ADV. 16.2. FAME AND FORTUNE

1. TALKING ABOUT CELEBRITIES

1. THE CULT OF CELEBRITY

obsessed - одержимый
celebrity - знаменитость
privacy - личное пространство
gossip columnists  - журналисты, ведущие раздел светской хроники
paparazzi 
reclusive - отчужденный
anticlimax - спад
stardom - положение звезды

The speaker in the movie says that being a celebrity has many drawbacks.

Her biggest problem with fame is that people don't respect her privacy .

As his fame grew, he became more reclusive and avoided all media.

Some stars have sued gossip  columnists for libel.

Some people believe Princess Diana was killed by paparazzi  chasing her on motorcycles.

Some fans become obsessed with the lives of famous people.

2. SCRIPT WRITING

Barb Doolan, 48, screenwriter nominated for three Oscars, answers your questions on scriptwriting. Overnight, Barb went from shelf filler at her local supermarket to multi-millionairess mega-movie muse as a result of an idea sparked by an incident in aisle 9 one day!

Q: I’ve always wanted to write a script. How do I get started?
A: Well, some people start with a storyline, a plot if you will, and then craft the characters around that. They approach the process as if it were a recipe to be followed. And heaven knows, you only have to look at some of the Hollywood blockbusters to see the recipe in action in certain genres. On the other side of the fence, you’ve got some writers who are adamant that you have to let the characters dictate the story. Isn’t that what J K Rowling said about Harry Potter? That he just walked into her mind one day in the early nineties, fully formed, and she just sat back and watched what happened next. She was lucky! Well, very talented, I guess. It certainly worked for her, and no mistake! Mind you, she didn’t set out to write a screenplay; she intended to write a series of novels. And massive tomes they are too.

Q: No kidding! But what if I want to write directly for the silver screen? How long is a screenplay usually?  Six, seven hundred pages?
A: Grief no! Generally they come in at about 120 pages or so, give or take the odd page or two.

Q: That doesn’t sound too bad! How does a budding screenwriter who wants to construct a script get started? Any tips?

A: Well, most movies are full of scenes, which happen in time and place. And then there are sequences that join the dots, as it were. They connect the scenes maybe by using a central idea like a funeral or a bank heist. But within each scene and sequence are many layers involving the characters—events and people that have got them to this time and place and which can move them forward, build up tension or create humor. So you can start with characterization, or you can start with the action. Either way, unless you’re trying to bring back silent movies, you’re also going to need some dialog!

Q: Out of interest, how long did it take you to write your first script?

A: Funny you should ask that! I’ve just been reading about two new screenwriters who took a month to go from idea to fully formed spec. It took me way longer, probably because in the beginning I thought it had to be just perfect. I didn’t realise how many other people would get involved in it long before it showed up on the big screen! But some of the biggest blockbusters have only taken a matter of days to put together. Sylvester Stallone apparently watched some unknown guy boxing the world champion Muhammed Ali. And hey presto! The world got Rocky! Still going strong—what are we on now, Rocky VI or something? Those movies told the American dream rags-to-riches story of an unknown boxer who makes it big. It certainly did that for Stallone! He went from living in poverty to becoming an overnight sensation!

Q: So let’s suppose I pull this off too. My screenplay’s ready. What should I do next?

A: Well, you’re probably going to need to get yourself an agent or rep. They can circulate your script and pitch it to the movers and shakers. That’s quite an art form in itself, trying to convince someone to pick up an idea from an unknown wannabe. And it’s a jungle out there, believe me! Their job is to put the buzz around the biz for you and give it some heat! They’ve got to have some fire in their bellies and no mistake!

an unknown wannabe - someone who is not famous, but would like to be
genres - different types of movie such as action or comedy
pitch a script - to present an idea to directors and movie corporations
movers and shakers - important and influential people

To present a script to directors and movie corporations is to  pitch a script.

The Hollywood party was filled with movers and  shakers  .

The script of a movie is called the screenplay .

The amazing thing is that the script was written by an unknown  wannabe  .

An abbreviation for speculative screenplay that no-one has commissioned is a spec  .

His favorite genre of movie is science fiction.

3. TIME SEQUENCERS

It was five years back . To this day, I still don't know what happened. One moment I was riding on the back of Ted's motorbike, next thing I woke up in the hospital. Or so I'd thought then. As soon as I came round, I saw lots of people in white coats. By the time I realized exactly where I was, I'd missed my chance to escape. Prior to meeting Ted, I'd been a pretty carefree person on the whole. But that was then.This time next week, the nightmares will have started again.


2. DISCUSSING CELEBRITY ACTIVISM

1. CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION?

do-goodism - well-intentioned acts that may or may not to be of help
hypocrisy - pretense at goodness
verbal fisticuffs - arguments
flavor of the month - a current interest, soon to be replaced

2. ACTIVISM

Related to society

building homes
domestic abuse
providing microloans
civil liberties

Related to animals

cruelty to animals
stop laboratory testing 
adopting cats and dogs 
protect endangered species 

Related illness

Alzheimer's
diabetes
HIV and AIDS 
breast cancer


3. AGREEING AND DESAGREEING

Seems like every time you turn on the TV now some musician or movie star is going on about what charity or good cause they’re into. Are celebrities and their causes just pains in the neck, or a shot in the arm? What do you think about all this celebrity activism, guys?

