British Sky Broadcasting, formerly known as Sky Channel, is a private British company. Launched in 1982 as a pan-European English-language entertainment satellite service, it is the pioneer satellite-to-cable channel in Europe and it now broadcasts to millions of cable-TV viewers in Europe. Its different channels can also be received directly via satellite if you have a dish aerial and a suitable TV set.
Its programmes are typical of private TV stations: panel games, family and variety shows, children's features, sitcoms, animated cartoons, westerns and thrillers (often imported US series), sport and music; in short, for the most part light entertainment.
Problems of TV today and in the future:
1. Twenty, or even as many as 40, programmes may be enough for most viewers: saturation point may have been reached.
- Will competition between the TV stations lead to an improvement in the programmes of public-sector broadcasters like the BBC or does a larger number of channels inevitably lower the standards of all TV programmes.
3. More channels do not necessarily mean a wider spectrum for viewers: more variety may be offered by three state-run TV stations than by 30 private channels.
4. Trivialized and unbalanced news coverage must be avoided.
5. Will there be enough programmes for minorities, enough educational and arts programmes etc.
6. Will satellite and cable TV alter viewing patterns, so that people will spend more time watching TV.
7. In order to protect young viewers from violent or pornographic programmes a legal framework and electronic devices in, the TV sets are essential; it is a matter of parental control to ensure that children do not have access to such movies on video cassettes.
set [set]
to tune in to [tju:n]
broadcasting station [´brͻ:dˏkɑ:stɪŋ
´steɪʃ(ǝ)n]
aerial /antenna [´e(ǝ)rɪǝl] [æn´tenǝ]
receiver [rɪ´si:vǝ]
amplifier [´æmplɪfaɪǝ]
VHP (very high frequency), [´fri:kwǝnsɪ] (30-300 )
FM (frequency modulation)
radio play [´reɪdɪǝυ] [pleɪ] '
live broadcast [laɪv] [´brͻ:dkɑ:st]
programme BBC [´prǝυɡræm] --ѳ
monopoly [mǝ´nɒp(ǝ)lɪ]
licence fee [´laɪs(ǝ)ns] [fi:]
autonomy [ͻ:´tɒnǝmɪ] ;
ITV (Independent [ˏɪndɪ´pendǝnt]
Television) [´telɪˏvɪʒ(ǝ)n] -ҳ-³
to broadcast [´brͻ:dkɑ:st]
commercial (adj) [kǝ´mɜ:ʃɪ(ǝ)l]
advertising [´ædvǝtaɪzɪŋ] ;
|
|
|
commercial (n) [kǝ´mɜ:ʃ(ǝ)l]
advertisement [ǝd´vɜ:tɪsmǝnt]
advertiser [´ædvǝtaɪzǝ]
to sponsor [´spɒnsǝ]
quiz show [kwɪz] [ʃǝυ]
serial [´sɪ(ǝ)rɪǝl]
network [´netwɜ:k]
donation [dǝ(υ)´neɪʃ(ǝ)n]
deregulation [dɪˏreɡjυ´leɪʃ(ǝ)n]
to launch to beam [lͻ:ntʃ] [bi:m]
to install [ɪn´stͻ:l]
channel [´tʃænl]
orbit ; [´ͻ:bɪt]
pioneer [ˏpaɪǝ´nɪǝ]
dish aerial [´dɪʃˏe(ǝ)rɪǝl]
panel game [´pænl] [ɡeɪm]
variety show [vǝ´raɪǝtɪʃǝυ]
feature [´fi:tʃǝ]
sitcom (situation comedy) [sɪtʃυˏeɪʃ(ǝ)n
´kɒmɪdɪ]
animated cartoon [´ænɪmeɪtɪd]
[kɑ:´tu:n]
series [´sɪ(ǝ)ri:z]
light entertainment [laɪt] [ˏentǝ´teɪnmǝnt]
viewer [´vju:ǝ] (.
)
saturation point [ˏsætʃǝ´reɪʃ(ǝ)npͻɪnt]
competition [ˏkɒmpɪ´tɪʃ(ǝ)n]
public-sector broadcaster [´pʌblɪk] [´sektǝ]
[´brͻ:dˏkɑ:stǝ]
to lower [´lǝυǝ]
spectrum [´spektrǝm]
variety [vǝ´raɪǝtɪ]
to trivialize [´trɪvɪǝlaɪz]
unbalanced [ʌn´bælǝns]
coverage [´kʌv(ǝ)rɪdʒ] ;
art [ɑ:t]
to alter [´ͻ:ltǝ]
framework [´freɪmwɜ:k]
device [dɪ´vaɪs]
to ensure [ɪn´ʃυǝ]
Computers
Basic information:
Computing is commonly practised today and in nearly all spheres of life computarization is on the increase. Computers, mostly PCs can be found in millions of homes and every major firm makes use of micrcomputers, minicomputers and even, in some cases, mainframes. All these computers store process and retrieve large amounts of data, but they differ in size, memory capacity and speed.
