Individual work

1. Read the text ‘Ukrainian Dramatic Art’ (p. 70) from the section Supplementary Reading.

2. Prepare a short report about famous Ukrainian actors or theatres.

3. Be ready to discuss in groups the topics below:

• The role of theatre in our life.

• Development of people’s cultural level, taste.

• Is the ability to perform an inborn gift or is it an acquired skill?

• Should an actor “live” the part or should he (she) just perform?

• Is it necessary for actors to work with their own tools? (Each actor should choose the method he (she) feels is best for him (her).

Unit 4 cinema

PRE-READING TASKS

Task 1. With a partner discuss the following questions:

1. What is the role of the cinema in the cultural life of any society?

2. How often do you go to the cinema?

3. What films appeal to you most?

4. What does the success of a film depend on?

5. Which is more important – the story, the acting, the directing or the camera-work?

6. Does a director trying to interpret a great work of literature on the screen take upon himself a most responsible task?

7. What do you know about film festivals and awards?

Task 2. List the words under the headings: Cinema workers, Cinema, Parts of films, Actors and acting, Cinema work, Films, Impression. If necessary, consult an explanatory dictionary to check your comprehension. Make sentences, use 2–3 words/expressions form each heading.

1. Cinema (house), open-air theatre, cinema with con­tinuous performance, drive-in-theatre, film, movie, (motion) pic­ture, to go to the cinema (a movie, movies, pictures), normal screen, wide (large, broad) screen, the first (second) showing, entrance (exit), showing (performance, programme) begins at ... (ends at...), colour poster, the box office, to book tickets.

2. Documentary, educational, popular scientific (or sci­ence) film, feature film, science fiction film, animated cartoon, ad­venture film, musical, puppet film, thriller, comedy, horror film, crime film, Western, children's film, relationship story, love story, theatrical film, wide-screen, colour (black-and-white, mute, sound, dubbed, full-length, short-length) film, short, two (three) part film, wartime epic, newsreel, serial, "X" film ( a film which may be seen by adults only), star-studded film, the screen version (adaptation) of the novel.

3. Scene, outdoor (indoor) scene, the opening scene, the final scene, crowd scene, an episode, still, shot, long shot, footage, fabric of the film, close-up, caption, subtitle, flash-back(s).

4. To shoot (produce, make) a film, to make a screen version (adaptation) of a novel, to screen a novel (play, story), to adapt a novel for the screen, to film a novel, to play (act) on the screen, to release a picture, to come out (about a film), to go into production, to remake a film, to reissue a film, to be dubbed in Russian, to present a film in Russian, production of a film, co-production (joint pro­duction), film settings, directed by..., scenery and costumes by..., the songs set to music by..., digital visual effects, pre-production, final edit.

5. Producer, filmmaker, film director, art director, cam­era-man, script-writer, animator, costume designer.

6. film goers, audience, film fans, to watch the film (screen), to watch smb. acting on the screen, to see a film.

7. The cast, comedian, an actor of great promise, leading actor, star, to play the main (leading, title, key) or small (supporting, minor) role, to fill the role, to co-star, to portray a character, to give a convincing (memorable, captivating, warm, brilliant, su­perb) portrayal of ... , to give a magnificent performance as ... (in), to take (gain) the best actress (actor) award (title), to create a true- to-life image, to make the most of the role, to bring to life on the screen, to come alive on the screen, to outshine everybody else, to star in a role, to be miscast (ill-cho­sen), to be cast to advantage.

8. The film deals with (depicts, presents, tells of); the message of the film; to win universal acclaim; to praise un­reservedly; to leave a deep and lasting impression on; to appeal so much to the audience; to be (make) a hit with the public; a delight­ful, amusing comedy; entertaining (powerful, gripping, absorbing, vividly dramatic, technically brilliant, sad, depressing, slow-mov­ing, dragged-out) film; to mar a film; to leave smb. cold; empty of serious content; a flop; a good film, not without flaws; a run-of-the-mill film; not a film to everyone's taste; not an easy film to watch; obscure and complex ideas.

Task 3. Work in small groups. Ask and answer these questions:

1. What do you know about ‘Titanic’?

2. Was the film a great success?

3. What does the success of a film depend on?

4. What do we need to produce a film?

5. What do you know about the shooting of ‘Titanic’?

6. What characters appeal to you most?

7. What impression did the film make on you?

8. Do you think this film is worth seeing?

READING

1. Skim the article by Joe Tracy paying attention to the words used in task 2 above.