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Unit 15. Films

LISTENING WARM-UP

pair.jpgLook at the pictures. In pairs, ask and answer the following questions:
-    How often do you go to the cinema?
-    Have you ever been to an outdoor cinema?
-    How do outdoor cinemas differ from indoor cinemas?
-    How could cinemas be improved to attract more people?

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DEVELOP YOUR LISTENING SKILLS

pair.jpg
Look at the following ways to see films. In pairs, talk about whatit's like to see a film in this way. Try to mention at least one goodpoint and one bad point.
Key.There are many answers, including:
TV: it's free/you do it alone, video: you have choice/the films are old, DVD: good quality/expensive, local cinema: close to home/limited choice, outdoor cinema: good atmosphere/poor sound quality, multi-screen cinema: lots of choice/expensive

Example:
'Well, I think watching a film on TV is great because you don't haveto go to the cinema. You can watch it at home. But it's really annoyingwhen there are lots of adverts in the middle of the film'.

on TV
at a local cinema    

on video   
at an outdoor cinema  
on DVD

at a multi-screen cinema
       

flag.jpgYou are going to listen to five people talking about films. Match each speaker with the way they prefer to see a film. You will only use five of the ways.
Key.Speaker 1: F        
Speaker 2: В       
Speaker 3: A 
Speaker 4: С      
Speaker 5: D
  

Tapescript    

Speaker 1


Well, if you're a film buff like I am, there's really no alternative. I mean, of course watching films at home is more convenient sometimes, but you lose so much of the atmosphere on the small screen. And little local cinemas do have a certain charm, and they may well be cheaper, in fact, but, you know, the sound quality and picture quality usually just aren't good enough. No, you've got to have a choice of movie, a comfortable environment, a big screen and top quality projection if you're really going to get the best out of the whole viewing experience.

Speaker 2


When you're quite a large family, like we are, you really have to think about the expense. And taking the kids to the pictures is just too costly these days. So we generally just pop down to Darcy's on Saturday morning and let the kids choose a couple of tapes. They actually have a lot more choice that way, and, as I said, it's a lot cheaper. And they're quite happy just sitting in front of the TV for a couple of hours, anyway.

Speaker 3


The thing is, for me, I'll watch anything, see. You know, classic Oscar-winning movie or complete rubbish. I just don't care. So it's easy just to turn on the box and watch whatever's on. I'm actually not very good at making decisions, so I let the programme schedulers do it for me. If I had to choose a video, or see what's on at the local cinema, well, then I'd have to make a decision, wouldn't I?!

Speaker 4


If it's a choice between watching a movie on video or at the cinema then there's no contest - the cinema wins every time. But, to tell you the truth, Barry and I don't really go to the movies anymore. The telly's digital, and Barry's connected it up to the PC, so we've got a kind of home entertainment system. It's fab! The quality's great, as you'd expect, but what I really like is the control you have. You know, 'cos it's all on disk, it's all interactive. And some of the most recent releases even let you choose the ending! No, I could never go back to video now.

Speaker 5


Well, a film's a film if you ask me, and, if it's any good, it doesn't really matter where you see it. But I have to admit, there's something special about watching a film under the stars on a summer's evening. Reminds me of that movie Cinema Paradise And you've got a table, so you can have something to eat and drink if you get peckish during the film. Lovely!

Speaker 1: _________________
Speaker 2: _________________ 
Speaker 3: _________________ 
Speaker 4: _________________ 
Speaker 5: _________________  
A   TV
В   video 
С   DVD
D   outdoor cinema
E   local (indoor) cinema
F   multi-screen cinema  

pair.jpg
Can you remember the reasons the speakers gave for their preferences? In pairs, make notes on the lines provided.
Key.Speaker 1: You lose atmosphere on TV and you need comfort and quality. Speaker 2: Videos are cheaper and you have more choice. Speaker 3: You don't have to make any decisions. Speaker 4: You have a lot of choice and control. Speaker 5: It's good to be under the stars and you can eat and drink.

Speaker 1: _______________________________________
Speaker 2: _______________________________________       
Speaker 3: _______________________________________       
Speaker 4: _______________________________________       
Speaker 5: _______________________________________

flag.jpgNow listen again. For each speaker, circle the sentence which best describes what they are saying.
Key.Speaker 1: b
Speaker 2: с 
Speaker 3: a
Speaker 4: b
Speaker 5: с
  
  

Tapescript    

Speaker 1


Well, if you're a film buff like I am, there's really no alternative. Imean, of course watching films at home is more convenient sometimes, butyou lose so much of the atmosphere on the small screen. And littlelocal cinemas do have a certain charm, and they may well be cheaper, infact, but, you know, the sound quality and picture quality usually justaren't good enough. No, you've got to have a choice of movie, acomfortable environment, a big screen and top quality projection ifyou're really going to get the best out of the whole viewing experience.

