Skyfall a Big Hit at the Oscars!

 Skyfall wins Best Original Song at the Oscars!

Adele took the 85^th Academy Awards (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) by storm this year with a sizzling, powerful vocal performance of Skyfall!  After enthralling and memorizing a celebrity filled audience, Adele went on to claim an Oscar, with the famous British music producer Paul Epworth, for the Best Original Song of 2012! 

“THIS IS THE END”

Skyfall opens with a wonderful, bluesy style and a catch line that screams for attention! 

However, the song doesn’t stray too far from the original music themes of the James Bond movie series.  A common formula for success!

Background 

 Paul Epworth and Adele did a fantastic job of composing Skyfall.  Paul created the tune and Adele put the lyrics to Skyfall.  Paul created the tune after listening to the first 13 James Bond movies.  Adele loved the dark, haunting ballad sound and put words to Skyfall in a draft form in 10 minutes.  And of course, after a lot of hard studio work, Skyfall was created! Take a listen and enjoy!

 

Language Learning Section

Instructions

First, listen to the Song Skyfall by Adele.

Next, fill in the blanks with the missing verb forms. If this is difficult listen again a few more times.  Listening Hint - most of the missing words are repeated in the song over and over.  Finally, check your answers below and look up any new words.

Enjoy while you Listen and Practice!

Skyfall Practice Listening: High Frequency Verb forms

THIS IS THE END

______ your breath and ______ to ten                 

______the earth ______ and then                      

______ my heart ______ again                          

For this is the end

I've ______ and ______this moment               

So overdue, I ______ them                             

______, I'm stolen                            

Let the sky fall, when it ______                

And ______ it all together                         

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles              

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds ______ and days are dark              

You may have my number, You can take my name        

But you'll never ______ my heart                      

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I ______ I'd never be me without the security         

Are your loving arms ______ me from harm           

______ your hand in my hand and we'll stand            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Answers

Take a look at the Skyfall lyrics and fill in the verb forms you missed.  Then listen to Skyfall again; especially to the parts or words you found difficult. And, of course, try singing Skyfall with your friends at your next karaoke party!The words will come easy now!

THIS IS THE END

Hold your breath and count to ten                

Feel the earth move and then                      

Hear my heart burst again                         

For this is the end

I've drowned and dreamt this moment                

So overdue, I owe them                             

Swept away, I'm stolen                            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles                

We will stand tall                                

And face it all together                           

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles              

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds collide and days are dark              

You may have my number, You can take my name         

But you'll never have my heart                      

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I know I'd never be me without the security        

Are your loving arms keeping me from harm           

Put your hand in my hand and we'll stand            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Until next week enjoy some more of the fabulous Adele!

 

 
MORE James Bond!

Do you have what it takes to be James Bond?
http://celebrityenglish-alex.blogspot.ca/2012/11/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-james.html

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Modeling on Maui!

Models on Maui Corinne Doherty

With over 25 years in Modeling, Music, and Management, Eugene Pierson has done it all! From working with Sports Illustrated to Paul Fisher and more, Eugene Pierson is a highly successful, sought after talent manager based out of the spectacular, magical Hawaiian Island known as Maui. 

This week, Eugene Pierson gives Celebrity English a practical, keen insider’s view of the modeling industry!

Interview

Alex Graham: Please tell me a bit about yourself and Models on Maui.

Eugene Pierson: Me myself, I am a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to entertainment. I like entertainment and I have been to school and I have been through different avenues of the entertainment business. Over 25 years – Music, Modeling, and Management.

Music, Modeling, and Management is the basic.  I like modeling because I can be more hands on.  And what Models on Maui is basically about is bringing in models from around the world.   We bring in models who are interested in doing glamour, world shots, swim suit, lingerie, and lavish attire.

Alex: Do you do the photography yourself?

Eugene: No, actually.  I am the liaison between the photographers, artists, and the clients.

Alex: What is the modeling scene like in Hawaii? How does it differ from say LA or New York?

Eugene: Well it’s very modern.  When I say ‘modern’ you find a lot of what we call ‘agencies’ that do the basic swimwear, catalog type work.  And then you have the big, very lavish exclusive type agencies. You will see Sports Illustrated come over here and work with a lot of the little boutiques.  But it’s more hidden under the radar type thing. It depends on where you look and what you are looking for. 

