Author: HitMedia

Theatricality in Cinema

What is the relationship between these two arts

Reading time 4 minutes

What makes the languages of theater and cinema so different but at the same time so good complement each other?

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the cinema and theater is that the first one is fragmented. To achieve the desired effect, the director can use many takes – he has a few chances to «replay» the planned. But the viewer has no opportunity to «touch» the action. Film production and the process of consumption of the finished product by the viewer are separated in time.

«Stop! Cut!»

On the contrary, theatrical processes are continuous. The performance implies constant interaction with the viewer, who acts as a «creator». The degree of influence of production depends mainly on the audience involvement, its concentration on what is happening «here and now».

The theater is the art of reflecting (c) Konstantin Stanislavsky

The degree of the conventionality of both cinema and theater is closely connected with communication (mainly non-verbal) between actors and audience. The emotional connection of the viewer is a necessary condition. The theater aims to unite actors and spectators in a single spiritual effort. But both cinema and theater strive to lead us to a state of “secondary belief” – appealing to our personal experiences, associations, and feelings. We empathize with the characters, project the events and behavior of the characters on themselves, interpret meanings, and rethink what we see.

Another important feature is the illusion of reality, and in cinema, it is much higher than in the theater. The director is able to recreate almost any historical epoch, and modern technology makes this task much easier. In the theater, all «special effects» are built-in, and the main mechanisms of influence are the actor’s mimicry and scenery. Spatial restrictions (stage frames) also have an effect.

Cinema should make the viewer forget that he is sitting in the movie (c) Roman Polanski

There are films that are on the verge of theater and cinema. «Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead»(1990, directed by Tom Stoppard) and «Anna Karenina» (2012, directed by Joe Wright) are interpretations of classics in which the artistic possibilities of theater and cinema complement each other.

In the first of them, the techniques of anachronism, demonstrative violation of sequence and visual citation (these resources give the cinema) are combined with the involvement of the heroes-observers in the course of the action: the world for them at some point becomes theater, they move to the stage, in the heart of Shakespeare’s «Hamlet» – so there is an external conditionality (theatrical feature).

There are two ways to become an artist. The first is to do what everyone thinks is art. Second: to make everyone think that what you are doing is art (c) Tom Stoppard

In the second – we meet the excessive acting mimicry and live plasticity, striking the splendor of scenery (the illusion of the place) with the effect of «behind the scenes» (in the design of the back of the stage).

Shootings of the film “Anna Karenina” (2012, directed by Joe Wright)

Another interesting example is «The Hateful Eight» (2015). Quentin Tarantino borrows from the theater a method of narrative division into acts: the film consists of chapters, each of which becomes our «guide» in a confusing, dark, and bloody story. Interesting here is the mise-en-scene transferred from theatricality, designed to reflect all the components of the inner life of the heroes, resulting in a struggle between them – both on the moral and ethical as well as physical levels.

«They don’t come here without a good reason»…

The theater has something to offer to the film industry – the possibilities of its language, if used by the director correctly and appropriately, are really able to make a film brighter visually and deeper – in the sense.

From Aristotle to Robert Mackey

What to read for an aspiring screenwriter

Reading time 4 minutes

Robert McKee – “Story”

Роберт Макки "История на миллион долларов"

Robert McKee is one of the most sought after scriptwriters in the world. He has published several books and regularly holds seminars for those who want to learn storytelling. Students of his seminars participated in the creation of such films and TV series as Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Wolf of Wall Street and others. 

The book “Story” as fully as possible reveals how to tell a story so that it finds its viewer. “History” is written in simple and accessible language, so it is not necessary to know the basics of drama: it will be useful for both beginners and followers.

Blake Snyder – “Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need”

 

Блейк Снайдер "Спасите котика!"
Blake Snyder “Save the Cat!”

Blake Snyder was a screenwriter, producer, and storytelling consultant. He created scripts and earned money by selling them.

 

The book “Save the cat!” is in first place in the top of the Amazon site in the “movie scripts” section and is very popular among screenwriters around the world. It is read in one breath. Blake Snyder describes the techniques for creating a memorable and vivid history, each item is illustrated clearly, this is a practical guide that will answer the most important questions.