Speaker 2


When you're quite a large family, like we are, you really have to thinkabout the expense. And taking the kids to the pictures is just toocostly these days. So we generally just pop down to Darcy's on Saturdaymorning and let the kids choose a couple of tapes. They actually have alot more choice that way, and, as I said, it's a lot cheaper. Andthey're quite happy just sitting in front of the TV for a couple ofhours, anyway.

Speaker 3


The thing is, for me, I'll watch anything, see. You know, classicOscar-winning movie or complete rubbish. I just don't care. So it's easyjust to turn on the box and watch whatever's on. I'm actually not verygood at making decisions, so I let the programme schedulers do it forme. If I had to choose a video, or see what's on at the local cinema,well, then I'd have to make a decision, wouldn't I?!

Speaker 4


If it's a choice between watching a movie on video or at the cinema thenthere's no contest - the cinema wins every time. But, to tell you thetruth, Barry and I don't really go to the movies anymore. The telly'sdigital, and Barry's connected it up to the PC, so we've got a kind ofhome entertainment system. It's fab! The quality's great, as you'dexpect, but what I really like is the control you have. You know, 'cosit's all on disk, it's all interactive. And some of the most recentreleases even let you choose the ending! No, I could never go back tovideo now.

Speaker 5


Well, a film's a film if you ask me, and, if it's any good, it doesn'treally matter where you see it. But I have to admit, there's somethingspecial about watching a film under the stars on a summer's evening.Reminds me of that movie Cinema Paradise And you've got a table, so youcan have something to eat and drink if you get peckish during the film.Lovely!

Speaker 1 
a The price must be cheap. 
b The place must be right. 
с The film must be good.
Speaker 2
a We have to consider the time it takes. 
Ь We have to consider how much choice we have. 
с We have to consider the financial aspect.
Speaker 3
a I don't mind what I watch. 
b I don't mind where I watch it. 
с I don't mind how I watch it.  
Speaker 4
a Technology makes things quicker. 
b Technology gives you more choice. 
с Technology is becoming cheaper.
Speaker 5
a The film must be good. 
b Comfort is very important. 
с I like the atmosphere. 

flag.jpg
Look again at the reasons you noted in С. Do you still agree with them?Make changes and additions to your notes where appropriate.

pair.jpg
As a class, discuss the reasons the five speakers gave for their preferences. Do you all agree?

flag.jpg
You're going to listen to the same five people. They will each be talking about a film they have just seen.
Before you listen, write down some key words you might expect to hear if someone is talking about the types of film below.
Key.Suggested answers:
western: cowboy, guns, horses, Indians
comedy: funny, hilarious, laughter, jokes
science fiction: space, spaceship, laser, moon, robot, star
romance: love, relationship, couple, marriage
thriller: exciting, spy, chase, secret, mystery
horror film: blood, monster, vampire, devil, scary, afraid
cartoon: kids, animation, drawing, colour, real, computer
crime film: robbery, crime, police, burglar, thief, murder
action film: hero, chase, speed, explosion

western
          cowboy          
_________________
_________________
_________________ 
comedy
           funny            
_________________
_________________
_________________ 
science ficton
           space           
_________________
_________________
_________________ 
romance
           love              
_________________
_________________
_________________  
thriller
          exciting          
_________________
_________________
_________________  
horror film
          blood             
_________________
_________________
_________________  
cartoon
           kids              
_________________
_________________
_________________  
crime film
          robbery          
_________________
_________________
_________________  
action film
           hero              
_________________
_________________
_________________  


pair.jpgDiscuss your key words with the rest of the class. Did they think of any words that you didn't?


 

flag.jpgNow listen to the descriptions. As you listen, circle the type of film each speaker is describing.
Key.Speaker 1: b 
Speaker 2: a  
Speaker 3: b 
Speaker 4: a  
Speaker 5: a
  

Tapescript    

Speaker 1


Yes, it's actually not the kind of film I usually like, but I have to say it was done rather well. I guess because it wasn't all special effects -there was actually some plot and characterisation too. And the robots were really very funny and sweet. And they did provide some comic relief from the big planetary battle scenes. No, could have been a lot worse.

