Series in Acting
Books in Acting
Adaptation.
One of the most talked about scripts of the year, Adaptation is the story of an orchid collector (Chris Cooper), a journalist (Meryl Streep, as author Susan Orlean), and the screenwriter (Charlie Kaufman, played by Nicolas Cage) who, in adapting Orlean's bestselling book The Orchid Thief , writes himself and his twin brother (also played by Cage) into the movie. In the foreword, written exclusively for this Newmarket edition, Orlean reveals her own struggle to tell the story of the orchid, and her delight that “strangely, marvelously, hilariously, Kaufman's screenplay has ended up not being a literal Adaptation of my book, but a spiritual one.” In a fascinating interview, Kaufman and Jonze take readers behind the scenes of Adaptation and their other films to speak about how they collaborate, where truth and fiction diverge, the challenges of balancing various storylines, why they do not like to comment on the meaning of their work, and Kaufman's approach to writing:"I try to write in the midst of confusion and be strong enough to stay there, rather than swim to the shore of some kind of conclusion." Finally, screenwriting guru Robert McKee's commentary attempts to analyze Kaufman's work, identifying many of his themes including "that grand twentieth-century preoccupation with the Self." In the acclaimed Newmarket Shooting Script series format, the book includes the complete screenplay, Orlean's foreword, the interview with Kaufman and Jonze, McKee's critical commentary, 24 black-and-white stills, and cast and crew credits.
Bluffer's Guide to Hollywood
Instantly acquire all the inside information and shortcuts you need to survive in the most venal and treacherous town on Earth with Bluffer's Guide to Hollywood . Never again confuse leverage with loyalty, the honeywagon with a four-banger, or the Golden Globes with some absolutely essential cosmetic surgery. Bask in the admiration of your fellow Hollywood wannabes as you pronounce confidently on what to do, what to say and where to be seen, and hold your own against the most ruthless and double-dealing of back-stabbers. DO SAY: "Awfully sorry, but much as I'd love to tell you what I’m working on, Steven made me sign a strict nondisclosure agreement." DON’T SAY: "I'm working on a screenplay called Killer Aliens Death Zone 11 and I'd be really grateful if you’d take a look at it."
Brad Pitt
A biography of Brad Pitt, the latest male sex symbol, is full of the detailed answers to the questions about the life and career of the popular actor, from his Missouri youth to his rise to stardom, accompanied by sixteen pages of photos. Original.
Cruise Control
Over the last two decades, Tom Cruise has steered himself coolly to superstardom—and of the screen names today, his is the biggest. From the start, his fine acting, boy-next-door looks, and winning smile ensured him a place at the top of Hollywood’s A-list, and his increasingly fine performances in films like Vanilla Sky, Magnolia, Minority Report, and Eyes Wide Shut have kept him there. Author Wensley Clarkson has spent years interviewing those close to the actor, and in this perceptively written profile, he reveals a complex and intriguing personality who, from his teens, has been driven by a potent combination of talent, ambition, personal demons, and the need for total control in every area of his life.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In this illuminating script book, Charlie Kaufman, the Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation , shares the logistical challenges of writing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in a fascinating interview. Kaufman also provides commentary on stills from the movie, revealing remarkable details about the editing process, set construction, and shooting techniques that were used to tell this unconventional story. In the film, Joel ( Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of their tumultuous relationship erased. Out of desperation, he contacts the inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), to have Clementine removed from his own memory. But as Joel's memories progressively disappear, he begins to rediscover their earlier passion. From deep within the recesses of his brain, Joel attempts to escape the procedure.As Dr. Mierzwiak and his crew chase him through the maze of his memories, it's clear that Joel just can't get her out of his head.The movie stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst,Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, and Mark Ruffalo. In the acclaimed Newmarket Shooting Script® format, the book includes an introduction by director Michel Gondry ( Human Nature ), a facsimile of the script, a Q&A with Kaufman, a selection of black-and-white movie stills with commentary, and the complete cast and crew credits.
John Travolta: King of Cool
With his piercing blue eyes, dazzling smile, and innate sense of cool, John Travolta has, for over three decades, won a place in the hearts of millions of film fans. From disco king to ice-cool gangster, the ease with which he can slip into a character has made him one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men. Travolta’s amazing ability to reinvent himself as an actor has spanned generations of movie-goershis appeal as white-hot dancer Tony Romero in Saturday Night Fever evolved over the years into intense, utterly convincing performances, among the most memorable as hitman Vincent Vega in the box-office smash Pulp Fiction. Perceptively written, thoroughly researched, and based on scores of interviews with friends, colleagues, and family, John Travolta: King of Cool looks at the star’s entire life and career, as well as his involvement with the Church of Scientology and his relationship with wife Kelly Preston.