Computers are used in data-processing departments in business, industry, modern medicine, space exploration and by public authorities thepolice, schools, traffic control etc. There is a wide range of applications, for example word processing, stock control, spreadsheet and chemical analysis.
An increasing number of people have begun to work from home, using a computer and a telephone modem. Today the software is more user friendly, the hardware more compact. More and more book-sized PCs so-called notebooks (previously known as laptops) are being produced. Although computers are time-saving, it takes a while to learn how to work with them: a special programming language is required (e.g. BASIC, PASCAL or ASSSEMBLER).
|
|
|
All computers have a central processing unit (CPU), which processes the data fed into it. A computer does not use digits like 1, 2 or 3 for its calculations, but only the two 'symbols' or binary digits 0 and 1, the so-called bits. The system is called the binary system: a binary number normally consists of eight bits, for example the number one is 0000 0001, number two 00000010 and number three 0000 0011 in the binary code. This combination of eight bits is called one byte.
How a large computer works:
- to enter/gain access to the system, a code/password is required, which can be typed into the computer on the keyboard,
- a command is keyed in and the data is entered into the computer from a keyboard, tape or floppy disc/disk (= input),
- the microprocessor in the computer performs the logical analyses, or the arithmetical calculations,
- data is stored in the computer's memory system,
- the result of the analyses and calculations (= output) can be printed on paper by the printer, shown in the form of graphics on the monitor (or VDU) and can be stored on tapes, disks etc.
A computer simply follows instructions. No computer can produce useful results if-the information/data put into the computer or programme is inferior orincomplete. In other words, GIGO = Garbage In Garbage Out.
Hacking:
A hacker who wants to invade sophisticated data networks illegally
- calls up a programme,
- breaks into a system by using other people's passwords,
- may even delete a system by means of this kind of electronic infiltration a 'virus' (a destructive programme) that can wipe out a computer's data files may be planted deliberately.
As a result, various antiviral programmes have been invented to detect and delete the viruses.
General dangers:
- The linking of information from every source available may make it possible to form a complete and accurate picture of every citizen. People may thus become 'transparent'.
- Growing data banks constitute a threat to privacy. Total control over human beings is no longer inconceivable.
- Misuse of data or data manipulation is possible: data protection may become more and more difficult, even impossible, to guarantee and supervise
high-tech [ˏhaɪ´tek]
hacker [´hækǝ] '
data protection [´deɪtǝ] [prǝ´tekʃ(ǝ)n]
to compute [kǝm´pju:t]
computerization [kǝmˏpju:tǝra
ɪ´zeɪʃ(ǝ)n]
PC (personal computer) [ˏpɜ:s(ǝ)nǝlkǝ
m´pju:tǝ] '
microcomputer [´maɪkrǝ(υ)
kǝmˏpju:tǝ] '
mainframe [´meɪnfreɪm] ' .
to store [stͻ:]
to process [´prǝυses]
to retrieve [rɪ´trj:v]
memory capacity [´mem(ǝ)rɪ]
[kǝ´pæsɪtɪ] ' ()
data processing [´deɪtǝ´prǝυsesɪŋ]
word processing [ˏwɜ:d´prǝυsesɪŋ]
stock control [stɒk] [kɒn´trǝυl]
spreadsheet analysis [spred] [ʃi:t]
[ǝ´nælɪsɪs]
modem [´mǝυdem]
software [´sɒftweǝ]
user friendly [´ju:zǝ] [´trendlɪ]
|
|
|
hardware [´hɑ:dweǝ]
lap [læp]
programming language [´prǝυɡræmɪŋ
´læŋɡwɪdʒ]
central processing unit [´sentrǝl´prǝυsesɪŋ
(CPU) ´ju:nɪt]
to feed [fi:d]
calculation [´kælkjυleɪʃ(ǝ)n] ;
binary [´bɪanǝrɪ]
bit [bɪt] '
byte [baɪt] (= 8 )
code [kǝυd]
password [´pɑ:swɜ:d]
keyboard [´ki:bͻ:d]
command [kǝ´mɑ:nd]
to key in [ki:´ɪn]
tape [teɪp]
floppy disc (BE)/disk (AE) [´flɒpɪ] [dɪsk]
intput [´ɪnpυt] ()
analysis ,pl analyses [ǝ´nælɪsɪs]
[ǝ´nælɪsi:z] /
output [´aυtpυt]
printer [´prɪntǝ]
graphics [´ɡræfɪks]
monitor [´mɒnɪtǝ]
VDU (visual display unit) [´vɪʒυǝl dɪs´plǝɪ
´ju:nɪt]
instruction [ɪn´strʌkʃ(ǝ)n]
inferior [ɪn´fɪ(ǝ)rɪǝ] ( )
garbage [´ɡɑ:bɪdʒ]
sophisticate [sǝ´fɪstɪkeɪt]
network [´netwa:k]
to delete [dɪ´lɪ:t]
infiltration [ˏɪnfɪl´treɪʃ(ǝ)n]
virus [´vaɪ(ǝ)rǝs]
data file [´deɪtǝ] [taɪl]
deliberately [dɪ´lɪb(ǝ)rɪtlɪ]
to detect [dɪ´tekt]
source [sͻ:s]
data bank [´deɪtǝ(ˏ)bæŋk]
privacy [´pr(a)ɪvǝsɪ]
inconceivable [ˏɪnkǝn´si:vǝb(ǝ)l]
misuse [ˏmɪs´ju:s]
to supervise [´s(j)u:pǝvaɪz]
Drugs
Basic information:
When we speak about drugs, we normally mean the soft drugs marijuana and hash(ish) and hard drugs like heroin, cocaine or crack. But there are many more drugs available, like opium, LSD etc. Some are even used medically, for example morphine, amphetamines or barbiturates: only the continued abuse of such medical drugs is really dangerous.
