- Teachers’ Material

Can you create a poster to advertise ?

Use your imagination and creativity and represent the characters climbing the ladder of success.
 - Teachers’ Material

At the New York High School for Performing Arts, a group of teens audition and start a specialised
training to become musicians, actors, singers and dancers. We see the auditions of seven different
students, who are admitted into the school so that they can begin to climb the ladder to success.
They are: drama student Montgomery MacNeil, who lives far from his mother and has a lot of
problems with girls; Doris Finsecker, a shy girl who wants to find her inner self; Ralph Garci, a
strange boy who longs to have a career on stage; Bruno Martelli, who wants to make it big with
electronic music; Coco Hernandez, a talented girl accepted in all three departments; Leroy
Johnson a troubled boy who discovers his passion for dancing and Lisa Monroe, a young dancer
who doesn’t show a great interest in it. Their stories intertwine during the four years they spend in
the school and we find out their fears, dreams, problems and difficulties, their hard work and all
the sacrifices they make to become professional performers.

Can you answer to these questions about “Fame”?

A. Why does Lisa’s hair go frizzy?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

B. How many auditions does Ralph Garci do in the High School of Performing Arts?
1. Two
2. Three
3. One
4. Four

C. Why does Mrs Sherwood not want to let Leroy in?

1. Because he doesn’t want to audition
2. Because he’s Shirley’s partner
3. Because he has got a knife
4. Because he isn’t into conversation

D. What does Doris do in her audition at the Drama Department?

1. She sings
2. She acts
3. She dances
4. She sings and acts to the music

E. How is the relationship between Doris and her mother?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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F. What happens during Shirley’s audition?

1. Leroy goes solo
2. Shirley falls down
3. Leroy forgets the choreography
4. Shirley argues with Leroy

G. Why does Mr Shorofsky get angry with Bruno during his audition?
1. Because Bruno can’t play violin
2. Because Bruno plays the synthesizer
3. Because Bruno refers to classical composers as “those old guys”
4. Because Bruno gives him a headache with his electronic music

H. According to Mr Farrell, what will it take to make it in show business?

1. Talent is enough to make it in show business
2. Lots of effort
3. Humiliation and a lots of rejections and suffering
4. A strong technique, a good agent and thick skin

I. What’s Doris’ problem?

1. She hates bagels
2. She fells ordinary
3. She falls in love with Montgomery
4. She wants to be an eccentric and charismatic person

J. What does Coco propose to Bruno?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

K. Why does Mrs Sherwood have it in for Leroy?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

L. Why does Angelo tell Bruno off at the beginning of sophomore year?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

M. What are the last words in the song ‘Fame’?

1. Remember my name
2. There she goes
3. I’m gonna live forever
4. I’m on top

N. What does Montgomery reveal during drama lesson?

1. He is homosexual
2. He used to wet his bed
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3. He falls in love with his analyst

4. He’s happy

O. What Doris realise about herself?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

P. Why does Miss Berg push Lisa out of the Dance Department?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Q. What is the song “Out Here On My Own” about?

1. About success
2. About someone who has been locked out of the house
3. About sentimental stuff
4. About Coco’s fears

R. Why do Doris and Montgomery argue with Ralph?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

S. What does Leroy ask Mrs Sherwood in the hospital?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

T. What is the name of the last song of the musical?

1. Fame!
2. Hot Lunch
3. Red Light
4. I Sing The Body Electric
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ACROSS

4. Dance teacher 13. Strange

6. 15. English teacher

18. Crazy person

8. Money for studies 19. Music teacher

10. Used to apply for something

11.
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DOWN

1. Extra money for service 9. Fabric square for blowing nose

2. Graded essay 12. Music group

3. Performance by one person

14.

5. Drama teacher

16. Musical composition

7. 17. Somebody to dance with

Write the Italian equivalent of each word.

Depressed feeling To mess up

Frizzy To check in

Blade Worth

Rotary pod Chariot

Piccolo To not afford

Misty Water colours

To startle To dry

Yuck To hang around

Flamboyant Visual

Form Shrink (slang)

Fella (slang) Laser beam

Steam bath Basement

Ghetto blaster Hassle

Fancy Sequin
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Garbage To push over

To smash up Blister

Mink coat Sensitive

To get rid of Chart

To make a bid To bow

To plug in String quartet

To assert yourself Jerk

Cockroach To storm out

Anchovy To hang in

To grab To toast

Sbiadito / Buttare via / Farsi valere / Vesciche / Cretino / Stereo portatile

/ Andare in giro / Brindare / Lama / Asciugare / Quartetto d’archi /
Ribaltare / Sindrome depressiva / Fare un’offerta / Uscire infuriato /
Ottavino / Spaventare / Tipo / Resistere / Pelliccia di visone / Scocciatura
/ Classifica / Appariscente / Inserire la spina / Biga / Incasinare / Bagno
turco / Lustrino / Distruggere / Acciuga / Stravagante / Fare l’inchino /
Schifo / Sensibile / Consegnare / Spazzatura / Valore / Scarafaggio /
Crespo / Raggio laser / Modulo / Manopola / Prendere / Non potersi
permettere / Acquerelli / Seminterrato / Strizza cervelli / Elemento visivo.
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Here are 3 circles with their intersections. Each circle represents one of the performing
arts. Enter the correct word in the list below in each circle or intersection according to how
much the word has to deal with each discipline. You can find out other words in the script
of the musical or in your own vocabulary.

