Friday, March 13, 2020
Healthcare Policy Essays
Healthcare Policy Essays Healthcare Policy Paper Healthcare Policy Paper Essay Topic: The Healers Social justice is a concept of fairness, whose aim it is to expose and bring to end social inequalities. The argument is that all social primary goods should be distributed equally, if there is unequal distribution then it should favor those who are least advantaged. The utilitarian view supports the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. Classic utilitarianism was a social reform movement whose goal was to improve the living conditions of the less privileged in the hope of creating a civilized society where both concern for oneself and the common good could occur (Almgren, 2006). According to utilitarianism, utility is an intrinsic good and actions are judged as right or wrong depending on how much happiness or pleasure they can produce. In his book, Rawls shifts the utilitarian focus from a concern for good to a concern for right. In affirming that ââ¬Ërightââ¬â¢ had a great priority than ââ¬Ëgoodââ¬â¢, Rawls then asked, ââ¬Ëwhat is the most basic civil right?ââ¬â¢ the principles of justice that we put across were the liberty principle and social and economic principles. Examples of basic liberties include political liberty, freedom of thought, liberty of conscience, right to own personal property among others (Almgren, 2006). The second principle of social and economic equalities states that these equalities should be arranged to ensure that all offices and opportunity. Fair equality does not mean merely that positions should be open on merit; rather that everyone is presented with the opportunity to acquire the skills of the position. The US healthcare policy presently does not have a prevailing basic for social justice; instead many principles of distributive justice are used: for people over 65 and younger people with certain medical conditions, healthcare is a right of citizenship. For the young working class American, healthcare is a right of employment, of having private insurance and in some cases both. Middle-class Americans find themselves in a situation where they have to pay for the care of the elderly and also for their own care and that of their children. In social justice principle justified norms can be established in various ways and these are the principle of distributive justice. Among these are egalitarianism where every person receives equal benefits and burdens, merit-seniority where persons are rewarded according to the length of time they have held a job. Socialist where people are given burden according to abilities and benefits based on needs. The libertarianââ¬â¢s principle states that benefits are obtained as others give them voluntarily and as the individual creates them for themselves, through labor with material that they own rightfully. Socialist healthcare would be provided in a social government where being a citizen, entitles the individual to basic coessential services like education, income and healthcare. If the United States had a national coverage in effect it would be socialist healthcare. The current system only has features of this in those over 65 years. The basic principle in the social justice, theory is impartiality that is that every oneââ¬â¢s life is important and equally so. The has been applied to healthcare so that basic treatment includes treating conditions which hinder ones functioning, affect oneââ¬â¢s well-being and cause suffering. Awarding young working classing Americans insurance cover based on distribution principle of merit-effort or merit-output where persons are rewarded according to their work effort and quantity and quality of work. Evolution of healthcare policy During the preindustrial times medicine was more domestic than professional, medical practitioners were more of traders, there was no health insurance, private or public. Medical training was inexistent and most hospital offered services for free, the quality of services was poor so most people hardly went to hospitals. People relied on faith healers, medicines sales people and a few physicians. As the 19th century began most Americans began to view healthcare as a science and physicians became more dominant. Before World War I government involvement in healthcare was kept at a minimum and was limited to public health and health issues in time of war and treaties. The federal government began to get involved in healthcare for two reasons, one was to meet healthcare policy goals and the other more important at the time was to enable framing and reframing of political philosophy that would outline the roles and boundaries of federal role. Among the first acts of involvement was the legislation that taxed wages of seamen to aid establishment of the US Marine Hospital Service. Other Acts followed namely the National Quarantine Act, War Risk Insurance Act that availed medical benefits to war veterans and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the World War Veteran Act. (Almgren, 2006). At this time government involvement was aimed more at promoting industry and productivity than at the welfare of workers The major policy goals after World War II involved investment in healthcare infrastructure by granting hospitals tax exemption, training health professionals with government grants and financing medical research among others. Between 1965 and 1975 healthcare was expanded to increase accessibility by the poor, disabled and elderly through Medicare and Medicaid. This shows