英伦广角 2009-2-22 经济衰退为奥斯卡盛典投下阴影

The gleaming surface betrays the fact that like the rest of the world, Hollywood is experiencing an economic slump¹. In the build-up to the Oscars, LA is putting on its habitual² show of shimmering³ decadence⁴. But beneath the surface, times are harder than they've been in decades. And it's only just beginning.

 

Caterers and party organizers say plans for Oscar’s celebrations have slowed and budgets for festivities have been cut, some by as much as 75 percent. This is what's known as a gifting suite⁵, where anyone who's remotely famous gets freebies bestowed⁶ upon them. Theses vendors⁷ know that a photograph of Kate Winslet with their product can have as much impact as an expensive ad campaign.

 

Looking around here, there is plenty being given away, there is gadgets⁸, like these Bluetooth enabled sunglasses over here. Pieces of pop art, ready to be given out, but there is also the opportunity here to give something to charity, a nod to the fact that out-and-out decadence can been seen as a bit insensitive in these tough times.

 

Over time the effects of the downturn on the movie industry could be dramatic.

 

If it's a five-act recession, I think we are just beginning to start an act two, how it’s going to affect the real financing in those studios in Hollywood, how it's really going to affect them in the number of films they are going to make? I imagine, significantly. I imagine that we will be seeing major problems with certain studios. There will be a major, pulling back on the whole series of different production levels. I think you will see a big effect in the next couple of years.

 

But there are few better places in the world at putting on a show. Hollywood has always been adept⁹ at creating illusions. It's likely we will see more uplifting films like Slumdog Millionaire, aimed at distracting us from financial woes¹⁰. Aside from that, audiences may not see the impact of the recession, but the studios will be struggling, and there is no Hollywood ending in sight.

 

I’m Amanda Walker, Sky News, Los Angeles

 

1 slump   

n.暴跌，意气消沉，（土地）下沉；vi.猛然掉落，坍塌，大幅度下跌

参考例句：

• She is in a slump in her career.她处在事业的低谷。
• Economists are forecasting a slump.经济学家们预言将发生经济衰退。

2 habitual   

adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的

参考例句：

• He is a habitual criminal.他是一个惯犯。
• They are habitual visitors to our house.他们是我家的常客。

3 shimmering   

v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The sea was shimmering in the sunlight. 阳光下海水波光闪烁。
• The colours are delicate and shimmering. 这些颜色柔和且闪烁微光。 来自辞典例句

4 decadence   

n.衰落，颓废

参考例句：

• The decadence of morals is bad for a nation.道德的堕落对国家是不利的。
• His article has the power to turn decadence into legend.他的文章具有化破朽为神奇的力量。

5 suite   

n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员

参考例句：

• She has a suite of rooms in the hotel.她在那家旅馆有一套房间。
• That is a nice suite of furniture.那套家具很不错。

6 bestowed   

赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• It was a title bestowed upon him by the king. 那是国王赐给他的头衔。
• He considered himself unworthy of the honour they had bestowed on him. 他认为自己不配得到大家赋予他的荣誉。

7 vendors   

n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方

参考例句：

• The vendors were gazundered at the last minute. 卖主在最后一刻被要求降低房价。
• At the same time, interface standards also benefIt'software vendors. 同时，界面标准也有利于软件开发商。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

8 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

9 adept   

adj.老练的，精通的

参考例句：

• When it comes to photography,I'm not an adept.要说照相，我不是内行。
• He was highly adept at avoiding trouble.他十分善于避开麻烦。

10 woes   

困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉

参考例句：

• Thanks for listening to my woes. 谢谢您听我诉说不幸的遭遇。
• She has cried the blues about its financial woes. 对于经济的困难她叫苦不迭。