Not only hard drugs but also soft drugs have harmful consequences for people's health. They are habit-forming and alter patterns of mood, thought and behaviour. No matter whether the drugs are taken as pills, smoked, snorted or injected intravenously, they will sooner or later lead to physical, psychological and mental dependence and consequently to addiction. Drugs cannot be taken in a moderate and controlled way over a long period because no drug is non-addictive. Once stronger doses of soft drugs are needed, the use of hard drugs often becomes inevitable.
The drug-producing countries:
Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Mexico are the main traditional producers of the coca-leaf and hemp/cannabis. Another large drug-producing region, which is the chief source of poppy seeds, is the 'Golden Wangle' in South-East Asia (Thailand, Burma and Laos), but the opium poppy is also grown in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Northern Africa and the Middle East hashish is produced in large quantities.
|
|
|
However, the cultivation and production of drugs is no longer confined to Third-World countries: in California, for example, one of the most profitable illegal cash crops is marijuana, and synthetic or designer drugs can be produced in small suitably equipped laboratories anywhere.
Transporting drugs:
The international drug traffickers would have to cover long distances to sell their drugs on the markets in the USA and Europe, so they have couriers to take them to the different countries. The drugs are transported by ship, plane or lorry/truck to the drug dealers/drug pushers, who sell them to the consumers. The largest profits are made not by the peasants who cultivate and harvest the coca-leaves, but by those who convert the semi-processed leaves into fully-processed cocaine and by those who sell it in the street: the street value of such cocaine is very high.
Drugs are sometimes detected and seized during routine searches of baggage or body searches, although couriers are clever at finding ways and means of smuggling drugs through customs by hiding them in unlikely places. However, narcotics agents frequently use dogs which have been specially trained to recognize the smell of narcotics in luggage, vehicles etc.
The consumers:
There is an alarming tendency among more and more mainly young people to
- become addicted to drugs (there are tens of thousands of drug addicts in Germany alone);
- start by using hard drugs (bypassing marijuana and hash);
- start taking drugs very early (some even at the age of 10 or 12);
- die of a drug overdose before reaching the age of 30;
- have easy access to drugs which are supplied in large quantities;
- take drugs even if they live in small towns or in the country and not in the big cities, where this is more common;
- mix 'cocktails' to make the intoxicating or narcotic effect (of feeling 'high') stronger and to intensify the euphoric feelings induced by drugs: they take a large dose of a barbiturate and heroin in addition to a number of other pills;
- switch to cheaper but even more dangerous synthetic drugs, which are also more addictive;
- commit drug-related crimes to get money to support their habit.
Methods of combating drug abuse:
- International co-operation: multilateral efforts are essential in the fight against drug abuse.
- Eradicate local crops of opium poppies, coca and cannabis, confiscate the chemicals used in processing drugs, destroy the laboratories engaged in cocaine processing, locate and destroy the clandestine airstrips in the jungle or in the mountains.
- Encourage the peasants to find replacement crops such as coffee or cocoa.
- More determined efforts to get hold of the major drug distributors, the middlemen and the street-level dealers/pushers.
- More police and customs officers to track down the supplies and to reduce the smuggling of drugs into the consumer countries.
- More undercover agents who can give the police valuable information about the major drug distributors.
- Stricter laws against the peddling of drugs and harsher penalties for drug racketeers.
- Provide more and better information for parents in order to teach them how to keep their children away from drugs (for example the organization of self-help groups).
- More rehabilitation centres for drug addicts who need to undergo special treatment to overcome their withdrawal symptoms.
- More research into the psychological and social reasons for drug abuse so that the roots of the problem can be tackled.
Problems:
- Difficulties in locating and destroying the large cultivation areas in remote regions.
- The laboratories for processing crude morphine or coca paste are often in the hands of powerful crime syndicates the 'drug barons', of the international drug cartels are often too powerful to be controlled effectively by the narcotics/drugs squads.