The screenwriter offers his own classification of genres and his recipe for creating a potential masterpiece consisting of 15 ingredients.

Aristotle – “Poetics”

Аристотель — древнегреческий философ, автор трактата "Поэтика"
Aristotle – the ancient Greek philosopher, author of the treatise “Poetics”

The study of stories and characters began much earlier than the cinema era. Aristotle’s Poetics treatise was written in 335 BC, it reveals the fundamentals and proposes a theory of drama. The ancient Greek philosopher defines poetics as a whole, speaks about the main techniques of the tragedy, gives the character traits that the heroes of each story should possess.

“Poetics” and other works of Aristotle – an important stage in the study and classification of theories of drama.

 

Initially, the work consisted of two parts: the first reveals the principles and parts of the tragedy, the second – the comedy. Unfortunately, the second part did not reach modern readers.

Flavorism: make it yummy!

Who and how creates your favorite tastes and smells

Reading time 4 minutes

We’re surrounded by product abundance with a host of numerous tastes: gingerbread, sundae, green tea and even baklava-flavored yogurts.It is not a secret that all of them contain flavor additives and flavouring. Who and where produces them?

IFF и Givoudan are huge companies which are responsible for producing flavor additives. They hire flavorists – specialists responding for flavouring elaboration for various food sectors. They also create smells for perfumes. One of their tasks is reviving goods «natural» smell which is being lost while producing and keeping in the warehouses and shops shelves.

Used flavourings and additives must not be harmful for the human organism, and the body of laws and orders is existing in this field: which explosives, components, chemical connections should be used, and this list is constantly being updated.

Flavorist arsenal of instruments is rather affluent: essences, various extracts, oils and other chemical explosives. Proper combination is able to provide a necessary taste. For instance, if mix lemon, banana, raspberry and ananas essences in particular proportions, one can give an initially tasteless product strawberry taste.

In order to become a flavourist it is necessary to have chemistry, biology and food technology education, be well-versed in organic chemistry. Every day a specialist deals with 4000 explosives. It is impossible to obtain necessary skills at university that is why it is required to master this craft intentionally while working. Many companies connected to flavorism teach their technologists by themselves. Consequently, employees receive high salaries.

Obviously, consumers are worried about flavouring safety, a great number of people are sure additives are harmful. Official Rosquality site ensures an interview with Olga Bagryantseva, a scientist of Federal research center of nutrition and biotechnology.

Doctor of Biological Science assures that it is worthless to worry about jeopardy: natural, artificial, identical flavourings pass numerous verifications. The body of flavour-aromatic explosives is existing, and their harmlessness is proved.

«Approximately thousand kilograms of food which a person is eating during one year contains only 500 grams of flavour-aromatic explosives. Even if flavourings were dangerous this amount would not be enough for doing our health harm».

However, various taste enhancers rapidly bring on adaptation and even addiction to get rid of which is very complicated. A human stops perceiving goods with natural, not enhanced taste, and begin to swallow up meals flavoured and supplemented with additives . This phenomenon can lead to health issues and at least to excessive weight.

Rap God vs Rap Devil

Новый альбом Эминема: кому досталось и при чём здесь Machine Gun Kelly

Reading time 3 minutes

Несмотря на то что рэперу из Кливленда Колсону Бэйкеру были посвящены всего несколько строк из 13-и треков, именно он стал самой интересной фигурой.

В треке «Not Alike» есть такие фразы:

«И я обращаюсь к тебе, хоть ты и сам знаешь, что ты представляешь из себя, Келли,
Я никогда не действую исподтишка и тем более не пишу диссы тайком.
Но ты можешь дальше комментировать мою дочь Хэйли».

Последние предложения — отсылка к твиту MGK 2012 года, где тот называет Хэйли Мэттерс «горячей» (на тот момент ей было всего 16 лет), с этим связаны слухи, якобы после твита Эминем забанил Колсона на радиостанции, которой заведует. А претензии к скрытым диссам связаны с тем, что в последних работах, а именно в треке «No reasons» (совместный с Tech N9ne) и во фристайле с Лейкерсом, Колсон без упоминания имени отпускает высказывания в сторону Эминема.

