Motion Picture Industry Free Essays

Case Problem 2: The Motion Picture Industry This case provides the student with the opportunity to use numerical measures to continue the analysis of the motion picture industry data first presented in Chapter 2. Developing and interpreting descriptive statistics such as the mean, median, standard deviation and range are emphasized. Five-number summaries and the identification of outliers are also of interest. We will write a custom essay sample on Motion Picture Industry or any similar topic only for you Order Now Interpretations and insights can vary. We illustrate some below. Descriptive Statistics Variable N Mean SE Mean StDev Range Opening Gross 100 9. 8 1. 89 18. 87 108. 43 Total Gross 100 33. 04 6. 32 63. 16 380. 15 Number of Theaters 100 1278 138 1379 3905 Weeks in Top 60 100 8. 680 0. 639 6. 390 26. 000 Variable MinimumQ1 Median Q3 Maximum Opening Gross 0. 0100 0. 0625 0. 395 12. 49 108. 44 Total Gross 0. 0300 0. 375 5. 854 47. 69 380. 18 Number of Theaters 5. 00 45. 3 410 2732 3910 Weeks in Top 60 1. 000 3. 000 7. 00 13. 000 27. 000 Interpretation Opening Weekend Gross Sales. The mean opening weekend gross sales is $9. 38 million. The five-number summary is . 01, . 0625, . 395, 12. 49 and 108. 44. Thus the opening weekend gross sales is highly variable and ranges from a low of $10,000 to a high of $108. 44 million. 50% of the motion pictures had an opening weekend gross sales of $395,000 or less, and 25% had a relatively low opening weekend gross sales of $62,500 or less. The top 25% of the motion pictures had an opening weekend gross sales of $12. 9 million or more. Total Gross Sales. The mean total gross sales is $33. 04 million. The five-number summary is . 03, . 375, 5. 854, 47. 69 and 380. 18. Thus the total gross sales is also highly variable and ranges from a low of $30,000 to a high of $380. 18 million. 50% of the motion pictures had a total gross sales of $5. 854 million or less, and 25% had a relatively low total gross sales of $375,000 or less. The top 25% of the motion pictures had total gross sales of $47. 69 million or more. Number of Theaters. The mean number of theaters for motion pictures is 1278 theaters. The five-number summary is 5, 45. 3, 410, 2732 and 3910. Thus the number of theaters for a motion picture is also highly variable and ranges from a low of 5 theaters to a high of 3910 theaters. 50% of the motion pictures were shown in 410 or fewer theaters. 25% of the motion pictures were shown in 45 or fewer theaters. The top 25% of the motion pictures were shown in 2732 or more theaters. Number of Weeks in Top 60. The mean number of weeks in the top 60 for motion pictures is 8. 8 weeks. The five-number summary is 1, 3, 7, 13 and 27. Thus the number of weeks in the top 60 is also highly variable and ranges from a low of 1 week to a high of 27 weeks. 50% of the motion pictures were on the top 60 list for 7 or fewer weeks. 