Well, in years gone by, beauty pageant queens claimed they’d do good works for humanity if they won the coveted pageant title, tiara and throne. You know, world peace and all that. This is just a newer version of the same thing, isn’t it? No harm done, I say.

I think it’s great; these people can raise awareness about issues by appealing to their fan base. All power to them, I say. We need all the role-models we can get.

They’re all just publicity-seeking hypocritical do-gooders in my opinion. They get in the way of the real work; pop culture just trivialises some mega-serious issues. They should stick to singing, dancing and acting in my opinion.

Hi! We probably wouldn’t know about some of these problems if it weren’t for the celebs! Not only do they raise awareness (like Jo says) but they can also raise millions of dollars in funds. I’m all for it.

I feel very strongly about this matter, I must say. It all seems part of this growing synthetic personalization that’s afflicted the modern world. Stars wanting to show how much like the rest of us they are, demonstrating their humanity and trying to preach to us about what they sometimes don’t practice themselves. I think their celebrity just overshadows the real issues. I’m with Jemma on this one.

What about people who’ve been impacted by the problems they now try to raise awareness of or raise funds for? Michael J. Fox, for one. He’s started a foundation for Parkinson’s Disease to try and find a cure in his lifetime for this debilitating disease he’s got. He’s had to retire from his very successful movie career at a young age, and now he’s trying to pressurize governments to put more money into research. Gotta to be a good thing, right?

Wrong! Would he have done this if it hadn’t happened to him? Seems a bit self-serving to me, though I wish him well. I really liked him in all those Back to the Future movies!


All power to them
Gotta be a good thing, right?
No harm done.
I'm all for it.
I'm with Jemma on this one.
I think it's great.

Positive

raise awareness
no harm done
shot in the arm
all power to them
I'm all for it

Negative

pain in the neck
hypocritical do-gooders
synthetic personalization
self-serving
don't practice what they preach



3. CRITICIZING A CELEBRITY 

1. CELEBRITY CAUSES

HEROES OR VILLAINS?

It seems you can’t open up a magazine or turn on the TV these days without seeing some celebrity or other endorsing a product, championing a cause, or being appointed as an ambassador for some well-known international charity or non-profit organization.

To the cynics, this is simply a case of media-hogging opportunists who have jumped on a voguish bandwagon in order to earn big bucks, indirectly boost a flagging career, or promote a book or movie in the works. Media-savvy celebrities, claim supporters of this view, are all too familiar with the power of publicity, be it good or bad. Understanding the power of the press and increasingly the immediacy of cyberspace, they have learned to mercilessly exploit these domains for purposes far less noble than their publicists would have us believe. And so their pious posturing comes down to nothing more than smoke and mirrors—crass publicity stunts—designed to keep the stars in the spotlight they and their careers so desperately crave.

For the more idealistic at heart, the landscape appears more uplifting. Celebrities who ‘give back’ do so because of their innate benevolence, their passion for the latest cause celebre, or their desire to show their gratitude for what they themselves now have. Their support for a brand, a humanitarian cause, or some eco-friendly gadget or device shows the rest of us a model to emulate, and nourishes our belief in their goodness if not their status as superhuman. Stars may shine in the heavens, but it is celebrities who light the way for us mere mortals here on earth.

And what are these causes and campaigns celebrities put their names to? The list is endless, it seems. From raising awareness of issues such as domestic violence or illiteracy, to petitioning for support for politicians or human rights’ groups; from mobilizing activists to fight the war on global poverty or hunger, down to the promotion of some piece of exercise equipment or junk food. And whether you cast these cultural icons as heroes or villains, and whether you believe celebrity activism is a cause for concern or a cause to celebrate, one thing is beyond question: it’s a phenomenon of our times that’s here to stay.

a media-hogging opportunist - someone who takes every chance to get in the news

a flagging career - a career that is on the decline

innate benevolence - a person who is good by nature

a voguish bandwagon - a fashionable current trend

pious posturing - behaving unnaturally humbly to impress others

media-savvy celebrities - celebrities who understand the power of the media

domestic violence - violence carried out within the family at home

mobilize activists 

turn on the TV

open up the magazine

earn big bucks

nourish a belief

petition for support 

champion a cause

emulate a model

endorse a product

2. CRITICIZING OTHERS

It's not his place to be an ambassador for the UN!

He has no right to do this kind of thing.

I don't want to bad-mouth anyone, but this seems like a publicity stunt.I don't want to be mean, but I'm going to say what I think...

I'd like to give him a piece of my mind.
I'd like to tell him what I really think.

I'm sick and tired of him always going on about his work.

I've had enough of his boastful behavior.

Not to put too fine a point on it, he has no business endorsing that product.I will not avoid stating my opinion...

What right does he think he has to tell us to donate money?

