Andrew Steel

Andrew Steel is a promising British film director. He isstill young but he has already introduced several new techniques.

Steel was born in York. He went to school in York and later studied art at the University of York. He began his career as an actor. When he was still a student he appeared in supporting roles in two TV soaps. When Steel got his degree he moved to London and started directing. He says he has loved cinema ever since he can remember.

Andrew Steel is married and he has shot his baby son in one of his pictures. Over his film career Andrew Steel has directed one music video, two feature films and several shorts. He has travelled a lot and he has once filmed a documentary as well. He has never won an Oscar for the best directing, but he has received several national awards for the best short film, the best newcomer and the best directing, as well as special audience awards. The magazine “MovieMaker” has described him as one of the most promising movie directors.

Exercise 42. In your own words say everything you can remember about Alfred Hitchcock

and Andrew Steel.

Communication

Exercise 43. a) Think about one of your ancestors and one relative who is alive. Prepare to

answer the questions below about their lives.

1. Where / born?

2. Where / live?

3. How long / live there?

4. What / do for a living?

5. When / get married?

6. How long / be married?

7. How many children / have?

b)In pairs. Interview each other about the relatives. Ask for more information. Then swap roles.

Exercise 44. Press Conference.

Imagine you’re 60 and you’ve managed to fulfill all your dreams. Take turns

coming out to the front and answering the other students’ questions about

your imaginary lives.

The following phrases can come in handy:

• That’s a good question.

• It’s difficult to say.

• Why? I haven’t really thought about that.

• Let me think.

• Now, when was that?

Exercise 45. Read the conversations. Then learn one by heart and act it out with a partner.

1. A: Have you been to that local museum yet?

B: No, why? What’s it like?

A: Oh, it’s amazing! There’re so many interesting things to see there. It’s well worth

a visit.

B: Oh, right. Thanks for telling me. I’ll go there when I have the chance.

A: I’m sure you’ll like it.

2. A: Have you been to the Horizon Gallery yet?

B: No, not yet. I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never been there. What’s it like?

A: It’s a nice place. I liked it very much. There’re a lot of really beautiful pictures

there. It’s well worth visiting.

B: Oh, right. Sounds nice. Thank you for telling me.

A: Look, why don’t we go there together one day?

B: Good idea!

3. A: Have you been to that photo exhibition in the History Museum yet?

B: Yes. I was there last week. Have you?

A: No, not yet. Is it any good?

B: Yes, quite good, actually. I loved it. Some of the photos are absolutely

fantastic, very original. You should go and see it. I’m sure you’ll like it.

A: Sounds nice. Thanks for letting me know.

4. A: I’ve seen that new performance in the Art Theatre lately. Have you seen it?

B: No, but I’m thinking of going there. Is it any good?

A: Oh, it’s absolutely brilliant! It’s one of the best performances I’ve ever been to.

The staging, the acting, the sets, - everything is superb! It’s well worth seeing.

B: Oh, right. Sounds interesting. Thanks for telling me. I think I’ll go and see it as

soon as I get the chance.

A: I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

5. A: Have you seen that new film everyone is talking about?

B: I have, actually.

A: Really? When did you see it?

B: I went to the local cinema the other day and it was on. Why?

A: Oh, I’m thinking of seeing it. It’s quite good from what I’ve heard.

B: Yes, it’s great! It’s one of the best films ever made. The acting, the direction, the

photography, - everything is wonderful. I loved all the twists and turns in the

plot. And the ending is really unexpected. I enjoyed every minute of it.

A: Sounds great. I guess I’ll go and see it tonight, then.

6. A: Have you been to that new Italian restaurant yet?

B: No. Have you?

A: Yes, and I’ll never go there again. It’s a bit of a rip-off, actually. I didn’t like it at

all. In your place I’d give it a miss.

B: Oh, right. Thanks for letting me know.

7. A: Have you been to that fast food place down the street?

B: No, why? What’s it like?

A: Oh, it’s a really awful place, you know. The service is terrible and the food’s

disgusting. It’s one of the worst places I’ve ever eaten in. I’d give it a miss if I

were you.

B: Sounds horrible. Thanks for telling me.

8. A: Have you seen that new comedy yet?

B: No, not yet. Have you?

A: I have, actually.

B: Did you like it?

A: No, I didn’t like it a bit. It wasn’t funny at all. In fact, it was so silly and boring I

fell asleep half way through.

B: Oh, right. I guess I’ll give it a miss, then.

9. A: I’ve just been to that new exhibition in the local gallery.

B: Have you?I’ve heard it’s really good. Someone has told me it’s worth seeing.

A: No! It’s the worst exhibition I’ve ever seen in my life, I can tell you. It’s not

worth the entrance fee.

B: Oh, right. Thanks for telling me.

10. A: Did you see that documentary which was on last night?

B: No, I didn’t. Did you?

A: I did, actually.

B: Is it any good?

A: It’s all right, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s a bit too violent for me,

though. Personally I don’t really like films showing lots of blood.

B: Doesn’t sound like my kind of thing.

11. A: Have you seen “Dreams” yet?

B: No, not yet. But a friend of mine has and she liked it. And the reviews I’ve read

were really good.

A: Were they? I’ve heard it’s terrible. Just typically Hollywood.

B: Well, I’ve heard the opposite.

Exercise 46. In pairs. Use the following patterns to make up your own conversations.

I.

A: Have you been to … (yet) ? seen watched read
B: No, why? No, I haven’t. Not yet.	I have, actually. I was there last week. I went there a few days ago.

II.

A: What’s it like? Is it any good?
B: Oh, it’s great. amazing quite good wonderful a nice place fantastic absolutely brilliant I (really) liked it. I liked it a lot. I liked it very much. I loved it. I enjoyed every minute of it.	Oh, it’s awful. terrible disgusting (a bit of) a rip-off a (really) horrible place I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t like it a bit.	It’s all right if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s OK, I suppose.

III.

A: It’s (well) worth a visit. visiting seeing You should go and see it. read it	It’s not worth visiting. seeing. the entrance fee. I’d give it a miss if I were you. In your place I’d give it a miss.
B: Oh, right. Sounds great. nice good interesting	Oh, right. Sounds horrible. terrible awful Doesn’t sound like my kind of thing.

IY.

A: Thanks for telling me. Thanks for letting me know.
I’ll go there when I get the chance. (I think) I’ll go and see it as soon as I have the chance. (I guess) I’ll do it tonight.	I think I’ll give it a miss, then. I guess
B: I’m sure you’ll like it. love it. enjoy it