- Sniffer dogs able to smell drugs, body searches and border checks, although all useful, cannot prevent the trade in drugs entirely.
- Should 'less dangerous' drugs be legalized and the possession of drugs in small quantities decriminalized.
- Should doctors be permitted to prescribe special drugs for addicts to prevent them from committing crimes.
soft drugs [sɒft] [drʌɡ]
marijuana [ˏmærɪ´hwɑ:nǝ]
hash(ish) [hæʃ] [ɪʃ]
hard drug [´hɑ:d´drʌɡ] ,
.
|
|
|
cocaine [kǝυ´keɪn]
crack [kræk]
available [ǝ´veɪlǝb(ǝ)l]
morphine [´mͻ:fi:n]
amphetamine [æm´fetǝmi(:)n]
barbiturate [bɑ:´bɪtʃυrɪt]
abuse [ǝ´bju:s]
harmful [´hɑ:mf(ǝ)l] ;
habit-forming [´hæbɪtˏfͻ:mɪŋ]
alter [´ͻ:ltǝ]
snort [snͻ:t]
inject intravenously [ɪn´dʒekt]
physical [´fɪzɪk(ǝ)l]
psychological [ˏsaɪkǝ´lɒdʒɪk(ǝ)l]
mental [mentl]
addiction [ǝ´dɪkʃ(ǝ)n] ,
moderate [´mɒd(ǝ)rɪt]
dose [dǝυs] ;
coca leaf [´kǝυkǝ] [li:f]
hemp/ cannabis [hemp] [´kænǝbɪs]
poppy seed [´pɒpɪsi:d] ()
Golden Triangle [ˏɡǝυld(ǝ)n´traɪæŋ
ɡ(ǝ)l] " "
cultivation [ˏkʌltɪ´veɪʃ(ǝ)n]
cash crop [´kæʃkrɒp]
synthetic [sɪn´θetɪk]
designer drug [dɪ´zaɪnǝ][drʌɡ] ""
laboratory [lǝ´bɒrǝtrɪ]
drug trafficker [drʌɡ] [´træfɪkǝ]
to supply [sǝ´plaɪ]
intoxicating [ɪn´tɒksɪkeɪtɪŋ] ',
euphoric [ju:´fɒrɪk]
to induce [ɪn´dju:s]
drug-related crime [drʌɡ] [rɪ´leɪt] [kraɪm] , '.
.)
to support one's habit [sǝ´pͻ:t] [´hæbɪt]
to combat [´kɒmbæt]
to eradicate [ɪ´rædɪksɪt] ()
to confiscate [´kɒnfɪskeɪt]
to locate [lǝυ´keɪt]
clandestine [klæn´destɪn]
replacement [rɪ´pleɪsmǝnt]
cocoa [´kǝυ kǝυ]
distributor [dɪs´trɪbju(:)tǝ]
middleman [´mɪdlmæn]
to track down [´træk´daυn] ;
undercover agent [ˏʌndǝ´kʌvǝ
´eɪdʒ(ǝ)nt] ()
to peddle [´pedl]
racketeer [ˏrækɪ´tɪǝ]
self-help group [ˏself´help] [ɡru:p]
rehabilitation centre [ˏri:(h)ǝbɪlɪ´teɪʃ(ǝ)n
sentǝ] .
to undergo s.th. [ˏʌndǝ´ɡǝυ]
withdrawal symptom [wɪ∂´drͻ:ǝl] [´sɪmptǝm]
research [rɪ´sɜ:tʃ]
remote [rɪ´mǝυt] ,
crude [kru:d]
coca paste [´kǝυkǝ] [peɪst]
syndicate [´sɪndɪkeɪt]
drug barons [drʌɡ] [´bærǝn]
cartel [kɒ:´tel]
squad [skwɒd]
sniffer dog [´snɪfǝ] [dɒɡ]
to legalize [´li:ɡǝlaɪz]
to decriminalize [ˏdi:´krɪmɪnǝlaɪz]
to prescribe [prɪ´skraɪb]
The Theatre
Basic information:
The mecca of British theatre-goers is London, which boasts more than 200 professional theatres, many of which are concentrated in the West End and on the South Bank. The centre of the theatre scene in the US is Broadway in New York.
New stage productions are presented every year, many of them costing several million pounds or dollars. Production costs, however, are not a guarantee or box-office success. Most large theatres are repertory theatres with a stock company of actors performing a repertoire of plays at these particular theatres only. Provincial theatres are mainly served by touring companies as they usually cannot afford their own repertory companies.
Theatre-goers can look at the bills outside the theatres and decide which play to see. 'Hamlet' may be on at the Old Vic, a serious drama by a contemporary playwright at the Royal Court or an Italian opera at Covent Garden. If the performance or show is not sold out, one can buy tickets for the stalls, the circle or the gallery at the box office. Families and tourists often prefer to attend matinee performances in the afternoon.
