Life in a Day | practice English with Spotlight

Summary

Life in a Day is a documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald and produced by Ridley Scott, created through crowd-sourcing, where over 80,000 people from 190 countries submitted videos of their lives. Capturing universal experiences like love, loss, and fear, the film showcases diverse moments from across the globe. It highlights stories such as a Korean man cycling for peace, a Japanese father mourning his wife, and a Peruvian boy shining shoes with a joyful smile. Through its innovative approach, the film emphasizes what connects humanity, showing that despite our differences, we all share common emotional experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kevin Macdonald directed the film 'Life in a Day,' created using crowd-sourced videos from around the world.
• 😀 The film aimed to capture global life, showcasing both similarities and differences among people from various cultures.
• 😀 On July 24, 2010, YouTube users were asked to film their lives, answering questions like 'What do you love?' and 'What makes you laugh?'
• 😀 The project used a crowd-sourcing method, where a large number of people contributed videos to create a single film.
• 😀 Over 80,000 videos were submitted from over 190 countries, illustrating the widespread interest in the project.
• 😀 25 people were hired to watch and sort through 4,500 hours of footage, ultimately creating a 95-minute film.
• 😀 'Life in a Day' included emotional stories, such as one about a Korean man teaching peace while traveling on a bicycle.
• 😀 The film also featured a touching story about a Japanese father and son mourning the loss of a loved one.
• 😀 Some of the most beautiful footage came from areas with little or no internet access, where 400 cameras were distributed.
• 😀 The film highlights universal human experiences, such as love, fear, and the desire for connection, while also celebrating diversity.
• 😀 Macdonald believes that the film's success shows that people are more interested in simple, human stories than grand, dramatic narratives.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the film *Life in a Day*?

The main theme of *Life in a Day* is to showcase the shared experiences of people around the world, highlighting both the differences and the commonalities that unite us all, such as love, fear, and family.

How was the film *Life in a Day* made?

The film was made using a method called crowd-sourcing, where over 80,000 videos were submitted by people from around the world on a specific day, July 24th, 2010. These videos were then edited together to create the final film.

Who were the key figures behind *Life in a Day*?

The film was directed by Kevin Macdonald and produced by Ridley Scott. They collaborated on the project and used the videos submitted by people around the world to create the final product.

What is crowd-sourcing, and how was it used in this film?

Crowd-sourcing is a method where a large group of people contribute to a project, usually in exchange for little or no payment. In the case of *Life in a Day*, people from all over the world submitted their own videos of their lives, which were then edited together to form the film.

What kind of videos did Kevin Macdonald want people to submit?

Kevin Macdonald asked people to submit videos that showed various aspects of their lives, including both normal and unusual experiences. He encouraged participants to answer questions like 'What do you love?' and 'What makes you laugh?'

What is a significant feature of the film *Life in a Day*?

A significant feature of *Life in a Day* is that it captures personal, intimate moments from people across the globe, providing a diverse yet unified portrayal of human life, covering themes like birth, love, death, and fear.

How many videos were submitted for *Life in a Day*, and from how many countries?

Over 80,000 videos were submitted for *Life in a Day*, from more than 190 countries worldwide.

What is the emotional impact of the film *Life in a Day*?

The film creates a deep emotional impact by showcasing a wide range of human experiences, from joyful moments like a boy's smile to heartbreaking scenes like the death of a mother, ultimately emphasizing the universal aspects of life.

What was the role of the 25 people who were hired during the making of the film?

The 25 people hired for the project were responsible for sorting through over 4,500 hours of footage submitted by participants. They spent months watching the videos and selecting the best moments to include in the final film.

What is the significance of the quote 'We are all under the same moon' in the context of the film?

'We are all under the same moon' reflects the idea that despite our differences, all people share fundamental human experiences. This phrase emphasizes the unity that connects people across the globe, which is a key message of *Life in a Day*.