Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Example of Law School Admission Essay †Application Essays

Example of Law School Admission Essay – Application Essays Free Online Research Papers Example of Law School Admission Essay Application Essays The determination and perseverance that I have developed throughout the past four years of college have significantly shaped the course of my life. Throughout high school I was never particularly motivated in school. I received average grades and struggled through the obstacles that I encountered in my classes, finishing high school still not remarkably motivated. I went on to the University of Arizona where I was completely undecided about what I wanted to study. I initially thought that psychology would be an exciting and interesting major, however this proved to be wrong after experiencing my first few classes. As I explored my options I determined that I had an enormous amount of interest in law. I subsequently pursued this direction by changing my focus to political science and declared it my major. For the first time in my academic life I felt focused and challenged by school. I actually enjoyed attending class. The subject matter and the related research filled a void that gave me a direction in life. I had never been so excited and driven to be successful in my life. My research about law school options pointed out that there would be many obstacles that I would need to overcome in order to be accepted. I realized that I would need excellent grades and that if I wanted to attend a leading law school that I should transfer to a school more compatible with my major. Thus, I strived to transfer to the University of Southern California where political science is a dominant and respected major. Throughout the next two years of college I worked extremely hard to try to achieve this goal. I took the maximum amount of units each semester, working diligently in order to be accepted to this prestigious school. I excelled in my tests and research papers, and was rewarded with excellent grades in my subsequent semesters. My determination to persevere and succeed onto USC gave me the motivation to raise my grades and excel in everything I did, including achieving my goal of being accepted to USC. Upon my acceptance into the University of Southern California I was extremely nervous about the change of environment. When I say environment I don’t mean a new location, I mean a completely different spectrum of intellectuals. USC was like no other school I had been to before. It was an intellectual challenge that I was not used to and I initially felt uncomfortable. In the beginning of my transition I perceived everyone around me to be smarter than I and I was embarrassed to speak in class. The classes were quite different, the teachers were intellectually challenging, and the student’s intensity and dedication was intimidating. I struggled and continued to tell myself that I was just like them. I mean I did get into the same school they did right? Through my determination to succeed I was able to overcome this fear and excel at this school as well. After completion of my first semester at USC I did better than I had done in my entire academic life. My abil ity to conquer my fear of failing and transforming it into my ability to succeed in school ultimately led to my success as a student. In addition to my academic achievements I felt that related work experience would be helpful in broadening my understanding of the law. I applied for and was accepted as an intern at the LA District Attorney’s office where I worked with the attorneys in organizing evidence and assisting them in preparing for trial. This experience further enhanced my understanding of the legal process and reinforced my commitment to become a lawyer. As I previously stated, school was never my focus. However, now that I have succeeded both at the University of Arizona and USC I know that I can succeed in law school as well. I am confident that the determination and perseverance that I developed throughout my college experience will enable me to excel in both law school and the legal profession. Research Papers on Example of Law School Admission Essay - Application EssaysStandardized TestingTrailblazing by Eric AndersonHip-Hop is ArtPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenGenetic Engineering19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfResearch Process Part OneBringing Democracy to Africa

