The Right Way to Connect with a Stranger on LinkedIn - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Right Way to Connect with a Stranger on LinkedIn - Introvert Whisperer The Right Way to Connect with a Stranger on LinkedIn Career Attraction August 18, 2014 Career Development, Communication, Networking No responses Go to top Last week, I received an informational interview request from a stranger as a direct message on LinkedIn. Despite my very busy schedule, I decided to take his call. Over the weekend, I asked myself, “Why did I agree?” Let’s take his email apart and identify its four essential elements so you can use them in your own LinkedIn networking communications. Networking with strangers on LinkedIn can give you great results if you’re deliberate in the process. First, here’s the email I got over LinkedIn from J.: Hi Joshua, I noticed we are both connected to M. F. â€" how do you know M.? I first met her at J.P., and she actually photographed my wedding. Small world. I wanted to touch base with you because I saw an open position at J.R. I thought would be a great fit for me. I’m located in Portland now, and do social media strategy for a digital marketing agency here in town. It’s a fun role, but you know how agencies are â€" fingers in a lot of different businesses, but no ability to truly own a marketing program. It looks like I would be able to do that with the Marketing Communications Manager role that is posted. Would you mind if I called you some time this week to hear about your experience at J.R. and your perspective on the marketing organization there? I’d really appreciate it. J. Now, let’s look at the takeaways: 1. Lead with Something in Common J. begins his email by pointing out our mutual friend M.F., and although I know M.F. from my sister’s college days, what really got my attention was that M.F. was the photographer at his wedding. With LinkedIn, there is a danger your first-degree connection isn’t really a close friend. I went through an Open Networking phase, and about 100 people in my LinkedIn network are complete strangers to me. Don’t assume just because they’re connected that they know each other. J. took a calculated risk. However, he mitigated that risk by further sharing a personal tidbit: he’s married, and our mutual connection photographed his wedding. As another recently married guy, I can very much relate to his situation (i.e., he has my sympathy). 2. Get to the Point â€" Fast J. wastes no time on BS or apologies. He’s writing to me because he saw an open position at a company with which I have a relationship, and he thinks he’d be a fit. Notice he says, “I saw an open position.” He doesn’t assume I know anything about this position. In fact, it was news to me. So I can infer he’s not assuming I’m any kind of decision-maker. I know this is going to be a purely informational interview. Furthermore, he concludes the email by reaffirming that he’s just looking to hear about my experience with J.R., the company, and my perspective on its marketing organization. My guard goes down, because I know he’s not going to put me on the spot or ask me for more than just my opinion. 3. What Makes You Qualified? Without bragging, J. makes it clear that he’s a serious candidate, not one of those job fisherman. He tells me he already works at an agency and that even though he enjoys his current agency, he’s looking for more. He wants to “truly own a marketing program.” It might occur to me, after all, that if he already has a job, why is he looking to make a change? That concern is assuaged. 4. What Do You Want from Me? J. concludes his email with, “Would you mind if I called you sometime this week,” meaning I won’t have to do anything except wait for a phone call and talk to him. Sounds easy. I would have even mentioned the exact amount of time such a conversation would have taken: “Would you mind if I called you this week for just 10 or 15 minutes?” Other Observations You may have also noticed… The email was very short. It took me less than 30 seconds to read. J. named the position he was after, did his research, and I know he won’t waste my time. He is sensitive to and grateful for my time. (“I would really appreciate it…”) The next time you’re reaching out to someone new over LinkedIn, consider bringing in one or more of these elements to your message. I’m sure it will make a big difference in your response rate. Any successful messages you’ve sent on LinkedIn? Please share them in the comments so we can learn from each other! This article originally appeared on Ragan.com and Career Enlightenment and was republished with permission by Career Attraction. Image: Photobucket Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How Much are Tutors Paid to Teach Chinese

How Much are Tutors Paid to Teach Chinese What Should Your Tutor Rates Be When Teaching Chinese? ChaptersRates for Superprof Chinese LessonsDifferent Rates in the Different Cities of NYCChinese Courses: Where to Place Yourself in Terms of RateFix A Rate According to Experience and DiplomasWhat Are the Rates for Chinese Classes?Is teaching your passion?Do you know the language of Confucius by heart?You have the opportunity to teach Chinese to many American students.Teaching language courses can be an excellent supplement to your income. This is true especially when we have a look at the shortage of Chinese lessons in American schools.More and more, students are want academic support to learn the notions of the Sinophone language.If you are to find some students, you have to think about the price of your Chinese lessons and carefully take into account all of the criteria.Here is an article written by Superprof to help you figure out just that!What Are the Rates for Chinese Classes?We have not yet talked about  Chinese language schools.Contrary to popular belief, classes can be les s expensive in these private schools, because hourly rates no longer apply but the rate is paid over the length of a full year.If you choose to pay this way, you will be less stressed and your bill will be less expensive.  As for the vast majority of products, the greater the volume, the more the rates will decrease.With a Chinese community larger than it has ever been, Chinese has spread to many schools in the United States.Faced with growing demand, schools are constantly looking for new Mandarin teachers.Cheaper rates,  private tutors, graduates whose mother tongue is Chinese...Why don't all students learn Chinese in a private language institute?For the simple reason that these schools provide excellent Chinese, yes, but in small groups. Count from 4 to 8 students, sometimes even 12.Getting a private tutor is a way to ensure you progress more quickly and efficiently.What students are looking for outside their school curriculum is first and foremost courses that are tailored to th eir level and expectations.And, finally, discover more handy tips for teaching Chinese...