He has no right to tell us to do this.

Such double standards! It's do as I say, not do as I do!

He doesn't back up his words with similar actions.

She needs taking down a peg or two.

She has become too arrogant.

- He's an actor, not a diplomat.

- It's not his place to represent the UN.

- She's an athlete but she's endorsing junk food!

- Such double standards!

- Since he got involved in charity work, that singer's got so conceited.

- Yeah! He needs taking down a peg or two.

- Not another interview with that movie star about his charitable works!

- I'm sick and tired of hearing about that.

- That actress is a disgrace, spending all that money on frivolous things.

- I'd like to give her a piece of my mind!

- That actress is really stupid. What do you think?

- Not to put too fine a point on it, she's an idiot.

We need to take him down a peg or two.
Please don't bad-mouth John. I like him.
I gave him a piece of my mind.
You have no right to criticize me that way.
There's a double standard in this company.

3. THE AGE OF CELEBRITY

Famous for 15 minutes!

It was in the 1960s when an American avant-garde artist called Andy Warhol made a chillingly accurate prediction that everybody would be famous for 15 minutes. He originally said we would all be world-famous, but with the passage of time this expression has gone through paraphrases and permutations. But long before the birth of reality TV shows, social networking sites and blogs, live phone-in and emails to major news networks while they are on air, here was a man whose own interest in fame and celebrity culture inspired him to predict what was to come to pass in our lifetime.

At one time, you became famous by being a hero, by doing something so unusual or worthy that it made the rest of us gasp in wonder; think of the astronauts who took those first small steps for man, those giant leaps for mankind. Fame of a different kind comes with the territory for the successful, the beautiful, the talented and, lest we forget, the notorious. Gossip columnists and tabloid hacks feed the frenzy of the 24-hour ‘news’ machines we have created; increasingly the lines between the roles the rock stars and the mega-movie moguls play and the lives they live off-camera become blurred. Witness also the reactions when a celebrity figure passes away; people mourn their loss as they might a friend or close relative.

Whether on the A-list or B-list, we have chosen to raise celebrities to the status of ‘superstar’ or some would say gods, and watch in dismay – and sometimes delight, it must be said – when they fall from grace and off the pedestal the public, paparazzi and publicists alike have put them upon. People tune in nightly to see pseudo-news reporters updating us with all the latest gossip and trivia. Movie stars, musicians, politicians and even the captains of industry are all fair game. If life mirrors art, here we see entertainment gossip programs posturing none too piously as news programs, casting themselves in the image of CNN and producing ‘edutainment’.

But what of Andy Warhol’s prediction? TV and technology have, in recent years, helped democratize celebrity culture to such an extent that now all of us can join this club by becoming ‘accidental celebrities’. If we just happen to be present at the time of a significant event, choose to appear in a reality program, or post ourselves on YouTube, our 15 minutes of fame has been ordered. Take a cell phone wherever we go, and it’s all but signed, sealed, and delivered. Better still, join the other side. Become a gossip columnist yourself, set up a celebrity-watch website, and fame and possibly fortune await.

But before we all get too excited and reach for the nearest mouse, perhaps we need to ask ourselves: at what cost the price of fame?

gasp in wonder - when very surprised by something
tabloid hacks - you can find working for a newspaper
a gossip columnist writes about famous people
you mourn the loss of someone when they die
a captain of industry - the person in charge of a business or corporation
an A-list refer to the most popular group


4. EVALUATING A FRIEND'S DECORATING IDEAS 

1. HOMES

yurt
geodesic dome
gothic
mansion

2. UNUSUAL HOME FEATURES

Inside

ornate chandeliers
trophy / awards room
grand spiral staircase
carved ceiling beams 
elegant ballroom

Outside

man-made lake
par-three golf course
solar panels
manicured lawns
circular driveway 

Inside the magnificent guilded gates, the circular driveway winds toward the house. Listen to the cascading fountains which illuminate come nightfall. Inside the entrance hall notice the ornate crystal chandeliers.Walk through the gourmet kitchen and into the elegant ballroom. Then on into the  indoormovie theater. Stepping into the conservatory, take in the splendid views of the surrounding countryside and watch the sunset on the manmade lake and par-three golf course



It's got a spiral staircase.
It's got manicured lawns.
It's got an elegant ballroom.
It's got cascading fountains.
It's got ornate chandeliers.
It's got a wine cellar.

The circular driveway is fantastic.
The lawns are beautifully manicured.
The living area is very spacious.
Yes, it has a new kitchen and master bathroom.
Well, it's a bit tacky for my taste.
No, it actually feels a little claustrophobic.
I absolutely love the golf course.
The staircase. It takes forever to climb.

Positive evaluation 

grand

astonishing

spacious

timeless

sensational 

Negative evaluation 

tacky

appaling

dreadful

frightful

hideous

3. EVALUATING HOMES

I want a two-hundred seat theater.
Pink chandeliers will look tacky.
You don't need a marble and gold kitchen.
Last month, I was living in a trailer.
I'll have modern artworks in each bedroom.
Your plan is too grandiose.