Shadowing Practice: “You’re With Me Onstage” Billie Eilish & James Cameron Tease Concert Movie ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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If you go to see this movie, it's like kind of equivalent to going to the show, except I'm not there, but I am there, you know, and you're with me on stage and you're with me and you're with the crowd that was there.
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If you go to see this movie, it's like kind of equivalent to going to the show, except I'm not there, but I am there, you know, and you're with me on stage and you're with me and you're with the crowd that was there.
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The day of a show is, is for me, it just feels like any day at all.
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I just feel like I'm like going to hang out with my friends.
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Here I go.
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Hey everyone, Nikki Novak here and welcome to the big ticket interview for Hit Me Hard and Soft, the tour live in 3D.
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And I'm so happy to be joined by Billie Eilish, James Cameron, no big deal.
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How are you guys?
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Very good, how are you?
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Great.
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Doing so well.
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Here in Vegas, here celebrating your concert film.
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First of all, tickets just went on sale at Fandango today.
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Today.
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So what is it about this film that makes it the perfect movie going experience?
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Well, it's you.
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number one right thank you uh it's him i mean that's really i feel like this was just an un undeniable idea in the first place and i don't know i just feel like the fact that it's we will have this to go and watch forever like selfishly i'm i'm just thrilled that i'll get to brag about this forever well you're so proud of your show and rightly the the show it's not the movie the show right which is phenomenal if you if anybody that's had a chance to seen it knows what i'm talking about so my job was simple just bottle that right but my pitch was we'll do it in 3d and people will feel like they're there with you to billy my pitch to billy that they're there with her and on stage with her and going through her reality in the day of of one of these concerts and I think I think we captured that.
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We really did.
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You really did and it was pretty amazing because at first I was like I was pretty standoffish on the you know behind the scenes idea because from when I was like 15 to 17 I was I shot a documentary for like most of my teens and I was kind of like I loved it but I was like I'm not I'm not gonna do that again and I you know the original idea was just a concert film and honestly just hearing the way that Jim Jim kind of talked about the way that he saw it and the way that it was impactful.
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It's just, you know, I'm me.
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So I was experiencing my own version of my tour, and I didn't know that it had that kind of impact.
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And so it was a lot of conversations of, like, Jim being like, no, I really think it'll be good to have some stuff about your life and the day of.
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And I was completely, I 180'd, and now it's like...
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And you 180'd on having somebody on stage with you.
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I said, all right.
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I was like, no.
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Steadicam operator on stage, every song.
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And we wound up doing what I think is a brilliant compromise that you had, I think, one number that you had Cole on stage with you, who was this young 22-year-old operator with a gimbal, right?
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And he was already on stage with Billy for one song.
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And I said, well, why can't we do that with more songs?
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And we built a special 3D camera that was so small, it went on to Cole's gimbal.
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and then you know over the course of the of the four nights that we shot we managed to get him on stage with billy and really take you on that experience of being there with her and looking over her shoulder yeah and it really didn't disrupt the show like at all which is what i was worried about he knows how fast you know i mean he knows me so well and he had already been on my tour for two years and so he knows he knows I mean he knows all the things I do he knows everywhere I go and all of my you know blocking that I do change though.
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I know you're a little unpredictable.
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I know sorry but that's the fun right?
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He knew it so well and he was just able to yeah it's pretty amazing.
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Obviously people are going to experience this like you said in 3D and in Dolby.
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If you can talk a little bit about both of you, what are fans in for?
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People that, like you said, like you've always wanted your fans to feel like they're with you in the show.
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So what are they about to experience with this?
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And you've said nobody's ever done a concert film on this scale before.
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And with the technology you're using.
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So what are people in for with this?
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We had 17 cameras.
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Wow.
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And they were far, you know, there were cable cams moving around through the air and right on stage with Billy.
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And then there were other cameras that you already had as part of the show that are on these kind of robotic platforms.
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They're called a G-Toes.
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And they were able to get quite close to her as well.
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So we just retrofitted everything that was in the show with our 3D systems.
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And that took us a few weeks to work out.
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And the show guys like Stuart, you know, were so great and so supportive.
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But in terms of the experience, how would you describe it?
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I mean, I think that knowing my fans, the movie theater experience watching this film is going to be pretty similar to a show.
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First of all, obviously, the fact that it's in 3D and it's shot the way it is and it's, you know, as intimate as it is.
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But also because, you know, my fans like to have a good time and they're like me in that way.
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and I just, I know and also encourage them to do what they are already gonna do, which is sing and scream all the lyrics in the theater.
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Like, I feel like depending where and what's allowed in whatever theater, like sometimes, like in the past, you know, when I just streamed my album, I had it only in theaters, but it was just one picture with the album playing, and they all, they all were on their feet, they all got into the front, and they were doing like mosh pits and jumping, and so I feel like the movie theater Face yourselves, theater owners.
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Breathe, yeah, just so you guys are prepared.
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But it's all, they're the most amazing people.
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They're part of the show.
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They're part of the show.
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And I think that if you go to see this movie, it's like kind of equivalent to going to the show, except I'm not there, but I am there.
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And you're with me on stage, and you're with me, and you're with the crowd that was there.
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And also, I'm really excited for people who didn't get to see the show getting to go see it.
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A lot of people that couldn't afford it or they were too far away or they couldn't get off work or whatever it is.
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I think it's the best of seeing the show without everybody around you screaming and yelling and singing because they sing.
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Well, they might be doing that.
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They know every lyric, right?
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They know every lyric across all 29 songs.
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and we had to find in the cutting of the film, in our creative process together, we had to find the right balance of the audience being a partner and a character in the film.
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And Billie had a lot of very specific input on that because she knows the call and response moments so well and I didn't, you know, but she's lived with the tour obviously for over 100 shows.
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And so it was a real collaboration in the cutting room to get that audience interaction just right.
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not too much but the right amount but I think that there are times like in the mix where we sort of push past the crowd and we just hear the beauty of your voice and the clarity and the perfection of your performance.
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So it kind of has the best of a live show, but also the best of an album mix in a way.
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Yeah.
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Because you were miked discreetly enough that you're able to hear the beauty of the words and the emotion coming from your performance.