Reasons Not to Apply Early Decision

Reasons Not to Apply Early Decision The following piece was written by Rachel Korn. Rachel has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is a former University of Pennsylvaniaadmissions officer, as well as the founder of her own admissions consulting firm. Most high school students apply to college in Regular Decision (RD) admissions rounds, with deadlines in the winter of their senior years, flexibility to apply to multiple schools, and the ability to attend the college they most prefer among those to which they are admitted; however, there is another popular option: Early Decision (ED). ED is an admissions plan for students who have a far and away #1 choice school and want to apply there in an earlier deadline in the fall and commit to attend if admitted. ED often sounds like a great solution to the pressure of college admissions you apply sooner, hear an answer sooner, and if admitted, you need not to follow through with any other applications, able to spend your entire spring semester relaxed, knowing you are in. However, there are several reasons why ED may be a poor choice for you. If you are torn between applying Early Decision or Regular Decision, consider the following academic, financial, and personal reasons why sometimes, you should wait for Regular Decision: Academic reasons Your best chance for admission is when you present your strongest application, and your senior year grades can be especially important credentials. With ED, admissions officers may see your quarter or mid-semester grades, but they will not be able to see your final first semester grades. If you have not had a perfect academic record thus far but are moving on an upward trend, taking more honors and AP courses (especially for a first time) that you can tackle successfully and thinking that you can raise your GPA, you may want to wait for RD to allow those grades to be a part of your application. A strong senior year can, in fact, be critical to some students who are on the edge of admission. If your senior grades can help you, wait. Standardized testing will also need to be completed fully and to your satisfaction sooner with ED. If you are not happy enough with your results and want to take a test one more time or if you need to complete any further testing still, RD is the plan for you. Financial reasons Early Decision is a binding agreement, and if you need financial aid, you may not want to get trapped in a commitment with only one possible offer of financial aid from one college. Colleges award aid for ED and that may be enough for you but you and your parents should do your homework before applying about schools aid policies to determine if you can take the risk to get enough help from your top-choice school. Potentially, if you apply to several schools, you could be awarded slightly different aid packages or even be awarded scholarships. While colleges offering ED plans should be giving you the identical aid package you would receive from them in RD, you would lose your ability to shop around for other financial aid packages. If you prefer to apply ED to a beloved school, just make sure you try to get a sense of the potential aid package you will receive so you will not have any surprises. Note: If you really cannot afford to attend the ED school with the package it offers, you can be released from the commitment a tiny handful of students are released every year. However, this is not something you should count on, and truly, if a certain amount of guaranteed financial aid is critical to you and you may not be able to get it from that beloved college, ED is unwise. Personal reasons ED can sound tempting. You may feel peer pressure about applying early if many of your friends will be applying in the fall. You may hear that there are strategies in applying early to increase your chances of admission. Indeed, sometimes your chances of admission in ED are higher than in RD, but you need to be sure that you have really identified the one school for you and that you are not just rushing to apply early to increase your chances, especially if you are thinking about applying to a reach school simply with a name you like. If you have not identified a school you truly love above all others and if you have not visited a few college campuses (including your ED choice) by the summer before your senior year to understand what feels right to you, you should hold on until RD. Allow yourself time to explore to make sure you are choosing the right fit for yourself. Admission to the wrong school is a lose-lose both for you and for a college if you end up wanting to transfer out la ter. So, why ED? Early Decision is an ideal option if you dream of one specific college, will be your academic best and have completed all your testing by the fall, and are comfortable with your potential financial aid options. If you find that you do not match these conditions, hold on and apply in Regular Decision when you can be comfortable, confident, and in control. Visit RachelsAdmissions Consultingsite. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Choose a Foreign Language to Study

