12.4.

1 READING

SUCCESS BEHIND THE SCENES

A What do you think can make an actress’s life difficult on set?
Read the article, and check your predictions.

Life as an actress
By Mariel van White

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend the day After an exceptionally long time, she got to
with an amazingly talented actress, Ashley Stone. say her lines. But right in the middle of them,
And from what I experienced, being an actress the director shouted “Cut!” Something wasn’t
not only takes a lot of skill, but determination and perfect. It was a missing light. There are little
patience, too. problems like this all the time on a movie set.
Ashley just had to go back to her trailer to
As soon as she arrived to work, at 6.00 a.m., she
practice her lines again. When all the actors
got checked for hair, makeup, and wardrobe.
were called back to the set, the scene was
These things need to be perfect when the
shot before another break, this time for lunch.
camera is rolling. After that, she checked in with
After lunch, Ashley and the other actors
the assistant director to make sure there hadn’t
spent the rest of the day shooting scenes
been any changes to her lines. There had—and
and rehearsing for the next day. Finally, but
it seems there are script changes most days—so
not until 10.00 p.m., someone called it a
she had to memorize them before she was called
wrap—time for everyone to go home.
in front of the cameras.
Fun? It certainly didn’t seem like it. There was
When Ashley got to the set, the director and crew
a lot of standing around. You need to be
were busy setting up the scene with special lights
extremely focused and patient. That’s part of
and checking camera angles. She stood around
what acting is all about. But Ashley told me
waiting, and waiting … and then, when it was
it’s worth it in the end because when the film
time to step in front of the cameras, someone
is released, millions of people around the
had to adjust her makeup while the wardrobe
world will see her work on the big screen.
assistant checked her outfit, again!

B THINK CRITICALLY Scan the article again. What is/was the result of each of these events?

1 The assistant director changed the lines. Result: She had to memorize them before she was
called in front of the cameras.

2 There was a missing light.

3 Actors were called back to the set.

4 Someone called it a wrap.

5 The film is released.

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