Speaker 2


Oh, it was adorable. I think we enjoyed it more than the kids did! It was about this little toy cowboy who feels threatened when his owner, you know, a little boy, gets a new robot-thing for Christmas. The animation was fantastic! It really did look real. Still, I don't think they draw them by hand these days, do they? It's all done by computer.

Speaker 3


Yeah, it was some kind of sentimental rubbish about a policeman who falls in love with a bank clerk who he meets after a robbery. Typical stuff - they move in together, split up, get back together. Bit boring, really, to tell you the truth.

Speaker 4


Well, it was Barry's choice, and I thought, 'Oh no, what's he gone and got this time?', but it was actually really rather fun. Loads of car chases and people doing impossible things like jumping from one building to the next. And the scene in the cable car at the end was ... well, I was literally on the edge of my seat. No, very good.

Speaker 5


Return of the Vampire it was called, or something like that. Made in 1964, but still quite scary. About an aristocrat, who's actually the grandson of Count Dracula, living in London. Loads of blood, and of course they get him in the end, but not bad at all really.
 

Speaker 1
a comedy
b science fiction        
Speaker 2
a cartoon 
b western
Speaker 3
a crime film 
b romance
Speaker 4
a action film          
b comedy 
Speaker 5
a horror film 
b thriller  

flag.jpgNow listen again. This time, decide if the statements are true or false. Circle T for True or F for False.
Key.1F   2T   3F   4F   5T 

1    Speaker 1 thought the script was weak.    T/F
2    Speaker 2 was impressed with the effects.    T / F
3    Speaker 3 really enjoyed the film.    T / F
4    Speaker 4 had expected it to be better.
5    Speaker 5 thought the ending was predictable.    T/F


Tapescript    

Speaker 1


Yes, it's actually not the kind of film I usually like, but I have tosay it was done rather well. I guess because it wasn't all specialeffects -there was actually some plot and characterisation too. And therobots were really very funny and sweet. And they did provide some comicrelief from the big planetary battle scenes. No, could have been a lotworse.

Speaker 2


Oh, it was adorable. I think we enjoyed it more than the kids did! Itwas about this little toy cowboy who feels threatened when his owner,you know, a little boy, gets a new robot-thing for Christmas. Theanimation was fantastic! It really did look real. Still, I don't thinkthey draw them by hand these days, do they? It's all done by computer.

Speaker 3


Yeah, it was some kind of sentimental rubbish about a policeman whofalls in love with a bank clerk who he meets after a robbery. Typicalstuff - they move in together, split up, get back together. Bit boring,really, to tell you the truth.

Speaker 4


Well, it was Barry's choice, and I thought, 'Oh no, what's he gone andgot this time?', but it was actually really rather fun. Loads of carchases and people doing impossible things like jumping from one buildingto the next. And the scene in the cable car at the end was ... well, Iwas literally on the edge of my seat. No, very good.

Speaker 5


Return of the Vampire it was called, or something like that. Made in1964, but still quite scary. About an aristocrat, who's actually thegrandson of Count Dracula, living in London. Loads of blood, and ofcourse they get him in the end, but not bad at all really.



WORDPERFECT
Read these sentences and then use the words in italics to complete the sentences below.
Key.1    credits
2    critics
3    on location
4    the pictures
5    intermission
6    western
7    stunt man
8    extra
9    film buff
10  bit part

•    It's not going to be a studio production. The whole movie is going to be filmed on location in the Alps.
•    When people say they are going to 'the pictures', they mean they are going to the cinema.
•    It's a typical western. It's set in the Wild West in the late 1800s and it's about a group of cowboys who are attacked by some Indians.
•    Terry Fisher and Barbara Walker are both film critics; they write film reviews for national newspapers.
•    At the cinema, the short break in the middle of the film is sometimes called the intermission.
•    A film buff is a person who likes films a lot, and knows a lot about them.
•    I'd love to be a stunt man; it must be great fun doing all the dangerous stunts in a movie.
•    Film credits at the end of a film tell us the names of the actors and the other people who were involved in the production of the film.
•    If an actor has a bit part in a film, they only have a very small speaking role.
•    If you are an extra in a movie, you can be seen in the background, but you don't have any lines to say.

