高级综合商务英语1 彭青龙 Unit 2 Film Industry

Part II
Sentence Interpretation
…rival publishers were griping that thHale Waihona Puke Baidure was no point bidding against the firm for a children’s title. (Line 7, Para. 6)
Lead-in
Who is your favorite character in the films?
Fantasy film
• Harry Potter films are generally considered as a typical example of Fantasy films. Do you know any other films that also belong to this category?
Cinderella’s change from a poor house servant to a beautiful lady is not only very delightful but also quite chaotic. The companies involved with Harry Potter had similar experiences.
Part I
Words and Expressions
churn (Line. 2, Para.1) v. 1. if something churns water, mud or dust, it moves it about violently 剧烈搅动，搅拌 2. make something (esp. butter) by stirring vigorously 生产（黄油） example: • Dirt roads now churned into mud by the rain. • They churn out 3000 toy trains every day.
Part II
Sentence Interpretation
Cinderella’s transformation from kitchen grunt to belle is both delightful and disruptive. So it has proved for the companies involved with Harry Potter. (Line 8, Para. 3)
The major differences are: no use of star actors, based on known properties such as books and comics and directed by respected but little-known directors.
Part II
Questions about Part II
Q4. Apart from selling books and movie tickets, what are the other sources of revenue for the Harry Potter franchise? (Para. 14-16)
Part II
Questions about Part II
Q2. Why Warner Bros was initially reluctant to make the films? (Para. 7-9)
Because movie producers were worried that fantasy was out of fashion at the time and American audiences might not readily accept a typical British story. What’s more, investment to make such a film was not a small figure.
Part I
Sentence Interpretation
A sculptor creates a huge monument to wizarding might. (Line 3, Para. 1) “A huge monument was created by a sculptor to represent the power of wizards.”
Part II
Questions about Part II
Q3. What are the differences between the modern blockbuster franchises such as Harry Potter series and the 1990s blockbuster-films? (Para. 10-12)
Part I
Sentence Interpretation
Potter must confront this menace in between worrying about sport, homework and girls. (Line 7, Para. 2) Apart from the usual things such as sport, homework and girls, which every ordinary schoolboy would have to deal with, Harry Potter also have to face the threat of Voldemort.
Part II
Questions about Part II
Q1. What’s the main idea of Part II (Para. 3Para. 16)?
J.K. Rowling’s fiction not only helped to generate huge financial success for several companies involved but also created a whole industry and transformed the Hollywood.
Part I
Words and Expressions
stifling (Line. 3, Para.2) adj. it is used to describe a place that is extremely hot 热得难受的 or if a situation is stifling, it makes you feel uncomfortable because you can not do what you want. 令人感到压抑的 e.g. Life at home with her parents and two sisters was stifling.
The story of how Harry Potter series was discovered and later became a great success is a Cinderella kind of story – at first things of great value was overlooked, then the chance of discovery came and eventually it received the fame and wealth it deserved.
Part I
Words and Expressions
menace (Line. 7, Para.2) n. something that is likely to cause serious harm 威胁 e.g. • The big hole outside the house is a menace to children's safety • A careless driver is a menace to all road users.
Fantasy
• Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds.
Other revenue sources include sales of toys, video games and an upcoming theme park in Florida.
Part II
Sentence Interpretation
Precisely, it is Cinderella – a story of greatness overlooked, chance discovery and eventual riches. (Line 3, Para. 3)
Rival publishers began to realize that they stand no chance to compete with the firm in the area of children’s books.
Part II
Sentence Interpretation
the project appeared ‘too British for the studios but too big to be a British production.’ (Line 8, Para. 8)
Unit Two
Film Industry
1. Lead-in 2. Text A: The Harry Potter Economy 3. Text B: China’s Investment in Silver Screen
Lead-in
• Have you seen the Harry Potter films or read the book series before? • Do you like them?
Structural Analysis
Para.
Para. 1-2 Para. 3-16
Main Topics An general introduction of the Harry Potter series.
Para. 17
A detailed illustration of how this book series transformed several companies involved and eventually created a global mass-media franchise. The success of Harry Potter is difficult to surpass.
Part I
Questions about Part I
Q1. What is the function of Para. 1?
The description of the factory in Para.1 gives readers a general idea of how the movie series generated work opportunity and therefore exerted its impact on economy.
Part I
Words and Expressions
spackle (Line. 4, Para.1) n. Trademark, a brand of quick-drying, plaster like material for patching plasterwork. 一种墙 壁涂料的商标名 v. 涂墙粉于…use powder (containing gypsum plaster and glue) mixed with water to fill cracks and holes in a wall