So to answer your question, in LA and New York there is more of a market there for different variety and in Hawaii it is basically catalog and swimwear.

Alex: You have seen a lot in the Entertainment Industry, what do you think it takes to become a great model? Or what are the qualities needed that go naturally with the industry?

Eugene: Well that depends.  If you really want to get into the industry on the promotion part of it, where you are going to get promotion, where you are going to go big, you are going to have to have a certain stature. It’s a very stereotypical business.  If you want be a runway model, you are going to have to be 5’8”.   If you are a petite model and do face work, you are going to have to be very accessible and you have to be determined. 

You basically have to know the business from the standpoint of where you are going to market yourself and promote.

Alex: And that is where you often come in.

Eugene: Right and that’s what I do.

Alex: As a manager and mentor, how do you go about bring out the best qualities in your models?

Eugene: Well first, you have got to understand and qualify me.  You have to understand that it is a business and you have to stress that to the individual.  And once they understand that you are in it to help them succeed in business.  Then you find out what their strengths and weakness are and you just match them up.  So it’s a supply and a demand.  But you do get to know them personally. And the best thing, someone always told me, is just be honest with them. If they don’t have the qualities to be a runway model then don’t tell them that. If they are not going to be able to glamour then don’t tell them that.  Just be honest with them. 

Alex: What do you think is the biggest misconception about the Modeling Industry?

Eugene: That you can make a lot of money doing nothing.  A lot of people think that you can just come in, you show up, and you shoot the photos and bang you are a star.

Alex: Leading off that one, what advice would you give a model just starting off?

Eugene: First thing is, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself:  “How serious do you want to be?” You have got to be serious.  If you are not serious, don’t do it.  Go to College.

Alex: In general, what are typical wages or contracts for someone eager and starting out?

Eugene: Well let’s start at the top.  If you are a top model, and let’s just say you want to do runway and you have a top agent like maybe Paul Fisher, what they will do is put together a day rate.  And the day rate is set up by how many placements you have. Like a billboard or if you are on a rack job or if you are on the side of wall somewhere. You just judge it by that.  So you can make anywhere, if you are a fashion model, anywhere from six figures to two hundred dollars an hour at the lowest.

Alex: Can you tell us about some of your success stories? Or famous people you have worked with?

Eugene: Yeah I have a lot of success that I would consider to be successful but not on a national plain.  I have worked with one person in general and that is Paul Fisher.  And a lot of the things he has taught me through the business itself, it has helped me develop young and up-incoming models in various industries; not just music and modeling, all kinds of entertainment.  I help people to succeed!

The main person that knows of me is Tori Praver – she’s Hawaii’s ‘all girl’. Tori is Maui's best swim wear model ever! She has been big. Tori has her own apparel company here.  She has been on Ford. She has been all around the world.  So she knows how I work.

Alex: Best way to contact you?

 Face book:

Eugene Pierson

https://www.facebook.com/eugene.pierson7

Models on Maui Community Pages

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Models-on-Maui/176860435719349?ref=ts&fref=ts

Alex: Is there anything you would like to add?

Eugene: Pretty much I just want to say that, I believe in working with people and as long as people believe in business. I am the guy! I am not it to be your friend, not in it to hold your hand. I am in it to help you win it! That is basically it.

Alex: Why should people select Maui?

Eugene: Well Maui is really not like people think. The reason I would bring people to Maui is so that you can get away from the ‘status quo’ meaning the normal ‘hustle and bustle’.  You want to come here and bring family it is a great place to get away. 

You want to get away from the 'rush' of New York and the over 'crowdedness' of LA.  It’s not as face paced.  We call it 'easy living'. But it is a great place for people who understand business.

Alex: Thank you for a great insider’s interview! It was a pleasure!

Eugene: Aloha and God bless. Much success! 

Alex: Thank you Eugene! Take care,

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Celebrity Valentine’s Day

Saint Valentine's Day or the more common name Valentine’s Day! Feb. 14 - Every year!  A day that makes people do crazy things to show that they love someone.  It's good that it only comes around once a year!

