Introduction
Theater and cinema are similar but far from identical in terms of directions in art. Even though both theater and cinema strive to tell and show the audience a particular story and prompt them to think, they use different ways to do this. The actors’ capabilities limit the theater’s capabilities, so working in the theater requires considerable acting skills. At the same time, cinema has more ways to influence the viewer because of the possibility of using technology. In this reflective essay, I will analyze my perception of the musical Cats and the movie The Hunger Games.
Comparative Analysis of Cats and The Hunger Games
Choosing Cats and The Hunger Games, I was looking for something close and exciting. Initially, I was interested in the difference in genres and plots, but later, these two works have much more in common. Cats is a Broadway musical based on a tribe of cats choosing their leader (Sporre, 2014, p. 178). On the other hand, The Hunger Games is a story about a dystopian world where children are forced to fight to the death to entertain the spoiled society of Panem (Sporre, 2014, p. 188). I did not expect to find anything in common between these two pieces. However, it turned out that both tell the story of the battle for the championship.
The Hunger Games belongs to the genre of films that I typically watch. I like dystopias because they are easy to relate to reality, making you think about what can happen if people continue to do the activities they are doing today. It includes attitudes towards the environment, discrimination, social inequality, wars, and other issues humanity constantly faces. The film expanded my understanding of cinema’s role in raising public awareness of contemporary issues and forcing people to seek ways to minimize negative consequences.
Cats showcased the power of theatrical storytelling through its imaginative set design, stunning costumes, and intricate choreography (Sporre, 2014, p. 178). He illuminated the beauty of individuality and community, emphasizing the importance of accepting diversity. This musical expanded my understanding of the transformative impact of live performance and highlighted the range of emotions that can be evoked through song and dance.
The knowledge gained from studying Cats and The Hunger Games undoubtedly influenced my perception of film and theater. I have seen this movie before, but I did not try to analyze the plot or the characters. However, after analyzing these pieces and thinking about the plots and characters, I took a new look at theater and cinema. These works have demonstrated the ability of these art forms to tell stories that evoke emotion, raise awareness of existing issues, and provoke thought and reflection.
One lesson I would share with a peer about my understanding of theatre, particularly Broadway musicals, is how much the combination of music, dance, colorful costumes, and sets can influence the perception of what is happening on stage. At the same time, none of these components tries to compensate for the lack of the other but instead emphasizes the advantages. Furthermore, Cats’ long history on Broadway demonstrates that it can create engaging characters and stories that resonate with audiences deeply emotionally. As for The Hunger Games, I learned from watching it that cinema can be used as a vehicle to reflect and explore the world around us and draw attention to existing problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after analyzing the musical Cats and the movie The Hunger Games, I realized these genres’ deeper meaning and function than just entertainment. Theater and cinema perform significant social functions, drawing society’s attention to pressing personal and global problems. Overall, working with these works broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation of the artistry and influence of both film and theatre.
Reference
Sporre, D. (2014). Perceiving the arts: An introduction to the humanities. Pearson.