Saturday, November 23, 2019

How to Distinguish Female Lobsters From Males

How to Distinguish Female Lobsters From Males Want to know the sex of a lobster you have caught or are about to eat? Here are several ways to tell: Lobster Anatomy Lobsters have feathery appendages called swimmerets, or pleopods, underneath their tails. These swimmerets help a lobster swim and are also where a female lobster  (sometimes called a hen)  carries her eggs. Swimmerets also can clue you in to the sex of a lobster. The first pair of swimmerets (the pair closest to the head) just behind the walking legs point up toward the head. They are thin, feathery, and soft on a female  but hard and bony on a male. Also, the female has a rectangular shield between her second pair of walking legs, which she uses to store sperm after mating with a male. This is where the male inserts those hard swimmerets during mating, releasing sperm that the female stores. When its time to release her eggs, they flow past the sperm and are fertilized. The female stores these eggs under her abdomen (tail) for 10 to 11 months.   Because they carry eggs, females tend to have a wider tail than males. Females carrying fertilized eggs arent usually harvested, but inside a female lobster you might find unfertilized eggs, or roe. They are green when fresh and bright red after the lobster is cooked. (They are also called coral because of the color.) These can be eaten.  Females can carry up to 80,000 eggs at one time.   Courting Ritual Despite their ferocious appearance, lobsters have a complex courtship ritual that is often described as touching.  Males and females mate after the female molts. The males live in caves or dens, and as her molting time draws near, a female visits the dens and wafts a pheromone toward the male via her urine, which is released from openings near her antennae. The male energetically beats his swimmerets. Over a few days, the female approaches the den and checks out the male. They eventually initiate a mock boxing match and the female enters the den. During molting the female is vulnerable- she is very soft and takes at least half an hour to be able to stand- so the male protects her. At this point the male rolls the female over onto her back and transfers the sperm packet, or spermatophore, to the females seminal receptacle. The female holds her eggs until she is ready to fertilize them.   Spiny Lobster Sexing Spiny lobsters (rock lobsters) are usually sold as tails, rather than live, so you might not get a chance to try out your lobster sexing skills at a market that sells spiny lobsters.  However, these lobsters also can be sexed using the swimmerets on the underside of their tails.   In females, the swimmerets on one side might overlap those on the other. You might also see a dark patch, where the spermatophore is located at the base of her last pair of walking legs. They might also have claw-shaped pincers at the end of their fifth pair of walking legs that help hold the eggs.  Roe mmight be found inside whole spiny lobsters. Sources: Lobsters, Gulf of Maine Research Institute Lobster 101: Reproduction and Life Cycle, Maine Lobstermens Community AllianceHow to Determine the Sex of Regulated Invertebrates, State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources Lobster Biology, The Lobster Conservancy

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Statistical Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Statistical Problems - Essay Example The approximation becomes better with increasing sample size The simple random sample of 50 women with one job is greater than 30. Therefore, in this case Central Limit Theorem is applicable and the distribution of the sample can be assumed as normally distributed. (b) The percentage of all samples of 50 women with one job that have the mean length of time employed within 20 weeks of the population mean is (approximately) equal to the area under the normal curve with parameters  µ and 13.01 that lies between  µ - 20 and  µ + 20. The corresponding z-scores are: (c) No. If I bought one bag of water-softener salt and it weighed 39 lb, I would not consider this evidence that company’s claim is incorrect. Because there is 25.14% probability that the weight of one randomly selected bag of water softener salt will be 39lb or less. (d) Yes. If I bought 10 bag of water-softener salt and it mean weight was 39 lb, I would consider this evidence that company’s claim is incorrect. Because there is only 1.74% probability that the mean weight of 10 randomly selected bag of water softener salt will be 39lb or

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Critically consider Judith Butlers work on performativity Essay

Critically consider Judith Butlers work on performativity - Essay Example Butlers several statements show the social and cultural pressures that lead to performativity in gender, there is a lack of definition with subjectivity, individual identity and outside gender theories. Her several works show the levels that relate to the performance as gender; however, there are also several debates over the identification of individuals that may be outside of the performativity that Butler suggests. The first set of concepts that are approached with Butler’s theories of performativity is to define what this means and which actions it constitutes when one is performing the idea of gender. The basis of this theory is to show that gender is not one that is recognized as an internal and natural means, but is instead a performance that one carries out. This requires specific attributes for one to become a gender and to perform the identity of gender. Butler notes that this is not something that is self – constituted and requires external means to influence the idea of gender identity. It is also noted that performativity and gender is not a performance that is only taken into consideration at certain points. Butler points out that this would limit the identity of gender as it is seen by others. Instead, this concept is one that is practiced by an individual repeating specific acts and continuing to accept them as a part of their identity. This turns into the identity a nd condition of the subject as it is practiced and continuously repeated. â€Å"This iterability implies that performance is not a singular act or event, but a ritualized production, a ritual reiterated under and through constraint, under and through force of prohibition and taboo, with the threat of ostracism and even death controlling and compelling the shape of the production† (Butler, 95, 1993). The idea of performativity for gender identity is then one that begins with a basic act that continues to be repeated. As this occurs, it becomes a taboo in society until it

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Management of Information System Essay Example for Free