25% of the motion pictures were on the top 60 list for 3 or fewer weeks. The top 25% of the motion pictures were on the top 60 list for 13 or more weeks. General Observations. The data show that there is a wide variation in the performance of motion pictures for the four variables being studied. Motion pictures range from the low gross sales movies shown in relatively few theaters to the highly successful motion pictures with hundreds of millions in gross sales and playing in almost 4000 theaters. The profiles of motion pictures using the means and medians are shown below. |Profile |Mean |Median | |Opening Weekend Gross Sales |$ 9. 38 million |$ . 395 million | |Total Gross Sales |$33. 04 million |$ 5. 54 million | |Number of Theaters |1278 |410 | |Number of Weeks in Top 60 |8. 68 |7 | The relatively few extremely high performance blockbuster motion pictures tend to inflate the mean in the above profile calculations. The profile based the median gives a better picture of the middle or more typical performance characteristics in the motion picture industry. Outliers We will use outliers to identify the highly successful blockbuster motion pictures in the data set. Using Q3 + 1. 5(IQR) to identify the levels required to qualify as a high performance outlier, we have the following. Opening Weekend Gross Sales Q3 + 1. 5(IQR) = 12. 49 + 1. 5(12. 49 – . 0625) = $31. 13 million Total Gross Sales Q3 + 1. 5(IQR) = 47. 69 + 1. 5(47. 69 – . 375) = $118. 66 million Number of Theaters Q3 + 1. 5(IQR) = 2732 + 1. 5(2732 – 45. 3) = 6762 theaters Number of Weeks on the Top 60 List Q3 + 1. 5(IQR) = 13 + 1. 5(13 – 3) = 28 weeks There are no outliers in terms of the number of theaters or the number of weeks on the top 60 list. There were motion pictures that were high on these two variables, but not high enough to be considered outliers. However, there were six motion pictures that out performed the other motion pictures in terms of reaching outlier levels in opening weekend gross sales and total gross sales. These motions pictures are considered the â€Å"blockbuster† motion pictures in the data set. To be in this category the motion picture had an opening weekend gross sales greater than $31. 13 million and a total gross sales greater than $118. 66 millions. The six blockbuster motion pictures in this category ranked by total gross sales are as follows: |Motion Picture |Opening Gross Sales |Total |Number of |Weeks in Top 60| | |($ millions) |Gross Sales |Theaters | | | | |($ millions) | | | |Star Wars: Episode III |108. 4 |380. 18 |3,663 |19 | |Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |102. 69 |287. 18 |3,858 |13 | |War of the Worlds | 77. 06 |234. 21 |3,910 |19 | |Wedding Crashers | 33. 90 |209. 22 |3,131 |23 | |Batman Begins | 48. 5 |205. 28 |3,858 |18 | |Mr. and Mrs. Smith | 50. 34 |186. 22 |3,451 |21 | Star Wars: Episode III was the top motion picture in terms of both opening weekend gross sales and total gross sales for 2005. War of the Worlds was shown in the most theaters 3910 and Wedding Crashers, at 23 weeks, was the motion picture in this group with the longest run in the top 60 list. How to cite Motion Picture Industry, Papers

