Cinema. Theatre. Music.
Warming up.
What is your favorite movie?
Are there any kinds of movies you dislike?
Do you usually watch movies at home or at a movie theater?
How often do you go to movies?
What do you think of people who talk during movies at a movie theater?
What movie star would you most like to meet?
Who is your favorite actor or actress?
Do you think that films can be educational?
Is there a movie you could watch over and over again?
Who's your favorite director?
How much does it cost to see a movie in your country?
Do you think movies have been developing technology or technology has been developing movies?
Are addicted to watching movies?
Do you like to see a movie many times?
Would you like to be an actor/actress? Why or why not?
Do you think action movies are bad for children?
Which do you prefer, to watch movies or to read books?
How much money do you spend when you go to movies?
What do you prefer, animated movies or real movies?
What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
Do you think historical movies are educational?
Do you like documentaries?
Who is your favorite movie hero?
Can you remember the name of the first movie you saw that made you cry?
Are movie trailers common at the cinema in your country?
Do you like foreign films that are dubbed in your mother tongue or do you like watching the film in its original form?
What kind of movie would you like to star in? Why?
Do you think there should be more movies made in your country?
What is something that you have never seen happen in a movie?
What things happen too often in movies?
What is the name of a boring movie you have seen. Is there a way to make it better?
How would you make a really bad movie?
What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘theatre’?
How often do you go to the theatre?
Is the theatre only for rich people?
What do you like and dislike about the theatre?
What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen at the theatre?
Would you like to work as a theatre critic?
Are theatre tickets easy to get in your country?
How do you feel when you sit in a theatre before the performance begins?
What’s the nicest theatre you’ve ever been to?
Do you like music? Why / why not?
What kind of music do you listen to? Why?
Has the music that you listen to changed since you were young?
Do you think older and younger generations prefer different types of music?
Read the following text. What are your ways to become a culturally developed person?
Make sure you understand the meaning of the following words and word-combinations:
reasons for
theater-goers
to transport the audience into a different world
the reminder
a collaborative effort
a coordinated effort
amazing
thrilling
entertaining
instinctive human abilities
intelligence
to contribute to education and literacy
quick mental shifts
agile language skills.
to improve surrounding infrastructure.
to witness something unique
child-appropriate theatre productions
a playwright
to continue the beautiful cycle of culture
predominantly
numerous benefits
blockbusters
to be displayed on large screens
hand-held devices
an incredible viewing experience
to bond and laugh together
premieres
a movie plot
to be captivating and memorable
Cinema. Theatre. Music.
There are some good reasons for people to go to the theater or to the cinema.
Why go to the theater?
1) MAGIC. This may be the top reason theater-goers will tell anyone as to why they go to the theater. When done well, a stage production can transport the audience into a different world, and this can create a special energy that you can actually FEEL (non-existent with either just the actors or just the audience). Those specific moments in that specific place in time will never be repeated, and that experience is very special. It’s magic.
2) IT’S LIVE. Compare seeing a picture of the Eiffel Tower to actually being there, seeing and feeling the enormity of that structure, or compare seeing video footage of Niagara Falls to actually being there, feeling the power of nature. And if mistakes happen, well, that’s live theater! Yet another reminder that we’re all humans, and humans err. Things happen and good theater can incorporate any errors to make them work, going with the flow.
3) FRUIT OF LABOUR. It’s really interesting to see a story told on stage, culminating what took weeks or months to create, a collaborative effort coming together effortlessly; characters, set, costumes, sound and lights, and of course the audience. The need for a coordinated effort is truly amazing. It’s thrilling to think that it was all created for that moment (even more thrilling when done with an original piece — something created out of nothing), and when it’s done well, that’s art, and it’s entertaining.
4) BRAIN WORK-OUT. Great theater can get you to think and/or feel something, jog a special memory, or figure something out.
First, emotional intelligence and creative thinking are instinctive human abilities. Just like our body’s muscles, these abilities must be exercised in order to keep them active and strong, and the performing arts can help develop these forms of intelligence. Emotional intelligence is essential to both personal and professional success.