Management of Information System Essay Supply chain management is the general, strategic interaction of the business functions within a particular firm and throughout businesses within the supply chain with the aim of improving the long-term performance of individual firm and the supply chain as a whole. The functions of logistics are key operating elements of a firm that need design and management agreeable with corporate strategy and changing competitive scenarios. The functions of purchasing focus on various processes such as contract writing, buying, demand planning, budgeting, supplier base and vendor management, and customer relationships. A firm may execute an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in order to automate its inventory management as well as sales and order process, including the related approval process. The ERP system is an extension of manufacturing resource planning and material requirements planning (MRP) systems, which link a firm’s demand side with its supply side by categorizing demand into requirements for components and parts. The ERP system provides a complete set of supply chain functionalities, including the planning and implementation of marketing activities, inventory and shop floor management and the potential of authorizing ordering and receiving to the end-user. It has also the capability of Internet integration and enterprise application integration through customized interfaces and XML. Customer relationship management analytics are capable of determining the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, projecting customer trends, identifying unprofitable clients, up-sell opportunities and clients who are likely to defect, measuring the effectiveness of incentive programs to meet overall sales goals, monitoring the performance of the sales staff, distributing resources in terms of customer needs and value, analyzing the cost-to-service ratio per client segment, and delivering the more suitable levels of customer service. Reference . Themistocleous, Marinos (2005). Enterprise Resource Planning and Enterprise Application Integration. United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing Limited.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Literature and Astronomy Essay -- College Admissions Essays

I Wish to Expand my Knowledge of Literature and Astronomy "Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Who is to say of the two, which has the grander view?" - Victor Hugo Hugo's words ring true for me because my principal academic interests fall into two main categories: literature and astronomy. In literature, I have learned that there is a great amount of meaning to be found through careful analysis; one must often look at literature "under a microscope" to discover its deepest value. Yet in studying astronomy, I have begun to feel that the greatest mysteries of life, such as "Where does life come from?" and "What role do we play in the universe?" can only be solved by looking through a telescope. My interest in these two subjects reveals my main academic goal: I wish to explore these areas as fully as I can. I feel that this approach will result in one of the two fields emerging as my deepest passion and career direction, and the other remaining a lifelong interest. While I hold this goal close to my heart, I know that the journey toward it, upon which I have already e...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Doctor Faustus Essay

Born in Canterbury in 1564, Christopher Marlowe was an actor, poet, and playwright during the reign of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I. Traditionally, the education that he received would have prepared him to become a clergyman, but Marlowe chose not to join the ministry. After leaving Cambridge, Marlowe moved to London, where he became a playwright and led a turbulent, scandal-plagued life. He produced seven plays, all of which were immensely popular. Among the most well known of his plays are Tamburlaine, The Jew of Malta, and Doctor Faustus. Marlowe was a great innovator of blank verse, unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. The richness of his dramatic verse anticipates Shakespeare, and some argue that Shakespeare’s achievements owed considerable debt to Marlowe’s influence. Doctor Faustus was probably written in 1592, although the exact date of its composition is uncertain. Doctor Faustus is a play of deep questions concerning morality, religion, and man’s relationship to both. England was a Protestant country since the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s father, Henry VIII. Sorcery and magic were part of widespread belief systems throughout Europe that predated Christianity. But as Christianity spread and either assimilated or rejected other belief systems, practitioners of magic came to be viewed as evil. In the fifth century CE, St. Augustine, perhaps the most influential Christian thinker after St. Paul, pronounced all sorcery to be the work of evil spirits, to distinguish it from the good â€Å"magic† of Christian ritual and sacrament. The view of the sorcerer changed irrevocably. As this new Christian folklore of sorcery evolved, certain motifs rose to prominence. Once Christ was rejected, a sorcerer could give his soul to the devil instead, receiving in exchange powers in this life, here and now. Numerous Christian stories feature such bargains, and one of the most famous evolved around the historical person Johanned Faustus, a German astrologer of the early sixteenth century. Marlowe took his plot from an earlier German play about Faustus, but he transformed an old story into a powerhouse of a work, one that has drawn widely different interpretations since its first production. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is first great version of the story, although not the last. In the nineteenth century, the great German writer Johann Wolfgang van Goethe gave the story its greatest incarnation in Faust. Faustus’ name has become part of our language. â€Å"Faustian bargain† has come to mean a deal made for earthly gain at a high ethical and spiritual cost, or alternately any choice with short-lived benefits and a hell of a price.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Role of Ethics and Compliance in Pepsi-Cola