Effective Crisis Management Techniques free essay sample

This paper examines how an organization can handle a crisis. The steps an organization takes during a crisis will determine how they come out of it. This paper lays out how an organization can effectively deal with crisis to prevent lasting damage. This paper looks at the importance of a companys crisis management strategy and how the strategy that an organization takes during a crisis can affect the long-term health of that organization. It also puts forth the theory that organizations often collapse because when a crisis occurs they are not equipped to deal with it in a quick and timely fashion. From the paper: Planning ahead of time can help soften the negative impact of an ongoing crisis. Decisions made while planning for a potential crisis tend to be more rational then a decision made in the middle of a crisis. Develop a crisis manual that is simple and easy to read and make sure it is used; it is worthless if it sits idle on a shelf. We will write a custom essay sample on Effective Crisis Management Techniques or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page All employees need to be trained so they know what their roles will be during a crisis. This training will help prepare everybody in the organization to avert or effectively manage extraordinary incidents. It is not possible to plan for all potential crises that can occur. Rather an organization should prepare an action plan that involves responses for various aspects of a possible crisis.

Soul Music As A Vehicle Of Social Expression Essays -

Soul Music As A Vehicle Of Social Expression Music is the most powerful vehicle of human expression. As the embodiment of love, disapproval, happiness, experience ? life, music speaks to us, because it comes from us. Each people, in each paradine of the human experience instinctively and systematically change the music of the past to represent the realities of the present. In this century, black music, more specifically Soul music, has been that music that has brought to plain view that which evidences our humanity ? hope, hurt, joy and passion ? in such a way that the world has no other choice than to feel its power and marvel in its brilliance. When one discusses the relationship between Soul music and the civil rights movement, it becomes a dialouge very akin to that of the chicken and the egg. The period of ?Classic Soul? is that period primarily, but not exclusively referenced as the 1950's, 60's and 70's (Stephenson 186). This is the time frame of the American Civil Rights Movement, and the impact of the massive changes going on, are reflected in the music and the culture. So one would be correct in both assuming that the Civil Rights Movement gave rise to Soul music, as much Soul music contributed to the success of the campaign for civil rights. Soul music during its heyday, did more than simply entertain. For a race of people it served as a source of motivation, strength and education, for a people immersed in turmoil and tragedy. The institution of segregation had effectively inhibited the general populace's awareness of the great achievements and contributions made by African-americans throughout the history of the United States (Franklin 429). Inasmuch, Soul music sought to bring that undersight to light. Soul songs like Donny Hathaway's ?To Be Young, Gifted and Black,? was revolutionary, in that they sought to instill pride of one's history, but at the same time motivate a new generation to reach new heights. As Hathaway says, ?We must begin to tell our young, ?Don't you know that there is a whole world waiting for you?'?, he is calling for the teaching of black pride to the youth, which was a wide spread trend in black communities of the ?60s and ?70s (Hathaway). James Brown's ?Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud,? be came an anthem for the movement (Brown). The song's lyrics like, .Don't quit moving, until we get what we deserve?we'd rather die on our feet, than keep living on our knees,? were words of inspiration for those involved in the struggle for equality. ?Whereas the predominant theme of rhythm and blues was love and other kind of human relationships, soul singers voiced concern about the social injustice, racial pride, black militancy, and forms of protest (Southern 517).? Eileen Southern's statement on Soul music greatly describes the type of works produced by Hathaway and Brown at the time, yet was definetly not exclusive to these two artists. The period wherein Soul intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement, produced music greatly influenced by the environment in which its creators lived. Donny Hathaway's, ?Ghetto,? and Marvin Gaye's ?Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler),? speak of the harshness of life in the Inner City (Hathaway/Gaye). Societal ills and political unrest were a major theme of Soul music, and Marvin Gaye's work, almost more than any other artist, was demonstrative of this fact. Gaye's album What's Goin On, was his commentary on the social problems of the period, and through its success tremendously impacted the increasing social awareness. Despair within the black community was given voice in Gaye's ?Inner City Blues?. Inflation, taxes, unemployment and police brutality were numbered among the themes addressed in the song. The sense of hopelesness of the piece can best be conveyed in the line saying, ?this life ain't worth the living?.makes me wanna holler, throw up both my hands!?(Gaye). ?Save the Children? goes on to ask: ?Who is willing to try and save a world that is destined to die, yet goes on to say ?live life for the children?let's save the children (Gaye). So, even in the midst of great despair, Gaye, and other artist of his genre, did believe in the possibility