inclusion of the concept of social justice. From 1975 the focus has been on cost containment of healthcare. The inflation of healthcare currently makes it difficult even for the middle class to access healthcare. Then increasing cost of healthcare has been contributed to by advances in medical technology. This have increased knowledge and led to specialization causing people to live longer and a need for staff training, requirement of new facilities the cost of which have to be shouldered by the consumer. This leads to disparities in the provision of health. Due to the finite nature of resources in the health sector it has been difficult to apply an egalitarian system in meeting the needs of the public hence as indicated by the history of US healthcare most of the policies have been for the greater good rather than to meet needs of individual citizens equally. This is likely to be the trend and it should be so.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
The Culture of Zulu Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
The Culture of Zulu - Research Paper Example Zulus placed a lot of importance on their ancestors and their spirits. These ancestors were supposed by them to be living in Unkulunkulu which was considered as the world of the spirits. The ancestors were the link between the living and the spirits. For this reasons they needed to be remembered by the family members, praised regularly and also appeased by making offerings to them. In case a family failed to do so, the spirits are said to have visited them in the form of troubles. These troubles can be solved only if the mistake of the family is rectified and the spirits of the ancestors are pacified by some offerings and by showering of praises on them. The Sangoma was the spiritual healer and the priest of the Zulus. In the case of a mishap such as failure of crops, the death of livestock, drought or any other natural calamity the Sangoma was the one who declared the reasons for the calamity. The calamity could have been caused by the unhappy spirits or by witchcraft. If it was the former, the family was supposed to appease the ancestors but if it was the latter a witch-hunt and the elimination of the witch responsible was carried out. Another important religious person among the Zulus is the Inyanga. The Inyanga can be said to be the doctor of the Zulu tribe. He mostly used local plants and animals in order to find a cure of the common diseases like cuts, bruises. The cure was usually followed by religious rituals in which the spirits were praised and pacified and asked to restore the health of the person who is sick.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Literature - I stand here ironing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Literature - I stand here ironing - Essay Example As mother goes back to fetch her past life, we as readers get a glimpse of Emilyââ¬â¢s childhood. There are few intrusions that bring her back to the present like "I put the iron down" (p. 12); "Ronnie is calling. He is wet and I change him" (p. 17); "She is coming.â⬠(p. 19). But this journey of recollection ends on a positive note, ââ¬Å"At the end she comes to understand that shed done the best she could, given the circumstancesââ¬âbut this simple insight, and her journey toward it, are quietly devastating.â⬠(Disher, 2001: 91) Emily is a nineteen year old in the present. She is confident woman and has found the art of self-expression through mime. But occasionally she can behave erratically and her sense of self-worth gets dented. That is when she wants to be assured of her beauty and her attractiveness. Emily would insist on being told, "over and over how beautiful she had been--and would be, I would tell her--and was now, to the seeing eye. But the seeing eyes were few or non-existent. Including mine" (p. 10). That was when her alienation, her isolation and her motherââ¬â¢s helplessness and guilt became obvious and grew more intense: "the unsureness, the having to be conscious of words before you speak, the constant caring--what are they thinking of me? . . ." (p. 17). But Emily has found self-worth, expression and confidence as a skilled performer of pantomime. As happy as her mother is of her achievement, it cannot acquit her completely. She is still haunted by her own past, by her pained alienation from a daughter for few months, and by Emilyââ¬â¢s failure to adjust in the new family. Emilyââ¬â¢s counselor insists she ââ¬Ëneeds helpââ¬â¢ but her mother acknowledges Emilyââ¬â¢s skill as a mime artist and knows that she has found an inner strength through this art. The counselor is possibly worried about Emilyââ¬â¢s alienation and isolation. Her mother goes
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Women and Motorcycles Essay Example for Free