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and then when the crowd when we wanted them to be a partner and a character in the film we brought them in full and so we also empower that experience right which is the fan experience yeah but also james will tell you that i threw out this editing process i'm like louder fans fans louder i'm way too forward i can't deal with it no that's true yeah i was gonna say what it's like to see yourself in 3d you were probably like oh my god no it's insane who is that person that's right in front of me in this room, and it's me.
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Yeah, it's pretty surreal and pretty amazing.
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Speaking of beautiful, you said beautiful voice.
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What is your favorite Billie Eilish song, and what is your favorite James Cameron movie?
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Well, I know them all so well now.
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I still think there's a moment in the greatest when you're kind of like that.
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It's just this incredible virtuoso moment.
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I love that song.
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It gives me chills every time.
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Another one that gives me chills is the final chorus of TV, you know when when maybe i'm the problem and i just i see all these kids who are they're so uncertain in relationships and they've been through stuff even at such a such a young age and and they question themselves in relationships and i i see them all singing with that song and i feel they're they're kind of their pain yeah you know i think that's beautiful yeah uh thank you so much um well personally i'm absolutely obsessed with fire and ash just miss miss fire and ash i literally was blown away by that movie and this guy has spent so many years making that making all of them i mean when we first met i was like so what are you up to and you were just like avatar so much avatar just my whole life and of course you know hearing you yourself talk about making Avatar.
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I just felt very lucky to be in the presence of that sentence even at all.
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And then it came out in December when we were in the middle of working on this movie, and he was in the middle of doing all this press for it and making this movie.
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And I don't know, I was very inspired and in awe.
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And I just absolutely loved that film.
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So could you see yourself writing a song for another Avatar movie, if there is another one, or is that the film of his that you would like to have written a song for?
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Who knows, man?
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Whatever's going to happen is going to happen.
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I would love to work with James again in whatever.
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Well, you're acting now, so there's all kinds of possibilities.
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All kinds of possibilities.
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You did like three or four albums while I was making F-I-R-A.
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Yeah, literally.
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Because when did you start making that movie?
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In 2017 because we shot two and three together.
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That's like when my career started.
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Straight up.
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2017, I was like 15.
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An entire body of work.
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I was going to ask for you, what is it like, because you're used to shooting either in a volume, you've been underwater, but here you are in a concert setting with 50,000 people screaming.
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How does that affect you as a director and you co-directing with such an icon?
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Billy was busy performing during the actual shooting, right?
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So the co-directing was in the planning.
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So we'd get together during sound check on each one of the days and we'd place cameras together and we'd imagine what it could look like.
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and we got incredible coverage because we were changing it every day.
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So I was relying on her.
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And you see it in the film.
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You see us blocking and rehearsing and figuring out how we're going to do all this stuff and getting Cole, the camera operator, in there with you and making sure that he wasn't going to interrupt or interfere because it would be so dumb for us to try to capture this beautiful performance and then mess it up.
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Yeah.
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You know what I mean?
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So I told Cole, if you have to dive into the pit, into the band pit, just dive.
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Just, you know, I'll come visit you in the hospital.
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I know, I know.
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I did almost fully trample him at one.
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You, you, I, I.
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He knew to dive.
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Yeah, he did, he did.
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He got out of my way, but I did trample him a little.
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She moves, it's so athletic.
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I mean, if you haven't seen her show, I mean, she is just moving like hell up and down.
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Just zooming around the stage.
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It's a lot of ground to cover.
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I got to get, I got to get moving.
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I got to go.
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But you play to four audiences, essentially.
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Yeah.
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Because it's laid out in a big rectangle, and it's in the round.
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And she'll play to one side, then run over to the other, then run to the end, and then run to the opposite end.
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And she gives everybody kind of equal time.
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I'm talking about you like you're not ready.
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No, I love you.
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Billie gives everybody kind of equal time, and she's really great about that connecting, eye contact.
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But it's a lot of work.
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Yeah, it took a while to get used to.
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but I felt like that's part of why I'm really glad we filmed when we did because I had already been on my tour for like a year.
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Yeah, okay.
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Yeah, so I wanted, because when the idea came about, it was kind of early on in the tour, and I was like, I want to make sure that it's when I'm so, I know exactly how the show is and feels and I want it to feel, and I feel like it's captured so perfectly.
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We've asked you this before, but when you go to the movies, where do you like to sit and what do you like to snack on?
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Ooh, okay.
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I have always been like a second row kind of person, like really, really up close.
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But I feel like, yeah, lately I've been kind of like maybe first row of the back section.
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But I don't know, I always want to be up close.
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I think that's because like the child in me liked the front row feeling.
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Like I like the idea of being in the front row, even though it's here.
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And then my snack, I love popcorn.
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I love Junior Mints.
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I love the rainbow Dippin' Dots, you know.
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Red Vines?
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No Red Vines?
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I like Red Vines if I'm in the right mood.
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What about you?
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Popcorn.
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A lot of popcorn.
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Nothing beats popcorn.
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Yeah, but to me it should be like a federal law that you have popcorn.
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It kind of is.
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Seating-wise, it's tricky because I like one-third of the way back, dead center, which is perfect for 3D.
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The screen kind of fills your field of view.
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but the sound is optimized for a little farther back so when we're mixing I'm farther back to get it perfect and then I turn the center channel down to DB and I sit where I want to sit.
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Moral of this story is we need to go to the movies with you.
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It'll sound and look perfect.
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It really looks so good it looks just perfectly done.
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And it's all mine.
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Period!
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Thank you both so much and congratulations.
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Thank you.
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Cannot wait to see this film.
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Thank you so much.
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Thanks.
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Just a reminder, you can get your tickets at Fandango right now.
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They are on sale and also this interview is now available in podcast form so you can find it wherever you get your podcasts.
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Thanks for watching.
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Thank you.

