2007年VOA标准英语-Jared Leto Juggles Music and Acting Careers

By Larry London
Washington, D.C.
09 July 2007
 

It is quite an accomplishment¹ to find success as either an actor of a musician. It becomes even more noteworthy if you can combine the two. Jared Leto has managed to do just that. His band, 30 Seconds To Mars, has released their second album, "A Beautiful Lie", and earned a MTV Music Video Award for the song "The Kill". VOA's Larry London sat down with 30 Seconds To Mars when they visited Washington, D.C.

Jared Leto

30 Seconds to Mars has toured all over the world, from the U.S. to Asia. Jared Leto, songwriter and lead singer, says the band has been inspired by its foreign travels.   "When you take your life out of its comfortable context and insert it into a place and a time that's alien to you, you can't help but learn things about yourself; about other people,” says Leto. “We certainly learn things about each other as a band. Personally, creatively. Those are the things that are most amazing to fill your life with."

A trip to Africa had a special impact on Leto and the band. "Was It A Dream?" was one of the songs written there.

"Four of the songs on the record were actually written in Africa,” says Leto. “The interesting thing about Africa is you really notice the beauty of nature, which is everywhere. Also a lot of the failure of man."

 Leto and the band are currently on an international tour, which includes dates in Japan in August. Their current single is "The Kill."  Leto first gained attention as an actor in the TV show, "My So-Called Life." He has since acted in several films, including "Girl Interrupted" and "Fight Club".

Leto explains his dual² careers.  "Since I was a little kid my brother (Shannon) and I would play music. It was just a natural progression. For me, I went out to California, and happened to get some work in films and that was incredible. I am very proud of the things that I've done. We've also always been interested in music."

One of Leto's music videos for 30 Seconds to Mars

Although Leto says he has no plans to make films featuring music, he obviously has an advantage over most musicians when it comes to making a music video.

"One goal I have is to make a video for every song on this record.  The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, bands that really put a visual element to their music. They seem to kind of elevate one another. It would certainly be an exciting thing to do in the future."

Though their current tour is the focus of the band now, Leto sees future opportunities for acting³.  "At some point, these guys are all going to want a break. Instead of taking a break, I'll just work and make another film, which I'm very proud of as well. I'm not a closet musician or a closet actor [someone who doesn't pursue either vocation⁴ on a full-time⁵ basis]."

1 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

2 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

3 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

4 vocation   

n.职业，行业

参考例句：

• She struggled for years to find her true vocation.她多年来苦苦寻找真正适合自己的职业。
• She felt it was her vocation to minister to the sick.她觉得照料病人是她的天职。

5 full-time   

adj.满工作日的或工作周的，全时间的

参考例句：

• A full-time job may be too much for her.全天工作她恐怕吃不消。
• I don't know how she copes with looking after her family and doing a full-time job.既要照顾家庭又要全天工作，我不知道她是如何对付的。