How to Choose a Foreign Language to Study Most high schools require students to take a foreign language course for at least a year or two. But many of those high school students will choose to continue their studies of that foreign language from the beginning of their freshman year to the end of their senior year and perhaps into college! Aside from fulfilling academic requirements, studying a foreign language has many advantages. From helping improve your decision-making skills to increasing your chances of getting into the college of your choice to boosting your understanding of the world around you, learning a foreign language can enhance your life academically, professionally, and personally. Your high school may offer just a few or up to a dozen foreign languages for you to study. So when it comes to deciding which foreign language to study, how do you make a choice? The short answer is: It depends on your interests, your goals, and your future career path. Asking yourself the following questions and practicing some self-reflection can help make the decision-making process a little easier: 1. Which language do I find the most interesting? The first thing to think about is simply which language is most appealing to you. Learning a foreign language requires a lot of effort, and youre more likely to be academically successful if you actually enjoy studying it. Before making your choice, go online and do a bit of research about each of the languages you think youd like to study. Language is about more than just the way the words sound; its about culture, too. So before you choose a romance language like Italian or Spanish just because you think it sounds pretty when spoken, consider the various cultures associated with the languages youre choosing from and see if those equally interest you. Learning a foreign language associated with a culture youre intrigued by can teach you more about it in an in-depth way. Hopefully, that will even lead to future travels to the country where that language is spoken so you can really immerse yourself in it and learn even more! 2. Which language might I use the most? When choosing which foreign language to study, its also worth considering the amount of use you could actually get out of it. For instance, if you live in a very diverse area where a particular foreign language is regularly spoken, you may want to consider studying that language so you can converse with more of the people around you. Dont forget to think beyond your hometown. Do you travel, or wish to travel, frequently? Do you plan on studying abroad for a summer to complete a pre-college program, or do you hope to study abroad in college? If so, you may want to consider studying a language you will be able to use during your time overseas. 3. Which language could be best for my future studies and/or career? While college may feel a long way off, especially if youre a high school freshman, its important to give some thought to what foreign language could most benefit your future studies and eventually, your career. Having a foreign language on your transcript can look great to colleges, but choosing a language that specifically corresponds to your chosen field of study can look even better, and in some cases can help you bypass early language prerequisite requirements. Similarly, knowing a foreign language can be very beneficial in certain careers perhaps those in the business, medical, academic, and political fields. For example, you may choose to study Latin if you plan on pursuing a humanities- or arts-based college major or career. Conversely, you may want to study Spanish if you want to pursue a political or business major/career in which its advantageous to know how to converse with people internationally. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Picking a College Major] Even if youre not sure of what kind of major or career path youd like to pursue, think about the things youre good at and enjoy. Which academic subjects are you most successful in? Which academic subjects do you appreciate most? What kinds of skills do you have? These questions can help guide you in the direction of what you might want to study in college and then later get involved in as a career, helping you decide on a language to study in high school and beyond. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

What is it Like to Attend Texas Christian University

What is it Like to Attend Texas Christian University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Zachary is a 2013 graduate of Texas Christian University and holds a Bachelors degree in Film Studies and German Language. He is an Austin tutor specializing in Literature tutoring, Writing tutoringand all levels of German tutoring. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Zachary: The campus itself is extremely beautiful and easily walkable. Its fairly insulated from the rest of the city, although it is near one street thats been known to be questionable at night. Even so, the campus itself is very safe; it has plenty of security, with outdoor stations to call for help well dispersed throughout. There are buses, which are relatively reliable, and the campus itself is easily walkable. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Zachary: This was probably my schools best point; there were always multiple professors, advisors, and tutors immediately available for any student for a whole host of subjects. In my experience, I found all of them to be extremely friendly, welcoming, and easy to talk to. I was able to foster friendships with many of my professors, and was comfortable enough to stop by their offices just to say hello. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Zachary: The dorms are very nice and are constantly being renovated. The student union, where students may dine with their meal plans, is generally passable, but not particularly exciting most of the time. TCU does go out of its way to provide opportunities to socialize with other students and there are tons of clubs and events to get involved with. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Zachary: The Business School is one of the most supported areas of study, but many of the others were also very well represented. My particular fields of study (German and Film) were really well supported and provided a lot of opportunities for outside work and internships, as well as fantastic professors. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Zachary: I found it very easy to make friends as a freshman; the university provides nearly constant opportunities for socializing with other students and fostering new connections and friendships. Greek life is a pretty major part of the campus culture, but one can pretty easily find good groups of friends outside of that particular setting. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Zachary: I didnt personally make much use of the Career Center, but from my experiences with it, I found them to provide a lot of good advice as well as a wide array of services including resum and cover letter review, mock interviews, and internship connections. Im not personally very familiar with the companies that recruit on campus. I do know that a couple of very good production houses worked closely with the Film department, and many students would move on to work with them upon graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Zachary: Most of the dorms have some kind of study area inside. In my experience, they were usually easily available and very well put together, spacious, and especially good for group study. The library has a lot of study space as well, but does get extremely crowded during midterms and finals. Luckily, there are many other available locations for studying in almost all of the buildings that see very little use, and therefore are pretty much always available. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Zachary: At first, Fort Worth seems like a fairly uninteresting city, but the more time I spent in it, the more and more fun things I found to do. By the end of my study, I was pretty sad to leave. Theres a fantastic zoo right by campus, as well as the Stockyards and Billy Bobs, a popular spot to two-step. Magnolia Street is filled with great restaurants and shops, and hosts awesome festivals. There are also food truck parks, the botanical gardens, and a few fantastic museums (especially the Museum of Modern Art). Students usually go out into the town several nights a week. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Zachary: I would say the student body is medium-sized. There were very few classes with more than 20 or so students, and those were generally the required freshman courses. Otherwise, many of my classes were anywhere from 8 to 15 students, which worked out fantastically in terms of engaging with the professor. Most professors used the small class sizes as an opportunity to make the classes more collaborative, which generally worked very well. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Zachary: One of the best experiences I had was when I approached the department about putting together my own academic research project for class credit. Not only did I already feel comfortable enough with the department to be able to ask in the first place, but I ended up working closely with the Dean of the College of Communications. He really took me under his wing in terms of teaching me basic approaches and methods of academic research and writing, and we developed a friendship through working together. To me, this experience epitomizes the best of what TCU has to offer: extremely intelligent, skilled professors who are also extremely accessible, helpful, and welcoming. The opportunities for developing yourself not just intellectually, but as a human being with the help of the incredible faculty are immense. Check out Zacharys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Enduring Appeal of French Cinema

The Enduring Appeal of French Cinema Discover the Mystique of French Cinema ChaptersThe Ten Most Famous French ActorsThe Ten Best French FilmsThe History of French CinemaAre the French Obsessed with Film?Who doesn't like watching a good film: curled up on the sofa on a rainy afternoon, or perhaps one might still recall what an occasion going to a theater was, in the days gone by?Even today, with the smell of popcorn wafting through the lobby and enticing posters hung about, the lure of escape into another world or time, if only for a while, is a pastime most of us regularly indulge in.But do we give any thought to how that form of entertainment came about? The long history of cinema and the arduous journey it has endured, to provide us with the glamour, the pathos, the thrills and the laughs that play out on the silver screen?And why is French cinema particularly alluring?Here we talk about French masterpieces and the stars that bring them to life, the visionaries that convey their imaginary worlds into something meant for the world to see, and the spectator s who relish the performances.Alain Delon was a considered France's greatest sex symbol at the height of his fame! Source: Wikipedia Credit: Stefan Kragujeviccelebrities.Also, a fake Twitter account was established in his name, which his publicist was quick to refute: the real David Tennant â€" ironically enough, what the account called itself, abhors the platform and would never establish an account!Such outrageous actions against