Women and Motorcycles Essay Introduction An American tradition can be dated back to 1903 when two young men brought their idea to life and produced the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle. At the time, the motor-driven motorcycle that these young men were inventing was to be for their own personal use. Once it was produced, it became popular with motorcycle enthusiast and having survived some difficult times Harley-Davidson is just as popular today, as it was when if first began (Bolfert). According to the companyââ¬â¢s gross revenue in 2010, Fortune 500 list Harley-Davidson at number 430. What keeps Harley-Davidson going strong? Is it the motorcycles, the people who ride these machines, or is it because Harley-Davidson Motor Company is a great American success story (Bolfert)? The story of Harley-Davidson is an interesting story that I hope you will enjoy learning about. The motorcycles are true legends of art, but the people who choose to ride these machines are truly remarkable people. People often judge a group of riders as being a rough and rowdy crowd looking for trouble, but as you will learn through this paper, most of these groups are the friendliest and most helpful people you could find. Harley-Davidson and motorcycles are usually considered a masculine sport intended for men (Mitchel). However, there are women out there who enjoy the freedom of riding their own Harley. So, when did women become so passionate for the open road and begin riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles? What does Harley-Davidson Motor Company do to attract women to the sales of its products and services? Let the story of Harley-Davidson and women riders begin. History Although there had been steam powered tricycles and gasoline bicycles in the 17 and 1800ââ¬â¢s, the story of Harley-Davidson begins in a small shed of a neighbor. William Harley and Arthur Davidson were neighbors and boyhood friends that worked at a Milwaukee manufacturing company as an apprentice draftsman and pattern maker with dreams of their own. They set out to build a motor-driven bicycle for their own personal use. Having built their own bike in 1902, they were not satisfied that the engine didnââ¬â¢t take all the work out of cycling and soon sought the help of Arthursââ¬â¢ brother Walter, who was a skilled mechanic, to help produce a more powerful engine. They also needed a toolmaker to help with the development of the motorcycle and asked their brother William to join the team (Bolfert). Later, the same year the first true Harley-Davidson engine was completed and Bill Harley and the three Davidson brothers were ready to put their idea into production. Needing more space to produce their creation, the Davidson brothersââ¬â¢ father built a 1015-foot building in their backyard. It was here that a legend was born with the boys painting ââ¬Å"Harley-Davidsonââ¬â¢s Motor Companyâ⬠on the door and producing three motorcycles in 1903 (Bolfert). Harley-Davidsonââ¬â¢s reputation of being durable and dependable began with the very first produced motorcycle. This motorcycle had been bought and sold to several different men, who performed very low maintenance to the bike, and accumulated 100,000 miles with its original bearings (Bolfert). To meet the demand for stronger engines and better performance, Harley and the Davidson brothers produced the first V-twin engine in 1909. However, the first 27 manufactured V-twin motorcycles were recalled and destroyed, with the exception of one which resides in the Harley-Davidson museum today. In 1910 no V-twin models were produced because they wanted to make sure they developed an engine that would ââ¬Å"measure up to the Harley-Davidson reputation for power, dependability and performanceâ⬠(Bolfert). The V-twin model was reintroduced in 1911 and the Harley-Davidson low, deep rumble sound known today roars on (Bolfert). From the beginning, women have had the same enthusiasm as men for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Photos from the early years of 1900 show advertisements of women posing on the legendary Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In 1910 one of the first articles published of a woman riding a motorcycle is in, The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, who wrote about Miss Leda Leslie and her Harley-Davidson (Harley-Women). Another early article of a woman on a Harley-Davidson is about Della Crewe and her dog named ââ¬Å"Trouble. â⬠Having only ten days of riding experience this lady and her dog set out to see America on her V-twin that had an attached sidecar. They left Waco, Texas in the summer of 1915 and by November they had made their way to Ohio traveling through rain and snow. When they finally reached their destination of New York City, they had traveled 5,378 miles and Della stated, ââ¬Å"I had a glorious trip. I am in perfect health, and my desire is stronger than ever to keep going. â⬠It wasnââ¬â¢t long before this pair was making their way to tour the South (Bolfert). The Enthusiast dubbed Vivian Bales as ââ¬Å"The Enthusiast Girlâ⬠for her 5000 mile trip on her Harley-Davidson. During the Depression, Dot Robinson competed in endurance races right along with the men and in 1940 would win the Jack Pine Endurance sidecar race. During this time, another avid motorcycle rider contacted Dot Robinson to help form an organization for women riders. It was in 1940 that Dot Robinson and Linda Dugeau formed the first motorcycle riding club for women called ââ¬Å"Motor Maids. â⬠The first African-American to travel cross-country through 48 states in the 30 and 40ââ¬â¢s was Bessie Springfield, who often had to sleep at filling stations on her motorcycle. She later joined a motorcycle dispatch unit for the army and rode across America delivering documents for the U. S. Army. During her life she owned 27 different Harley-Davidson motorcycles and continued to ride long after the doctors advised her not to (AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame). These brave and bold women paved the way for women today, to enjoy the pleasure of riding out on the open road on their own motorcycle. Geographical Scope While the Harley-Davidson headquarters are still located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where it first originated, the company has grown and has other areas across America that helps with the production of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The company has testing and evaluation centers located in Meza, Arizona and Naples, Florida. In Franklin, Wisconsin is a distribution center is that is accountable for materials going from suppliers to warehouses. Harley-Davidson Dealer Systems that provides software, hardware, training and customer support to dealerships is located in Valley View, Ohio. Ann Arbor, Michigan holds the plant that protects the trademarks of Harley-Davidson. Wouwatosa, Wisconsin is home to the facility that produces ââ¬Å"middleweightâ⬠engines for the Sportster models. