Three Act Structure ; Mean Girls

In every movie, it is essential for a form of organization to exist in order to add a structure for the movie to make sense. There are three different types of movie narratives, including Classical Tragedy, 3 Act Structure, and Alternative. The three act structure type is the most common one. The movie Mean Girls is organized in the Three Act Structure narrative. The film is narrated by the protagonist, Cady Heron, a teenage girl whose life is turned upside down after her family relocates from the wilderness of Africa to the suburbs of America, and she is forced to attend public high school for the first time ever.

The movie sports a unique syuzhet, and the first act, the set up which lasts for approximately 30 minutes, starts with an introduction shot of Cady's new high school, which seems to be teeming with several different cliques. She is quick to befriend Janis and Damien, two outcasts, and the infamous Plastics clique who rule the school also begin to take an interest in her. When Cady begins to hang out more with the Plastics, and their head, Regina George, that is when the fabula begins to change. About 15 minutes into the movie is when the rising action begins; Cady informs Regina that she is interested in her ex-boyfriend, Aaron. Regina agrees to help Cady with getting Aaron. However, the inciting incident occurs when Cady and the Plastics attend a Halloween party, and Regina kisses Aaron in order to backstab Cady. This is what sets the plot into motion.

In the second act of the film, which begins approximately 29 minutes into the movie, stakes escalate and the climax approaches. This complication act lasts for approximately 60 minutes. Cady decides that she wants to get revenge on Regina for betraying her. With the help of Janis and Damien, several acts of revenge occur, which are the several dramatic plot points of the film, such as Cady trying to make Regina gain weight and making her face smell like feet.

The end act is introduced by the third act of the film, when the climax occurs at approximately 77 minutes. Regina George is hit by a school bus, and this tragic event is what causes the eyes of all the characters to open up. This is when the falling action of the movie begins. All of the tension and conflicts between the girls stop and they throw in the towel, and a resolution is reached. The ending is the typical happy ending of a modern film due to the use of a modern cinematic style.

The movie Mean Girls contains several elements, such as conflict, rising action, plot points, climax, falling action, resolution, and a second act which is the longest of all three acts. These elements makes the film a perfect example of a Three Act Structure.

Sitcoms

In the world today, television sitcoms are something that every person has been into during some point of their lifetime, no matter what their interests are. Sitcoms can serve as an escape from reality, into a realm of comedy and entertainment. There are several characteristics that distinguish a sitcom from other genres of shows playing on television, such as being episodic and thirty minutes in length, and funny and entertaining to the audiences. They revolve around a family or a group of people that share something in common. Situations in sitcoms are usually blown out of proportion and contain random or absurd moments. Also, there is a lack of character development and a deep plot. All of these characteristics function to simply entertain the viewers.

An example of a popular sitcom that appeals to viewers is the animated sitcom Family Guy. Every characteristic explained above can be found in this sitcom. Family Guy runs for only thirty minutes. It is episodic, so there is no major change in the plot or the characters between episodes. For example, a character named Bonnie remains pregnant for about six seasons of the sitcom, and all of the characters remain in the same state at the beginning of an episode, so if they are ill in one episode, they most likely will be normal in the next. Also, Family Guy is centered around the Griffin family, since most sitcoms revolve around a family or similar group. There are a substantial amount of absurd and random moments occurring during each episode of this sitcom. Many of the situations are extremely hyperbolic and unrealistic, which appeal greatly to the humor of the viewers. Controversial issues are satirized, to the point where there exist no boundaries for what can be made fun of. This makes the show entertaining for all viewers, due to the lack of seriousness. Moments during the sitcom can be very random and absurd, and the spontaneity is what makes it funny. Throughout the many episodes, there is no change within the characters, and their personalities remain one-dimensional. Family Guy contains several of the aspects that are found in a sitcom today.

Sitcoms continue to be one of the most successful genres in television, and they have come a long way from what they used to be in the past.

28 Days Later

In every movie, there exist different ways in which the scenes are shot in. In the British horror film 28 Days Later, the identity of the protagonist and the overall conflict of the movie are introduced to the audience through the use of long shots, medium shots, and close ups, as well as different camera angles which help to give the viewers an understanding of the situation and set the overall tone of the movie.