buy custom The Health Living essay

buy custom The Health Living essay Many Flatbush residents have poor access to medical care and this is very vital to the prevention and maintaining of health living. Twenty nine thousand people report no current health care and forty nine thousand people do not have a personal doctor. This means that people are at risk of not receiving attention quickly in the event of an illness. This increases the risk of severity of illnesses. The Government policy and plan is required to facilitate this programme and ensure all citizens are covered by a medical insurance policy. This will also increase medical checkups and routine check-up increases health stability. The public hospitals are in pathetic conditions and the bid to privatize them was legally blocked. If the public hospitals could be supported with adequate resources, this would probably improve the health conditions of the people of Flatbush. The United States Health care system is inefficient and in order to improve health care presence of an efficient health care system is a must. Providing public insurance and involving the Government in subsidizing the costs of insurance may increase the number of people who can access Medicaid. This will ensure increased access to health care and affordable insurance plan for many. Poor leadership The federal Government of New York has an assumption that the health care system in place is adequate for the people of New York City state. This is where the health challenge emerges. Communities need to be looked at from individual perspectives. If any problems are to be noticed and acted upon by the federal department of health there must be distinction and individual community approach. The needs of Flatbush are very different from the needs of Bronx in Brooklyn. The poor Health care delivery system is not adequate for the population of New York. Different health needs overwhelm the facilities because of lack of proper planning (McGoy, 2004). Poor environment Living in a healthy environment contributes to the healthy being. The conditions that the residents are living are not so god. It is clear that a good housing system and safe neighbourhood contributes to healthy living. Insecurity causes hospital admissions in resulting by accidents and crimes (Draper et al, 1980). An environment that is surrounded by insecurity, overcrowding and no housing resources such as gymnasiums and supermarkets contribute to mushrooming of small businesses that d not observe hygiene. This factors bundled together are a main cause of unhealthy living. Health education is sensitive to all this factors. Once the Government department focuses on improving the health of the residents it will involve all the stakeholders in ensuring the standards achieved do not get lost due to ignorance and stubbornness of certain individuals (Draper et al, 1980). Thus it will involve the environment and ecology. This is because human ecology is synonymous with human health. The idea is to involve the people to live healthy lifestyles and be responsible. The residents of Flatbush consider insecurity and poverty as a factor that makes the environment not to be healthy. The water distribution systems may also be part of the contributing factor to the ill health of Flatbush residents (Ontario, 2006). Policies on non- US Citizens The residents of Flatbush are mostly not United States Citizens. This is a challenge because they are not included in the health programmes that are in the country. They need more money in order to access these health care programmes. This is one form of a challenge that they face resulting to the development of negative behavioural health that leads to the contracting of sexually transmitted diseases. If the Government could introduce a plan that would include the non citizens it would really help solve the problem of lack of education on various health challenges (NYC health, 2003). This would be a great step to solving the high rates of health challenges involving the youths and sexually transmitted diseases. The youths of Flatbush should be involved and enrolled to the health care programmes which advice the youths in regards to behavioural health and sexual health. The effect of race and ethnicity has been on the toll for the minorities. The blacks receive less amount of care and a low quality of care for similar illnesses when compared to their white counterparts who are in the same income bracket and insurance coverage level. The double standards in providing health care have great consequences to the community of Flatbush. There is no effort to improve the health conditions in this community. The racial and ethnic disparities have contributed to the poor health status of the residents of Flatbush Lack of financial input The organizations that provide these services are few and not enough. There should be more funding for awareness and eeducation of the youths. This will attract more organizations to offer these services. Interest of the youths is also low in attending these awareness programmes. They view this programmes as a bother and to be very irrelevant to their livelihood. There should be motivation to the youths in making them understand the importance of these programmes. This is a sign that more effort on the Governments side to increase awareness and also educate the youths about these disease is the only way to curb the rise of these infections. More emphasis on education on the dangers of negative behavioural health will decrease the risks of the youths contracting even more complicated diseases resulting from pre marital sexual behaviours. Negative behavioural health Sexually transmitted diseases in Flatbush are on the rampant rise. The demographics stand at eight hundred and ninety one people for every ten thousand residents are infected by Chlamydia while two hundred and sixty eight individuals out of ten thousand are infected with Gonorrhoea. These rates are very high and the impacts can be devastating. The infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in Women and infertility is also a possibility if left untreated. The Sexually Transmitted diseases increase the risks of contracting HIV. The youths are high on the list affected by Sexually Transmitted Infections. This is infections can be greatly reduced if the youths are given proper counselling and guidance regarding their sexuality It is in rare occasions that the centres reach out to the youths. The health care authorities wait for the youths to make right decisions to attend the training programmes and learn about their sexuality but instead the youths are focussed on exploring their sexuality. A quick response to the inflating rates of sexually transmitted infections should a priority. There seems no effort even after several community studies highlighted the danger looming in the community (DOH, 2010). Insecurity and Povert The security of the living areas is part of the community health. There was an increase in hospital admissions due to crimes and accidents. Poverty levels have also contributed to lack of a healthy community. It is because of poverty that many residents have not acquired education and this hinders there perspective of reasoning towards community health. There are programmes that have been developed to face the immediate effects of stressors. Buy custom The Health Living essay