В интервью со Свэеем Каллоуэем, американским журналистом и радиоведущим, Эминем называет эти обе причины ключевыми.

Обложка к диссу MGK "Rap Devil"
Обложка к диссу MGK “Rap Devil”

Конфликт получает свое развитие.
С удивительной скоростью, через пять дней после релиза «Kamikaze», Machine Gun Kelly выпускает пятиминутный дисс на Маршалла с названием «Rap Devil», что является отсылкой к хиту «Rap God» из альбома MMLP 2, вышедшего в 2013 году. Сутки спустя дисс занял первое место на портале Genius.

В треке MGK насмехается над внешним видом «Бога Рэпа», указывает на то, что он «староват» и много думает о себе, но параллельно с нападками чередуются «восхваления», как-никак Эминем долгое время был кумиром и примером для артиста из Кливленда.

Дисс дошел до своего адресата: именитый рэпер даже назвал его «неплохим». Ответный трек не был ожидаемым, ведь Эминем склонен игнорировать подобные нападки, которые далеки от его уровня, но релиз не заставил себя ждать.

Обложка трека Эминема "Killshot"
Обложка трека Эминема “Killshot”

Трек «Killshot» целиком посвящен Колсону и разбирает по косточкам его творение. Эминем указывает на отсутствие фактчекинга, банальность строк («у тебя странная борода», «слабые колени»), а также на былой фанатизм («Я, кажется, забыл перезвонить тебе. Держи автограф для твоей дочки»).
По многим параметрам «Killshot» оказался куда более состоятельным и объективным. За первые сутки трек вошел в десятку самых просматриваемых на Genius с 36-ю миллионами просмотров и до сих пор не сдает своих позиций в iTunes.

Был ли этот конфликт спланированной пиар–акцией или нет, мы уже не узнаем, но оба артиста по итогу остались в плюсе, а поклонники двух рэп–исполнителей получили дополнительный повод для дискуссий и достойные треки впридачу.

It time to merge “the deadly soda?”

Что на самом деле установили ученые из Бостонского университета Тафтса

Reading time 6 minutes

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What happened?

Scientists from Boston’s tufts University argue that “high consumption of sugary drinks and fruit juice associated with a decrease in total brain volume and lower performance on tests of episodic memory”. Article was published in the medical journal “Alzheimer’s &Dementia”.

On the same day, the Internet exploded with headlines: “Soda kills annually to 184 thousand people, researchers found”, “Soda admitted killer”, “Scientists have linked the consumption of soda and atrophy of the brain”. How justified are these fears? Edition Hit.Media appealed to the original text, available by subscription, as well as an expert from the HSE Vasily Vlasov.

According studies Matthew Landsca, those who consume more than a certain number of drinks with sweeteners, juices, and soda, a brain volume was on average 1% less than other study participants. The volume of the hippocampus, responsible for memory, decreased by 2%. Fans of sweet drinks could remember 6% less of the stories that were told them by the doctors during the experiment. In addition, patients with addiction to soda was more difficult to remember and retell these stories through the day.

The authors of the research interpret their results as a basis for further research and conclusion about a possible connection to the high consumption of sugary drinks with the studied diagnostic markers as a cause for scientific debate.

expert Comments specifically for hit.media

Vasily Vlasov, doctor of medical Sciences, Professor of the faculty of social Sciences at the HSE:

– For decades thousands of scientists and activists under the guise of scientists are trying to find something harmful in the food that you eat millions, but to detect the damage by scientific means is not possible. Are you surprised? Yes! The quality of the food chains, like McDonald’s, is all because of evil interest good, and the food in them are harmless.

But such research is carried out again and again, including the fact that the results of these studies attracted the attention of the press, readers, give clicks – the circle closes. So this study caught the attention. It is made on materials of world-famous Remengesau research. This is an unprecedented study now three generations of Americans living in Framingham outside of Boston. This study accessible to scientists around the world and analyzed to check the most fanciful hypotheses.

In this analysis compared people who reported drinking sodas with those who say that it consumes little or no drinking. Found that consuming soda, the brain is smaller, and the poorer the results of one test on the memory.

