Star Stories

Nome: D Potenziamento Classe: Data: Reading Star Stories

It isn’t easy to be famous. You need a lot of talent and sometimes you have to be lucky, too! This week on Star Stories, we look at three stars who grew up in Australia. Naomi Watts was born in Britain, but her family moved to Australia. When she was a teenager in Australia, she told her mother she wanted to have acting lessons. Later, Naomi acted in adverts and TV programmes. She also worked as a model in Japan for a year. Naomi is great friends with Nicole Kidman. They met before they became famous. In 1991, they acted in a film together. Then Naomi decided to move to Hollywood. After a lot of small parts in films, she starred in the 2001 filmMulholland Drive. It was her first big film and it was a great success. Later, after the film21 Grams, she was nominated for an Oscar. She’s been a top Hollywood actress since then.

Gabriella Cilmi’s parents are from Italy, but she was born and grew up in Melbourne, Australia. She started to sing and write songs when she was very young. Her friends at school said she had a beautiful voice. When she was 13, she was singing at a street festival when she was seen by a man from a big record company. That day changed her life – later she went to America and Britain and was given a contract with a record company. In 2008, her first song ‘Sweet about Me’ was downloaded by millions of people and played on the radio all over the world. Since then Gabriella has sung at concerts with the Sugababes, James Blunt and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Russell Crowe was born in Wellington, New Zealand, but his family moved to Australia when he was four. Russell acted on TV for the first time when he was only six years old. When he was a teenager, his family moved back to New Zealand. Russell became a singer and he used the name Rus Le Roq. Later, he went back to Australia and acted on Australian TV. Then in 1992 he was given his first big part in the filmRomper Stomper. Russell’s life changed when a Hollywood producer saw the film. The producer wanted him for a new film. It was the start of his amazing Hollywood career. In 2001, Russell Crowe was phoned by the FBI. They told him that some people were planning to kidnap him. For a few months, he was protected by extra bodyguards who travelled everywhere with him. At that time, he was advertising the kidnapping filmProof of Life. Sometimes an actor’s life is just like a film! Glossary grow up crescere 1 Leggi il brano e scrivi il nome dei personaggi. part ruolo 1 This person was born in Australia. nominate (v) designare 2 This person worked as a model. record company compagnia discografica producer produttore 3 This person was protected by lots of bodyguards. FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation: ente investigativo federale 2 Rileggi il brano e completa le frasi. americano 1 Naomi Watts’ first big film was called . bodyguard guardia del corpo 2 Gabriella Cilmi started to and write songs when she was very young. 3 She was seen by a man who worked for a . 4 Russell Crowe was born in , New Zealand. 5 He became a called Rus Le Roq. 6 His first big film was called .

194 High Spirits Digital Teacher’s Resource Book 3 © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS • PHOTOCOPIABLE D0 3 Rispondi alle domande. 1 What did Naomi Watts tell her mother when she was a teenager? 2 Who is she great friends with? 3 Where was Gabriella Cilmi seen when she was 13? 4 What famous people / bands has she sung with? 5 How old was Russell Crowe when he was on TV for the first time? 6 Why did the FBI phone him in 2001? Focus on you 4 Rispondi alle domande in modo personale. 1 Which star’s story do you think is the most interesting? Why? 2 Which star do you think is the most talented? Why? 3 Which star would you like to meet? Why? Writing 5 Leggi il factfile su Mel Gibson e completa il dialogo con le risposte.

Mel Gibson Born: New York, 1956 Life: • moved to Australia aged 12 • after high school studied at drama school • first big film,Mad Max, 1977 • starred in many films e.g.Lethal Weapon, The Patriot, Independence Day • directed films, e.g.Braveheart & Apocalypto

You My favourite actor’s Mel Gibson. I think he’s amazing. Potenziamento Danny Really? Where was he born? You 1 Danny I thought he was born in Australia. When did he move to Australia? You 2 Danny Where did he learn to act? You 3 Danny What was his first big film? You 4 Danny I’ve seen that on TV. It’s a good film. When was it made? You 5 Danny Really? That’s very old. What has he done since then? You 6 Danny Has he directed any films? You 7 Danny Wow. He’s really talented.

6 Annota alcune informazioni sul tuo/sulla tua cantante o attore/attrice preferito/a. Usa questi suggerimenti come aiuto. My favourite star

• where / from (country / town where born / grew up) • what / done (films, songs, books, TV shows…) • why / like (talented, funny, clever, good-looking…) • a question you would like to ask this person

7 Scrivi un brano (75 – 100 parole) sul tuo personaggio famoso preferito. Usa le idee dell’es. 6 come aiuto. ES K