DANCE MUSIC

DRAMA

STRING QUARTET SOLO TO REHEARSE PIECE TO WARM UP

BUSINESS MANAGER TIGHTS ENSEMBLE BASSOON OTTAVINO

STANDING OVATION VIOLIN ACCORDION RECORD CONTRACT

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Here are some English phrases and sayings taken from the musical and two options for
Italian translation. Choose the correct translation.

1. To forget the line

A. Dimenticare la battuta B. Perdere la linea

2. I look forward to hearing from you

A. Aspetto sue notizie B. Spero di sentirla

3. How do you do?

A. Come farai? B. Come va?

4. He isn’t into conversation

A. Non è molto loquace B. Non gli interessa la conversazione

5. I look so out of place

A. Guarda quel posto lì B. Mi sento così fuori luogo

6. We’ll make it
A. Lo possiamo fare B. Ce la faremo

7. Outta control
A. Fuori controllo B. Prendi il controllo

8. A heck of a fight
A. Una bella rissa B. Un pugno da combattimento

9. I’m into dancing

A. Mi interessa ballare B. Sono in pista
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10. So get into it!

A. Allora vai avanti! B. Allora parlane!

11. I’m through!

A. Ho chiuso! B. Sono dentro!

12. How you doing?

A. Cosa fai? B. Come te la passi?

13. Head on collision

A. Testa-coda B. Collisione frontale

14. How did I do?

A. Come sono andato? B. Cosa ho fatto?

15. You don’t pay her no mind

A. Non datele retta B. Non pagatela più

16. I’m going to be throwing you all in at the deep end

A. Alla fine vi getterò via B. Vi metterò duramente alla prova

17. He was messed up

A. Era messo male B. Era un casino

18. I hate your guts!

A. Odio i tuoi modi B. Ti odio a morte

19. Get off my case!

A. Non mi scocciare! B. Non toccare le mie cose!

20. It just doesn’t work out

A. Non funziona e basta B. Così non va
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21. You’ll get over it

A. Ci riuscirai B. Ti passerà

22. I got hooked on it

A. Mi ci sono appassionata B. L’ho presa al volo

23. Gets in the way of his image

A. Compromette la sua immagine B. Assomigli a lui

24. I’m feeling blue

A. Sto diventando blu B. Mi sento triste

25. A match made in heaven

A. Un’accoppiata perfetta B. Un incontro fatto in paradiso

26. I can’t relate to it

A. Non posso avvicinarmi B. Non mi ci trovo

27. He decided to level with me

A. Decise di chiudere con me B. Decise di essere sincero con me

28. I’m pretty well-adjusted

A. Ormai mi sono adattato B. Sono ben sistemato

29. That’s all it takes

A. Prendo tutto B. Tutto qui

30. You’re a howl!

A. Sei uno spasso! B. Sei un cretino!

31. Don’t lecture me!

A. Non farmi la predica! B. Non parlarmi!
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Here are some pieces of songs, but some words are missing. Listen to each song and
fill in the spaces with the right words from the list below. Then, sing it right!

Feel – cold – sun – ten – smile – win – pay – toast – mind – hot – stars – hard
– love – scattered – become – dry – serving – strong – hanging – fly – come –
control – fit – lunch – light – misty – tight – rock – burn – blue – close – see –
need – try – wonder – take – bunch – make – fears – live – shoot.

 From “THE WAY WE WERE”

Memories light the corners of my (1)…………………,

(2)…………. water colour memories,
Of the way we were.
(3)…………………. pictures, of the (4)………….. we left behind,
Smiles we gave to one another.

 From “RED LIGHT”

I work so (5)………….. to get me a man don't try to take him away.

I love my man like nobody can don't (6)…………. or you're gonna pay.
You been getting too (7)……………., you been going too far. […..]
Now I don't want you (8)………………….. around, my man is too hard to hold.
But if you plan on hanging around, I plan on stopping you (9)…………...
Cuz I'm ready to (10)…………. and I'm ready to roll,
I'm raging outta (11)……………….

 From “HOT LUNCH”

Shady Sadie
(12)……………….. lady
But don't (13)…………. her no mind, no,
She'll (14)…………… every dime
She's gotta one-a-day (15)……………
It's good for all the (16)……………….., yeah!
(17)………. lunch, yeah!
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 From “FAME!”