popular personalities is a sign of the times: we so crave the latest heartbeat of the people we idolise that we will go to any lengths for a piece of him/her.Obviously, such manic behaviour is everywhere; perhaps not exhibited by the fans themselves, but certainly by David press photographers who feed the fans what they crave.We only need to think of Lady Diana's tragic, untimely demise on the streets of Paris to realise that such predatory behaviour exists, even in the ultra-civilised City of Light!Thus we conclude that it must be a person of amazing for titude to undertake a career in the public eye.Furthermore, said persons must be extraordinarily talented, and must possess a mystic appeal in order to garner legions of loyal fans.France has plenty such luminaries. Find out about the most famous French actors.The Leading Men of FranceGerard Depardieu has certainly proved his acting chops over the 54 years he's been in the business!He started his career at the tag end of the French New Wave, gaining international stardom for his role in Jean de Florette, and rode that fame through the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac.He also had the great fortune of working with the illustrious François Truffaut, early in his career, playing opposite of Catherine Deneuve in The Last Metro.Daniel Auteuil played alongside M. Depardieu in Jean de Florette, as well as starring in its sequel, Manon des Sources, roles which made him one of the most highly acclaimed, and highly paid actors in France.His acting style is so fluid, he is equally comfortable doing comedy and thrillers.He was once linked to Manon co-star Emmanuelle Béart; with whom he has a daughter. His other daughter, Aurore, is an actress in her own right.Alain Delon was considered a sex symbol in his early career; he too being of the New Wave.He shot to fame in France, starring in the comedy Women are Weak, otherwise known as Three Murderesses. His acclaim dawned on the international stage when he portrayed Tom Ripley in Purple Noon.In the spirit of striking while the iron is hot, he dropped in on Hollywood to make a few films of only moderate success. His return to France saw him showered with accolades, and he grew more popular than ever.Albert Remy's short-lived career is nevertheless remarkable for the number of films he features in, as well as playing in some of France's best known stories: 400 Blows, and Is Paris Burning?, to name just two.In the twenty three years he spent in front of the camera, he appeared in 98 works, some of them destined for television.Y ves Montand has the distinction of having been discovered and mentored as a performer by Edith Piaf. She incorporated him into her act after having seen him sing in a music hall.Indeed, M. Montand is billed both as a singer and actor, and he is most renown for films that required his vocal talents.Late in his career, he was tapped to lead Jean de Florettes and its sequel as the scheming uncle. He also made a number of American films, most notably Let's Make Love, alongside Marylin Monroe.Although he had many well-publicised actual love affairs, most notably an alliance with Ms. Monroe, he stayed married to Simone Signoret, the German-born French actress who was the first to win an American academy award, until her death.The Ladies of French FilmBrigitte Bardot is sadly more famous for her pouty lips and long blond tresses than she is for any of her acting.She worked under the direction of some of the best names in French cinema, such as Roger Vadim and Jean-Luc Godard.She retired fr om filmmaking at the height of her career, after only 21 years in front of the camera. Since then, she has devoted her life to activism, having been charged several times with inciting racial hatred.Oddly enough, she bills herself as an animal rights activist, but her hate theme is directed at humans that don't necessarily mistreat animals!Compared to B.B. - as Miss Bardot is also known, Audrey Tautou has a squeaky clean image.Audrey gave her breakout performance in the delightful romantic comedy Amelie, and since then has sampled nearly every genre, from intrigue (The Da Vinci Code) to drama (A Very Long Engagement).Although Ms. Tautou has made English language films, she insists that she is fundamentally a French actress and, as opposed to many others who seek greater international distribution of their work through American channels, she intends to remain firmly rooted in France.Lucky France!Parisian actress Isabelle Huppert is the most nominated actress for the Cesar award; Fran ce's equivalent to America's academy awards.She is also the most nominated actress for the Molière award, which celebrates excellence on stage.Indeed, she has been most prolific, turning out more than 110 films during her nearly 50 year career, and taking her place in the theatre for no fewer than 25 plays.British film critic David Thomson avers she must be one of the world's most accomplished actresses.He then goes on to rate her performances as rather limp next to those of Isabelle Adjani.Marion Cotillard is the latest French actress to earn an American academy award, for her portrayal of France's most famous songbird in La Vie en Rose.Named the most bankable French actress of the 21st Century, she has no issue with crossing the ocean and reporting on the Hollywood sound stage for any role she might find particularly suited to her.Her latest effort, Allied, allegedly played a role in Brad Pitt's recent divorce!That movie was not her first war film; she also played alongside Mlle. Tautou in A