Commentators in the press, including Russian, was handing out these modest results a lot. In fact correlation, but the causal nature of the relationship no question. It is quite a common mistake: as if the researchers found that among sailors more than men, and commentators said that the penis is the cause of the choice of profession.

Research “cross design” does not allow to identify the causes, they can only indicate possible directions for further research. The title “brain atrophy” indicates that the brain was, and then atrophied. The study only found that people have different brain size, and the connection of the small size of the brain with drinking soda.

Is false and the statement that “diabetes and other consequences from the abuse of soda kill approximately 184 thousand people a year.” Although diabetes called “diabetes disease”, this is because in the urine contains glucose. But there is no evidence that increased use of sucrose (regular sugar) leads to diabetes.

The title “Soda kills annually to 184 thousand people,” – a vivid example of irresponsible journalism.

How to drink soda in different countries

Most sweet drinks like in South America and on nearby Islands. In the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Cuba consume more than one bottle a day, in the U.S. on an average day drink 250 ml. least of all lovers of sugary drinks in East Asia. Most soda buy young people, and least likely to drink it of an elderly woman. Statistics show that the global average every person drinks 133 ml of soda per day.

In Russia, the consumption of carbonated drinks is also at the level of 133 ml per day, which gives about 20% of the daily value of sugar for a healthy adult. Half-liter bottle – that’s 75%, but drinking a liter or more of coke or juice a day, we are one and a half times the searched normal.

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Now you can, Mr. Erdogan!

Референдум в Турции наделяет президента «султанскими» полномочиями

Reading time 8 minutes

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What happened?

Held on 16 April referendum, the majority of Turkish citizens voted for the introduction of the 18th amendment to the Constitution of the country. According to these amendments, the Republic of Turkey changed the form of government from a parliamentary to presidential, and the President is concentrating in their hands almost unlimited power. Thus abolishes the post of Prime Minister, the President is entitled to appoint Ministers and other senior officials, as well as the majority of constitutional court judges without the approval of Parliament. He controls the state budget, can dissolve the Parliament and to enter in the country state of emergency. After the entry into force of amendments in the Constitution, Erdogan will remain head of state until 2029 as the current term of his presidency will be cancelled.

At the same time, the Parliament will have the power to impeach. The number of deputies will increase from 550 to 600, and presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on the same day every 5 years.

‘ll Wait if “strong hand”?

Supported at the referendum of constitutional amendments in most of them should enter into force after the next presidential election, scheduled for November 2019. Opposition politicians fear that Erdogan will be able to obtain additional authority before this term, however, the Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek assured that nothing of the sort is planned.

The opposition leader Fethullah Gulen, see in the upcoming reform of the “hard dictatorship” and the collapse of democracy in the country.

The idea of “strong hand” gained popularity in the Turkish society especially after the failed military coup in July 2016. After the referendum, Erdogan rally in Istanbul promised to raise the issue of the return of the death penalty, which Turkey has been formally abolished in 2002 as the fulfillment of the requirements of the European Union on the admission of the country into its ranks.

feedback on the referendum

Before the end of counting of votes of the opposition “Republican people’s party” (CHP) has questioned the legitimacy of the vote, demanding a recount of up to 60% of the vote. The reason was sudden change rules of acceptance of ballots. According to the Chairman of the CHP Kemal kılıçdaroğlu, the commissions began to accept ballots without the seal, although such ballots were considered invalid.

Manfred Weber, the German politician and the leader of the center-right group, wrote on Twitter: “Regardless of the outcome of the referendum Erdogan split the country.”

After the April referendum American CNN said that Turkish democracy was dead, and the counting of votes was rigged.

The President of the United States trump congratulated Erdogan on winning the referendum and thanked for the support of the American missile attack in response to “the use of chemical weapons” in Flibe.

Context: Turkish-Russian relations

In 2015, Russia’s relations with Turkey have deteriorated sharply because of a downed Turkish fighter jet Russian su-24, which carried out the bombing site near the Syrian-Turkish border. In this regard, has suspended sale of vacation packages to Turkey, in November 2015 Vladimir Putin signed a decree a ban on the import of certain types of goods into the territory of the Russian Federation. In response, Turkey refused from Russian grain. Because of the embargo on the Turkish vegetables, the price of tomatoes in Russia, according to some experts, has increased three times. Overall both sides suffered losses amounting to billions of dollars.