A career on the stage
People not content with amateur theatricals' but interested in becoming professional actors and actresses usually attend a school of acting. An agent may then find them a role/part in a new play, for which they must audition. Actors who have proved suitable at the audition are cast in various roles according to age, sex, ability and experience. The leading man and leading lady have the chief parts, while the juvenile lead is played by a young but gifted actor or actress. There are generally a number of supporting roles. Young, innocent-looking girls are required for ingenue roles while character actors and actresses specialize in playing eccentric characters.
A small part which requires considerable talent is called a cameo role. Walk-on parts are those of actors who merely appear on stage without speaking. Should a member of the cast fall ill, an understudy who has learned the part takes over.
The players are given their scripts so that they can learn their lines and
cues by heart. Rehearsals under the guidance of the director continue until the dress rehearsal just before the play's premiere/first night. That night everyone suffers from first-night nerves: stage fright, fear of drying up, missing cues etc. Backstage, in the dressing-rooms, actors and actresses put on their costumes and are made up. The director waits in the wings with last-minute stage-directions, the stage manager makes sure that the previously built and painted set/scenety is in place, that the prompter is in position and that the lighting and props are ready. At last the lights dim and the curtain rises; the first scene begins.
When the curtain falls at the end of a successful performance, the performers, who may have to take several curtain calls, are rewarded by the audience with sustained applause, maybe even with a standing ovation. The critics who have attended rush off to write their reviews, in which they praise the actors' interpretation of their parts etc. A play receiving rave reviews invariably becomes a hit/smash.
General problems:
1. Productions are becoming more and more expensive.
2. Theatres both in big cities and in the provinces generally suffer from a chronic shortage of money, partly owing to a lack of public subsidies.
3. Theatre owners and producers are often more interested in profits than in the quality of the plays produced, which leads to a lowering of standards.
4. Sponsors prepared to back new talent must be sought.
5. There is a need for more tolerant and open-minded attitudes to experimental techniqueslike those used in off-Broadway productions and new dramatic modes of presentation e.g. theatre-in-the- round.
mecca [´mekǝ]
theatre-goer [´θɪǝtǝ] [´ɡǝυǝ]
to boast something [bǝυst] [´sʌmθɪŋ]
the West End [ˏwest´end] -
stage [steɪdʒ]
box office [´bɒksˏɒfɪs]
repertory theatre [ˏrepǝt(ǝ)rɪ´θɪǝtǝ]
stock company [´stɒkˏkʌmpǝnɪ]
actor, actress [´æktǝ] [´æktrɪs] ,
to perform [pǝ´tͻ:m] (', . .)
repertoire [´repǝtwɑ:]
play [pleɪ]
touring company [´tυ(ǝ)rɪŋ]
[´kʌmpǝnɪ]
repertory company [ˏrepǝt(ǝ)rɪ´kʌmpǝnɪ]
bill [bɪl] ()
to be on [´bj:´ɒn] 䳿
contemporary [kǝn´temp(ǝ)rǝrɪ]
playwright [´pleɪraɪt]
opera [´ɒp(ǝ)rǝ]
performance [pǝ´fͻ:mǝns]
stalls [stͻ:l]
circle [´sɜ:k(ǝ)l]
gallery [´ɡælǝrɪ]
to attend [ǝ´tend]
on the stage [steɪdʒ]
amateur theatricals [´æmǝt(ʃ)ǝ] .
[θɪ´ætrɪk(ǝ)l] .
agent [´eɪdʒ(ǝ)nt]
role/part [rǝυl]/[pɑ:t]
to audition (for a part) [ͻ:´dɪʃ(ǝ)n]
audition [ͻ:´dɪʃ(ǝ)n]
to be cast in a role [kɑ:st] [rǝυl]
leading man/lady [´ledɪŋ] /
.
juvenile lead [´dʒu:vǝnɑɪl] [li:d]
gifted [´ɡɪftɪd] ;
supporting role [sǝ´pͻ:tɪŋ] [rǝυl]
character actor/actress [´kærɪktǝ] /
.
cameo [´kæmɪǝυ]
walk-on part [´wͻ:k´ɒn] [pɑ:t]
cast [kɑ:st]
understudy [´ʌndǝˏstʌdɪ] ,
script [skrɪpt]
cue [kju:] ,
rehearsal [rɪ´hɜ:s(ǝ)l]
director [d(a)ɪ´rektǝ]
dress rehearsal [´dresrɪˏhɜ:s(ǝ)l]
premiere/first night [´premɪϵǝ]/
[ˏfɜ:st´naɪt]
stage fright [´steɪdʒfraɪt]
to dry up [´draɪ´ʌp]
backstage [ˏbæk´steɪdʒ]
costume [´kɒstjυm]
in the wings [wɪŋ]
stage manager [steɪdʒ] [mænɪdʒǝ]
set/scenery [set] [´si:n(ǝ)rɪ]
prompter [´prɒmptǝ]
props (pl.) [prɒps]
scene [si:n]
curtain call [´kɜ:tnkͻ:l]
( )
audience [´ͻ:dɪǝns] ;
sustained [sǝ´steɪn]
applause [ǝ´plͻ:z]
standing ovation [´stændɪŋ]
[ǝυ´veɪʃ(ǝ)n]
critic review [´krɪtɪk] [rɪvju:]
interpretation [ɪnˏtɜ:prɪ´teɪʃ(ǝ)n]
rave review [reɪv] [rɪ´vju:]
hit/smash [hɪt]/ [smæʃ]
subsidies [´sʌbsɪdɪ]
producer [prǝ´dju:sǝ]
sponsor [´spɒnsǝ]
to back [bæk]
technique [tek´ni:k] ()
off-Broadway [ˏɒf´brͻ:dweɪ] .