Very Long Engagement.No list of great French actresses would be complete without the scintillating Danielle Darrieux.In a career that spanned over 80 years, Danielle Darrieux has covered every genre and every medium: stage, television and film.As though that weren't enough, she also sang and danced. In fact, that is how she got her big break: her first film was Meyerling, shot in 1936.Known as one of the greatest French actresses of all time, her dedication and commitment to her craft had her accepting roles at the ripe young age of 93.With that kind of work ethic, it is no wonder directors were eager to hire her for their next picture!The Ten Best French FilmsMore than anything, French movies reflect French culture, in all of its greatness and with all of its pitfalls.Whereas Hollywood blockbusters tend to follow a certain formula according to genre, French cinema tells a story and lets the audience work things out for themselves.Even within the same broad category, th ose stories do not follow predictable lines!Take for example two of Audrey Tautou's romantic works: Amelie and A Very Long Engagement.The first is humorous and whimsical; the second poignant and pointed â€" who would expect profound social commentary to underpin a story of undying love?Those realisations beg the question: should we gauge French films for their technical aspects, their performances, their emotional or social impact? All of the above?None of the above???Bearing in mind that no two people like the exact same thing for the exact same reasons, we propose this list of must-see French movies.NOTE: these are in addition to the ones already mentioned in this text!The Umbrellas of Cherbourg a romantic musical directed by Jacques DemyIntouchables: a dramedy of friendship and disabilityThe Rules of the Game: Jean Renoir's satirical commentary of social class in FranceBreathless: a gangster wannabe ponders the value of lifeHiroshima mon Amour: a dialogue between a French woman a nd a Japanese manBlue is the Warmest Color: a coming of age drama, with a twistLa Haine: three youths struggle to find their place in lifeThe Chorus: the choir director reaches out to troubled young boysJules et Jim: a romance drama describing the choices a love triangle facesThe Double Life of Veronique explores the identity and complexity of a woman's lifePlease bear in mind that it was exceedingly difficult to select only ten films out of the vast landscape of French cinema offerings, past and present.Do you have any favourites you might add to this list?By the time Buster Keaton made it big, French and American studios were in a tight race Source: Pixabay Credit: PerlinatorThe History of French CinemaIt is quite unfortunate that the French film industry faces a conundrum of epic proportions.As the French export only a fraction of their films each year, how can they hope to compete with Hollywood or Hong Kong fare, both of which have much higher international profiles and a great er number of loyal followers?Obviously, if they released more titles to the international market, they would have more of an audience share, wouldn't they?You will be so surprised to learn the reasons why this is not happening...Let's take a look at the history of French cinema.For one, it is a little known fact that, in order to repay France's debt to the American liberators after WWII, they were obliged to screen more American movies than French ones.Movie goers were all for that, and for about a decade, enjoyed stories that were not quintessentially French.Somewhere in the mid-fifties, artists and visionaries grew frustrated at the idea that audiences were ingesting so much pablum â€" nothing with substance, and certainly nothing to do with French people or French culture.The greatest visionaries in modern cinema gathered around an ethos â€" a philosophy that embraced the idea of a film being the direct product of one person's vision: the director.They also rejected what had till then been considered standard fare in France film making: literary and period pieces that represented a long-gone France.Robert Bresson was one of the directors that championed the biggest evolution in French cinema: La Nouvelle Vague â€" the New Wave.French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, perhaps one of the best known directors of that movement, proclaimed that M. Bresson WAS the movement.Robert Bresson is French cinema as Dostoyevski is the Russian novel and Mozart is German music â€" Jean-Luc Godard.From that time on, French films concerned themselves more with realism and telling quality stories rather than the quality of filming, meaning the technical aspects of movie making.Even today, the 200+ films turned out yearly by France's cinematic greats embrace, at least to some extent, the auteur theory of storytelling.What happened before the mid- 1950s?The Dark EraObviously, one needs light to create or view film, otherwise even the greatest story captured on celluloid (or digital, th ese days) would be just so much crinkly plastic (or bits and bytes).Thus you can safely assume that this period of the film industry â€" and all of Europe refers to World War II.With everything rationed including electricity, few studios had the wherewithal to produce films at that time.Nevertheless, oppressors and civilians alike demanded entertainment, so a few screen gems were turned out.Not surprisingly, quite a few of them were comedies, such as Paris - New York and Tobias is an Angel.In the year after cessation of hostilities, what has been called the most influential