At last in paperback, the brilliant primer on directing for film and theater that Dame Judi Dench calls "a gem--witty and full of insight."
Five years ago, Frank Hauser, a retired director, and Russell Reich, his former student, co-wrote Notes on Directing, which Reich self-published. It was immediately acclaimed as a timeless classic--and is now finally available in a paperback edition.
There is true genius on these pages. Just as Strunk and White have done for composition and grammar, Hauser and Reich offer unparalleled insights into the crafts of directing and acting. They include, as well, life lessons--about how to deal with people, anticipate problems, and handle challenging situations--that make Notes on Directing as valuable offstage as on.
The 130 "notes" address a wide range of topics, from understanding the script to casting, rules for rehearsal, how to talk to actors, how to get a laugh, and the key elements of staging. They reveal what got the young Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Richard Burton started on their careers, and offer rare quotes from artists as diverse as Anton Chekhov, Elia Kazan, and George Bernard Shaw. Plainly expressed, with explanatory commentary and five valuable appendices, this deceptively slim book has the impact of a privileged apprenticeship with a master director. For the student aspiring to a directing or acting career, the professional looking for new ideas, or the theater lover wanting insight into the creative process, reading Notes on Directing will be an invaluable experience.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Best book of directing tips I have read:
If you direct, or plan to direct, buy this book! The directorial wisdom in the book is presented in brief, powerful points that are well categorized. The directing books I have found tend to be tedious, dense, and self-important. Notes on Directing is a breath of fresh air--giving you just what you need. One word of caution: while Notes on Directing is an essential and fabulous book, don't expect it to tell you how to be a director. This is a book to refer to after you have acquired basic... more info
A "must read!":
If you are a new playwright, and wonder what a director does, or should be doing (if he/she is directing your play), this small book will tell you briefly and succinctly. It begins at the beginning with the Script, then explains the Director's role, Casting, Rehearsal Rules, Talking to Actors, Building Blocks, Staging, etc. The authors do not embellish, nor are they verbose. The information presented is clear and direct. Most important, the format allows one to go immediately to the section most... more info
For would-be directors: a MUST:
If you seek to be a director, you must have NOTES ON DIRECTING: it looks small but it packs in notes gathered by British director Frank Hauser for his apprentice - notes which came from a long career in the industry. Hauser shared these with many famous theatrical and cinematic figures from Richard Burton to Sir Alec Guinness: now the former student expands upon his mentor's private notes to provide a book-length treatise appropriate for any student of directing. Chapters are packed with advice,... more info
priceless...:
This book is a MUST for all involved in the theatre. It's a quick read & an excellent sorcebook- VERY well organized. If you want more of a textbook on directing, go with Catron's The Director's Vision. But this book (Notes on Directing) is GREAT to have on hand during the process.
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