Second, theater contributes to education and literacy. Watching characters on stage talk back and forth requires sharp attention, quick mental shifts, and agile language skills.
5) ECONOMY. When a theater is active, it attracts people, which can invigorate local cafes and shops or cause more to open, creating jobs, and can ideally bring attention to municipalities to improve surrounding infrastructure.
6) TOGETHER. A performance can bring together anywhere from tens to hundreds of people, experiencing and witnessing something that’s unique, moving, funny, or at least bringing about a bit of escapism. With everyone so used to being in front of a screen, this is truly an important reason.
7) FUTURE. Going to the theater, especially with children (obviously to child-appropriate productions), not only does all of the above, including bringing FAMILIES together, but also builds the foundation for the future of theater, for future playwrights, directors, actors, and other creative professionals, so that humanity can continue the beautiful cycle of culture.
And why go to the cinema (movie theatre)?
Movie theaters are a symbol of modern popular culture, but some experts are claiming that the decline in popularity of these facilities will quickly lead to their total extinction. In other words, cinemas will give way to other forms of move-watching, predominantly smartphones or tablets. But, it is evident that the advancements in technology are not so powerful yet, and there are still numerous benefits of going to movies instead of watching a film all alone in your bedroom. Because of the presence of these advantages, it is clear that movie theaters and similar companies are here to stay, and many blockbusters will be displayed on large screens of these facilities.
- The Quality of The Films. You don’t have to be an expert on the subject of graphics and video material to realize that large screens can accommodate much more details than the small displays of our hand-held devices or even laptops. Of course, your giant living-room flat screen may impress some guests, but the quality of colors and the sharpness of the details will still stay way lower than in any modem-day movie theater. Not to mention the sound effects and their overall quality, and the booming speakers at cinemas will certainly make the film more realistic and more entertaining. Also, modern technologies are bettering the theaters as well, and 3D is nowadays becoming a norm, providing the movie-goers with an incredible viewing experience.
- The Social Component. Dates at the movies are a well-established practice, and even though this “tradition” is losing its momentum – couples can still find peaceful spots in the darkness of movie halls. Of course, they are not the only ones who will enjoy going out on a lovely evening, and families can spend some quality time with their offspring in a movie theater. Comedies and animated motion pictures can be a great way to bond and laugh together, and that is why laptops and computers will never be able to outperform this element of going to the movies. Since new releases and premieres are social events as well, movie theaters are simply impossible to avoid in the entire film industry.
- Better Focus On The Actual Film. As much as you try, you will never achieve the same levels of focus and concentration on a movie plot when watching it at home as much as you would have if you were to observe the film in a designated facility, i.e. a cinema hall. Gigantic screens and loud sounds help maintain your focus, but the lack of other distractions, such as phones and tablets, will make you watch the flick without interruptions and unnecessary breaks. By doing so, you will fully experience the plot of the movie, and the entire experience will be captivating and memorable.
Questions to discuss.
- Which movie star should live forever?
- If you could be a movie bad guy, which one would you be?
- Have you ever thought about what super powers you would like to have?
- Which famous person would you like to have for a best friend?
- How often would you go to the movie theater if you always had free tickets?
- Which actor or actress would be you in a movie about your life?
- Do you want your children to be actors or actresses?
- Do you think there is too much nudity in movies, or not enough?
- Do you think there is too much violence in movies? Does it affect children?
- Do you think a movie has to be expensive to make to become a blockbuster? Why?
- Why do some people become famous and others don't?
- What kind of character would you like to play in a television drama?
- What do you think about eating during movies at a movie theater?
- Do you prefer watching films in their original version or in your mother language?
- Who holds the remote in your family?
- Why is the theatre important?
- What kind of theatre history does your country have?
- Do you prefer watching a play at the theatre or a movie at the movie theatre (cinema)?
- Do you think theatre tickets are reasonably priced?
- Have you ever been to the theatre in another country?
- Do you think people will always be interested in the theatre?
- What questions would you like to ask a theatre actor?
- Would you like to perform or act on stage at the theatre?
- Would you like to see a theatre play in English?
- What’s are the differences between movies and plays?