theatre-in-the-round [ˏθɪǝtǝɪn∂ǝ´raυnd]
Films
Basic information:
The film/movie industry has become a multi-billion-dollar business, not only in the USA. Whereas the early films at the beginning of the 20th century were silent movies shot in black and white, films today are mainly with sound and in colour and are presented in 70 mm and Dolby Stereo on the screen. The production of feature films, whether shot in a studio or on location, often costs millions of dollars or pounds.
A film producer and director need a talented cast to make a quality film. Professional actor/actresses are normally preferred to amateurs. Minor parts e.g. in crowd scenes and battle scenes are played by extras hired on a temporary basis. Outstanding films, actresses and actors, cameramen and camerawomen and writers of screenplays/scenarios often receive awards at film festivals (e.g. an 'Oscar'). Such films are usually box-office hits, while others often turn out to be flops.
There are big-budget films produced by large movie companies (like MGM/United Artists or Columbia Pictures) and low-budget, often independent films. Films are produced, distributed by a distribution company and marketed.
In large countries where English is not spoken a dubbed version or one with subtitles is shown.
Types of films:
- a silent film/movie
- a (serious) problem film
- a documentary on, for example, wildlife
- a witty comedy
- a film classic or epic, for example a historical film
- a western
- a fantasy or science fiction (sci-fi) film
- an action or adventure film
- a thriller or horror film
- an animated cartoon
Films are generally meant to entertain and, in some cases, enlighten the audiences cinemas and the viewers, of TV films at home. Some present serious information, others deal with topical and controversial issues and frequently influence public opinion. Provocative films sometimes even cause scandals.
General problems:
1. The film industry is confronted with the task of enticing the public back into the cinemas and of surviving in the face of tough competition from television and the video business, especially as more and more feature films are now being shown on TV.
2. It is often difficult to find producers willing to finance expensive productions.
3. Many producers are interested only in films with great box-office potential rather than ones of artistic value.
4. To guarantee diversity there is a need for financial support for independent film, productions.
movie [´mu:vɪ] ; ;
starring/featuring... [´stɑ:rɪŋ] [´fi:tʃǝ]
performance [pǝ´fͻ:mǝns] ;
to direct [d(a)ɪ´rekt]
novel [´nɒv(ǝ)l]
nomination [ˏnɒmɪ´neɪʃ(ǝ)n]
silent movie [´saɪlǝnt] [´mu:vɪ]
to shoot [ʃu:t]
screen [skrj:n]
feature (film) [´fi:tʃǝ] ( )
on location [lǝυ´keɪʃ(ǝ)n] .
producer [prǝ´dju:sǝ]
director [d(a)ɪ´rektǝ]
cast [kɑ:st]
actor/actress [´æktǝ]/[´æktrɪs] /
amateur [´æmǝt(ʃ)ǝ]
minor part [´maɪnǝ] [pɑ:t]
extra [´ekstrǝ]
screenplay/scenario [´skri:npleɪ]/
[sɪ´nɑ:rɪǝυ]
award [ǝ´wͻ:d]
box-office hit [´bɒksˏɒfɪs] [hɪt]
flop [flɒp]
big-budget film [bɪɡ] [´bʌdʒɪt]
movie company [´mu:vɪ] [´kʌmpǝnɪ]
to distribute [dɪs´trɪbju(:)t]
to market [´mɑ:kɪt] ;
to dub [dʌb] ()
subtitle [´sʌbˏtaɪtl]
documentary [ˏdɒkjυ´ment(ǝ)rɪ]
epic [´epɪk]
animated cartoon [´ænɪmeɪtɪd] [kɒ:´tu:n]
to entertain [ˏentǝ´teɪn]
to enlighten [ɪn´laɪtn]
audience [´ͻ:dɪǝns] ;
viewer [´vju:ǝ] (.
