Escapism In Theatre

The set used for Vernon God Little was highly symbolic and simplistic; when we walked into the theatre we could visually see that there were flowers, cards and memorable items attached on the audiences seats above our heads, which already created a sombre atmosphere around the theatre.

Although the best reasons for “going to the movies” are to be entertained and eat popcorn, understanding a film is actually quite complex. Movies are not only a reflection of life, they also have the capability of shaping our norms, values, attitudes, and perception of life. Through the media of film, one can find stories of practically anything imaginable and some things unimaginable. Movie-makers use their art to entertain, to promote political agendas, to educate, and to present life as it is, was, or could be. They can present truth, truth as they interpret it, or simply ignore truth altogether. A movie can be a work of fiction, non-fiction, or anything in-between. A film is an artist’s interpretation. What one takes away from a film depends upon how one interprets what has been seen and heard. Understanding film is indeed difficult.

Coming from a background of a human geographer, Yi-Fu Tuan writes an analytical research paper about his observations related to the theory of escapism and their appearances throughout different parts of nature, animals, religion, and people. His overall concluding argument throughout his book is that escapism as we know it is not only human but also inescapable. He argues that there is nothing wrong with escapism as long as it is “a passing mood, a temporary escape, a brief mental experiment with possibility”(xvii). It is part of nature and human culture itself that allows for us to escape into fantasy or other distractions but as long as we keep some type of reality within it, there with be no risks that degenerate a person into a “self-deluding

Hollywood tried to provide “escapist entertainment”, to supply this demand (Dirks part 3). The movies provided a “vacation from reality” at a fairly inexpensive cost, causing it to be particularly popular in the 1930s. These movies let Americans forget their problems for an hour or two (“Screwball” 1). Interviewed in the 1930s, C.M. Deal, Jr. said, “We can go to a good show and have the best of time” (“Good” 1). This shows that even through the suffering going on in peoples’ lives, movies provided a way for Americans to get away from the pain and suffering and just enjoy themselves.

Throughout middle school I struggled to replicate that freedom in my daily life. One day, while we were watching Life is Beautiful in freshman film class, the teacher completely shocked me out of my “in-between” state when she paused the movie, flipped on the lights, and told everyone class was over. I had completely forgotten that I was even in class. Something clicked in that moment where film stopped being just a fine arts’ credit and became my way to reproduce the same momentary escape from life I had found travelling alone on

When choosing someone to interview who was working in the career that I wanted to have in 10-15 years, I immediately thought of a veterinarian. Not any veterinarian, though a small-town veterinarian who operates their own practice and is well known in their community. That’s why I chose Veterinarian Dr. Phillip C. Hubbard owner of the Countryside Animal Hospital in Montevallo, Alabama. Dr. Hubbard first opened his practice in 1980 with only have been out of school for one year. He obtained an undergraduate degree in journalism from Washington Lee University in 1970.

invisible") and how current visual culture redefines our vision of the unconscious. The appeal to

According to Boal if you desire your play to be great, then theater should be about becoming. If on the other hand, your wish is to be a terrible play writer, then yes you should make theater about being. When the flaw or error of the character is presented right from the beginning, the audience does not feel much of an effect. There is virtually no conflict and no story. When a play portrays the current state of a person all throughout, the audience is being told what to do, similarly to being instructed directly, and as a result, the spectator disregards the information after the show is over. However, when theater is about becoming, they audience member is figuratively taken through a ride. As the character changes from a state of happiness

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (2015) (HHS), physical activity generally refers to any body movement that improves one’s health by working their muscles. Physical activity can range from walking to running to doing yoga. However, the lack of physical activity is becoming an increasingly prevalent health problem in the world today, particularly women in developing countries. Regular physical activity is vital in women’s health to prevent many of the leading causes of death linked with insufficient physical activity. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death for women around the world, accounting for one-third of deaths. Also, cardiovascular disease accounts for “half

The pursuit for liberty marked the birth of an acute conflict that developed and intensified in the 18th Century. War cries and the blood of brave men were a continuous epidemic that plagued the hopeful prayers of confined men and women. Nearly a decade has passed since the outbreak of the American Revolution, terminating this awful chapter of human history and revealing the commencement of a new nation-America. This time, democracy, not an oppressive dictatorship, will fuel the national government. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, granting American citizens the opportunity to exercise their fundamental rights. Of these, freedom of press, religion, and petition are of the greatest importance, as they form the basis of a strong

Susan Sontag argues that photography allows people to retain or carry on with them what may have occurred in the past. Many people are beginning to travel for short periods of time for touristic purposes and it is often commonplace for travellers to take photographs. By doing so, they are not only documenting their trip but providing irrefutable evidence that trip has actually occurred. These photographs also allow people to dabble in past pleasures. For brief moments, the viewer can return to the place where the photograph was taken, reliving an entire experience. She adds that this dependence on cameras does not fade away as one goes on more vacations but remains. Its appeal is universal for both the high class who are enjoying an extravagant

The art form of Pantomime began as early as Ancient Italy. Comedy shows were put on where there would be little talking and rely on over the top actions accompanied by music. Also in many cases gender roles were switched. For example women would play stoic men, and men would play the damsels in distress. After Roman times the Pantomime form moved on to more parts Italy in the 15th Century. It incorporated famous characters such as well known simpletons and jolly men, that acted out scenes. This form is called Commedia dell’Arte.” This was a "comedy of professional artists" travelling from province to province in Italy and then France, who improvised and told comic stories that held lessons for the crowd, changing the main character depending

First and foremost, movies have always been a big part of life. I will run to see a particular movie, or sit back and watch classics before I run to sit in front of a TV. It’s something about movies that seem to always touch on

Photographers notice many more positive things in their subjects, so when the receiver sees what the photographer saw, the negative aspects seem less prominent. “The positive areas of life portrayed in conscious photographs might represent the way… in which the individual copes with a negative area of life portrayed in the unconscious photographs” (Natoli, 20). Almost nobody sees themselves the way others see them. A person generally looks in the mirror and will commonly notice what they think to be bad things about themselves. Other people notice better things in that person’s countenance. When individuals see how the photographer saw them, they can hold on to the more positive point of view, and let go of the old, degrading view. A receiver can acquire a different point of view through photographs of the world, rather than of the person himself. Robert Draper, an author for National Geographic, wrote, “The very best of [a photographer’s] images remind us that a photograph has the power to do infinitely more than document. It can transport us to unseen worlds.” Although there are times when a picture fails to do a scene justice, there are also times when it can take a viewer’s breath away. Some photos can cause people to let their imagination wander, or release unknown inhibitions. They are taken away from the business of everyday life, and taken to a new place, even for a moment. When an incredible moment

The Public Sphere within theatre was a concept that was first delineated by philosopher Jurgen Habermas in his book titled The structural transformation of the public sphere, in which he refers to the right that all citizens hold, the right to participate and engage into discussions on public matters of interest and public issues. Habermas writes: “the audience does not constitute a space for spectators and listeners but a space for speakers and addresses who engage in debate.” (Habermas in Balme 2012). The Public sphere has now become a space, a stage, for performers, speakers and protesters to have a voice rather than for the preliminary use of entertainment for the audience, spectators and listeners.