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin known as ââ¬Å"Home of the Big Twinâ⬠produces engines and transmissions for the larger model motorcycles. The Product Development Center is located in Wouwatosa, Wisconsin and is responsible for the development, testing, and styling of new products. Talladega, Alabama is home to a testing site for Harley-Davidson. Tomahawk Operations in Tomahawk, Wisconsin is responsible for fiberglass body parts, windshields, and saddlebags. Kansas City, Missouri is home to the plant that produces the Sportster, Dyna, and V-Rod models. While York, Pennsylvania produces the Touring, Softail, and factory custom motorcycles such as the Screamin Eagle (Harley-Davidson). Products and Services The number one product of Harley-Davidson is its line of motorcycles with the Screamin Eagle editions being the most popular. The Screamin Eagle models have a limited number manufactured and come with all the chrome and custom work already done. The service departments can do anything from a simple service to rebuilding an engine. Need body work done to your ride? Harley-Davidson service departments can rebuild your ride for you (Harley-Davidson). Harley-Davidson offers a large variety of products for men, women, and children. Most men and women will ride out in full leather gear which includes gloves, chaps, bandanas, helmets, and jackets. Most people think bikers wear all this to look tough, but truth be known, all the leather is protection for your skin in the event of a fall on asphalt (Harley-Davidson). Harley-Davidson offers a full line of apparel and jewelry for women, men, and children. In 2010, Harley-Davidson came out with the Pink Label collection with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Y-me National Breast Cancer Organization. Even men wore shirts with the pink ribbon and slogan reading ââ¬Å"On This Road, No One Rides Alone (Harley-Davidson). â⬠One service that Harley-Davidson offers to attract women riders is the ââ¬Å"Riders Edgeâ⬠course that teaches a person how to handle and ride a motorcycle safely. Upon completion of this course one can go to the DMV to take the motorcycle written test and with a passing score can receive a motorcycle endorsed license. Harley-Davidson will even take off the amount paid for the course toward a purchase of a new motorcycle. Thatââ¬â¢s three hundred dollars off a new bike before any other discounts. Subsidiaries. Harley-Davidson has two subsidiaries in Italy, MV Augusta and Cagiva. Both of these companies sell motorcycles that are used in racing and what is known here as ââ¬Å"crotch rockets. â⬠Buell, an American made motorcycle, is another subsidiary of Harley-Davidson that was founded in 1994, but sadly closed in 2009 (Subsidiaries of H-D). Due to being lighter and easier to handle and maneuver, Harley-Davidson uses these bikes to teach riders how to operate a motorcycle safely through the ââ¬Å"Riders Edgeâ⬠course. Harley-Davidson has a subsidiary known as H. O. G. which stands for Harley Owners Group, for people who own Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Anyone who buys a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle is automatically enrolled for a one year membership. By being a H. O. G. member you can receive discounts on insurance and Harley-Davidson products. H. O. G. even recognizes women riders by giving them a special ââ¬Å"Ladies of Harleyâ⬠patch and pin. The H. O. G. chapters are in nearly every city and form rides to get owners on their bikes (Harley-Davidson). Finance In 1995 women represented only about 2% of the motorcycle sales. With more women learning to ride, women represent about 12% of the motorcycle sales in 2010 (Clothier). For the year of 2010, the Harley-Davidson homepage reported income from continuing operations being 259. 7 million dollars, with Harley-Davidson Financial services contributing 181. 9 million dollars to that income. Dealerships world-wide sold a total of 222,110 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles at retail with the U. S. selling 143,391 of these new bikes. A total of 210,494 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were shipped from the company in 2010. The following table breaks down each quarter income and losses with the last column showing the total for the year (Harley-Davidson). HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEUnaudited YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 (IN THOUSANDS) Q1Q2Q3Q4TOTAL Net Revenue from motorcycles and related products$1,037,335$1,135,101$1,087,115$917,076$4,176,627 Gross Profit379,547396,984379,806271,0661,427,403 Selling, administrative and engineering expense205,204208,952210,828260,153885,137 Restructuring expense48,23630,12567,47617,671163,508 Operating income from motorcycles related products126,107157,907101,502(6,758)378,758 