)
topical [´tɒpɪk(ǝ)l]
controversial [ˏkɒntrǝ´vɜ:ʃ(ǝ)l]
issue [´ɪʃu:]
provocative [prǝ´vɒkǝtɪv] ;
scandal [´skændl] ;
to entice [ɪn´taɪs]
to survive [sǝ´vaɪv]
competition [ˏkɒmpɪ´tɪʃ(ǝ)n]
artistic [ɑ:´tɪstɪk]
diversity [dǝɪ´vɜ:sɪtɪ]
Music
Basic information:
There is a wide range of pop(ular) music (rock, folk, jazz etc.) and classical music (symphonies or chamber music, operas, ballet music etc). As these different categories have various features in common, it is often difficult to draw a clear distinction between them.
The contemporary music scene is very diversified and the audience/following of pop and classical music is enormous. Music has become a multi-billion-dollar business worldwide, so that media and entertainment giants now control the international markets. Often a record company is organized as an entertainment conglomerate with a record music business and interests in TV (e.g. producing and distributing videos). In addition to many smaller labels, there are a few large companies: Bertelsmann Music Group, Warner Communications, CBS, EMI etc.
1. Pop music -the making of a star:
Your musical talent may be discovered early. At six, for example, you may play the recorder, at twelve the piano; you may sing in the school choir and later become the singer or the keyboard player in a band. The other musicians in the band may play the (solo/lead, rhythm or bass) guitar, the saxophone, the drums or other percussion instruments. Your musical style may be influenced by rock'n'roll, hard rock, jazz, disco, country, folk music etc.
Expensive technical equipment (amplifiers loudspeakers, microphones etc.) is required to produce a good sound. You practise a lot, record your songs and send demo tapes to a record company in the hope of making a contract. If a single, an LP or CD is to be produced in a (24-track) recording studio, you will need a producer, a sound engineer, someone to arrange the songs etc. unless you compose the songs, write the lyrics arrange the music and produce the disc yourself.
If your debut single or album is released and sells well, it may climb the charts (pop singers whose discs sell extremely well are rewarded with golden or even platinum discs). If you play jazz or pop music, you may have gigs in the concert halls around the country. Once you have made a name for yourself as a musician, you may tour Europe or the USA promoting your (latest) CD. Even when you are on tour you will have to rehearse constantly before performing at concerts attended by thousands of fans.
2. Classical music:
Pianists, violinists or cello virtuosus unable to reach the extremely high standards required of soloists may join a symphony orchestra, the most famous of which are the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra etc. Performances of works by great composers, e.g. an opus like Beethoven's Seventh Symphony in A major, or Brahms' D minor piano concerto are particularly popular.
After attending a concert, a music critic may write about the sensitivity of the conductor's interpretation, about the brilliance of the brass, the precision of the wind, the clarity of the strings, the technique of the soloist, the acoustics of the concert hall and the applause with which the audience expressed its enthusiasm.
General problems:
1. Rock stars often become cult figures or idols, the objects of a personality cult.
2. Synthesizers, computerized music etc. are replacing live musicians on stage or in the recording studios.
3. Expensive videos must be produced (e.g. for the title-tracks of new CDs) to promote sales.
4. Small independent labels cannot compete with the media and entertainment giants in the battle for a share of the market.
5. Symphony or chamber orchestras, especially in the provinces, are often lacking in funds, a problem which could be solved by an increase in subsidies.
classical [´klæsɪk(ǝ)l]
symphony [´sɪmfǝnɪ]
chamber music [´tʃeɪmbǝ]
opera [´ɒp(ǝ)rǝ]
ballet [´bæleɪ]
contemporary [kǝn´temp(ǝ)rǝrɪ]
audience [´ͻ:dɪǝns] ;
following [´fɒlǝυɪŋ]
giant [´dʒaɪǝnt]
to control [kɒn´trǝυl]
record company [´rekͻ:d] [´kʌmpǝnɪ]
conglomerate [kǝn´ɡlɒm(ǝ)rɪt]
to produce [´prɒdju:s]
to distribute [dɪs´trɪbju(:)t]
