Talking about movies in English becomes much more interesting when you know the right vocabulary and grammar to express your opinions clearly. The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, offer an excellent opportunity to practice past simple and learn specific terms used in the film industry.
What are the Oscars and why do they matter?
The Academy Awards were presented for the first time in 1929 [0:06]. The famous statuette received the name Oscar, and today the Academy recognizes talent across 24 categories, although originally they only had 12 [0:17]. Some well-known categories include Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Visual Effects.
A fascinating detail: the Academy used to share the winners' names with the press before the ceremony. However, in 1939, the Los Angeles Times printed the names before the event [0:39]. After that incident, the Academy decided to keep the results a secret and started using sealed envelopes opened during the live broadcast.
Which film categories should you know?
Understanding specific categories helps you discuss movies with richer vocabulary and greater precision.
What is a screenplay?
The screenplay category is divided into two types: adapted and original [1:18]. An adapted screenplay is based on an existing story, such as a book. For example, Jojo Rabbit was adapted from the book Paging Skies by Kristin Lunen, and director Taika Waititi won Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019 [1:30]. An original screenplay is written specifically for the film. Green Book won this award in 2019 [1:50].
What does cinematography mean?
The cinematographer is responsible for the visual look of a film, including the color, lighting, and camera movement [2:05]. This category used to be split into black and white and color, but now all films compete together. In 2020, the film Mank, a black and white movie directed by David Fincher, won this award [2:25].
What is an original score?
The original score refers to the music composed specifically for a film, designed to transmit all the emotions throughout the story [2:42]. John Williams is one of the most celebrated composers in this field, known for Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., and Harry Potter. He has received an impressive 53 Oscar nominations [3:00].
How do directing and acting categories work?
The director is often considered the most important figure in filmmaking because this person is in charge of all aspects within the production [3:15]. A notable fact: only three women have won the Best Director award. The director of Parasite won this recognition, making it the first non-English language film to receive the award [3:35].
In the acting category, Meryl Streep stands out as the most nominated actress of all time [4:00]. She won Best Actress for Sophie's Choice in 1982 and once again for The Iron Lady in 2011 [4:50].
Why is past simple essential when discussing films?
Since award ceremonies and film releases happened in the past, past simple is the natural tense to describe them [4:20]. Here are key examples from the lesson:
- The Academy presented these awards for the first time in 1929.
- The Los Angeles Times printed the names before the ceremony.
- Taika Waititi wrote and directed Jojo Rabbit.
- It won Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019.
Time expressions are also essential when talking about the past [5:05]. Phrases like in 1982, in 2020, or between 1939 and 1966 help you place events clearly in context. For instance: "Between 1939 and 1966, the cinematography category was divided in two."
Now it is your turn: choose an Oscar-nominated film and write a brief paragraph using the vocabulary and past simple structures covered here. Share it in the comments — it would be great to know which films you consider the best of all time.
