Casual Articles - Writing and Speaking

Overview of Identity Theft - Are You Protecting Yourself?
Identity theft has to do with the illegal obtainment of a person’s confidential information and using it for illegal purposes. In the past decade identity theft is a crime that has become out of control, and law enforcement officials have recently begun to crack down on the issue altogether. It is not difficult to become a victim of identity theft; you can do it w

p>In Alien (1979), the alien first pops out of Kane’s chest, then takes Brett and then Dallas.

In Gladiator (2000), three major battles and Maximus is the lead gladiator.

However, there are occasions where the progression completes in seven stages (Jason and the Argonauts, Moses). There are many references to the number seven in "Old World" literature: seven heavens, seven lives etc.

It is probable that the 120 minute duration of modern film reduces the transformation from severa

Top 10 Steps for Harnessing Your Emotional Power for Business Success
Do you find yourself trying to make sense out of the emotions you feel at work? Do you wish that you could get rid of the "negative" emotions that you feel? Do you wish that your boss or co-workers or clients and other people involved in your business could change so that you don't have to feel the way you feel? If you answered "Yes" to these question, you are not

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

· Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

· Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

· Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

Consider this:

• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero's Journey as a template.

• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.

• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.

• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.

• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.

• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero's Journey.

• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.

• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.

Transformation x3 or x7

In modern film, it is not uncommon for the transformation to complete within three stages:

In The Matrix (1999), Neo first learns martial arts by simulation, then practices with Morpheus, and then has to jump the building.

In Alien (1979), the alien first pops out of Kane’s chest, then takes Brett and then Dallas.

In Gladiator (2000), three major battles and Maximus is the lead gladiator.

It is probable that the 120 minute duration of modern film reduces the transformation from several

8 Golden Techniques to Get 'em to Love the Rules
Different things motivate different folks. Some people are motivated to enhance their appearance while others are motivated by prestige or sexual conquest. Others are motivated by money. When it comes to work, many people are not motivated to do much of anything except show up and collect a paycheck. It is our job as managers to create an environment in which e

aterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.