label [´leɪb(ǝ)l] ;
recorder [rɪ´kͻ:dǝ] -
choir [´kwaɪǝ]
keyboard [´ki:bͻ:d]
musician [mju:´zɪʃ(ǝ)n]
rhythm [´rɪ∂(ǝ)m] ,
bass [beɪs] -
drum [´drʌm]
percussion [pǝ´kʌʃ(ǝ)n]
equipment [ɪ´kwɪpmǝnt]
amplifier [´æmplɪfaɪǝ]
demo tape [´demǝυ] [tɜp] -
contract [´kɒntrækt] , ,
sound engineer [´saυndˏendʒɪ´nɪǝ]
to arrange [ǝ´reɪndʒ]
debut single [´deɪb(j)u:]
to release [rɪ´li:s]
charts [tʃɑ:t] "-"
platinum [´plætɪnǝm]
gig [ɡɪɡ]
to promote [prǝ´mǝυt]
on tour [tυǝ]
to rehearse [rɪ´hɜ:s]
to perform [pǝ´fͻ:m]
to attend [ǝ´tend]
virtuoso [ˏvɜ:tʃυ´ǝυzǝυ]
orchestra [´ͻ:kɪstrǝ]
performance [pǝ´fͻ:mǝns]
composer [kǝm´pǝυzǝ]
opus [´ǝυpǝs]
concerto [kǝn´tʃɜ:tǝυ]
critic [´krɪtɪk] ;
sensitivity [ˏsensɪ´tɪvɪtɪ] ;
conductor [kǝn´dʌktǝ]
brass [brɑ:s]
wind [wi:nd]
technique [tek´ni:k]
acoustics [ǝ´ku:stɪks]
applause [ǝ´plͻ:z]
idol [aɪdl]
title-track [´taɪtl] [træk]
to compete with [kǝm´pi:t]
share [ʃeǝ]
subsidies [´sʌbsɪdɪ]
Art
Basic information:
Whether they have studied art at an art college or not, artists who have learned certain techniques are then free to develop their own personal styles if they are talented enough to be creative and innovative rather than resort to a derivative style. Various tools and materials are used, e.g. stone, metal or wood by a sculptor, oil colours, watercolours and brushes by a painter, charcoal for charcoal sketches by a drawer etc. The common aim of all is to produce works of art, preferably masterpieces, many of which are on display m famous galleries like the National Gallery or the Tate Gallery in London and the Guggenheim Museum or the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Exhibitions at art galleries include works displayed in permanent collections: oil paintings, water-colours, landscapes, seascapes, (self-) portraits, still lifes, drawings, collages, and prints by graphic artists. In addition to permanent collections there are also touring exhibitions. For the purpose of special exhibitions, a museum may obtain objects of art on loan from other museums.
Art lovers with good taste and an aesthetic sense can become connoisseurs of such artistic achievements as Norman arches, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque architecture, the landscape paintings of the Impressionists, the rich colours of the Expressionists, the geometric designs of the Cubists, decorative Art Deco, the flowing lines and bright colours of Art Nouveau, the surrealist paintings of Dali, the pop art of the 1960s, Post-Modernism, and abstract art in its many forms.
Promoting the arts today
Young aspiring artists who have not yet won recognition have difficulty in finding a 'marketplace', for example in commercial galleries. Patronage of the arts by private patrons or sponsorship by firms as well as an increase in public subsidies could help artists financially and thus foster art in general. Furthermore, interest in and appreciation of the fine arts can only really grow if works are made accessible to the general public and not just to a cultured minority.
the Bronze Age [brɒnz] [eɪdʒ]
artefact [´ɑ:tɪfækt]
exhibit [ɪɡ´zɪbɪt] ;
collection [kǝ´lekʃ(ǝ)n] ;
vase [vɑ:z] ; ;
jewellery [´dʒu:ǝlrɪ]
engraving [ɪn´ɡreɪvɪŋ]
B. the Elder [´eldǝ]
glassware [ɡlɑ:s] [weǝ]
sculpture / sculptor [´skʌlptʃǝ]/[´skʌlptǝ] /
art [ɑ:t]
artist [´ɑ:tɪst]
technique [tek´ni:k] ()
creative [krɪ´eɪtɪv]
innovative [´ɪnǝveɪtɪv]
derivative [dɪ´rɪvǝtɪv]
oil colour [´ͻɪlˏkʌlǝ]
watercolours [´wͻ:tǝˏkʌlǝ]
charcoal [´tʃɑ:kǝυl]
sketch [sketʃ] ;
drawer [´drͻ:ǝ]
work of art [ˏwɜ:kǝv´ɑ:t]
to be on display/to display [dɪs´pleɪ]
gallery [´ɡælǝrɪ]
exhibition [ˏeksɪ´bɪʃ(ǝ)n]
portrait [´pͻ:trɪt] ;
still life [stɪl] [laɪf]
drawing [´drͻ:ɪŋ]
collage [´kɒlɑ:ʒ]
prints [prɪnt]
on loan [lǝυn]
aesthetic sense [i:s´θetɪk] [sens]
connoisseur [ˏkɒnǝ´sɜ:] ;
artistic [ɑ:´tɪstɪk]
Norman arch [´nͻ:mǝn] [ɑ:tʃ]
Gothic [´ɡɒθɪk] ( )
Baroque [bǝ´rɒk] (. )
architecture [´ɑ:kɪtektʃǝ]
Art Nouveau [ˏɑ:(t)nu:´vǝυ] ""
to promote [prǝ´mǝυt]
aspiring [ǝ´spaɪ(ǝ)rɪŋ]
recognition [ˏri:ekǝɡ´nɪʃ(ǝ)n]
patronage [´pætrǝnɪdʒ]
patron [´peɪtrǝn]
sponsorship [´spɑnsǝʃɪp]
subsidiy [´sʌbsɪdɪ]
the (fine) arts [ˏfaɪn´ɑ:t]
accessible [ǝk´sesǝb(ǝ)l] ;
cultured [´kʌltʃǝd]
GENERIC JOB-RELATED AREAS