In June 2016 Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent Vladimir Putin a letter of apology for the downed aircraft and talked to him on the phone bilateral relations. After that, the sale of tours to Turkey resumed. In December 2016 in Ankara was killed by Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov, which Russia suspended the debate on the abolition of visas for Turkish citizens.

From January 2017 for the first time Russia together with the Turkish armed forces began to strike back at terrorist groups in Syria. However, the positions of countries on the Syrian conflict differ substantially with respect to some opposing the government of Syria groups, as well as President Bashar al-Assad.

the Mikhail Delyagin, writer:

– Finding essentially absolute power, Erdogan has taken a clear anti-Russian position along with trump calling for Assad’s responsibility for chemical attack in Idlib and declaring us “grain war.” The hostility of Erdogan’s actions are obvious. Probably, it is supposed that “Russian is not going anywhere” and will endure all for the sake of the recovery of tourism and the creation of the “Turkish stream”.

backwards – from the European Union?

Supporters of Turkey’s accession to the EU believe that the country is “global geo-strategic player” and a “bridge between West and East.” Opponents point to the non-observance by Turkey of the principles of liberal democracy, such as freedom of speech.

According to Erdogan, in 2015, only 20% of the population wanted the joining of Turkey to the EU, while in 2005 this number reached 75%. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent ARINC said that the accession to the European Union ceased to be of interest to the citizens of the country.

expert Opinion

Researcher, Institute of Oriental studies Ilshat Saitov specifically for Hit.media:

– Presidential system implies a different management style. In a parliamentary system, erdoğan has been a kind of exception: after Ataturk and Ismet Inonu, the first two leaders of the Republic, which were quite authoritarian and rigid, had been introduced a multi-party system, Turkey has become more democratic and pluralistic. Erdogan returned to the days of one-party system, lays the Foundation for the next President had far greater powers than the Prime Minister in a parliamentary Republic. Strategically it will affect Russian-Turkish relations.

the Sergey Tsyplyaev, Dean of the law faculty of the Northwest Institute of managment, member of Committee of Civil initiatives (in an interview to “echo of Moscow”):

– Turkey froze in that position like a pendulum at the top – where’s it headed? Or she will go further in the direction of modernization on the road, which started Kemal Ataturk, pulling the Turkey out of the world of the Middle East, or it fell in the same vortex when you will be irremovable, weak, corrupt regimes. And then the entire opposition, in the absence of other options, will begin to take on terrorist, extremist, fanatical character.

Points in karma

Чего не хватает молодым для успешного старта карьеры

Reading time 2 minutes

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The general director of Kelly Services CIS Ekaterina Gorokhova finds optional one of the main disadvantages of young job seekers. She said this on February 9 talk show “the point”, held at the studios of the media center HSE in Khitrovka. What’s wrong recent graduates, than good skills of teamwork and how to earn “karma points” – short snippet of the talk show.

Ekaterina Gorokhova: “it is not Enough just to study well, need something to work from the beginning. It broadens the mind. Experience is very useful, and if he has a degree, then it is doubly useful.”

In the full version of the talk show “the point” with Catherine Gorokhovaya – how to write a summary, than to go to the interview and how to behave in front of a potential employer, what specialties will be dead in 10 years, and who while robots will not replace. The recording of the web broadcast can be viewed here.

Kelly Services – the largest international company providing solutions for outsourcing and staff management.

the talk show “the point” available in the spring of 2016 in the framework of the educational process at the faculty of communications, media and design HSE and is part of a broader multimedia project Hit.Media.

All video channel Hit.Media on Youtube

It’s time to share the Church?

Передача Исаакиевского собора РПЦ: без спонсоров не обойтись

Reading time 4 minutes

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About the reasons of public debate, which led to the decision of the St. Petersburg authorities to transfer to St. Isaac’s Cathedral Russian Orthodox Church for free use for 49 years, says the experts of the talk show “To the point”: the Dean of St. Filaret Orthodox-Christian Institute, Father George Kochetkov, art historian, Professor of St.-Filaret Orthodox-Christian Institute Alexander Koprowski and Professor of cultural studies at the Higher school of economy journalist Jan Levchenko.

