The highly anticipated host-less 2019 Oscars is over. So it’s time to discuss the show, its memorable moments and untraditional format. Here are some ideas for the lesson.
Warm up
Show the pictures and ask students to describe them and discuss the emotions people are feeling.
If your students are fans of fashion, discuss Red Carpet Dresses.
Lead in
Ask students if they know these people and what event is depicted in the pictures.
Key:
Picture 1: Lady Gaga (starred in “A Star is Born”); Shelton Jackson «Spike» Lee, an American film director, is jumping into Samuel L. Jackson’s arms; Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen (“Green Book”), Bette Midler (performed “Mary Poppins returns” song). The event — Oscars 2019
Red Carpet Dress: Lady Gaga, Olivia Colman, Billy Porter.
Nominations
Brainstorm open class Oscars nominations, discuss who deserves these nominations, what features should the best movie have and so on.
Then give the list and ask to cross out the ones which don’t exist.
Oscars nominations:
- Best Picture
- Best Actor
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Film Editing
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Background
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Dubbed Film
- Best Animated Feature Film
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key: Best Background, Best Dubbed Film
Ask if students know other nominations (Best Documentary – Short Subject, Best Live Action Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Documentary – Feature, Best Original Song, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography).
Movies
Ask students to read the descriptions of the movies which were Best Picture nominees and match with the names.
- A musician helps a young singer find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.
2. A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
3. The story of the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek), leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid in 1985.
4. T’Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country’s past.
5. Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events.
6. In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.
7. A year in the life of a middle-class family’s maid in Mexico City in the early 1970s.
8. The story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today.
Key:
- A Star Is Born
- Green Book
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Black Panther
- BlacKkKlansman
- The Favourite
- Roma
- Vice
Discuss whether the students have watched these movies, what they think of them, acting, special effects, etc.
91st Academy Awards
Ask to look through the list from the previous task and choose the winner. If your students haven’t watched these movies, show the trailers or provide students with short descriptions (for example, from here).
Key: Best Picture
With moviegoers, you can go through other nominations as well. For example:
Best Actor
Christian Bale – Vice as Dick Cheney
Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody as Freddie Mercury
Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born as Jackson «Jack» Maine
Willem Dafoe – At Eternity’s Gate as Vincent van Gogh
Viggo Mortensen – Green Book as Frank «Tony Lip» Vallelonga
Key: Rami Malek
Autonomous work
Ask to read the article about Oscars 2019 and choose the most memorable moment.