Video Production Books

of English actors, this is the book for you. Clive Francis (one of my favorite actors - Masada, The Piglet Files, Poldark) has drawn caricatures of dozens of actors - who give their own verbal tributes to Sir John Gielgud.

Ralph Winters spent 70 years in the movie business engaged in the critical but often under-appreciated job of film editor. His credits include Ben Hur, King Solomon's Mines, Gaslight and Victor/Victoria. The book tells about how these movies and others were made --- in a way that keeps it lively and informative. Winters is now 92 --- hopefully just beginning a new literary career.

Fascinating interviews from virtually every prominent Chinese director working today, including Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Ang Lee, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and Edward Yang. Although, curiously, missing perhaps the most influential and "hip" auteur of all, Wong Kar-wai, it also includes some young up and comers like Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yuan, and Li Yang. The question and answer sessions, conducted by the author over the past several years from around the world, ranging from their home turfs to various promotional visits in New York, etc, show detailed research and preparation aforehand. The interviews delve into the personal histories of the filmmaker to see what cultural and historical experiences, especially during their adolescence and developing years, influenced their works (eg. parents dying during Mao's Cultural Revolution, social turmoil during the Taiwanese revolts against Nationalist hegemony). Interviews then follow into their filmographies, with their key works (eg. Tian Zhuangzhuang's "Horse Thief", Edward Yang's "A Brighter Summer Day") questioned in depth.

The filmmakers were usually very forthcoming about their works, such as the effect of censorship by the government, regrettable choices in project selection (eg. Chen Kaige's foray into Hollywood with "Killing Me Softly"), and the difficulty in trying success in Asia with the poorly developed distribution system and rampant piracy. Extensive bibliographies following each chapter offer more analysis if the reader is interested. Overall, a comprehensive and illuminating look into the minds and works of the most prominent auteurs in and around China.

Those interested in the prominently featured "Fifth Generation" may want to take a gander at Memoirs from the Beijing Film Academy: The Genesis of China's Fifth Generation (by Zhen Ni).

This is almost an academic text that examines every possible nook and cranny of Kubrick's last seven films (Strangelove, 2001, Clockwork, Lyndon, Shining, Full Metal and Eyes Wide Shut). Though certain technical and historical aspects are noted, Rasmussen focuses on the stories, themes and concepts of the films themselves. Each film is given its own chapter where an almost scene by scene analysis dissects their unique symbolic elements, psychological themes and aesthetic qualities. "Stanley Kubrick : 7 Films Analyzed" is either a great companion for admirers, or a 'skeleton key' for those that never fully understood what made Kubrick such a important figure in modern cinema.

This book is meant to be a complete breakdown of the themes, styles and subject matter of some of Stanley Kubricks best films, and it succeeds on every level. For anyone who has been confused as to what messages Kubrick was trying to convey to his audience, this is the book for you. It describes in detail every message, every detail about how someone should go about viewing any and all of Stanley Kubrick's greatest films. This is a great reference for anyone who has ever questioned Kubrick's style as a director. It also bring into light the ideals Kubrick wanted his audience to see through his films, the main one being "humanity and the world that we live in." If anyone is a fan of Stanley Kubrick's films, his life or film in general than I suggest you get this book!

How could this book be anything less than great, it has the greatest subject matter, STEVEN SPIELBERG!

I have used this video in classes for years. Once you get past the dramatic sound effects, you have an excellent way to portray a way of thinking of kids from dysfunctional families as one of strength. I have even shown it to a few friends who are ACOAs - the look on their faces when watching is amazing. Although identifying the history as a problem was important we left it as scarring people and just left it! The Wolans do a grat job

I received the book I bought quickly. The book really helped my husband get over a really hard part of Tak. I will be buying him the second book for Christmas. It was inexpensive and again it came rather quickly.

One of the distinguishing elements in genre film is the acting. The over-the-top portrayals of the actors in these movies set them apart from mainstream artists. For those of us who have watched these gifted performers time and time again, it's only natural to wonder what these people are like in real life. As Louis Paul documents in his amazing new book, genre-film actors are often as interesting and eccentric as the characters they portray. They are also, by and large, a very likeable and warm-hearted bunch of folks. Consider David Hess, the thoroughly despicable leader of a band of killers in "Last House on the Left." Anyone who has seen this film will attest to the harrowing power of his performance, which seems more like an instance of genuine lunacy caught on film than a product of acting. Yet, in his interview, Hess is exceptionally soft-spoken and thoughtful, speaking without rancor about how he didn't work for years as a result of the negative reaction his work in Last House provoked. He comes across as the sort of guy you'd enjoy talking with at a party. Ditto for many of the other on-screen villains and heroes interviewed here. Occasionally claws do come out, as when character-actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (The Last Emperor, Big Trouble in Little China, Planet of the Apes) is asked about working with Wesley Snipes. But this kind of candor gives the book a sense of realness. The interviews, for the most part, have the feeling of informal chats. Amongst the colorful personalities captured here are David Carradine, Kier Dullea, Brion James, Christopher Lee, Tura Satana (the buxom hellcat from Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!), Fred Williamson, and the truly ubiquitous John Saxon. The author seems to have a knack for getting underneath the surface with his subjects. Perhaps my favorite interview is with screen legend Christopher Lee. Mr. Lee comes across as super cool and super friendly, even when dissing Dario Argento. The side story of how the author managed to secure Lee for an interview is worth the book's price alone. If you have any interest in genre film or the acting profession, I wholeheartedly suggest picking this one up.

If you ever wandered, sitting on your couch, watching a wildlife film, what it takes to complete such a film. This is the book to read. Award winning wildlife photographer Nick Gordon, takes you on an Indiana Jones adventure, only this time it is real. From page one I had the feeling I was part of his filmcrew. I could feel the disapointment of not catching the perfect shot. And I could almost feel the anaconda crawling between my legs, while filming an underwater shot. Having read many books about exploring the Amazon, this was the first time that I had the feeling that someone show me around there in person. If you ever swa any of Gordons films, you can see a similarity in his films and this book. he, as one of the few, cam make you feel part of the team. he give you a firsthands look on species you would never see or read about. Several time while reading this book, I wondered when he and his team would give up. Working with bureaucracy, terrible weather, illness, dangerous animals and hostile tribes, would drive anyone grazy after a while... Nick gordon spend not less than ten years in the Amazon rainforest, working on his films. He dove into the forest living, thousands miles and moths away from family and friends. Giving us, by writing this book on his experiences, the opportunity to find out what he and his team go through, before we, sitting comfortable and warm on our couch, get to see his wonderful wildlife films. Amazing, beautiful pictures complete this nice piece of work

I can't agree more with the words Sir David Attenborough wrote about this book:

'Here at last is the book that so many who have enjoyed natural history television programmes have been waiting for'