I've been lacking inspiration lately and with exam season looming I know that like myself, all students need a little motivation to get revising. It can be difficult to know where to start planning your revision, especially when faced with some of your first exams at University or College. This is just a quick selection of some of the quotations that either inspire me to get organised or occasionally make me feel overly melodramatic,as though 'If I don't work now and do well, I'm going nowhere'. So either way these quotes make me think of the bigger picture, why I need to work and help me get my brain in gear. Coming from a wide range of different people and showing the Universal acknowledgment that hard work pays off, I hope these sayings serve you well.
1) 'The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are : Hard work, Stick-to-itiveness, and Common Sense.' - Thomas Alva Edison, American Businessman and Inventor, Creator of the electric light bulb, the motion picture camera and the phonograph. (11/2/1847-18/10/1931)
2) 'I take pride in working very hard. You need to understand that hard work doesn't instantly pay off. My career grew gradually and taught me a lesson every step of the way.' - Tremaine Aldon Neverson a.k.a Trey Songz, American singer-songwriter, producer and actor, Nominated for 3 Grammy Awards, Released 6 successful albums since 2005. (28/11/1984-Present)
3) 'It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.' - William Henry 'Bill' Gates, Entrepreneur and Computer Programmer. Co-founder of Microsoft, Wealthiest man in the world 1995-2014 (28/10/1955- Present)
4) 'I don't pity any man who does hard work worth doing. I admire him. I pity the creature who does not work, at whichever end of the social scale he may regard himself as being.' - Theodore Roosevelt Jr, 26th President of the United States, Politician, Author and Historian. (27/10/1858-6/01/1919)
5) I know the sun will rise in the morning, that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.' - Michael Morpurgo OBE, Poet, playwright and author. Children's Laureate: 2003-2005. (5/10/1943-Present)
6) 'Just believe in yourself. Even if you don't, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.' - Venus Ebony Starr Williams, Professional Tennis Player, Former World No.1, 5 time Wimbledon Singles Champion, 5 times Wimbledon Doubles Champion and winner of 4 Olympic Gold Medals. (17/06/1980)
7) 'I think that anything that you do, any accomplishment that you make, you have to work for...It's not just a cliche.' - Cameron Michelle Diaz, Actress & Model, Four Golden Globe Nominations, Won New York Film Critics Circle award for Best Actress. (30/08/1972-Present)
Good luck with whatever you need motivation for and I hope at least one of these quotes resonates with you and here's an additional quote, just because I feel like it!
'Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! - Audrey Hepburn
J x
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Monday, 30 March 2015
Monday, 16 March 2015
Film Review: Hamlet (1996)
Hello stranger,
I know this film is nearly 20 years old and already has plenty reviews but it's a piece of Uni coursework that I've had to do, so I thought I might edit it a bit and post it here. Just in case there is any other poor English student out there in need of a rough guide or inspiration, not that it's any good!
I know this film is nearly 20 years old and already has plenty reviews but it's a piece of Uni coursework that I've had to do, so I thought I might edit it a bit and post it here. Just in case there is any other poor English student out there in need of a rough guide or inspiration, not that it's any good!
Hamlet
The story of Hamlet
is one of the most well know tragedies in the English speaking world and
perhaps the most well known film version of this play, is the 1996 edition produced by Colombia
Pictures. Written, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as the title
protagonist, this film is recognised for its strict adherence to the original
plot of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Unlike other screen versions, this film excels
in its attention to detail and precise scripting.
It is the first unabridged theatrical film version of one of Shakespeare’s most
noted works and as a result its running length is just over four hours. It is
arguably one of the best screen adaptations of Hamlet, as it builds upon the
standards set by previous versions in terms of cast, technology and
presentation.
Prior to Branagh’s adaptation the longest film version was the production
of Hamlet in 1980, with Derek Jacobi
in the title role. Coincidentally, Jacobi returns in the 1996 production not as
the protagonist but instead as a suitably venomous Claudius. Branagh’s Hamlet received four academy award
nominations, demonstrating its powerful hold over audiences. Furthermore the
film features an impressive cast; including a young Kate Winslet as the
beautifully despairing Ophelia, Julie Christie as Gertrude, Richard Briers as
Polonius and Robin Williams as Osric, who provides a brief yet veritable moment
of comic relief and familiarity. Each character is strongly presented, but not
so overwhelmingly that any could over power Branagh’s desperately mad Hamlet.
It is difficult to compare this film to other
productions of the same play, except maybe the previous one, as the
technological advancements were profound and allowed Branagh to create a much
more realistically corrupt Denmark. Additionally earlier productions, such as
the 1948 portrayal of Hamlet by Laurence Olivier, seem much less dramatically
coherent purely because Olivier was expected to tell the same story as Branagh
in less than half the time. Unfortunately, due to the problem of timing
Olivier’s film omits the minor, yet crucial characters of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. In contrast Branagh’s account of the play is commendably
accurate, including every single line of the original play for authenticity. Crucially,
unlike other adaptations Branagh places emphasis on the fact that the tragic
nature of the play is not intended to just show Hamlet’s personal tragedy, but
also to demonstrate the disorder in the country of Denmark. Contextually, the
play Hamlet is very representative of
Elizabethan England at the time it was written, as the disorder plaguing the
country and lack of stability echoes the uncertainty which followed the death
of the ‘Virgin Queen’.
