entertainment_061012_maggie Lyrics

Anna: Hello, I'm Anna Jones and this is Entertainment. In the programme
we're going to be hearing from an American actress who seems to be
getting more and more popular. One of her most recent films is Oliver
Stone's World Trade Centre in which she plays a woman whose
husband died during the 9/11 attacks. When Maggie first started
working be an actress, she appeared in smaller independent films and
in this interview she says she now feels differently about those
independent films than when she first made them. Why does she feel
differently?
I don't think it's true that I'm necessarily doing more big studio movies although I do
feel differently than I used to about teeny independent movies. I used to feel when I
was younger and I thought I was sort of punk, to say - well I don't care if anybody
sees my movies or not. I do care if people see my movies, I'm not making them for
myself otherwise I just like act in my kitchen. It's a totally different equation when
you're making a tiny movie which I've learned over time.
Anna: Maggie says that she says that she doesn't think that she's doing more
big studio movies nowadays but she admits to feeling differently about
independent movies. She describes those independent films as "teeny"
- which means very small. You might also hear the expression "teeny
weeny" which also means very small. Well when she was younger she
says that she thought it was "punk" not to care about whether people
watched her films or not. The expression "punk" refers to the punk
movement of the 1970's - the punk movement was popular with young
people who opposed any sort of authority and they expressed their
views through shocking hair styles, clothes, behaviour and by listening
to fast and loud music. So Maggie uses the word "punk" to express
how she felt rebellious and anti-establishment by making these small
independent films and not caring about whether anyone watched them
or not. But she says today she feels differently about them and she
really does care if people see her films - otherwise she says, if they're
not made for other people to watch, she may as well make them in the
kitchen! Listen to Maggie again, this time try to catch the word she
uses which you normally hear when you're talking about the subject of
mathematics.
I don't think it's true that I'm necessarily doing more big studio movies although I do
feel differently than I used to about teeny independent movies. I used to feel when I
was younger and I thought I was sort of punk - to say - well I don't care if anybody
sees my movies or not. I do care if people see my movies, I'm not making them for
myself otherwise I just like act in my kitchen. It's a totally different equation when
you're making a tiny movie which I've learned over time.
Anna: Maggie uses the mathematical term "equation." - a statement which
means that two amounts are equal using mathematical symbols. The
word equation can also refer to a difficult problem which can only be
understood if all the different aspects of the problem are understood.
So Maggie says that it's "a totally different equation" when you're
making small movies - it's a very different experience than when
you're an actress in a mainstream or Hollywood movie - there are
different problems that you have to understand. She says that it has
taken her time to understand this equation relating to small
independent movies.
Anna: Maggie goes on to talk more about the equation of making smaller
films and how involved you have to be at every stage. You are not just
an actress, you are involved in the whole process - a process is a series
of actions and in this case refers to every aspect of film-making. Listen
to Maggie and try to catch the different aspects of making a film that
she describes.
First you have to get money to make it which can be a huge process - then you shoot
it which is usually a short process, then you have to get it into festivals then you have
to get it bought then you have to get it in theatres. It's almost like - if you're in every
moment of a movie like that - it's almost like you're a producer, because you have to
play such a huge part in getting it seen.
Anna: Maggie tells us that the first part of the process is to get the money.
After that you "shoot" or you make the film, then you have to get it
into festivals and interest someone in buying it and then it has to be
screened in movie theatres or cinemas. She says that your involvement
in small independent films is so great that you almost take on the role
of a film producer - the person responsible for making the practical
and financial arrangements needed to make a film. Well that's all from
Maggie Gyllenhaal and this edition of Entertainment - join us next
time.