film of all time was realised in spite of the rationing and harsh conditions.Have you ever seen Beauty and the Beast?Jean Cocteau's original masterpiece starred  Jean Marais as the Beast and Josette Day as Beauty.Since then, the story has been retold no fewer than 13 times: as live action, animation, television series, spoofs and satire.Not too bad a run for a narrative written more than 300 years ago, is it?It w as French film maker Alice Guy who invented the concept of film narrative while working in the studio of Leon Gaumont.Mr. Gaumont, at the time a partner of Gustav Eiffel, took over the running of what was at the time a photography supply business, and jumped directly onto the movie making bandwagon.Together, M. Gaumont, with Alice Guy as the world's first female director, went on to become one of the major players in the French film industry.Not only was Mlle Guy a pioneer of the film world, but she was also the first to experiment with interracial themes, sound effects, and film colouring.Before leaving for America and eventually setting up Solax studios in New Jersey â€" the original film capital of America, she was one of the fortunate few who attended the Lumiere brothers' event, in 1895.March 22nd of that year saw the first demonstration of film projection, making France the ultimate pioneer in the industry of motion pictures.Although Louis Lumiere intended for colour photograp hy film to be the highlight of the show, he was a bit put off by his audience's rapt attention to the black and white moving picture.The first film officially screened to a paid audience of 200 people included their very first film effort titled Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory, a 46 second clip that showed nothing more than workers leaving their factory.Exciting, no?Indeed it was! Not only was this cinematic first step a marvel of technology in itself, but it also declared the clear winner in the race to making the first motion picture.As tremulous as the French were that the honour would go to the Yanks, the Lumiere brothers managed the feat several months ahead of Thomas Edison, to be forever immortalised as the Fathers of Cinema.That still doesn't explain why there aren't more French movies with English subtitles floating out there, but it certainly explains the French people's savage pride in their film industry, doesn't it?The reason why we don't see more French films relea sed to the international market is because digital distribution is wreaking havoc on foreign films in theaters and on the telly.Because we can stream pretty much anything these days, with or without a membership to any site, what is the point of going to see an art house film and paying the high price for that admittedly highly cultural fare?It seems the French are quite happy reserving their best cinematic screening for their population, at their own box office.Does that make them unusually proud of their French language films?Do the French really crowd into the cinema for the latest Jean Dujardin film? Source: Pixabay Credit: Free-FotosAre the French Obsessed with Film?The annual French film festival at Cannes invites a multinational jury to appraise submissions and award prizes, including â€" especially!, its famed Palme D'or.Every year, a variety of films showcasing the best from assorted nations make the cut, winning best actress, best actor; best screenplay and film of the yea r â€" that coveted golden palm.For a film industry event this celebrated, happening on French soil, you might be tempted to think that French directors and actors might saturate the event, and that French stories would trump other countries' contributions.Nothing could be further from the truth.In fact, relatively few submissions and even fewer wins are attributed to the French film industry.To be sure, French actors go there; the event is held on the French Riviera, after all, and the glamour and publicity cannot be denied.But is the event shrouded in hubris? Do the French host that international film festival because their particular brand of storytelling deserves the most merit?Not at all, to listen to the French tell it.The Cannes film festival got its start in 1946, when spirits were low and the industry was flagging; and it was meant to celebrate film as an art form.It was also meant to compete with the Venice film festival, but did that so well that the Cannes ado had to be m oved to the spring, because the Venice affair took place in the fall and prospective attendees could not be in two places at one time.So, if the French view films of all sorts, from documentary to thriller so diplomatically, why is it that they give the impression of being mad for movies?The French view motion pictures as the seventh art, on par with dance, music, sculpture, painting, architecture and poetry.As these media are fundamental expressions of a culture, by extension, the French people hold that cinema is yet another representation of French culture and history.Just as Great Britain promulgated the English language throughout the world, a feat we have the right to stake pride in, the French have every right to claim movie making as a part of their national heritage.Thus we can see that it is not the films themselves that the French are so vainglorious of but the fact that they established a further artistic medium through which to tell stories, and have freely given it to the world!If you're looking to improve your French, why not consider a tutor. Searching for French classes London  produces the most results on Superprof.

