Art
Typewriting
Who remembers taking a typing class in high school? At my school, believee it or not it was requirement to graduate. You had to take at least one year of typewriting, but I took both courses. As I said when writing my acrostic entitled 'Old Typewriter' I also remembered these two courses.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Gregg Shorthand
Gregg Shorthand is a skill that is obsolete in the business world now but is still used in legal offices and by some journalists with their own style of writing. Gregg shorthand is a phonetic way of writing words and phrases using various symbols like lines and curves and dots. There are other forms of this subject like Pitman, Teeline and Alphahand. To me Gregg shorthand is easier to read and write, and I am planning on sharing lessons here on Vocal.com. I have tried to find some pictures of Gregg shorthand on Pexels.com and a few other image places but no luck. In my lessons that I am planning to share I will be writing words, phrases and letters from the textbooks that I had in high school back in the 80's by Leslie and Zoubek.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Notebook
"The Notebook" is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The 2004 movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. In its current Broadway production, the book is by Bekah Brunstetter and the music and lyrics is by Ingrid Michaelson.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
The Fantasticks
The Bergen County Players version of the longest running musical is as simple as the one that I saw back in the late 80's at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in The West Village. With limited staging, Director Ray Yucis is able to move his talented cast about the stage with ease.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Letters From Rifka
'Letters From Rifka' is a youth novel written by Karen Hesse. This is the story of Rifka, a young girl who with her family is leaving Russia for America. Rifka is in for quite the journey with a few setbacks that she must endure and try to understand. It is a book that is written as a series of letters that she has written in a poetry book of Pushkin to a close friend and confidant.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Seven Year Disappear.
"The Seven Year Disappear" is a non linear, performance art play that deals with a mother, Miriam (Cynthia Nixon) and her son, business partner (Taylor Trensch). Nixon is a famous artist who has left her son Naphtali for seven years only to return leaving him confused. The illusion of Bi-Polar disorder surfaces as both mother and son struggle with mental disorders and substance abuse. Writer Jordan Seavey has created a body of work in which the audience decides what the play is really about... the journey here is the thing; and quite a journey it is!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Marley & Me
Who remembers the movie 'Marley & Me' that came out years ago but can be found on other outlets if looking for this movie. My grandniece bought me the novel and it had a special attachment called 'Marley & Me' Pictures to Chew On. This is strictly a picture book from scenes from the movie and they are the most poignant moments from the movie. The pictures are vivid and beautiful for I have looked at this little book many times over the years. I just looked at again and now I am re-reading the novel and will critique it as well.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
American Born Chinese
'American Born Chinese' is a graphic novel written by Gene Luch Yang. This is the story of how a boy named Jin Wang and how he learns when his cousin Chin-Kee comes to visit he has a lot to learn about himself and family. The pictures throughout the novel are quite vivid and interesting to view. As the back cover says we all just want 'To fit in." This is what the story is about.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
What is the Catholic School Girls' Cinematic Universe?
Cinematic universes make up one kind of shared universe, or fictional worlds that encompass two or more independently written stories. This means that multiple literary works with their own separate plot lines and cast of characters, while they don’t overlap, happen within the same fictionalized world.
By Jessica Galletta2 years ago in Critique
Never Piss Off An Author (You Will End Up in Our Next Work!)
A cliché statement, yes, but true, nonetheless. It comes with the territory of watching this world turn (and burn) before my very eyes as well as your own, I’m sure of it. In my own case, I have felt story upon story begging me to be written as more events unfold, not merely in current events globally, but in the behind the scenes of said events. Never mind how such events may impact my own life—bigger things are at play and must be called out!
By Jackie Barrows2 years ago in Critique