Harsh Punishment Backfires in Prison, Researcher Says

Harsh Punishment Backfires in Prison, Researcher Says Currently, the U.S. leads the world in the rate of incarceration. The current numbers show that 612 people per 100,000 residents age 18 or older are imprisoned.   According to some criminal justice experts, the current prison system puts too much emphasis on harsh punishment and not enough on rehabilitation and it simply does not work. The current system only provides a breeding ground for more aggressive and violent behavior, according to Joel Dvoskin, PhD of the University of Arizona and author of Applying Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending. Aggression Breeds Aggression Prison environments are replete with aggressive behaviors, and people learn from watching others acting aggressively to get what they want, Dvoskin said. It is his belief that behavior modification and social learning principles can work inside prison just as they do outside. Certainty vs. Severity of Punishment In criminological research performed by Valerie Wright, Ph.D., Research Analyst at The Sentencing Project, it was determined that certainty of punishment, rather than the severity of punishment is more likely to deter criminal behavior. For example, if a city announces that police will be out in force looking for drunk drivers during a holiday weekend, it would likely increase the number of people who decide not to risk drinking and driving. Severity of punishment attempts to scare potential criminals because the punishment that they could receive is not worth the risk. This is the bases behind why states have adopted the tough policies such as Three Strikes.   The concept behind severe punishments assumes that the criminal is rational enough to weigh out the consequences before committing the crime.   However, as Wright points out, since half of the criminals that are locked up in U.S. prisons were drunk or high on drugs at the time of the offense, it is unlikely that they had the mental capacity to logically asses the consequences of their actions. Unfortunately, because of a shortage of police per capita and prison overcrowding, most crimes do not result in arrest or criminal incarceration. Clearly, enhancing the severity of punishment will have little impact on people who do not believe they will be apprehended for their actions. says Wright. Do Longer Sentences Improve Public Safety? Studies have shown that longer sentences result in higher rates of recidivism. According to Wright, accumulated data of 50 studies going back as far as 1958 on a total of 336,052 offenders with various criminal offenses and background showed the following: Offenders who averaged 30 months in prison had a recidivism rate of 29 percent. Offenders who averaged 12.9 months in prison had a recidivism rate of 26 percent. The Bureau of Justice Statistics did a study tracking 404,638 prisoners in 30 states after their release from prison in 2005. The researchers found that: Within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested.Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested.Of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7 percent) were arrested by the end of the first year. The research team theorizes that although offender services and programs may have a direct effect on desistance, individuals must decide independently to transform themselves into ex-offenders. However, the numbers do support Wrights argument that longer sentences result in higher rates of recidivism. Reaccessing the Economics of Current Crime Policies Both Wright and Dvoskin agree that the current money spent on incarceration has drained valuable resources and has not been effective in making communities safer. Wright points to a study done in 2006 that compared the cost of community drug treatment programs vs. the cost of incarcerating drug offenders. According to the study, a dollar spent on treatment in prison yields about six dollars of savings, whereas a dollar spent in community-based treatment yields nearly $20 in costs savings. Wright estimates that a savings $16.9 billion annually could be saved by a 50 percent reduction in the number of incarcerated non-violent offenders. Dvoskin feels that the rising prison population with the corresponding lack of increase in prison staff has reduced the ability of prison systems to supervise work programs that allow prisoners to build skills.   This makes it very hard to re-enter into the civilian world and increases the likelihood of going back to prison, Dvoskin said. Therefore, the priority should be placed on decreasing prison populations, he said: This can be done by paying more attention to those with the highest risk of violent behavior rather than focusing on lesser crimes, such as minor drug offenses. Conclusion By reducing the number of non-violent prisoners, it would free up the necessary money to invest in detecting criminal behavior which would increase the certainty of punishment and also allow for more effective programs that could help in reducing recidivism. Source: Workshop: Using Social Science to Prevent Violent Crime, Joel A. Dvoskin, PhD, University of Arizona College of Medicine Saturday, Aug. 8, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Deterrence in Criminal Justice, Valerie Wright, Ph.D., The Sentencing Project.

