Vocabulary

Task 1. Follow the link or scan the QR-code and learn the vocabulary items by heart.
Get ready for the dictation test we will have at the next lesson.

https://quizlet.com/881964520/cinema-flash-cards/?i=328v9r&x=1qqt

Task 2. Use these words to fill in the blanks:

a cast a costume a critic a plot a trailer a rave review

a remake a sequel a soundtrack be set in dubbed release

shoot special effects subtitled

1) release: make available for people to see or buy.

2) a critic: a type of journalist who gives his/ her opinion about something, particularly films, books, plays, etc.
3) a rave review: an article in a newspaper, magazine or online written by a critic who thinks a new film, book,
play, etc. is excellent.
4) subtitled: when a film or a TV programme has a printed translation of what the actors are saying at the
bottom of the screen.
5) dubbed: when the voices you hear in a film or TV programme are actors speaking in a different language,
not the original actors.
6) a remake: a film that has the same story, and often the same title, as one that was made earlier.
7) a sequel: a film, book, etc. that continues the story of an earlier one.
8) be set in: take place in a particular place or period of time.
9) special effects: pieces of action in a film, TV programme, etc. that are created by using special equipment or
on a computer.
10) a cast: all the actors and actresses in a film, play or TV programme.
11) a plot : the story of a film, book, play, etc.
12) a trailer: a short extract from a film, TV programme etc. which is used as an advert for that film, TV
programme etc.
13) shoot : (a film or TV programme) use a camera to record a film or take a photograph.
14) a soundtrack: the recorded music from a film, which you can buy as a CD or download.
15) a costume: a set of clothes worn by actors in a film, play, TV drama, etc.

Task 4. Using the vocabulary words below, complete the following sentences (remember to use the correct form
of the word, e.g. verb conjugation or plural noun)

• to live up to the hype (verb) – to be as good as was claimed or expected before a film was released.

• box office flop/bomb (noun) – a film that did not make a profit at the box office (ticket sales) and lost money.

• star-studded (adjective) – a film that has an all-star cast of many famous actors.

• tearjerker (noun) – a film that makes you cry or is sad.

• plot twist (noun) – when the story of the film (the plot) takes an unexpected or surprising turn.

• spoiler (noun) – a disclosure about a part of the plot, especially the ending.

1) The live action version of Cats lost the studio more than $100 million, making it one of the biggest box office
flops of all time.

2) Despite a lot of excitement that questions about the origins of the xenomorph were finally going to be
answered, Prometheus didn't really live up to the hype and most fans of the franchise were left disappointed.
 3) I always try and watch a movie as soon as it opens in the cinemas because I'm so scared of seeing spoilers.

4) I can't watch tearjerkers as I'm always overcome by my emotions. At the end of Terminator 2: Judgement Day
I burst into tears as Arnie's thumb disappeared into the molten metal.

5) Fight Club had one of the greatest plot twists in the history of cinema. Nobody saw that coming!

6) The Avengers features a star-studded cast including Robert Downey Jr, Scarlet Johansson and Chris Evans.

Reading
«Titanic» is a hieratical disaster film in which the scenario of a tragedy unfolds around a love story. There can hardly
be found a person who has never seen it. However, only few people know the film was shot and what was
happening at the film location.

It was a documentary on National Geographic that inspired James Cameron, the film director writer and coproducer,
to create «Titanic». But he took the idea seriously after his friend Lewis Abernathy had given Cameron his work on
the topic as a birthday present. He spent about seven years to write the script. Cameron himself made a dozen of
journeys underwater to explore the legendary ship. The film director spent a lot of time on «Titanic», even more
than its passengers in 1912, though the shooting session during each of the journeys lasted for not more than fifteen
minutes because of the limited amount of film in the underwater camera. The camera, by the way, had been
designed by Michael Cameron, the director's brother. In 1995 "20th Century Fox" expended the first 3 mln dollars for
the film creation. Cameron's film studio started making computer animation which was later used in the film. The
shooting itself began in September, 1996 at a specially built location in Mexico. The immensity of the shooting was
striking. A model of the ship was constructed and it appeared only 38 metres less than the ship itself. The swimming
pool which was used contained 4 mln litres. And ten times more water was used to shoot the scene of the sinking
ship.

Computer animation was employed greatly. The motion capture technology and other special effects made 40
people of the extras seem 2000. The water, the dolphins, even the iceberg looked natural due to computer effects
applied.