[….]Fame - I'm gonna (18)……….. forever

I'm gonna learn how to (19)………...
High - I (20)………….. it coming together
People will (21)………… me and cry
Fame - I'm gonna (22)…………. it to heaven
(23)…………… up the sky like a flame
Fame - I'm gonna live forever
Baby remember my name
Baby hold me (24)………..
Cause you can make it right
You can (25)…………. me straight to the top
Give me (26)………… and take all I've got to give

 From “OUT HERE ON MY OWN”

[….] Until the morning (27)……… appears

Making light of all my (28)…………….,
I (29)……….. the tears I've never shown
Out here on my own
But when I'm down and feeling (30)………...
I close my eyes so I can be with you
Oh baby be (31)………….. for me, baby belong to me
Help me through, help me (32)……. you.
Sometimes I (33)………………. where I've been,
Who I am, do I (34)……….. in.
I may not (35)…………., but I can't be thrown,
Out here on my own.

 From “I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC”

I sing the body electric

I celebrate the me yet to (36)………….
I (37)………….. to my own reunion
When I (38)……………… one with the sun
And I'll look back on Venus
I'll look back on Mars
And I'll (39)…………. with the fire
Of (40)………. million stars
And in time and in time
We will all be (41)……………
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Can you match each word with its definition?

…… 1. To misunderstand A. To wash or rinse the throat or mouth

…… 2. Barracks B. A slight push with the elbow

…… 3. To fix up C. To complete by supplying required information

…… 4. Colorful D. Having a special talent or ability

…… 5. To fill out E. To be let out of a vehicle

…… 6. Nudge F. A group of buildings used to accommodate military

personnel

…… 7. To mingle G. To make arrangement for something

…… 8. To look after H. To rejoice proudly

…… 9. Gifted I. Full of character

…… 10. To start out J. To mix in company

…… 11. To gargle K. To interpret incorrectly

…… 12. To glory L. To take care of someone

…… 13. To drop off M. To take the first step

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What would you like to do when you grow up?

If we ask this question to a child we will often hear: dancer, singer or actor/actress. But do today's
young people actually know all the sacrifices and dedication that it takes to become a professional
performer? Discuss your opinion.
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Fame is a 1980’s American teen musical drama film directed by Alan Parker and written
by Christopher Gore. Producer David De Silva conceived the premise in 1976, partially inspired by
the musical A Chorus Line. Parker rewrote the script with Gore, aiming for a darker and dramatic
tone. The script's subject received criticism by the New York Board of Education, which prevented
the production from filming in the actual High School of Performing Arts. Fame was filmed in
different locations all around New York City in 91 days. Parker encountered a lot of difficulties
during the filming process, which included conflicts with U.S. labour unions over various aspects of
the film's production.

The film grossed $21.2 million in North America against a production budget of $8.5 million. It
received a mixed response from reviewers who praised the music, but criticized the dramatic tone,
pacing and direction. Fame received several awards and nominations, including:

 Academy Awards for Best Original Song ("Fame")

 Academy Awards for Best Original Score (Michael Gore),
 A Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song ("Fame")

Its success spawned a media franchise encompassing several television series, stage musicals and
a remake released in 2009.

Alan Parker had promised to hold film auditions for students attending the Performing Arts. As we
said before, the school was initially advised by the Board of Education to prevent the students
from working on the film, fearing it would affect their studies. It was later announced that filming
would occur during the summer when the students were not attending school. So Parker
distributed casting call advertisements at the Performing Arts school and the High School of Music
& Art. But very few students of these schools were cast for main characters in the film.

Parker originally approached music composer and producer Giorgio Moroder, and the lead
performer of Electric Light Orchestra, who declined the offer. Michael Gore was ultimately hired,
and produced five original songs for the film. The musical numbers were performed practically on
set, as Parker wanted to avoid dubbing during post-production.

The motion picture soundtrack album for Fame was released in the United States on May 16,
1980, by RSO Records. It features nine songs, all of which appear in various scenes in the film.

1. FAME – Irene Cara

2. OUT HERE ON MY OWN – Irene Cara
3. HOT LUNCH JAM – Irene Cara
4. DOGS IN THE YARD – Paul McCrane
5. RED LIGHT – Linda Clifford
6. IS IT OK IF I CALL YOU MINE? – Paul McCrane
7. NEVER ALONE – Contemporary Gospel Chorus & The High School of Music & Art
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8. RALPH AND MONTY (Dressing Room Piano) – Michael Gore

9. I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC – Laura Dean, Irene Cara, Traci Parnell & Eric Brockington

You can listen the whole soundtrack here https://www.allmusic.com/album/fame-original-

soundtrack-mw0000189830 or here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m3VhTciVAA&list=PLw-
aBPPes4XWsMKGjdbSTBTRzsrd64lDH