Policy contribution part 3 (final) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Policy contribution part 3 (final) - Assignment Example owever, these policies are all based on the premise that immigrants have a generalized negative effect on the systems in the country, whereby the common belief is that unless someone has a certain level of education, skills or other features, he or she should be denied entry into the country (Bush and McLarty, 2009). Without the specified criteria, the country believes that these people have an overall negative effect on the country and its people including security, economy, culture, politics, and other aspects of modern-day society (McWhirter, 2006). Implementing policy depends on many factors including their effect on the people and the aim of policy makers in implementing the policy. In this case, the immigration policy had the aims of reducing the influx of immigrants into the country, and ensuring that those who gain access into the country are the most productive of all the candidates (Givens, Freeman and Leal, 2009). Consequently, the needs of the country have to be considered, together with the welfare of citizens and immigrants. This ensures that the policy that is passed is the best for everyone, such that citizens will not be at a disadvantage due to the proliferation of the number of immigrants into the country. On the other hand, the policy should be humane enough not to deny immigrants entry into the country of their dreams if they deserve it. In order to achieve an all-encompassing policy, extensive consultations must be held among all stakeholders during the planning and implementation process (Balloch, 2005). In addition, consultations must be held to identify areas of weakness in the policy, or changes that have occurred in the country that would necessitate a change in policy. Therefore, the process of implementing policy is continuous, whereby there is a feedback mechanism, and policies are always in the process of being amended and the amendments are always being implemented (Koulish, 2009). This study uses the Jansson’s approach to policy

Communitiies Of Practice (COP) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Communitiies Of Practice (COP) - Essay Example The CoP could also meet on a regular basis or depends on the common availability of the members. Likewise, due to the advancement of technology, the members could also utilize the computer and internet, i.e. group sites, web pages, e-mail, blogs, wikis, podcasting, and/or file sharing to keep connected and updated.2 The practice of CoP had long been existed throughout the society. In fact, it had been observed and practiced in the classical Greece wherein the Greeks were subdivided and lived according to their shared common interests and beliefs. The people who have the same crafts such as the metalworkers, potters, masons, etc. belonged to the same group because they work and learn together. Each group had their own business function in which they were responsible to share their skills and spread the innovation through training and coaching apprentices/novices. Whilst, each group had shared social purpose wherein they â€Å"worshipped the same god and goddesses and celebrated holid ays together.† 3The practice had been very common; however, the term was only coined recently by Etienne Wenger and Jean Lave. Originally, the term was used to name a group of traditional African tailors who couched and trained their apprentices. 4 Further, the two have concluded that learning could be a two-way process wherein the apprentices could learn from their masters/instructors and vice versa. Since then the two researchers have expanded the CoP concept and had been widely incorporated in organizations, government, businesses, teams, work groups, corporations and among others. Etienne Wenger and William Snyder have considered community of practice as an important instrument because it could improve organizational performance as long as it is implemented accordingly. The advantages of CoP have included its ability to drive strategy. Several organizations have proven this, i.e. the World Bank. Since, they had integrated in their management the concept of CoP; they become â€Å"knowledge bank†5 because they had provided their customers’ high-quality information as well as they gained know-how on economic development. Likewise, the CoP could also start new lines of businesses. An example of this was the one cited by Wegner and Snyder, wherein a group of consultants created a community and they decided to meet regularly at the airport after their engagement with their clients to discuss over their common interests. After a couple of years, this group had established a new line of business that offered financial services due to community of practice. The CoP could also used to solve problems quickly. The practical reason is that members of the CoP could share their problems and could ask the assistance of their co-members to find solution with their problems. In the same manner that their counterparts could extend their help because they knew the problem and they could identify the best solutions to common problems. For example, a man had asked from his CoP on how to improve his writing skills. Since, they share the same interest, many of his expert co-members have responded via net within 24 hours. Luckily, many of them have provided the best and easiest writing techniques. Further, it could also transfer best practices because they â€Å"do much more than work on specific problems. 6 In an organization or company, it was considered as the best and ideal venue for sharing and disseminating best practices and knowledge. One of the most successful examples of