Role of Ethics and Compliance in Pepsi-Cola PepsiCo has a deep commitment to bring forth sustainability in growth by the empowering of its people (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). PepsiCo employees embrace a culture that promotes responsibility and provides the building blocks to trust (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). The company prides itself on being both environmentally responsible and socially conscious this pride is garnered by six guiding principles (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011).PepsiCo set forth principles that encompass total care of both consumers and customers, offering the highest quality products, conducting business truthfully, creating an equal balance of short-term and long-term goals, being victorious through inclusion and diversity, and being respectful of others and succeeding as a team (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). PepsiCo has in place a compliance committee that oversees the compliance program at PepsiCo (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011).The compliance committee makes recommendations that are uph eld by the utilization of issue resolution strategies (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). Four sub-committees make up the compliance committee, they are Anti-trust- whose emphasis is on sales; Safety and Environment- this committee gives oversight to fleets, plants, and the personnel that staffs them; Human Resources- they cover labor issues and employment; Finance- their umbrella covers all financial integrity, Sarbanes-Oxley, and the requirements that has been placed on the company. Ensuring Ethical BehaviorLaws and regulations are imposed by the various state, local, and federal governmental bodies within the United States and beyond its borders. As with any laws and regulations the way that they are interpreted are subject to dramatic change (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). Changes that are brought about are more often than not, political, economic, and social implications (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). The affect of food and drug laws; how the products are labeled; practices used in marketing and ad vertising; the importation and exportation of the various ingredients used to create the product (PepsiCo Inc.   2011).Many laws are geared toward the reduction of certain ingredients including but not limited to sugars, fats, and sodium (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). PepsiCo has many policies and procedures in line to ensure regulatory and legal compliance, however, suppliers or an occasional employee may commit serious violations that could institute enforcement of civil and criminal actions this could adversely affect business at PepsiCo (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). In terms of accounting, strict policies are in place and are necessary to gain a understanding of financial results (PepsiCo Inc.   2011). The policies at PepsiCo call for management to make sometimes difficult decisions in regards to uncertainties that may have an impact on the financial results of the company (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). PepsiCo does not involve themselves in any alternative accounting methods, other than in terms of pension plans (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). Estimation methods and critical accounting policies are applied on a consistent basis and are reviewed upon by the Audit Committee at PepsiCo (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011).Critical accounting policies are upheld in conjunction with pension and retiree medical plans, intangible assets including goodwill and other assets, accruals and income tax expense, and revenue recognition (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). SEC Compliance at PepsiCo Corporate accountability plays a big role at PepsiCo and all steps have been taken to promote that (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). PepsiCo uses a formal process for approval as outlined in the Political Contributions Policy (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). Contributions made by PepsiCo are a reflection of business and strategic interest at PepsiCo (PepsiCo Inc.   2011).Contributions are not made in the areas of the company’s individual officers or directors; There are no reimbursements to employees for contributions m ade on their own behalf; an official act with not promote anticipation or the recognition of a contribution; and there is full disclosure of all contributions on the corporate website (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). Periodic reviews of practices and policies dealing with expenditures and political contributions and are conducted by the Board of Directors at PepsiCo (PepsiCo Inc.   2011). Activities concerning lobbying can be found at http://disclosures. house. gov/ld/pdfform. aspx? id=300437081 (PepsiCo Inc. ,  2011). References PepsiCo Inc. (2010). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. com/Company/Corporate-Governance. html    PepsiCo Inc†¦ (2010). Pepsico. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. com/Investors/SEC-Filings. html PepsiCo Inc. (2010). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. com/Company/PepsiCo-Values-and-Philosophy. aspx