Financial services revenue169,837173,705172,845166,322682,709 Financial services expense143,155112,860121,977122,844500,836 Operating income from financial services26,68260,84550,86843,378181,873. Operating income152,789218,752152,37036,720560,631 Investment income8671,5511,2391,7765,442 Interest expense23,45523,59123,10220,20990,357 Loss on debt extinguishment85,24785,247 (Loss) income before income taxes130,210196,712130,507(66,960)390,469 (Benefit from) provision for income taxes61,46957,42536,790(24,884)130,800 (Loss) income from continuing operations68,71139,28793,717(42,076)259, 669 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(35,416)(68,130)(4,888)(4,690)(113,124) Net income$ 33,325$71,157$88,829(46,766)146,545. At the end of the fiscal year, Keith Wandell (President and CEO of Harley-Davidson) states: ââ¬Å"We feel good about our 2010 results. â⬠ââ¬Å"While there is still hard work ahead and we remain cautious in our outlook, I am confident we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed and deliver value for all our stakeholders into the future. â⬠ââ¬Å"For 2011, we plan to build on our position as one of the strongest brands in the world through our continued focus on customer led products and experiences. â⬠Future Trends To help boost sales in 2011, Harley-Davidson will allow customers to design a Sportster 1200 Custom on-line, order it from their local dealer, and Harley-Davidson will build it at the factory and ship it to you (Harley-Davidson). Another trend for 2011 is Bike Builder, which is an online tool that allows customers to visualize different options on their motorcycle as they are building it (Harley-Davidson). This will allow customers to get the real look of the bike with their choice of custom work before spending the money on the bike and not being satisfied with the outcome. By listening to the customers and giving them what they want, Harley-Davidson will continue to be leader in motorcycle sales. Miscellaneous Freedom and America being a part of Harley-Davidson history Harley-Davidson has formed a Harleyââ¬â¢s Hero tour that honors and supports Disabled American Veterans. Harley-Davidson pledged one million dollars to this foundation in 2006 and another one million dollars in 2010 to support the Nations Heroes. ââ¬Å"Through this foundation Harley-Davidson provides free access to benefits for all veterans,â⬠and shows them our appreciation for our freedom (Harley-Davidson). Local Harley-Davidson dealerships hold benefit rides to raise money for various cancer organizations such as Relay for Life, Bikers for Boobs, and for individuals who needs help paying medical expenses. Harley riders love to come out and support these benefits with as many as 400 to 500 bikes in one ride. It not only gets us out to raise money for cures, but gives us a chance to ride. Conclusion By attracting women into the sport of motorcycling, Harley-Davidson has now launched May as Womenââ¬â¢s month. During May, Harley-Davidson will hold garage parties, and rides for women to help attract even more to the sport. So women like Dot Robinson and all women riders today have helped make Harley-Davidson a success. The motorcycles being dependable and reliable, the people who choose to ride these machines, and the fact, that it is a great American success story have all made Harley-Davidson legendary. Harley-Davidson has faced many difficulties over the last 108 years and is still going strong, so when we are having a bad day and going through difficult times, letââ¬â¢s do as the Harley-Davidson slogan states: ââ¬Å"Screw it, letââ¬â¢s ride. ââ¬
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Domination Of North America :: American History
During the late 1600s and the to the mid-1700s, countries fought for land and power in order to have global domination. While several countries fought for the same cause, resolving their differences was nearly impossible, and this often led to more wars and conflicts. One of the many conflicts concerned the domination of North America. While many European powers competed for control of North America, Britain gained the most territory through the four French and Indian wars, King William's War, Queen Anne's War, King George's War, and the French and Indian War. As these wars progressed, Britain achieved the most success and eventually became the most dominant power in North America. King William's War, which occurred from between 1689 to 1697, was the first of a series of colonial conflicts between France and England for supremacy in North America. It started when King William III of England allied himself with the League of Augsburg; certain German states, Spain, Sweden, Austria, and the Netherlands,; to oppose French expansion. In America, King Williamà ¡Ã ¯s War, or otherwise called The War of the Grand Alliance or the War of the League of Augsburg, was fought between the English and its Indian allies and the French and its Indian allies. The first major conflict occurred on February 9, 1690 when the French and Indian forces from Montreal attacked and burned Schenectady, New York. The English responded by the seizure of Port Royal on May 11, 1690. However, it was recaptured a year later by the French. The city of Quebec was also attacked by English forces in their first major military operation of King William's War, but they were obstructed by the F rench troops. The war ceased in a stalemate and officially ended with the Treaty of Ryswick, which ended the fighting in America and Europe, and returned all colonial possessions to their prewar status. After a brief season of peace, the colonists were obliged to face another long and murderous war. Queen Anne's War was the second in a series of four wars fought between France and Great Britain in North America for control of the continent. It was part of the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe and it occurred between 1702 and 1713. In February, 1704 at daybreak, a party of nearly four hundred French and Indians attacked New England from Canada and broke upon the town of Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Case Study â⬠Profitel Inc Essay