The film was released in December, 1997 and by that time the estimated budget had already reached 200 mln
dollars (wherein the ship construction cost 100 mln pounds), so «Titanic» can be called the most expensive film of
that period. «Paramount Studio» shared the expenses and later the earnings with «20th Century Fox». The film was
nominated for fourteen Oscars and won eleven which is also a record number of Oscars for a single film. «Titanic»
gained such a success that James Cameron dared to make a 3D conversion of the film in 2012 to commemorate the
centenary of the tragedy, and the new version grossed almost 5 mln dollars on the first day of its re-release.

1) Why did James Cameron decide to create «Titanic»?

A He worked for National Geographic.
B He had made several journeys to «Titanic».
C He got a special gift for his birthday.
D «The 20th Century Fox» gave money for shooting the film.

2) Cameron's underwater journeys to «Titanic» ________

A lasted seven years
B lasted for fifteen minutes each
C cost 3 mln dollars
D were done to learn more about the ship

3) The model of «Titanic» which was used in the film__________

A was almost the size of the real ship.
B needed 4 mln litres of water to sail.
C was 38 metres long.
D was more expensive than «Titanic» itself.

4) What isn't true according to the text?

A 2000 people were employed in crowd scenes.
B Computer effects made the episodes look inartificial.
C The motion capture technology is a special effect used in film-making.
D They started creating computer animation before shooting the film.

5) Why did the 3D version of the film appear?

A James Cameron wanted to gross 5 mln dollars.
B The film director made it to honour the 100th anniversary of «Titanic's» disaster.
C The original film won eleven Oscars.
D «Paramount Studio» shared the idea of creating it with «20th Century Fox».

Writing

Prepare your answers to the following questions.

1) How important is cinema for society? What benefit can cinema have for a society?

2) Do you think films can have a big influence on people's lives? Which films have had a big influence on your
life?

3) Is going to the cinema worth the money these days? Is it too expensive? What effect have streaming services
had on the cinema industry? What effect will they have in the future?

4) Are films today better or worse than films from the past? Why?

5) Are films too violent today? Do you think this has an effect on children? Do you think films have made society
more violent?

6) Are most of the films you watch in English or your native language? Do you use subtitles? Do you think
watching films is a good way to learn a language?

1) Cinema holds significant importance for society as it serves as a medium reflecting human values, beliefs,
and concerns. Films have the power to entertain, educate, and provoke thought, thereby contributing to
cultural sophistication and fostering empathy. They offer an escape from reality while also addressing
relevant issues.
2) Films for sure can serve as an influence on people's lives, acting as sources of inspiration, empathy, and self-
reflection. Certain films resonate deeply with some individuals, shaping their beliefs and values. I’m not as
fond of films as other people may be, but a series that’s had a significant impact on shaping some of my
perspectives, was Evangelion, which is considered to be a classic.
3) The value of going to the cinema depends on personal preferences and economic circumstances. While
some may say the cinematic experience offers unparalleled immersion, others might find it costly compared
to streaming services. Streaming platforms have seriously disrupted the traditional cinema industry, offering
an affordable way to binge films. However, cinemas still provide unique experiences, such as gigantic screens
and modern sound systems. The future of cinema may involve a blend of traditional releases and digital
options, catering to diverse audience choices.
4) Comparing films from different eras is subjective and depends on individual tastes and preferences. People
generally like old films for their cinematic history and cultural impact, but some prefer films of today due to
the huge advancements in technology and filming techniques altogether, which is acceptable in its own
right.
5) The amount of violence highly depends on both the age rating and the genre of films it’s associated with.
While some films may contain graphic violence for shock value or entertainment purposes, others use it as a
narrative device to explore deeper themes inside the topic. There are official regulations that would not
allow films for children to contain any inappropriate materials, however unwanted exposure could still
happen, in which case, brutal content can potentially desensitize or influence impressionable children's
minds.
6) I’ve not watched a single film in my native language, spare the few ones I’ve seen in the cinema, in a couple
of years. I usually just watch the dubbed version of the piece of media, or, supposing that the original voice
acting is done in an unknown to me language, I use english subtitles. I do think it’s a great way to get to
know the language better on the grounds that films often contain a bunch of spoken language, which is
invaluable if you plan on using it seriously in your day-to-day lif.