Friday, November 8, 2019

The Second Book Syndrome

The Second Book Syndrome The second book is a nail-biting endeavor. One would think that the first one would be the one to make you break out in hives, but trust me, that follow-up is an experience all its own. Most readers wait to read an author until the author has multiple books out. That means three, four, or more. Stand-alones have to lead with some pretty incredible buzz to be read. The first book in a series is also a difficult sell. But an author releasing the second book is in this crazy limbo place: not yet proven as an author or as a series worth investing in. Heres the Second Book Syndrome from the eyes of the reader: 1) Is book two as good as book one? 2) Is the author a one-hit wonder (e.g. Harper Lee)? 3) Is all the excitement expended in the first book? 4) No point reading book two until after reading book one. 5) Why does this author have two books when I never heard of the first one? 6) Ill wait until there are three or four books. Two books isnt a series. The author knows all this, because authors are readers before they are writers. Lets look at the Second Book Syndrome through the eyes of the author: 1) Is book two as good as book one? Im too close to really tell. 2) Do I have another book in me? The first one was a feat in itself. 3) Did I invest so much into book one that Im fighting for traction in book two? 4) How do I make people want to read this book when book one is still trying to sell? 5) Do I have enough credibility to make people read more than one book? 6) Two books dont feel like a series. I wish I could write faster and get to book five. These thoughts are amazingly similar. Book two is that difficult book. In most series, authors and publishers will tell you that the second book often tanks or proves to be the hardest sell. The author poured himself into developing a voice in the first one, but is that skill tapped dry? Is the second story as special as the inaugural one? Is the magic gone? Was the first one a fluke? As both author and reader, cut the second book some slack. In reality, it should be the more mature book where the author has more stable footing and can dare to step up their game. A writer daring to tackle that second book is hungry and aiming to please. It might be THE BOOK of the seriesthe one where the author is fighting harder to prove himself. Whether reader or author, give it a whirl!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Difference Between a High School Diploma and a GED

The Difference Between a High School Diploma and a GED There’s more than one way to prove your knowledge. While many students spend years earning their high school diplomas, others take a battery of tests in a single day and move on to college with a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). But is a GED as good as an actual diploma? And do colleges and employers really care which one you choose? Take a look at the facts before deciding how to complete your high school education. GED Students who take the GED exam must not be enrolled in or graduated from high school and must be over the age of 16. Depending on the state where the test is taken, students may also have to meet other requirements. Requirements: The GED is awarded after  a student passes a series of tests in five academic subjects. In order to pass each test, the student must score higher than 60% of the sample set of graduating seniors. Generally, students need to spend a considerable amount of time studying for the exams. Length of study: Students are not required to take traditional courses in order to earn their GED. The examinations take seven hours and five minutes to complete. Students may need to take preparation courses in order to get ready for the exams. However, these preparation courses are not mandatory. How employers view a GED: The majority of employers hiring for entry-level positions will consider a GED score as comparable to an actual diploma. A small number of employers will consider the GED inferior to a diploma. If a student continues school and receives a college degree, his employer will probably not even consider how he completed his high school education. How colleges view a GED: Most community colleges admit students who have received a GED. Individual universities have their own policies. Many will accept students with a GED, but some will not view the credential the same way as a diploma, especially if the school requires specialized courses of study for admittance. In many cases, a traditional diploma will be viewed as superior. High School Diploma Laws vary from state to state, but most schools will permit students to work on completing their high school diploma at a traditional public school for one to three  years after they turn eighteen. Special community schools and other programs often provide older students the opportunity to complete their graduation requirements. School diplomas do not generally have minimum age requirements. Requirements: In order to receive a diploma, students must complete coursework as dictated by their school district. Curriculum varies from district to district. Length of study: Students generally take four years to complete their high school diploma. How employers view a diploma: A high school diploma will allow students to meet the education requirements for many entry-level positions. Generally, employees with diplomas will earn significantly more than those without. Students who wish to advance in their careers may need to attend college for additional training. How colleges view a diploma: Most students admitted to four-year colleges have earned a high school diploma. However, a diploma does not guarantee acceptance. Factors such as grade point average (GPA), coursework, and extracurricular activities also play a role in admissions decisions.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Some of the best buildings and structures in the world Essay

