The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Essay Example

The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos Paper The final step in the opening credit sequence is the title screen detailing The Sopranos. The viewer is presented with a black scene in the centre of which is the white block letter spelling out The Sopranos. This title screen itself may semiotically provide much information regarding the themes of the television programme once its layers of meaning are extricated and analysed. Treating firstly the importance of the simple colours of this screen- black and white- the themes of the show are visible. The traditional semiotic meaning that is assigned to these two colours aid in the production of these themes. White is mostly explicitly recognised as the colour of the good, the virginal/pure in contrast to the assigning of the colour black to the evil, the mysterious, danger, death and malice. The assigning of meaning to these two colours can be traced back in anthropological terms to the Western worlds view of white people as being good whilst the black people from the continent of Africa were inherently evil and not to be trusted. This dichotomy was later applied to the notion of the goodies versus the baddies and can be seen in the title of graphics detailing a main theme of the show- the good guys or the police, reflected in the white, battling against the bad guys or Tony Soprano and his mafia family, reflected in the black. These colours can also represent the struggle in Tonys world between right and wrong and his struggle with his morality and religious faith. Throughout the series, Tony has many crises of faith and a few attacks of conscience. We will write a custom essay sample on The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thus the black may reflect Tonys dark side, with his underhand dealings and deadly intent, and the white may represent Tonys faith, his belief in Catholicism and his need to do good in some form. However as the graphics show the black impedes on the white possibly illustrating the fact that Tony has a great struggle between right and wrong. To analyse the typography of the sequence it is again possible to find meaning implicitly embedded in it. The letters spelling out The Sopranos are thick and have blunt edges. The letters in the original are also large and white and stand out prominently from the black background. The typography used is illustrated below. This may be analysed semiotically as being a reflection of the character of Tony Soprano- solid and dependable with a large stature who is rough around the edges; possibly a reflection of his brutal streak. It may also serve to provide meaning about the Soprano family as a whole- large, close-knit and very prominent in society (reflected by the white standing out against the black background). Finally the representation of the downward facing gun as spelling out the R of The Sopranos is important for the assigning of meaning also. According to Freud, the gun can be viewed as a phallic symbol, a representation of the male penis and thus is a reflection of the male sexual drive. The gun may connote power and male sexual potency along with aggression and danger. The sexual exploits of Tony Soprano and his power sexually as well as physically is a main theme of the show, and is referred to implicitly in the title graphics. Thus it is possible to say that the title screen of the opening credit sequence of the show provides meaning semiotically through colour codes, typographic presentation and symbolic representation. Themes of the show such as the good versus the bad, violence and sexual prowess are all reflected through the simple yet highly effective title sequence. The opening credit sequence of The Sopranos may also be analysed semiotically as one explores the assigning of meaning to maleness and indeed the image of the gangster i. e. Tony Soprano. By analysing this sequence in-depth it is possible to detail information that the average viewer may neither implicitly nor explicitly decode whilst watching the television programme. The semiotic representation of Tony Soprano in the opening credit sequence reveals a lot about his character. Throughout the sequence Tonys face is obscured by shadows and darkness, the lower part of his face i. e. from his nose down, is the only part visible. If one is to assign meaning to this it is possible to say that Tony is a mysterious man with a dark mind/ dark thoughts. His face is obscured as he drives from New York to New Jersey; from work to home. It is only when he arrives home that Tony is fully visible/ fully illuminated. This reflects the idea that Tonys work life is dark and mysterious, full of secret dealings and murders, and that his home life and his family provide him with the bright/highlights of his day. In the car, Tony is the only person visible. He steers the car suggesting that he is a person who is solely in control and in power. It also suggests that he is an actor in his own future, that he directs his life and controls his destiny. This is again emphasised by the continuous close-up shots of Tonys hands and arms. The affluence of Tonys life and his materialism that is shown in the show is reflected in the opening sequences. There is a continual emphasis on Tonys gold jewellery connoting opulence, richness and his carelessness with money. The cigar that Tony smokes is also a symbol with several layers of signification for this opulence but also on another layer of meaning it may be seen as phallic, reflecting Tonys masculinity and raw sexual energy. The theme of money is again reinforced with the shot of the