Keanu Reeves
An in-depth look at the life of the star of Speed and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure focuses on his unusual childhood, his romantic side, and his rise to stardom, among other topics. Original.
Little Children: The Shooting Script(With: Todd Field)
Little Children centers on a handful of individuals whose livesintersect on the playgrounds, town pools, and streets of theirsmall community in surprising and potentially dangerousways. While it is based on an acclaimed novel, Todd Field andTom Perrotta wanted to create a film that stood on its own,independent of the book. Tom Perrotta says: "For me, as anovelist, the attraction of a film adaptation lies precisely in thisopportunity to re-imagine my book with someone else, andexplore new possibilities for the characters and the story." Todd Field elaborates: "The struggle for identity is whatthese characters battle from the start; it leads to a hunger theyare unable to satiate—violence and fear hold sway. The shameof how they see themselves when the fingers start pointing.It was with this idea in mind that Tom and I began our worktogether." This Newmarket Shooting Script ® Book includes: Introduction by Tom Perrotta New Yorker film review by David Denby Complete Shooting Script 30 color still photographs Cast and filmmaker credits
Movie Stunts & Special Effects: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning and Execution
Throughout film history, one of the fundamental fantasies portrayed on screen has been the kind of physical action few of us could ever experience in real life. The image of an 'every man' engaged in hand-to-hand, mortal combat, defending his family or even the world population against an overwhelming and malevolent force, speaks to our most primal instincts and thus became a mainstay of movie entertainment. In order to translate these deep-seated fantasies to the screen, filmmakers have been developing special skills and crafts for over 100 years. It is these skills that make 'movie magic' and have allowed audiences to take part in the primal hopes and fears we all possess. Movie Stunts & Special Effects: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning and Execution is designed to inform filmmakers on how to plan for and utilize these crafts by engaging and empowering filmmakers to better communicate with stunts and effects practitioners, and thereby enabling them to more fully realize their vision. Director/Producer Andrew Lane surveys fights, use of weapons, cars and vehicles, falls, the use of pyrotechnics, atmospheric effects, bullet hits, wounds and blood, among many other categories. Factors such as cost, time to implement, safety accommodations, and assessing the competence of those employed to plan and execute stunts and special effects are numerous and very specific. Each topic in Movie Stunts & Special Effects is examined using narrative explanations, extensive interviews with world-renowned experts. Various stunts and special effects will be explored in the context of how they are best captured by a camera and then editorially constituted in the final product.
Personal Reminiscences of Henry Irving
Personal Reminiscences of Henry Irving is the third book of nonfiction by Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula), published in 1906. It is a biography about the English actor Henry Irving.
Psychic Junkie: A Memoir
The future lies ahead. BUT YOU CAN PAY FOR A PREVIEW. When her promised stardom fails to materialize, struggling actress Sarah Lassez finds solace in psychics who predict the coming of the man of her dreams. She's sure she's found him in Wilhelm, a suave hotel sous-chef from Germany. But mayhem ensues when she takes the words of the psychics over the words of her actual boyfriend and is convinced he's about to propose -- when in reality he's planning to leave the country . . . without her. Sarah's world dissolves into a haze of credit card debt, loneliness, and a raging addiction to psychics that threatens to destroy her finances, her relationships, and her sanity. She knows she needs help. But getting it will mean confronting the fact that life is not to be controlled or predicted, and though dealing with reality isn't always easy, at least it doesn't cost $4.99 a minute. Psychic Junkie is a true story of life and love in Los Angeles, narrated by an endearing protagonist whose search for answers will resonate with everyone who has ever tried to make sense of career, relationships, and adulthood.
So You Want To Go To Drama School?
The essential guide to getting into drama school. Packed with sound advice and essential information for young people who want to train as actors and performers (including musical theatre), this clear and honest guide is written by a teacher and audition panellist with a lifetime's experience of the audition process. It will help all aspiring actors develop the self-confidence, motivation and skills required to get into the drama school of their choice. Topics include: • Researching and selecting the appropriate drama school • Making yourself the best prepared candidate • Choosing and preparing your speeches and songs • Developing your working process and your self-awareness • Coping with the audition day itself • Considering your next steps if you do (or don't) get in. Also includes suggestions of speeches and songs to look at (as well as those you should avoid), information about the major UK drama schools, how to obtain funding, suggested further reading, and an introduction to the theatrical terms and genres that every prospective student should know.