Alexander Koprowski sure that the information noise around the St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Russian Orthodox Church – “thing is artificial, when in a certain place you need to throw a grenade, distracting from other issues”. In this story, in his opinion, the main issue is moral: if it’s a working temple, its main function is to be a place of prayer.

Father George drew attention to the foreign experience: “For the Museum – Museum premises. The temple must be the temple. Thus with one another can be combined. This practice is common around the world and worked for a long time. To me it is strange that here there are any conflicts.”

Yan Levchenko believes that the controversy around Isaac requires a balanced positions on both sides:

“This conflict can raise issues that previously were resolved either automatically or at the level of “who’s who”.

One of the main issues is money. The Ministry of culture expects that the cost of Isaac would take on a new owner, and the ROC is waiting for state subsidies “in the framework of the programme”.

Father George is confident that funds for the maintenance of the memorial Church will only come from the public pocket:

“There are no Other options and should not be. Society and the state are interested in the preservation of cultural monuments. If you want it to be a cultural phenomenon and not just a cult – pay. And this is absolutely normal”.

Alexander Koprowski sees no drama in the material in question:

“These things are very easy to find the money. Any millionaire donating to Isaac, not to be afraid that someone the money to drag”.

Yan Levchenko urged to consider the situation as a “show” act, which should serve as a reason for the decision of the accumulated differences between the active cultural community and Church:

“The Situation may not be the same because of its ambiguity. Need not about the specific St. Isaac’s Cathedral to think, and to perceive that this conflict is representative of the unfolding public debate on the topic, what to do with the relationship of Church and state”.

Full version

Talk show “To the point” comes out in the spring of 2016 as an educational student project at the faculty of communication, media and design, Higher school of Economics.

More on this topic

And gave gifts with Royal generosity…(Esf 2:18)

Why Today We don’t Drink “Caffè”, Meet «Deadlines» and Ask “Wut is This?”

Филолог Юлия Кувшинская разрушает три мифа о русском языке

Reading time 4 minutes

[responsivevoice_button voice=”US English Male” buttontext=”Listen the text”]

Myth one: the Russian language is being simplified

– Yes, it is getting more democratic in the sense that it has become normal to use colloquial language even on television. But the vocabulary has not been simplified or more limited. Conversely, we have got more terms and borrowings. Such words as background, feedback and deadline now are clear to every student; they are widely used and have become a part of our lives.

Julia Kuvshinskaya, philologist, associate Professor, HSE
Julia Kuvshinskaya, philologist, associate Professor, HSE

In general, any language cannot live without borrowings. In Russian there are a lot of Turkish and Tatar borrowings from the Tatar language, they have become completely habitual. Many people believe that sarafan (pinafore dress), baraban (drum) and kaftan (a kind of tunic) are native Russian words. If a word has entered the Russian language, it is bound to be Russified, which involves an aesthetic factor. For example, coffee is masculine and associated with the drink which aristocrats “ate” in the 19thcentury. This moment is aesthetic, social, indicating a certain status but in no way linguistic. We do say moskovskoye metro (in the neutral gender), not moskovski metro (in the masculine gender), though the word metropolitan (undergroung), of which metro is an abbreviation, is masculine. It is essential to follow natural laws of the language.

Myth two: the Internet distorts the Russian language

– There used to be such a negative influence, but now there is a downtrend. It has become clear that to be understood it is necessary to speak good Russian, although elliptical sentences and abbreviations are still used to save time. Sometimes one can come across phonetic spelling. For example, wut instead of what, but there are not many such words. Now a lot of young people have mastered the art of “linguistic transformation”. At work, for example, they use elegant Russian, professional, which is formal and rich enough. And in the informal communication they speak like a totally different person, talking in youth slang, which is widely perceived as aggressive and almost flash language.