Well let’s take a look at some celebrity styles from the past!

Justin Bieber to Selena Gomez

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

Bought out an entire florist shop of roses, tulips and daisies for Selena - $2000

  Angelina Jolie to Brad Pitt

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

200-year-old olive tree - $19,000

 

Jay Z to Beyonce

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

Platinum covered mobile phone - $24,000

 George Clooney to Sarah Larson

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

Expensive Hotel, show and dinner - $40,000

Katy Perry to Russell Brand

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

Bentley automobile - $341,000

David Beckham to Victoria Beckham 

 Valentine’s Day Gift:

Bvlgari necklace and dinner made by her favorite chefs - $8 million

What is the best Valentine's Day Gift you ever got?

Language Learning Section

For this week, everyone will be talking about Valentine’s Day. So here are some fun casual questions you can try out with your friends while practicing superlatives. 

(1)Vocabulary for Valentine’s Day Speaking Practice

The Most Common Valentine’s Day Gifts

    Chocolates

    Candy

    Flowers

    Jewelry

    Perfume

    Alcohol

    Greeting Cards/e-cards

    Stuffed animals

    Clothing

    A date 

    A kiss

Vocabulary for Casual Superlative Questions

ever = until now

got = received

(2)Speaking Practice for Valentine’s Day Speaking Practice: Question and Answer Style.

Ask your friend the questions and listen to their answers.  Then switch roles.

(A)What was the most romantic Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The most romantic Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was red roses.

(A)What was the most expensive Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The most expensive Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

(A)What was the cheapest Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The cheapest Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

(A)What was the most original Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The most original Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

(A)What was the strangest Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The strangest Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

(A)What was the best Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The best Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

(A)What was the worst Valentine’s Day gift you ever got?

(B)The worst Valentine’s Day gift I ever got was _____________.

Well I hope you enjoy or enjoyed Valentine’s Day!

See you next week!

Coming this Wednesday to Celebrity English!

 

Models on Maui!

 An Insider's Look with the Highly Talented,

Experienced Entertainment & Promotional 

Specialist Eugene Pierson!

 You won't want to miss this!

Alex

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Best Super Bowl Food Commercials

The 2013 Super Bowl has just finished with the Baltimore Ravens beating the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34–31!  Great Game!  However, the Super Bowl has become more than just a football game!  People are in love with the commercials.  Watching Super Bowl advertisements has become a national past time in North America and for good reason.    They will be some of the best of the year on TV and You Tube.  At a 4 million dollar price tag per 30-second advertisement segment, the competition is fierce. 

108 million Americans watched the game on Sunday!  People will be talking about the commercials all week.  Moreover, this topic will be common for 2 weeks and again at this same time next year!

Let’s check out some of the Best Super Bowl Food Commercials of 2013!  

 

What did you think of the commercials?

Natural English Language Learning Section

11 Easy to Remember High Frequency Descriptive Adjectives for Casual and Natural Conversations!

High Frequency Transferable Adjectives for describing commercials, movies, sports and more!

(note: the percentages act as a guide and are subject to an individual's interpretation and feeling)

Adjectives                        Levels          of         Feeling    

     

epic,phenomenal,             100%                          positive

awesome,fantastic

great                                 

good

ok                                       50%                            neutral

boring                                                      

bad

awful, terrible                       0%                            negative

Practice Speaking Style

Give it a try with a friend. Both the past simple and present simple can be used when talking about famous commercials. Try out all the ads and then switch roles. 

(1)

Adjectives and Past Case

Example

A: What did you think about the Oreo commercial?

B:  It was good. How about you?

A: I thought it was boring.

A: What did you think of the ___________ commercial?

B: It was _________. How about you?

A: I thought it was ________.

(2)

Adjectives and Present Case 

Example

A: What do you think of the Oreo commercial?

B: It is good. How about you?

A: I think it's boring.

A: What do you think of the ___________commercial?

B: It is _________. How about you?

A: I think it's _________.

(3)

Now, go to You Tube and select some Super Bowl Commercials for you and your friends to try out.

Try using these adjectives all week in different situations.  Enjoy!  

           Alex

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