LISTENING 1 - LECTURE (TRUE/FALSE/NO INFORMATION) You will hear a lecture on "Being an Actor or Actress" two times. As you listen to it for the first time, you may take notes in the space provided. While you are listening to the lecture for the second time, put a cross (x) next to the statements according to whether they are T (true), F (false), or NI (no information is given). Now you have two minutes to look at the statements.  Have you ever wondered about getting a role in a television programme, or a film? Forget it, some people will tell you, arguing that it’s much too difficult. However, you can make it, if you go about things in the right way.  First, let’s look at why there are so many theatre actors who have not been successful in films or on TV, and why we see the same people on our screens over and over again. Of course, films and TV programmes are very expensive to make. A typical four-hour costume drama could cost around £4 million at least. Now, imagine yourself as a producer: you get halfway through and some actors go missing or let you down in some way. You have already spent £2 million and you have to start again. It is largely because of this that the tendency is to employ actors who have proved reliable in the past.  It has to be said that TV and theatre acting are totally different. Actors in the theatre have to make grand gestures and project their voices, so that those sitting right at the back can hear and understand. On TV, on the other hand, we see everything up close. We notice the smallest changes in facial expressions. Movement is often limited; as otherwise, the actor would disappear off the edge of the screen.  Let us assume that you want to take part in a major TV drama series, not as a star yet, but as an “extra”, principally for fun and pocket money. Most dramas and all films use extras: the people who are in the background in restaurants, hospital waiting areas, at weddings, or in a street scene. You will also have seen “supporting actors”, for example, nurses in a hospital ward, a taxi driver, or whatever. In any one film there may be hundreds of extras and supporting actors.  Although you can run after acting contracts on your own, life for extras, supporting actors and producers is made far simpler by specialist casting agencies. These range from little local agencies that keep a list of available people and wait for someone to knock on their door to fully professional agencies with complex databases, listing each client’s skills and preferences. The best agencies keep in constant touch with producers and are therefore very knowledgeable about current and forthcoming opportunities. Once they find you work, an agency will take between fifteen and twenty percent of your earnings on that assignment.  So let us now imagine that you have landed your first acting assignment. If you have had any training whatsoever, you will of course know what to do – and more importantly, what not to do! For example, it is not a good idea to take a photo of the leading lady without her wig on, or to turn up late on the set. If you haven’t had any training, you can always get a book on film-making, or just follow what everybody else does.  Having been an extra, how do you move on to a supporting role and then eventually to a speaking one? The most common route is to identify or acquire special skills so that you can be considered as a supporting actor. A person who has actually been a nurse, for example, can play a nurse far better than someone fresh out of drama school can. And once you have achieved that first supporting role, your chances of fame will be infinitely greater.  LECTURE 1 (10 x 5 = 50 pts.) Notes:      STATEMENTS   T   F   NI You cannot get a role in a TV programme or a film that readily because it is too difficult.       Producers tend to choose the same people to act.         TV and theatre acting are basically the same.         On TV it is more difficult for the actors to move than on the stage.       Most extras take part in TV series to get pocket money.         In films there must be hundreds of extras and supporting actors.       Specialist casting agencies make the life of extras and supporting actors and producers simpler.       Local agencies and professional agencies work in the same way.       After agencies find work for someone, they get a certain amount of money from the producers as well.       In order for an extra to become a supporting actor, acquiring some special skills is a common way.

LISTENING 2 - LECTURE (MULTIPLE CHOICE / FILL IN THE BLANKS) You are going to hear a passage on “Choosing a Career” two times. As you listen to it, try to take notes. You will be given your question sheet after the second reading. You will use your notes to answer the questions in 10 minutes. Your notes won’t be marked. Choosing a career is one of the hardest jobs you will ever have. You should devote extensive time, energy, and thought to make a decision with which you will be happy. Even though undertaking this task means hard work, view a career as an opportunity to do something you enjoy, not simply as a necessity or as a means of earning a living. Taking the time to thoroughly explore career opportunities can mean the difference between finding a stimulating and fulfilling career or hopping from one job to the next in search of the right job. Finding the best occupation for you also is important because work influences many aspects of your life – from your choice of friends and recreational activities to where you live. Choosing a career is work that should be done carefully. As you gain experience and mature, however, you may develop new interests and skills which open doors to new opportunities. Work is an educational experience and can further focus your interests or perhaps change your career preferences. The choice you make today may not be your last. In fact, most people change occupations several times during their careers. With careful consideration of the wide range of occupations available, you should be able to find the right career. There are many factors to consider when exploring career opportunities and many ways to begin solving your job puzzle. Everyone has certain expectations of his or her job – these may include career advancement, self expression or creativity, a sense of accomplishment, or a high salary. Deciding what you want most from your job will make choosing a career easier. Identifying your interests will help you in search for a stimulating career. You might start by assessing your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. If you have trouble identifying them, consider the school subjects, activities, and surroundings that appeal to you. Would you prefer a job that involves travel? Do you want to work with children? Do you like science and mathematics? Do you need flexible working hours? These are just a few questions to ask yourself. There are no right or wrong answers, and only you know what’s important. Decide what job characteristics you require, which ones you prefer, and which ones you would not accept. Then rank these characteristics in order of importance to you. Earning potential varies from occupation to occupation, and each person must determine his or her needs and goals. If high earnings are important to you, look beyond the starting wages. Some occupations offer relatively low starting salaries, but earnings substantially increase with experience, additional training, and promotions. Job setting, working with a specific group of people, geographic location and salaries are just a few occupational characteristics that you may consider. Be open-minded. Consider occupations related to your initial interests. Don’t eliminate any occupation or industry before you learn more about it. Some occupations might create negative images, for example, for some people fashion designers produce a glamorous image while production occupations in manufacturing industries bring to mind a less attractive image. However, jobs often are not what they first appear to be, and misconceptions are common. Exciting jobs may have dull aspects, while less glamorous occupations may interest you once you learn about them. For example, the opportunity to travel makes a flight attendant’s job seem exciting, but the work is tiring: flight attendants stand for long periods and must remain friendly when they are tired and passengers are unpleasant. So in choosing a career, consider all the possible alternatives and decide afterwards. LECTURE 2 PART A: Fill in the blanks with one word only. (5 x 5 = 25 pts.) You should not view a career simply as a means of _______________ a living. Work is an educational __________________. If you have trouble _________________ your interests, consider the school subjects, activities etc. that appeal to you. Some occupations offer _________________ low starting salaries. Consider occupations related to your _________________ interests.  PART B. Choose the best alternative using your notes. (5 x 5 = 25 pts.)  Why is finding the best occupation important for you? Because ______. a)     you should make money b)     work affects many aspects of your life c)      you need to take the time to explore opportunities d)     it is a necessity   What opens doors to new opportunities? a)     Developing new interests and skills b)     Your career preferences c)      Changing occupations d)     The choices you make   The expectations people have of their jobs include ___________. a)     exploring opportunities b)     solving job puzzles c)      a sense of accomplishment d)     recognizing interests   One of the questions you could ask to search for a stimulating career is ____  a)     “Do you like school activities?” b)     “Do you want a large amount of money?” c)      “Are you interested in your surroundings?” d)     “Do you need flexible working hours?”   What is advised to do before eliminating an occupation? a)     To consider the image of that occupation in the society b)     To relate it to your interests c)      To learn more about it d)     To find out how much you can earn

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