English for Cultural and Creative Industries

A lot of people were surprised when The Artist won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2011. It was mostly silent, it was black and white, and it was made in France – not the kind of the movie that most Americans would choose to see at the theater! And yet, because it won such a prestigious award, millions of cinema-goers waited in line to see The Artist. This is one argument in favor of the many award ceremonies which are held annually: more people are exposed to more high quality films.

The Artist Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixqr8D7J_Kc

The Academy Awards (or “Oscars”) are an example of an industry award – that is to say, the winners are chosen by professionals within the film industry – but there are other types of award, too. The winners of critics’ awards and audience awards are, unsurprisingly, selected by critics and audiences, and festival awards are given by specially appointed juries.

The biggest industry awards in the world are the Academy Awards in the USA, which began in 1929, and the National Film Awards in India, which started in 1954. Academy Award winners receive a statue of a knight, while National Film Award winners are presented with a medallion by the president! The National Film Awards always take place in New Delhi and the ceremony can be long, as there are almost 100 categories, including separate awards for movies made in each of India’s 24 national languages.

The most famous critics’ awards are given by the International Federation of Film Critics (or FIPRESCI), which was established in Belgium but now has members in more than 50 countries. The coveted FIPRESCI prize is awarded at international festivals such as Cannes. Audience awards are less common, but in the United States, both the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and the Fox Teen Choice Awards are huge events. They are always televised live in the USA and Canada, and have been hosted by A-list actors such as Will Smith and Jack Black.

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www.teenchoiceawards.com

Of the festival awards, the highest honors are considered to be those given at the Cannes Film Festival: the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) and the Grand Prix (grand prize). However, awards from the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals are also well respected. The Berlin Film Festival, which awards Golden and Silver Bears, is the largest in the world with around half a million attendees each year. The Venice Film Festival is the oldest in the world and part of the Venice Biennale event, which celebrates movies, art, architecture, music, dance and theatre. Its prizes are Golden Lions.

www.zimbio.comagenciatnt.com.br

www.zimbio.com www.made-in-venice.com 

One award which nobody wants to win is a Golden Raspberry. These are given each year to the worst actors, writers and directors in Hollywood. The first “ceremony” was held in 1980 in the living room of copywriter John J B Wilson, but the idea grew and grew. The nominees do not generally bother to attend the ceremony!

en.wikipedia.org

Dialogue 1 A: I’m so excited about the movie awards tonight. B: Me too! I love seeing the dresses that the stars wear. A: Who do you think will win the best actress award? B: I don’t know, but I hope it’s Rachel Oliver. I thought she was

amazing in Last Hope. A: Hmm, I wasn’t crazy about that movie, to be honest. Although I

agree she’s a great actress. B: Well, who do you think should win? A: Anne Field, maybe. But I’m more interested in the best actor. B: It’s boring this year because everyone knows who’s going to win:

Derrick Chambers. A: Exactly. He’s so handsome! B: It doesn’t matter whether he’s handsome or not. The award is

supposed to be for acting! A: I know, I know. But it doesn’t hurt that he’s good-looking. B: What about the best picture award? Do you think Last Hope will

win that? A: Unfortunately, yes. I think it will.

Dialogue 2 A: Derrick! Derrick! Can I ask you a couple of questions? …

Congratulations on winning the best actor award. B: Thanks, Julie. It’s an honor. A: Did you expect to win? B: No, not at all. I’m still in shock. So many talented actors

were nominated in my category. A: What was it like working with the director Andrew Judd? B: Andrew is a legend in this industry and it was a privilege

to see him at work. He’s also a great guy – funny, smart and generous.

A: How do you get on with your co-star, Faye Lincoln? B: We get on very well. That’s all I’m saying. A: Oh, come on! There have been rumors of a romance. Our

listeners are dying to know the truth! B: I don’t like to talk about my private life. Faye is a

wonderful woman. And that is really all I’m saying! A: Ha ha, OK. Well, thanks so much for stopping to chat to

us. And congratulations again. B: Thank you.

Best Actor in a Leading RoleBest Actor in a Supporting RoleBest Actress in a Leading RoleBest Actress in a Supporting RoleBest Animated FeatureBest Animated Short FilmBest CinematographyBest Costume DesignBest DirectorBest Documentary Feature Best Documentary Short Best Film Editing Best Foreign Language Film Best Live Action Short Film Best Makeup and Hairstyling Best Original Score Best Original Song Best Picture Best Production Design Best Sound Editing Best Sound Mixing Best Visual Effects Best Adapted Screenplay Best Original Screenplay