1    I can't remember her name! We'll have to look at the ________________ at the end.
2    Most of the ________________ said it was a dreadful movie, but I really enjoyed it.
3    Making the movie was actually extremely hard, as we shot the whole thing ________________ in the desert.
4    Do you fancy going to ________________ tonight? I think that Jim Carrey comedy is still on.
5    Shall we get some popcorn during the ________________?
6    Have you seen that ________________ where Clint Eastwood plays a cowboy who hardly ever speaks?
7    Did you do the fight scenes yourself, or did a ________________ stand in for you?
8    I'd love to be an ________________, just to see what it's like on a film set.
9    Aleksei's a real ________________; he'll know who directed Night of the Living Dead.
10  I've been offered a ________________ in a movie! I'm only in one scene, but it's a start!

PRACTISE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS
Listening know-how
• Выполняя задание А, внимательно прочитайте и прослушайте вопросы.Постарайтесь определить ключевые слова и фразы, которые вы можетеуслышать в тексте. Во время прослушивания запишите ключевые слова.
• Выполняя задание В. помните, что слова или фразы, которые необходимовписать в пропуск, должны полностью совпадать с теми, которые выуслышите при прослушивании текста.
Перефразировать услышанное не нужно.

flag.jpgYou will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer, А, В or С. 
Key.1B   2C   ЗА   4C   5B   6A   7A   8B

1. __________________    
    You hear a woman being interviewed on the radio. What role did she have in a recent film?
    A   an extra
    В   a bit part
    С   a main part
2. __________________
    You overhear a woman in a video store. What does she want?
    A   a film on video
    В   a DVD
    С   a blank video cassette
3. __________________
    You overhear this exchange in a film on TV. What does the man want the woman to do?
    A   press a button
    В   pull a lever
    С   turn a dial
4. __________________
    You hear someone talking about a film. What kind of film is it?
    A   a comedy
    В   a western
    С   a love story
5. __________________
    Listen to this person talking about a film they worked on. What was their job?
    A   actor
    В   scriptwriter
    С   director
6. __________________
    You hear two people talking about a film. What is their relationship?
    A   colleagues
    В   neighbours
    С   brothers
7. __________________
    Listen to this woman on TV talking about a man. Why is she talking about him?
    A   She's going to interview him.
    В   She knows him personally.
    С   He's a well-known actor.
8. __________________
    Listen to this director talking to an actor. How does she want him to do the scene?
    A   exactly as before
    В   slightly differently
    С   very differently

Tapescript    

   1  


Well, they'd asked me to come along and just be one of the people waiting in the queue, but then suddenly, out of the blue, the casting director looks me up and down and says I'd be perfect for Sarah. Well, I jumped at the chance, I can tell you. I had two lines to say: 'Yes, Sir. Can I help you?' and 'You're very welcome.' I felt like a star. I can't wait till it comes out at the cinema! [repeated]

   2  


No, no. You don't understand. I know you have Titanic on DVD and video, but it's on TV tonight, and there's no point me getting it out on video when I can tape it for free, is there? All I want is a tape that's long enough. I'm a bit worried about missing the end, you see. I think a three-hour one should be long enough, shouldn't it? [repeated]

   3  


Man    Okay, Cheryl. Now, stay calm. I'm going to tell you exactly what to do and we're going to land this plane In one piece, all right?
Cheryl       0...0... Okay.
Man    Right. Can you see that lever by your right knee? There's a red button right above it. Can you see it? It's next to that dial you turned a few minutes ago.
Cheryl       Yes...
Man    I want you to press that when I tell you. Okay? That's going to stop the automatic pilot. [repeated]

   4  


How we laughed! You see, with a title like The Wild Two, we'd thought it was one of those spaghetti westerns from the 60s. Turned out to be a ridiculous thing about a couple of struggling art students in New York. You know the kind of thing: a 'sensitive' look at their relationship. Not my cup of tea at all, but Julie quite enjoyed it, I think, [repeated]

   5  


Well, I was on the film set for most of the filming. You know, in case they needed rewrites or, on a couple of occasions, the actors needed some advice, but, to be honest, most of my work was completed long before the director had even been chosen.
I finished the screenplay almost two years ago, you see. Sent it off, didn't hear anything for a while and then, you know, wow! They want to make my movie! [repeated]

   6  


Man 1        Did you see that Mel Gibson movie on TV last night? Quite good it was.
Man 2       Didn't get a chance, mate. Too busy working on that report for Bob. You finished yours?
Man 1       Yeah. Handed it in yesterday.
Man 2       Shame, though. He's good, that Mel Gibson. My Mary says I look a bit like him. Says I could be his twin, in fact.
Man 1       Get out of here! You must be kidding! [repeated]