One of the
best things about Branagh’s adaptation of Hamlet
when compared to others is the way the setting is updated to the 19th
century. The change in setting makes this film much more recognisable, as it is
removed from our lives and yet not so much so that the decor and costumes lose
their interest. Furthermore, the extravagant costumes are much more at home in
a later setting, as they echo the grandeur of the recent past, although
admittedly are occasionally distracting. The fact that the plays setting can be
changed in such a way proves that Shakespeare’s plays are truly timeless.
One of the film’s strongest points is its awe
inspiring ‘lavish colour’[6] and set design, which
simultaneously dazzles audiences as well as providing a suitably dramatic back
drop. Branagh’s changing of the setting of Hamlet
to the late 19th century allows for a much wider use of colour and
rich visuals, which combine with the drama of the plot itself to create a truly
dynamic and enthralling film. The most prominent example of Branagh’s
impeccable use of set design to exemplify emotional meaning is during the ‘to
be or not to be’[7] speech. The speech is
delivered in a hallway of mirrors in
Elsinore Castle,alluding to the ever present theme of
appearance and reality in the play. The mirrors themselves serve as a visual
metaphor in this case and this is why the famous soliloquy is delivered
directly to one of the mirrors, while being secretly watched by Claudius and
Polonius.
Overall
Kenneth Branagh’s production and representation of Hamlet are arguably two of
his most notable achievements, having created a gripping and enthralling
experience. This screen adaptation finds its strength over others in its
incredible accuracy, and its beautiful presentation in terms of cinematography,
costume and set design. The duration
of this film allows the character of Hamlet to be explored in full by Branagh,
who does so impeccably. Branagh’s impressive performance creates a character
that does not need explaining, because he is able to ‘live, breath, feel and
die.’[8]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, 13 February 2015
Procrastination:The Curse of Friday 13th
My first and latest post was over a month ago...so clearly my attempt to blog is going fantastically! Anybody who has been or is a student will know that if you do manage to find the smallest, most precious moment of free time, then it will be spent drinking, eating or in most cases, sleeping.
I have noticed that personally, I never really feel like I have anything interesting to say or worth blogging about, it's only when I'm on a strict deadline and should be powering through an essay that I feel the need to blog.
So, for this blog I though I would talk about the things I don't always remember to do, but that you should definitely do when trying to accomplish something!
I would generally refer to myself as pretty much an expert at procrastinating, so instead of writing my essay (in true procrastinator-style) I have instead decided to tell you the things I try to do in order to get things done. Here are my 3 main tips, which I've learned through trial and error, and I hope you find them useful:
1.Don't Worry,Be Happy!
- As basic as it sounds, it can be quite rare that you will ever be 100% excited about or committed to doing a project. However, whether it's a school project, a business proposal or just a personal goal, you need to be in a good mood to achieve something you can be proud of. Personally, I find that happy music, whatever that is to you, is a great motivator! My alarm in the morning is a happy, sing-a-long song and I suggest you make a playlist of music that either makes you smile or just inspires you to 'get up and go'. I have friends that like to listen to really calming music while they write essays and that works for some people, but personally, I find it just makes me sleepy and I tend to sing (horrifically) while I type. Which, I'm definitely not doing right now....
Listening to happy music or doing something that you enjoy, be it exercise, painting, eating or whatever is a great way to put you in a good mood before you sit down and crack on with work. Plus, considering most people do their work alone, you don't want to be in your room, alone in a really bad mood, because then you'll get nothing done.
My advise is just to take a minute to learn or remember what makes you happy, and use that to put you in a positive place, where you'll feel like you can do anything and no task will be too daunting!
2.Anything Is Possible!
- Cheesy motivational speaker tactic, but it's true! If you sit there staring at your screen or book and thinking of all the things you can't do, you're only going to make it harder on yourself. Sit back for a minute, calm down and think of a place to start. Whether that means doing background reading, just breaking down your essay question into something easier to follow or making a plan (which I recommend). Sometimes, literally just 'Googling' whatever it is that you have to do can be a help so don't work yourself up about it. There is nothing that you can't do if you set your mind to it, that's how man got to the moon, isn't it? If we can travel into space, then you can definitely finish your project, and do it well at that !
Write a small list and keep it next to you to remind yourself;
a) Why you're doing it - whether it's to get a good grade, a job, to make someone proud (hopefully yourself) etc.
b) What you will gain from doing it - skills, you'll feel fab when you've completed it, you won't have to worry about it anymore and you'll have much more free time.
c) Why or how you're going to achieve your goal. It sounds silly, but even if you just write down something about yourself such as;'I want to succeed' or 'I have done harder/similar things before', it will remind you what you're capable of and that there's always something you have that you can use as a tool.
If you want something, then that's the first step. So if you think you can do it, even a little bit, then you're already on your way!
3.And Breathe....