bank reflecting possibly Tonys implicit need for financial security for himself and his family. The religious aspect of Tonys personality is also detailed. The shot of the cathedral/church illustrates Tonys Catholicism but the shot is somewhat obscured by branches of trees. This may signify the crisis of faith that both Tony implicitly and his wife Carmela explicitly have in the show. Tony is religious, he has faith but this faith is obscured by the sins that he has committed and the illegal dealings that he is involved in. the image is almost a black and white image reflecting the clear cut base belief in God that Tony and the Soprano family hold. A red canopy on the front of the church is important as its semiotic analysis reveals that the colour red connotes a raw energy, vigour and spirituality. This reinforces the strong position that religion plays in Tonys life. The appearance of the graveyard also provides us with information about the show. The long shot of the gravestones illustrates that death will be a prevalent theme as it proves to be with all the murders carried out by Tony and his mafia gang in the show. The appearance of the butchers shop stands as signification on two levels- the butcher per se as the murderer e. g. Tony, and as standing for an immoral behaviour. The pig on top of this shop stands as a symbolic representation of Tonys greed for both food and money and for his selfishness and over-indulgence. The Pizzaland shop also reflects his greed for food and Tonys traditional Italian roots. Tonys arrival at home is also important to analyse semiotically. His movement through the gates signifies that he has entered a new phase of his life and as he moves up his driveway this signifies that an end has come to his journey, he is at rest and secure/content. Thus by performing a semiotic analysis of Tony and certain scenes from the opening credit sequences it is possible to ascertain what are the important areas of Tonys life i. e. family, religion, sex, money, food, revenge etc. The use of colour in the opening credit sequence is of particular importance in this semiotic study. There are many different meanings assigned to colours and their use in certain contexts can be highly significant in the development of meaning and therefore, themes. Tony is dressed in a maroon coloured shirt. This colour is associated with bravery and strength, which is indicative of Tonys character despite his cruel and brutal streak. The road signs signalling New Jersey, Tonys home-place, are green. Green is associated here with Tonys home-life and his family and this colour connotes peace and serenity, all feelings that Tony himself hopes to associate with his family. A colour that is of a particular significance due to its connotations is silver. The colour silver connotes justice and purity due to its association with the silver swords of the knights of olden times- protectors of freedom, upholders of morality and keepers of peace and justice. For this reason the colour is also connotative of the police as they have taken on the contemporary role of the knight. Silver freight lorries are frequently shown in the opening sequences but they are always shown travelling in different directions to Tony, never with him or even close to him. A freight truck may act as a symbol for carrying a heavy load or a burden, so the silver trucks may connote Tonys anxiety regarding being caught/followed by the police. His journey in opposite directions to these silver trucks may also act as signification that he has left purity/justice behind and is leading an immoral life. It is possible to even suggest that the colour of Tonys house is indicative to meaning. As Tony drives home, he passes by many white family homes, which bear the American flag thus connoting morality and good. Tonys house however is brown or not white signifying something other than purity and wholesomeness. Thus by analysing the use of colours and in particular their use in certain contexts it is possible to ascertain that themes such as immorality, family and fear of the police will feature as themes in this show. An important part of any semiotic analysis of a film or television programme is that of the soundtrack. Music works primarily on the level that it can rely on the spoken word as it is sung to create meaning instead of the visual image. Non-verbal communication is also employed in music to create meaning with the use of certain instruments to evoke emotions and atmosphere. According to Self (1988:116) title sequences together with title music, are instrumental in communicating the mood and themes of the coming production. The show uses the same song at the beginning of each episode. The song is Goy yourself a Gun and its lyrics play on the notion of the mob and the gun which are both themes in a way in the programme. The song plays slowly and quietly at the start of the sequence as Tony leaves the city and gains in speed and audibility, as he gets closer to home. This illustrates that he feels strongly about where he lives and about his family. According to the song, if one is to relate it to Tony, he was born under a bad sign with a blue moon in your (his) eyes (lines 7-8). This provides a hint to Tonys character, that he is immoral and does not follow the rules. Having blue moon in ones eyes is indicative of Tonys upward gazing idea, that one must better themselves regardless of how they do this even if the rules must be broken. The repetition of this song at the beginning of each episode helps to continually create the overall atmosphere of the show as being one of immorality and violence connoted by the gun in the song.