Why practice speaking with this video?

The concert movie featuring Billie Eilish and James Cameron offers a unique opportunity for English learners to practice speaking skills in a vibrant and engaging context. Watching this film allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a live concert, making it feel as though you are part of the experience. This emotional connection can enhance your motivation to learn, as you resonate with Billie’s enthusiasm for sharing her art. By incorporating elements of the concert into your speaking practice, you can create a dynamic learning environment that is more effective than traditional methods.

Using a shadowspeak technique, you can repeat phrases and expressions used throughout the video, mimicking the rhythm and intonation of the speakers. As you practice, you not only improve pronunciation but also develop an understanding of how to express excitement and emotion, which are crucial for effective communication. This practice can boost your confidence when speaking English, especially in informal settings.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the transcript, several key expressions and grammatical structures emerge that are particularly useful for learners:

  • "It's like kind of equivalent to..." - This phrase structure is informal and useful for making comparisons, allowing you to express ideas similarly when discussing experiences.
  • "You really did..." - Such affirmations can help you sound more conversational and supportive in dialogue. It’s a handy expression in everyday interactions.
  • "I feel like..." - This expression is often used in conversational English to express personal opinions or feelings, making it a great addition to your speaking toolkit.
  • "I just feel like I'm about to..." - This structure conveys anticipation, useful for sharing your thoughts on upcoming plans or events.

By practicing these expressions through a shadow speech approach, you can gain fluency and ease in casual conversations.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you engage with the video, pay attention to some challenging pronunciations that might trip you up:

  • "experience" - The first syllable has a stressed 'e' sound that can be subtle. Practice emphasizing that syllable to achieve clarity.
  • "documentary" - This word often confuses non-native speakers due to its length and structure. Breaking it into smaller parts can help: doc-u-men-ta-ry.
  • "impactful" - This adjective requires a strong emphasis on the second syllable. Getting the stress right can make you sound more natural.

Utilizing a shadowing app can significantly aid in practicing these tricky words. By listening and repeating until you master the subtleties of pronunciation, you'll enhance your overall speaking skills and confidence.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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