At the beginning of the movie, a man awakens alone in a hospital, after an infection strikes London and wipes out nearly the entire population. He begins to explore the city on his own. To show loneliness and isolation, a long shot is used. An overview of the setting is given to the audience, and the protagonist is the only person that can be seen. In the first screen-cap above, the camera is up high and pointing down towards the subject, which shows vulnerability and a lack of power.

In the same scene, the camera moves closer into a medium shot and reveals Jim, the protagonist, so the audience knows who the man seen from afar is, and we are able to confirm his identity. More information is being given and identification is being increased.

Finally, as the scene goes on, there is a close up shot of the protagonist's face and a paper that explains the situation even more. Important details about the setting are being given through the words on the paper. Also, emotions and feelings are intensified with the close up of the protagonist's face.

Through the use of the different types of camera shots in the opening scene, the viewers of 28 Days Later are successfully able to learn what is happening, as the setting and characters are being introduced and conflicts are arising.

"More Stars Than There Are In The Heavens"

Although there existed several aspects of the studio that were necessary to run the system, the most important one, in my opinion, was the contracting of actors. Actors and actresses worked under contract for one particular studio, starring in movies of that studio. Eventually, the studios and actors would be associated with each other, and the bigger stars would be relied upon in order to promote the films. However, in order to keep a tight hold on the movie industry, some studios would sometimes lend an actor to another studio, but they were still pretty much owned by only a single studio. Contracting is important because the actors were essential to the popularity of a movie during that time.

The actors became the main representation of the kind of works the studio did. The movies created would fit the talent and personality of the stars that were under contract, so the stars had a great effect on the type of movies made by the studio. The actors and actresses were often typecasted into specific roles. Each studio had a unique style and reputation.

For example, MGM was known for its musicals. Several of the contracted actors were known for their ability to sing or dance, which is why MGM Studios created several musicals during the era of Classic Hollywood. The biggest stars, such as Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly, were almost guaranteed to either dance or sing in a movie, and their popularity was used to promote the movies.

The contracted stars had a major impact on the studio system and the audience of the movies. An oligopoly was created within the industry, and regulation began to happen.

Two and a Half in the Family

Family-based situation comedy sitcoms on television have come a long way from what they used to be. Though evolution has occurred, there exist many differences and similarities between the past and the present. In the 1970s, All In The Family was a controversial sitcom that depicted several real-life issues which may have been considered unsuitable to be aired. In the contemporary series, Two and a Half Men, similar issues are dealt with, but the messages to the viewers are portrayed in a different way, and are less controversial.

In All In The Family, the protagonist, Archie Bunker, a white veteran of the war, is portrayed as being homophobic and racist, not wanting to associate himself with anyone who doesn't share the same views as him. He is conservative and prejudiced, acting as a character foil to his son-in-law, Michael, who is a liberal and open-minded hippie.The setting is in modern day (1970s) Queens, New York City.

In Two And A Half Men, which takes place on the other side of the country, in California today, the main character is a middle-aged, carefree bachelor named Charlie Sheen, who feels as if pleasure is the only intrinsic good. He lives with his twice-divorced brother, Alan, who is quite the opposite of Charlie, uptight and conscientious, and his young, lazy son, Jake. Charlie is depicted as a man who often objectifies women, but still has a good heart.

There is an obvious difference in the family structures of the sitcoms. Archie's family is more traditional, while Charlie's family is atypical and dysfunctional.

In both shows, even though the protagonists have morals that are questionable and attitudes that may not be viewed as positive, both are still lovable. Also, there exists an obvious character foil between two of the main characters; between Archie & Michael in All In The Family, and between Charlie & Alan in Two And A Half Men.
There is a character that serves as the main source of comic relief. In All In The Family, it is Edith, the wife of Archie, who often says something comedic in a tense situation. In Two And A Half Men, it is Berta, the housekeeper, who makes sarcastic remarks that bring a smile to the faces of the viewers.

All In The Family deals with topics such as homosexuality, racism, rape, and woman's liberation. Though Two And A Half Men addresses similar issues too, it is often portrayed in a less serious and more comical way. The main issue being dealt with in Two And A Half Men is the depiction of women and their dehumanizing and devaluing, which is not seen much in All In The Family.

With their differences aside, both All In The Family and Two And A Half Men are able to address controversial, real-life issues in a lighthearted and fun manner. Though times have changed, a positive light is able to be shined upon prejudices and viewers are able to be more aware of what is/was going on in the world around them.