Research Paper Topics On Computer Programming

Research Paper Topics On Computer ProgrammingPeople have been thinking about different research paper topics on computer programming for some time now. Some will say that they are going to get a whole year out of it and the rest will be history. Others will say that it is just a nice change from whatever they normally do.For those who don't know what a research paper topic is, it is simply a way to put an idea into words. The idea can be anything from a speech or presentation. Then it can be a historical event, something that you have seen that happened that was related to your topic. The reason why people would want to do this is because it can not only help them write their paper, but can help them get it published.When people do this, they may want to think about the things that they have learned from computer programs. Most of the programs that you use everyday can be changed to make them better. Changing the program is what makes them better than others that are out there today. There are programs that are so well made, that they have been around for over 30 years. That makes them very special, even if they have nothing to do with the research paper topics on computer programming. You just have to look at them and marvel at what technology has done for people.The best part about this is that you could possibly use these programs for your computer and show them to your audience or any other one in your class that would want to learn more about them. It is possible that the programs can help with your paper that you are working on. If you use them correctly, they will help you take a step towards getting better in the subject that you are writing about.One of the best parts about this topic is that it is something that people want to know about. This means that you have a huge opportunity to make something of yourself and how you are able to talk about these types of programs. When you are making it easier for others to understand, you could very well make it big in this field.When people get involved in something that is real, that is when they can see the different side of what they are doing. You could be helping to build up the next great scientist. Not only that, but you could be helping to build up a library of information as well.In conclusion, using research paper topics on computer programming to help you get a better understanding of the subject that you are writing about can really benefit you. When people understand the basics, they are more willing to take the time to learn more about the program and then the facts behind it. This is great for people to learn about and eventually to be able to teach others about.

How to Start an Introduction For Research Paper

How to Start an Introduction For Research PaperYou've written an introduction to a research paper that has many sub-topics. Now what? In this article I will provide you with a few pointers on how to get the most out of your introduction. Some will be the more traditional and some will be the more modern.Focus on the most important sub-topic. Once you have addressed a large portion of the paper's sub-topics you should move on to the next important one. Make sure you address the next one in order to get a sense of pacing. Or, put another way, if you were to begin on the first sub-topic, move on to the second, then tackle the third and last, you would find that your introduction is much too heavy on one topic. Additionally, too much work in an introduction may prevent readers from taking the time to engage in the information presented in that section. If you are going to give examples in your introduction you need to make sure you give them in the right context.Avoid issues that make yo ur readers feel frustrated about the topics you chose. These areas would include using outdated terminology, addressing topics that have been discussed in other research papers already, using so many different terms that readers feel overwhelmed, and also oversimplifying an issue. If you are not sure whether or not these techniques are appropriate for your paper then don't do them. Instead, focus on getting your topics organized and presenting them in the most accurate way possible.Look at all of your options. If your research paper has several key components then your introduction should address each one separately. To illustrate this point, if you had a chapter on price comparisons in this paper you would look at the chapter one by one. Each chapter could then be its own mini-paper, and they would each be addressed individually. It is not necessary to address each chapter all at once.When considering all of your key sections, remember that it can be beneficial to write some sectio n addressing them together. This can be accomplished through discussion questions. The examples you use for each chapter could be used to form an introduction that brings together the different topics into one area.Also, if you have chapters that contain many links to other sections, and then you also need to address your bibliography. Your bibliography is an important part of your paper because it provides a space for writers to provide supporting evidence. Keep in mind that your bibliography is a very important section in your paper and it needs to be carefully edited. Don't make the mistake of filling the bibliography out without checking to see if it is accurate. Also, consider excluding articles and citations that contain the keywords 'research'research paper.'Finally, before you present the conclusion of your paper, always include a glossary of terms. These terms should match the terms used in the rest of the paper. However, always remember that not all terms are created equal . Therefore, when writing the glossary you should add the full definition of each term.These tips are only a few tips for how to start an introduction for a research paper. There are plenty more ideas and guidelines that will help you succeed and provide readers with a rich and effective experience.

Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Argumentative Essay Topic IdeasFor anyone who has just decided to write an argumentative essay, one of the first things you should do is familiarize yourself with your topic. If you know what you're writing about, it will be easier to write your argument. But, that doesn't mean you have to be familiar with everything about the subject - there are plenty of good arguments out there that have not been written about.In fact, it can take a long time to write a big essay. Many people turn to research and primary sources when they first begin writing an argumentative essay. Even if you use primary sources, you still need to research to ensure you have the facts correct.The first thing you need to do when writing an argumentative essay is decide what question topics you want to cover. Some topics are better suited for argumentative essays than others. For example, an argumentative essay on marriage equality is likely to be very different from an argumentative essay on gay parenting.You need to decide how to organize your essay so that it is easier to organize your argument. One option is to have each paragraph begin with a specific point or idea. Some people prefer to break their arguments into logical groups.A good strategy for grouping your points is to use a two-part structure: first use a strong point to begin a paragraph, followed by a weak point to begin a paragraph. This structure helps separate your paragraphs.As you write your essay, make sure you write it from your perspective. Do not let outside sources influence your arguments. Remember, your writing is meant to support your argument, not to act as evidence for it.Make sure you read other arguments before you begin writing your scholarship essays. Reading can help you formulate the kind of essay you would like to write. It can also help you see the arguments that have already been made in your topic.Writing an argumentative essay is a great way to express your views and opinions. Before you go writing, tho ugh, make sure you are familiar with your topic, so that you will be able to present your opinion in the best possible way.

Campaign Research Paper Topics - What Should You Do?

Campaign Research Paper Topics - What Should You Do?In order to succeed with your social media political campaign, you must be able to figure out how to make the best use of your time on what you do not need. To do this, you have to make sure that you understand the rules of a good political campaign and the things that are expected from it. In addition, you have to make sure that you know when it is acceptable to make changes to your strategy.When you are using social media for political campaign research, you must consider some important factors in the process. After all, this is one of the most powerful tools that you can use for your campaign.First, when you are doing your political campaign research, you must decide what social media method you are going to use. You must also determine if you want to perform a traditional poll or a survey, which will be more effective for your campaign. You also have to choose a poll that will allow you to gauge the opinions of people who would like to see the next president's record. This will help you make some critical decisions, such as how you will measure whether or not you have been successful in reaching out to these people.While you are doing your political campaign research, you also have to make sure that you are doing it in the right way. For example, you must learn about your audience, and you must determine how they respond to different types of messages. You also have to learn about the different kinds of information that they want.In addition, you also have to make sure that you are taking advantage of all the free social media platforms that are available. Remember that people are making money through social media, so you should be careful about how you use it.Also, when you are doing your campaign research, you should know how to give responses to the questions that are included in the survey. If you do not know how to answer these questions, you will find that you are missing out on important information that is important to your campaign. Also, you will find that you are spending too much time answering the same questions over again.In short, if you are using social media for political campaign research, you should make sure that you take the time to gather all the information you need. This will help you come up with the best results possible. Also, you should think about which questions to include in your survey and which ones you should leave out.