Get Help With Homework From The Tutors At Huntington Learning Center

Get Help With Homework From The Tutors At Huntington Learning Center Why Students Need Homework Help Early in the School Year This school year is off to a roaring start and you may have already discovered you are in need of homework help. The amount of help necessary likely depends on your class load, coursework, and learning in previous courses. Do your upcoming projects and exams seem overwhelming? Are you unsure about the best ways to study for this year's courses? Don't let these valuable early days of the school year slip by without asking for the support you need now. Seeking out necessary homework help early in the school year will: Boost your confidence in your academic ability and help you tackle challenging coursework. Help you master the fundamentals of this year'scoursework. Keep you from slipping behind as the term progresses. Reinforce important study habits that help you succeed in school. Developing strong study habits is important to completing homework and maximizing your learning. If your study habits are in need of refinement consider these effective tips for completing homework and boosting study skills. Don't be surprisedTakethe time early in the school year to make a master list of all course requirements. Seeing all of these requirements together in one placeallows you the time to plan ahead. You may have a very slow week with veryfew assignments, projects, or exams but the next week may be packed.Writing out a master list or devising a master calendar will prevent homework and course requirements from sneaking up on you. Stick to a scheduleAstudy schedule is an excellent tool to keep you on track and ensure you have plenty of time to complete your homework and course requirements. Evaluate your home, school, and extra-curricular commitments and find time to devote to studying. Reserve these times in your weekly schedule and ifan unforeseen conflict pops up reschedule the study session. Make a weekly to-do listBefore each week begins make a list of the week's work. Plan out when you are going to study, complete projects, and finish homework. Keep the to-do list handy so you can check things off as they are completed. Sticking to this weekly to-do list keeps you on track andhelps ensure all of your work is completed on time. Put your skills to workThink about everything you've already learned inprevious courses. You've likely mastered important skills and knowledgethat are essential to this year's learning. When you are facing thechallenge of new courses it is essential to put your previously mastered skills to good use. Note-taking, outlining, and reference skills are just a few of the important study skills that are effective across a variety ofsubject areas. If you find you need help with your study skills the staff at Huntington Learning Centers can help. We've devised a study skillstutoring curriculum that reinforces these essential study habits while meeting students' individual needs. Prepare a spaceWhere do you study best? At the kitchen table? In your room? At the library? Regardless of where you choose to study the space should be prepared to meet your homework needs. Is the lighting adequate? Do you have access to important materials? Are you able to focus without distraction? Take inventory of the space you are studying in and make the changes necessary to help you focus and complete your best work. If your homework is becoming overwhelming it may be time to seek out professional tutoring services to help you stay on track. The tutoring professionals with Huntington Learning Centers have the skills necessary to help you with this year's courses and homework. Your personalized tutoring plan will meet your individual needs by providing homework and study skills support. Asking for homework help is a great way to get a jump start on this school year. How is your school year going? Could you use help with your homework and study skills?

How to Make Reading Part of the Summer Routine

How to Make Reading Part of the Summer Routine Many children look forward to summer as a time to unwind, relax and enjoyand reading for fun can definitely enhance the summer. The school year is busy and most students read plenty, but not necessarily the books or materials of their choosing, says Eileen Huntington of the Huntington Learning Center. Summer reading can be so much fun because children can read whatever they choose, take their time and explore topics they find interesting. Its easier than you think to make reading a part of your summer routine, says Huntington. Here of a few tips: Do some research. Teachers and education professionals know well that youll have far better luck getting children to choose to read if they find books that interest them. So, do a little homework on books that might appeal to your child. What topic, sport or activity is your child into right now? If you need help, ask your librarian for recommendations. Websites like goodreads.com are also helpful for searching genres (even getting as specific as childrens classics, juvenile, young adult fiction, realistic young adult, teen and young adult contemporary, for example) and reading reviews. Make it family time. Set aside 20 or 30 minutes each evening for the entire family to get out their books and read together. Make reading time a treat by setting out a tray of summer snacks and a pitcher of ice cold lemonade. If you have a shady spot in the backyard, transform it into your summer reading spot with a few lounge chairs or hammocks. The more you can treat reading like a fun, want-to activity, the more your child will embrace it and look forward to it. Sign up for summer reading programs. Summer reading programs do a great job of rewarding readers for achieving milestones and building a sense of community among readers. Huntington Learning Centers Reading Adventure Program runs all summer long and has children choose books from a pre-selected book list with many high-interest, popular books. Students record their reading in a reading passport and get recognized for meeting their goals. Dont forget to check out summer reading programs at your local library and bookstores as well. Visit the library. Librarians are the biggest proponents of summer reading and youll find lots of ideas to get your child inspired at your local library. Look into summer book clubs, summer reading programs, reading activities for teens and family reading programs. At a minimum, stopping by the library regularly is a great way to keep reading top of mind and set and meet goals. For every book that your child completes, why not reward him or her with a stop at the ice cream shop on the way home? Summer is an ideal time to incorporate reading into the daily scheduleand the perfect opportunity to get children to enjoy this ageless pastime. The key to making reading a daily habit is to make it enjoyable, and there are so many ways to do that during summer, says Huntington. Make it fun. Let your child choose the books. Make reading a fun family tradition. When you do things like this, youll start to see your child choosing to read over other activities, and his or her reading skills will improve greatly as well. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2016 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.