Sunday, 20 October 2013


Visual writing task.
I see a lot of people around me. They scream, wave hands and hold posters with different slogans such as: «Bernie, you have the biggest stomach in the world! » or «Forward, John, show your teeth, man! » There are 7 tables covered with white clothes just in front of me. Seven women appear on the stage with huge plates full of hotdogs and put them on the tables. I can feel appetizing smell of fried sausages and freshly baked rolls. People begin to shout louder and point their fingers at seven giant men with the flags of different countries; I can recognize Japan, the USA and Russia. These persons come to the tables, take one hotdog in a hand and wait. Loud whistle! The men with fantastic speed start to eat their hotdogs. Fans support the participants with the funny chants such as: «Go, Mark, go! Don’t eat your hotdog slow! » The players snatch food with two hands and push it into their mouths, then swallow huge parts without chewing. Their eyes are protruding, cheeks are red and their clothes are covered with pierces of sausages and crumbs of bread, their hands, faces and necks are smeared with mayonnaise and ketchup. I can hear how loudly they champ. The Japan player raises his hand – he can’t eat anymore. Two people take him from the field. Four more men give up and leave the tables with food. Only two persons continue to eat: the dark-haired guy from the USA and fair Russian in the blue T-shirt with a slogan «I love my daughter! » They eat much slower and stare at each other. Suddenly, the American player catches at his stomach and falls to the ground. «And in this competition with a result 67 hotdogs for 10 minutes and 5 seconds wins Andrew Krasov from Russia! », - the referee announces.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

«What is inspiration for you?»


«What is inspiration for you?»
By Inna Pavlova

Drawing is one of the major forms of expression within the visual arts, and is generally concerned with the marking of lines and areas of tone onto paper. Different skills allow transferring some image in your head to the sheet of paper, but nonetheless they are not enough. Every art requires special mood state, which is called inspiration. In order to understand what inspiration means for a creative person, this interview with an amateur woman artist was made.

Inna: I know that you went to the art studio. Which skills did you acquire there during your studying?

Svetlana: I acquired basic drawing skills. Gaining these skills independently would be a hard work, so I’m glad that I had an ability to study under my art teacher’s supervision.

I: Did your teacher’s instructions make the process of drawing easier?

S: There is no doubt. She tutored me and pointed out all mistakes. And as a beginner, I made a lot of them. Her help was priceless.

I: Studying at the art studio was your own or your parents’ decision?

S: It was my idea. I wanted to turn my hobby into something more serious. Luckily, it didn’t lose all its entertaining nature and this apprehension was my greatest fear.

I: Did you think that you can become a professional artist?

S: If to be honest, I never thought about it. I just did what I liked to do and no thoughts about combining my hobby and work came to my mind. But as it turned out later, drawing came in handy for my further education.

I: Does it mean that your future profession somehow is connected with drawing?

S: Yes. I want to become an architect. I can hardly imagine what could have happened if I gave up visiting the studio.

I: Let’s speak about the process of drawing. I heard that a lot of people draw at the same time listening to music. Are you familiar with it?

S: Yes! As for me, music has a strong visual context, it makes pictures appear in my head. Sometimes they are not connected to the music at all, but anyway music helps me to create the necessary mood.

I: In what kind of mood do your prefer to work? What helps you to concentrate?

S: I prefer to draw, when I’m encouraged or, in other words, inspired. As soon as I take a pencil in my hand, the world disappears and I’m concentrated. It’s something I have no need to worry about.

I: What is inspiration for you? Where do you find it?

S: For me, inspiration is a special state of mind, when it is set to create things. I find it in everything. It might sound strange, but a complete mess on my table is the main catalyst of my inspiration. And, as I said earlier, a quiet music is also of  great help. I simply close my eyes and plunge into the atmosphere of peace, listening to some calm melody. From time to time I read a book or watch a film, and can’t help but take a pencil and express my impressions in drawing.

I: It was very interesting. Thank you very much for your answers.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

Interview “My favourite sport”.