Myth three: obscenities and non-literary language are the same

In the fight for the “language purity ” some would go to extremes. Some “grammar-nationalists” even proclaimed themselves overseers who drive away all the “impure” from their “pure language”, which is an absolutely fascist stance. Linguists never do this, as they are interested in new phenomena and they are aware that language is very complex and diverse. In some cases, of course, it is necessary to make corrections. For example, obscenities are offensive others, and I would stop the person who uses it. But sometimes a grandmother would speak in a touching vernacular language. Why should it be corrected, because it is such a wonderful old-style speech. It sounds incorrect and non-literary but in everyday life this vernacular is appropriate not offensive. The choice of linguistic means should depend on the situation.

Interviewed By Maria Timoshenkov

The Russian star in China

Как в Китае «выкупили» Веру Житницкую

Reading time 7 minutes

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Vera Zhitnicka, theater and film actress, now starring in the Chinese TV series the love story of a Soviet speaker and a Chinese girl. The action takes place in the 1960-ies. Faith talks about how differently we approach the filming in Russia and China, but also about his love for Chinese tradition.

Vera Zhitnitskaya
Vera Zhitnitskaya

— You are used to the main role, but in this series play the role of the sister of the main character. It does not hurt to play a minor character?

— No, absolutely! Of course, better get used to it, but now I am happy and I like what I’m doing here. It is a priceless experience in a completely different cinematic reality, which I was very fascinated. Besides, this is a story about a Chinese girl, so I would not have approached for the lead role.

— How did you get into the project?

The role I got in a strange way. One actress posted on my social network that soon will be samples in the new project for Chinese television. At the audition I was extremely nervous: the Director, cameraman and producer of the series flew to Russia from China to personally select the actors. They had only one day, and contenders insane amount, it was necessary to show their best side, to stand out among all. The three of us got it and we were offered the role, but, frankly, it was very hard.

— Well if you took Chinese colleagues?

— The Chinese are very hospitable and interesting people. We have much to learn from them, for example, they are much more patient and calmer. With them pleasant and easy on the court, because in addition to the Russian partners we have to work with the Chinese, we play in their language, and they on his. It can be difficult, but the team and the other actors are always ready to help, suggest something. In between shooting, we have fun and joke: teach each other our languages, because the Chinese pronunciation of Russian sounds and Vice versa sounds very funny.

— What are the main differences in the production of TV series we have in China?

— The Chinese are very organized and hardworking. They have all done accurately, quickly, at a pre-agreed schedule. They try to shoot one take, so before filming always explain our problem to the max, not to reshoot several times. Of course, sometimes there are some “lost in translation”, but it does not hinders the process.

Very strange that a shooting area ready to shoot just five minutes, so seriously they approach the process. In Russia everything is totally not so, the shooting can reschedule, cancel, change at the last moment, the scene suddenly to rewrite the script for us it’s normal, so at first the Chinese seemed strange accuracy. Now I got used to it and understand how it really facilitates the process. This we clearly should learn from Chinese colleagues.

Yet they have definitely lunch at exactly twelve o’clock, even if not dosnyal scene, everyone needs a break. Also working in parallel, three groups in different places, so the movie they remove just like a rocket.

There is another difference: if we used what we call the shooting schedule almost for several months in advance, so that they can be combined with other surveys, the Chinese would “buy back” actors for the entire period of filming. Therefore, the Chinese actors can’t act more than one project. I personally in this respect, closer to our system — I do not like to sit idle, if you can plan your time.

— Do you like in China?

— Honestly, I was waiting for from China something horrific and completely incomprehensible. Thought I would be in a country where no say in Russian, but English with difficulty. Actually it is not so scary, and to find a common language with the local happened almost immediately. A huge impression on me nature is very diverse, so every city somehow remains in memory. This is my second time in China, the air up here, I already think my family, I even missed him. I think I’ll be back there again and again after the shooting.

— What was the biggest cultural shock you have experienced in China during this time?

— When we arrived it was still quite hot and we tried not to miss the opportunity to visit the beaches. Now, we immediately noticed that swim mostly men, very few women. If they appear, are dressed in diving suits, and almost in the mask on the face, so they cherish white skin. They have very different standards of beauty, and I was very surprised. But in General they are the same people, just with their culture, customs and, of course, excellent cuisine!

— And you would be able to continue his acting career in China?

To move forever? Not exactly plan. I like the local culture, but China is not my home. Still, I love Russia and I prefer to work here, despite all the advantages the Chinese market.