   7  


And now Id like you to welcome someone who, for almost a quarter of a century, told us which films to watch, which to miss, and brought all the Hollywood news and gossip straight to our living rooms. We all knew him by his first name, Barry, and loved every minute of his weekly show. And I personally am extremely excited about meeting him for the first time tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Barry Gorman! [repeated]

   8  


Simon, darling, that was marvellous. Absolutely marvellous! We're going to go for a take now and there's just one thing I'd like you to try. You know when you open the door and see Janice for the first time? Well, as you slowly come in, I want the 'hello' just a little bit more quietly. Then, move forward, quite fast, just as you did before, and pour yourself a drink. Okay? Positions everyone! [repeated]

flag.jpgYou will hear a radio interview with a stunt man. For questions 9-18, complete the notes which summarise what the speaker says. You will need to write a word or short phrase in each box.
Key.9      scenes
10    a crocodile
11    different
12    year
13    family
14    qualifications
15    (short) courses
16    fall
17    (professional) diver
18    a shipwreck
  

Actors don't always do all the (9)_______________ in a film.
Bill had to fight with (10)_______________ in his latest film.
Bill says that every job is (11)_______________.
Bill works for less than half the (12)_______________.
When Bill isn't working, he's with his (13)_______________.
(14)_______________ are not necessary to become a stunt man.
(15)_______________ are available for people thinking of doing stunt work.
Stunt men need to learn how to (16)_______________ properly.
Bill was a (17)_______________ before he became a stunt man.
The first film Bill worked on was about (18)_______________.

Tapescript
Presenter   Hello, and welcome to another episode of 'What do they do?'. Today, I'm joined in the studio by Bill Peters, who's a stunt man. Bill, what do stunt men actually do?
Bill      Well, it's quite simple really. If there are scenes in a movie that are too dangerous for the actors to do -you know, like jumping onto a train or diving off a cliff - then we do them.
Presenter   So you often have to put yourself in danger, then?
Bill      Well, things can go wrong, of course, but it's not as bad as people think. We're very careful to make sure the stunt is safe. For example, I'm working on the new James Bond movie at the moment, and, in one of the scenes, James Bond is attacked by a crocodile. I actually did that scene and, although the crocodile was real - it wasn't plastic, or anything like that - it had a mask over its mouth so it couldn't bite me when I was wrestling with it. The scene looks great, but I wasn't in any real danger.
Presenter   So what's your typical day like?
Bill      Well, one of the great things about being a stunt man is that, every time you go to work, you're doing something different. You know, one week I might be filming on location in the desert, the next I might be doing underwater scenes off the coast of Italy. You never know. But, actually, I only work for about twenty weeks a year. The rest of the time I spend with the family. I've got two young daughters and it's lovely to have the time to watch them grow up.
Presenter   How does someone become a stunt man?
Bill      Well, you don't need any qualifications, or anything like that. You don't have to study stunt work at university. But, having said that, more and more stunt men - and women, let's not forget lots of the people in my profession are women - more and more stunt men do actually get into the profession by going on short courses. These are run by professionals, and they teach you how to fall without hurting yourself, safety techniques, and things like that. When I started, oh, over fifteen years ago now, those kind of courses didn't really exist. I was a professional diver, and got a call from a producer who was shooting a movie about a shipwreck with lots of underwater scenes and needed some help. I had so much fun. I decided to become a full-time stunt man. Best decision I ever made.
Presenter   Bill Peters, thank you very much for joining us today. [repeated]



GRAMMAR FOCUS
Tapescript1    I went to that new little cinema round the corner last night. Got there late, of course.   2    I saw the new Julia Robins movie the other day. Nothing special, to tell you the truth.      You seen Darren's new DVD player? Doesn't know how to work it yet, though.   4    I can't believe I fell asleep during the movie. Had a great cast, anyway.   5    Sindy got Tom Hanks' autograph when she went to Hollywood. Said he was very polite too, apparently.    /
 
Key.1b   2a   3b   4a   5a 
We'd thought it was one of those spaghetti westerns from the 60s.
Turned out to be a ridiculous thing about a couple of struggling art students in New York.
 

The second sentence has no subject. It is implied.
What turned out to be a ridiculous thing? The film.
You will hear five people talking. Each person says two sentences.
For each speaker, circle the implied subject in the second sentence.
  

1    a the cinema
2    a the movie
3    a the DVD player     
4    a the movie
5    a Sindy 
b the speaker 
b the speaker 
b Darren 
b the speaker 
b Tom Hanks 

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