Interviewer: Hello, Denis.
D.: Hello.
Interviewer: I know that you are interested in different kind of sports. But what's your favourite sport?
D.: Honestly speaking I like swimming a lot.
Interviewer: Can you swim well?
D.: Yes, certainly. I'm quite good at it. I also do some snorkeling and windsurfing.
Interviewer:  I see. Sounds interesting. How long have you been swimming?
D.: I’ve been swimming for 3 years.
Interviewer: That’s great! Do you go in for sports regularly?
D.: Well, at college I don't have much time, but I usually try and go swimming every week for, may be, three or four hours.
Interviewer: Are there any sports that you don't do but like watching?
D.: There are many such sport types. For example, I enjoy watching basketball. I watch the games on TV all the time.
Interviewer: Who's your favorite team, Denis?
D.: My favourite team is “Dinamo”
Interviewer: They're really good this year, aren't they?
D.: Yes, I think  they'll win the championship this year.
Interviewer: It's possible. They have some really good players. So, what kind of sport did you try?
D.: I also tried to surf and windsurf.
Interviewer: Can you tell me a little bit about these sport types?
D.: Yes, of course. I'm very much into these water sports. Surfing is quite popular among young people nowadays. Surfing in other words is wave riding. Surfers stand on special boards and try to ride the ocean waves. Windsurfing is the combination of surfing and sailing. Both sports are very spectacular.
 Interviewer: Are there any special events or competitions in surfing and windsurfing?
D.: Yes, there are. There are World Surfing Championships. Windsurfing features such disciplines as Slalom, Speed racing, Freestyle and else.
Interviewer: I'd like to see one of those competitions. Let me know if there is a coming up event.
D.: Sure.
Interviewer: So, I’m glad you could find a little time for our interview. I hope you like it.
D.: Yes. Nice to meet you. Buy.

Interviewer: Good buy, Denis.

Sunday, 6 October 2013

Devoted to Art


A new Star can light up the Sky of Talents.

Good afternoon, dear readers!

As you know nowadays people tend to choose professions connected with the economics and politics, moreover science and engineering become more and more important. That is why these people enter the high schools where they can be prepared for that. However it is impossible to imagine our life without something which is for soul - and this is art. Art helps creative people to express themselves and others - to think about something which can't be replaced by mere material values and simply to admire the beauty of the World through Art.
Music makes an important part of the whole Art, and singing is  part of Music. But to achieve something in that a person must not only have voice but also prepare a lot and know how to perform on the stage.
Today's interview will be dedicated to music art and our guest here is Anastasia Budrina, a young singer from Tula who studies at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute in Moscow now. (Italics stands for Victorya Orekhova)


-          When did you start to sing? And why? What influenced this beginning?

-          It was long ago, I started to sing and also to dance, and this was wonderful. I liked it a lot. In fact, this is the way of self-expression for me. The only way.

-          And what are the main difficulties when performing?

-          Firstly I would like to say - it's very difficult in general. You must have will and imagination, they play important (the main) role, when you start to do it.

-          What are other components which are necessary when a person decides to connect the life with stage.

-          You must work hard constantly, talent is also an important part. And, as I said you must have will.

-          A person need not to be scared in front of the big public. You have acted on the stage a lot as far as I know.  How does it feel to act on the stage in front of all those people who are in the hall? Any fear? Pleasure?

-   Yes, I feel some fear.  Nevertheless I also feel pleasure. In fact that fear is the kind of pleasure. It's pleasant to tell people what I feel, to let them feel the

-          What makes it difficult when studying at the Institute?

-          We study hard from morning till night. We begin our day at 9-00 in the morning. The earliest time when we finish our studies is 19-00 o'clock. And if later, we finish at 00-40.

-          Any peculiar differences between the usual university and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute ?

-          When you study at the usual university, you study there. But here, at the Theatre Institute, you live.

-          How must the person be prepared to study there? In general, what does it mean - to study and live far from home?

-          First of all  it is not possible to combine leisure and your friends with your studies. You simply don't have forces and time for all like that. You must be firm and have a kind of inner forces to study and live far  from your home in the dormitory. This is extremely difficult. You must be among your peers permanently maybe till they annoy you. Also you must have common sense and if you do it right, it all be OK. The dormitory itself often causes problems - and this often has its consequences (laughs). But it also helps you to become more independent (laughs again).

-          How do you see your future?

      -          Stage, plays, musicals, of cause place to live - my own flat and my own family. But all  this will                 not be very soon. The main thing now is to develop my talent and go forward.

-          Any wishes to those who want to connect their future life with stage? What would you like to advise them?

-          I would like to wish all those people who want to become actors and singers to hear and to listen to others but, first of all, to listen to themselves. You must be fond of what you are doing and confide in the specialist who is the master of this profession.

      -     Thank you a lot for giving an interview and for your attention! I hope we' ll see again some other           time!

      



Victorya Orekhova