- Do NOT stress yourself out anymore than you need to be or already are! This means, don't leave everything to the last minute (I know I should practice what I preach, but I'm getting better). The later you leave things, the more pressure you put on yourself and I know for many people, like myself, you're convinced it will work out fine or you'll just about manage it in time. Realistically if you're rushing to get something in on time, it's not going to reflect what you can really do and you're cheating yourself. Plus, if something unavoidable happens or you have to go somewhere, you've practically shot yourself in the foot. Make lists, I genuinely love making lists, to the point where it's sad and I put as much effort into that as I do the actual work. Organising your thoughts and your schedule is essential, so that you don't forget to do anything and end up panicking later.
Your biggest problem when trying to meet deadlines, is most likely going to be you, going inside of your own head too much and driving yourself mad by worrying. So literally, just breathe... if you need a break, take a break for a little while and don't feel bad about it, do something that calms you down or takes your mind of work. You'll get a lot more done if you do it in stages, rather than try and do it all at once, trust me.
Finally - good luck with whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish! I have no doubt that whoever you are and wherever you are, you definitely have it in you to succeed and get the results that you want!
'Believe you can and you're halfway there' - Theodore Roosevelt
J x
I have noticed that personally, I never really feel like I have anything interesting to say or worth blogging about, it's only when I'm on a strict deadline and should be powering through an essay that I feel the need to blog.
So, for this blog I though I would talk about the things I don't always remember to do, but that you should definitely do when trying to accomplish something!
I would generally refer to myself as pretty much an expert at procrastinating, so instead of writing my essay (in true procrastinator-style) I have instead decided to tell you the things I try to do in order to get things done. Here are my 3 main tips, which I've learned through trial and error, and I hope you find them useful:
1.Don't Worry,Be Happy!
- As basic as it sounds, it can be quite rare that you will ever be 100% excited about or committed to doing a project. However, whether it's a school project, a business proposal or just a personal goal, you need to be in a good mood to achieve something you can be proud of. Personally, I find that happy music, whatever that is to you, is a great motivator! My alarm in the morning is a happy, sing-a-long song and I suggest you make a playlist of music that either makes you smile or just inspires you to 'get up and go'. I have friends that like to listen to really calming music while they write essays and that works for some people, but personally, I find it just makes me sleepy and I tend to sing (horrifically) while I type. Which, I'm definitely not doing right now....
Listening to happy music or doing something that you enjoy, be it exercise, painting, eating or whatever is a great way to put you in a good mood before you sit down and crack on with work. Plus, considering most people do their work alone, you don't want to be in your room, alone in a really bad mood, because then you'll get nothing done.
My advise is just to take a minute to learn or remember what makes you happy, and use that to put you in a positive place, where you'll feel like you can do anything and no task will be too daunting!
2.Anything Is Possible!
- Cheesy motivational speaker tactic, but it's true! If you sit there staring at your screen or book and thinking of all the things you can't do, you're only going to make it harder on yourself. Sit back for a minute, calm down and think of a place to start. Whether that means doing background reading, just breaking down your essay question into something easier to follow or making a plan (which I recommend). Sometimes, literally just 'Googling' whatever it is that you have to do can be a help so don't work yourself up about it. There is nothing that you can't do if you set your mind to it, that's how man got to the moon, isn't it? If we can travel into space, then you can definitely finish your project, and do it well at that !
Write a small list and keep it next to you to remind yourself;
a) Why you're doing it - whether it's to get a good grade, a job, to make someone proud (hopefully yourself) etc.
b) What you will gain from doing it - skills, you'll feel fab when you've completed it, you won't have to worry about it anymore and you'll have much more free time.
c) Why or how you're going to achieve your goal. It sounds silly, but even if you just write down something about yourself such as;'I want to succeed' or 'I have done harder/similar things before', it will remind you what you're capable of and that there's always something you have that you can use as a tool.
If you want something, then that's the first step. So if you think you can do it, even a little bit, then you're already on your way!
3.And Breathe....
- Do NOT stress yourself out anymore than you need to be or already are! This means, don't leave everything to the last minute (I know I should practice what I preach, but I'm getting better). The later you leave things, the more pressure you put on yourself and I know for many people, like myself, you're convinced it will work out fine or you'll just about manage it in time. Realistically if you're rushing to get something in on time, it's not going to reflect what you can really do and you're cheating yourself. Plus, if something unavoidable happens or you have to go somewhere, you've practically shot yourself in the foot. Make lists, I genuinely love making lists, to the point where it's sad and I put as much effort into that as I do the actual work. Organising your thoughts and your schedule is essential, so that you don't forget to do anything and end up panicking later.
Your biggest problem when trying to meet deadlines, is most likely going to be you, going inside of your own head too much and driving yourself mad by worrying. So literally, just breathe... if you need a break, take a break for a little while and don't feel bad about it, do something that calms you down or takes your mind of work. You'll get a lot more done if you do it in stages, rather than try and do it all at once, trust me.
Finally - good luck with whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish! I have no doubt that whoever you are and wherever you are, you definitely have it in you to succeed and get the results that you want!
'Believe you can and you're halfway there' - Theodore Roosevelt
J x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)