Alternate Worlds We are all living our lives day-to-day, thinking that everything we encounter is truly in existence. But what if we are all in a dream world? With many science fiction forms of media, they pose this question: Is there any way to tell that everything we do is really happening? One movie that embraces this topic is The Matrix. The matrix could almost be called a dream world. The world outside of the matrix is basically the real world, where humans are not controlled by computers. Zion is the only real city left in the movie. Morpheus, a main character in the movie, states, the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth. In Ursula K Le Guins The Lathe of Heaven there is also a confusion of the real world and the dream world. In the movie The Matrix and the book The Lathe of Heaven there are many similarities, even though the story lines are quite different. The curiosity that comes from both the movie and the book is the fact that the world is not what is seems to be. The main characters in the movie The Matrix and Le Guins book The Lathe of Heaven both have many similarities. The main character in the movie is Neo, a computer hacker, who is seeking the truth about the matrix. However, when he finds the truth, he ends up discovering more than he expected. After being discovered by Morpheus, he is taken into the real world where he becomes 'The One' and receives computer generated powers. In The Lathe of Heaven the main characters name is George Orr, who is a man who has the capa bility to dream things that can become reality. His dreams become such a nuisance that he begins taking prescription drugs, which later get him in trouble. He is punished by having to consult a psychotherapi... ...way to find close similarities, seeing how science fiction has one common theme based on speculative scientific discoveries or changes. There are many arguments showed that could link this book about a man who discovers his ability to dream things that became reality, to the movie The Matrix, which is about a computer generated reality. In these science fiction stories they both contain strong characters that all posses a pivotal role in each story, which makes it easier to compare these two different narrations. After reading The Lathe of Heaven and seeing The Matrix, the importance shows Neo and Orr and how they affect the world around them. Works Cited Le Guin, Ursula K. The Lathe of Heaven. New York: First Perennial Classics, 1971. The Matrix. Dir. The Wachowski, Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, and Carrie Ann Moss. DVD. Warner Bros, 2001. Alternate Worlds Essay -- Movie Film Matrix Essays Alternate Worlds We are all living our lives day-to-day, thinking that everything we encounter is truly in existence. But what if we are all in a dream world? With many science fiction forms of media, they pose this question: Is there any way to tell that everything we do is really happening? One movie that embraces this topic is The Matrix. The matrix could almost be called a dream world. The world outside of the matrix is basically the real world, where humans are not controlled by computers. Zion is the only real city left in the movie. Morpheus, a main character in the movie, states, the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth. In Ursula K Le Guins The Lathe of Heaven there is also a confusion of the real world and the dream world. In the movie The Matrix and the book The Lathe of Heaven there are many similarities, even though the story lines are quite different. The curiosity that comes from both the movie and the book is the fact that the world is not what is seems to be. The main characters in the movie The Matrix and Le Guins book The Lathe of Heaven both have many similarities. The main character in the movie is Neo, a computer hacker, who is seeking the truth about the matrix. However, when he finds the truth, he ends up discovering more than he expected. After being discovered by Morpheus, he is taken into the real world where he becomes 'The One' and receives computer generated powers. In The Lathe of Heaven the main characters name is George Orr, who is a man who has the capa bility to dream things that can become reality. His dreams become such a nuisance that he begins taking prescription drugs, which later get him in trouble. He is punished by having to consult a psychotherapi... ...way to find close similarities, seeing how science fiction has one common theme based on speculative scientific discoveries or changes. There are many arguments showed that could link this book about a man who discovers his ability to dream things that became reality, to the movie The Matrix, which is about a computer generated reality. In these science fiction stories they both contain strong characters that all posses a pivotal role in each story, which makes it easier to compare these two different narrations. After reading The Lathe of Heaven and seeing The Matrix, the importance shows Neo and Orr and how they affect the world around them. Works Cited Le Guin, Ursula K. The Lathe of Heaven. New York: First Perennial Classics, 1971. The Matrix. Dir. The Wachowski, Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, and Carrie Ann Moss. DVD. Warner Bros, 2001.