Decision maker: Lars Peeters, along with his team of executives Question 1: Which perspective of leadership best explains the problems experienced in this case? Analyze the case using concepts discussed in that leadership perspective. Leadership is defined as the collective effectiveness and successes of organizations members by influencing, motivating, and enabling others to contribute. In this case Lars Peeters, newly appointed CEO of Profitel, fails to maintain his role by lacking key ingredients central for effective leadership. Together with his executive team he hired from his previous employment, weaken Profitelââ¬â¢s image and success with customers, government leaders and even employees. Listed below are perspectives of leadership I have identified in this case that best explain the problems at hand: Contingency Perspectiveââ¬â Lars had not diagnosed Profitelsââ¬â¢s situation thoroughly and adapted their style and objectives to fit that situation. Instead of using the employeeââ¬â¢s thoughts and insights as a powerful recourses, Lars went ahead with his team of executives and implemented his strategies disregarding any feedback. Behavioral Perspectiveââ¬â Although Lars displays task-oriented behavior by pushing company to reach a certain goal, he lacks in people-oriented behavioral skills. This could explain for his disregard to his subordinates trust and lack of employee morale. Transformational Perspectiveââ¬â Lars failed to create a strategic vision for Profitel. By using one he could have build employee morale by increasing commitment and rewarding based on performances. Questions 2: What can organizations do to minimize the leadership problems discussed above? In this case Profitelââ¬â¢s broad based there to hire Lars as CEO based on reputation rather than focusing on how his expertise could benefit their company. Lars took incentive in implementing all major decisions without others input or involvement. The board of directors seemed to have minimal role in the companyââ¬â¢s development and should have taken more precautions like overseeing major decisions. Also they should have evaluated his internal performance through feedback from employees and external performance through customers.
Monday, January 6, 2020
First Silent Film The Great Train Robbery
Produced by Thomas Edison but directed and filmed by Edison Company employee Edwin S. Porter, the 12-minute-long silent film, The Great Train Robbery (1903), was the first narrative movieââ¬âone that told a story. ââ¬â¹The Great Train Robberys popularity led directly to the opening up of permanent movie theaters and the possibility of a future film industry. Plot The Great Train Robbery is both an action film and a classic Western, with four bandits who rob a train and its passengers of their valuables and then make their grand escape only to be killed in a shootout by a posse sent after them. Interestingly, the film does not spare on violence as there are both several shootouts and one man, the fireman, being bludgeoned with a piece of coal. Surprising to many audience members was the special effect of throwing the bludgeoned man off the tender, over the side of the train (a dummy was used). Also first seen in The Great Train Robbery was a character forcing a man to dance by shooting at his feetââ¬âa scene that has often been repeated in later Westerns. To the audiences fear and then delight, there was a scene in which the leader of the outlaws (Justus D. Barnes) looks directly at the audience and fires his pistol at them. (This scene appeared either at the beginning or at the end of the film, a decision left up to the operator.) New Editing Techniques The Great Train Robbery not only was the first narrative film, it also introduced several new editing techniques. For example, rather than staying on one set, Porter took his crew to ten different locations, including Edisons New York studio, Essex County Park in New Jersey, and along the Lackawanna railroad. Unlike other film attempts which kept a stable camera position, Porter included a scene in which he panned the camera to follow the characters as they ran across a creek and into the trees to fetch their horses. The most innovative editing technique introduced in The Great Train Robbery was the inclusion of crosscutting. Crosscutting is when the film cuts between two different scenes that are happening at the same time. Was It Popular? The Great Train Robbery was hugely popular with audiences. The approximately twelve minutes of film that starred Gilbert M. Broncho Billy Anderson* was played across the country in 1904 and then played in the first nickelodeons (theaters in which movies cost a nickel to see) in 1905. * Broncho Billy Anderson played several roles, including one of the bandits, the man bludgeoned by coal, a slain train passenger, and the man whose feet were shot at.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)