Some of the best buildings and structures in the world - Essay Example Over the years, several constructions have been added to the main building: the executive office (1902), the east wing (1942), a bomb shelter and penthouse (1952). The center of activity of the White House is the west wing with the oval office of the president and offices of the staff. The grounds of the building cover about 7 hectares and are embellished with gardens, lawns, trees and fountains (â€Å"White house,† 2012). The Shard London Bridge, which is also referred to as the Shard of Glass, London Bridge Tower, and the Shard, is a skyscraper situated next to London Bridge Station. The building is designed as a spire-like sculpture which rises from the Thames. Architectural style is Neo-Futurism. The Shard is the tallest building in the European Union. It has 87 floors and is 310 in height. In fact, it is 95 stories tall, and level 72 is the highest habitable floor. The architect of the Shard project decided that the spire-like form would suit the skyline of the city due to the fact that it recalls the church steeples. In the construction, about 11,000 panes of glass were used. Glass panes reflect the sky, and, consequently, the appearance of the building changes with the changes in the sky and weather. The Shard is used for multiples purposes, and, in accordance with its official website, it is created for people to live, work, and relax. There are offices, restaurants, hotel, residences and The View from The Shard, the highest viewing gallery in the United Kingdom are in the building (â€Å"The Shard,† 2014). Petronas Twin Towers are a pair of skyscraper buildings situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Petronas Towers are among the tallest buildings in the world, after Taipei 101 and Burj Khalifa. Architectural style is Postmodern. The towers were built to serve as a main office of the national petroleum company of the country, Petronas. The two towers are identical in their plan. Each of them is

Friday, November 1, 2019

Mericn Independent Cinem - Hollywood vs. the Independent Essay

Mericn Independent Cinem - Hollywood vs. the Independent - Essay Example Prticulrly, the discussion will be mde on the blurring of Independent nd Hollywood films fter 1990th. n insight into this importnt theme is mde through the discussion of few books where this subject is well developed nd hs gined considerble scholrly ttention mong film experts, diplomtic historins, nd culturl critics. When speking of independent cinem, it is needed to sy tht these re independent compnies supplemented with independent productions, mde with smll budgets nd often independently of the studio corportion. Movies mde in this mnner typiclly emphsize high professionl qulity in terms of cting, directing, screenwriting, nd other elements ssocited with production, nd lso upon cretivity nd innovtion. These movies usully rely upon criticl prise or niche mrketing to grner n udience. Becuse of n independent film's low budgets, successful independent film cn hve high profit-to-cost rtio, while filure will incur miniml losses, llowing for studios to sponsor dozens of such productions in ddition to their high-stkes releses (Glncy, 1999) While most of the world thinks of "independent cinem" (if the world thinks of it t ll) s being synonymous with tony imports or nything with the sobriquet "Trntino- esque," industry types know the truth is more elusive. Once upon time, when John Cssvetes moonlit from his studio dy jobs by mking msterpieces like Womn Under the Influence, independent cinem signified work tht ws estheticlly nd finncilly t remove from Hollywood. Indeed, independent film t its best is still ggressively, pssiontely, cretively driven nd originl. Films such s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Drgon; Requiem for Drem; Before Night Flls; You Cn Count on Me; or Chuck & Buck hve ll becme populr nd wide-spred mong udience. None of the Independent Spirit nominees re derivtive of commercil product. None re formulic or minstrem in their ppel. Low-budget works like George Wshington, Everything Put Together, Our Song or Urbni, ll Spirit wrd nominees, hve even less resemblnce to minstrem studio filmmking. Ech of these films ws produced for less thn $500,000 (Shuoguang 1999)hey del with subjects tht include homophobi, SIDS, poverty nd issues of socil clss, rce nd mrginlity. They focus on fricn-mericn, Ltin nd gy protgonists. nlysts of the doom- nd-gloom persusion would undoubtedly mke the point tht these films ll hd or will hve limited thetricl relese, tht the bigger, more commercil independent films hve been crowding out the rchetypl low-budget, "truly" independent films. It's true tht indie works re relesed on hundreds, even thousnds of screens, thus relegting smller films to just few theters. But tht ws lwys true. Pessimists would lso sy tht the competitiveness in the thetricl mrketplce, the number of releses fighting for exhibition, forces most low-budget films to go directly to video--but ctully there re twice s mny inde pendent distribution compnies now s there were five yers go, which mkes it more likely tht greter number of films will find thetricl relese, however brief. The trnsformtion of independent cinem into mrketing strtegy known s "indie film" during the pst decde hs been widely noted, but even insiders wonder wht it ll mens. One thing is cler: The blurring of lines between the studios nd their indie nlogues ffects both cmps. t