Customer Reviews (2)

Great Book
I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book especially after having just seen the movie again.I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Battle of Britain and or the making of epic films.

BATTLE THAT CHANGED DIRECTION OF WORLD WAR II


Back in 1969 a new motion picture was released that dramatically retold and illustrated in color the movie version of the Battle of Britain. Once again we are transported back to June, 1940, over the skies of Britain for the shootouts between the Reich and the RAF.One fact that emerges early in this book, that this movie came close to not being made at all! When it did finally make it to the screen, it came 3 years later than initially planned.

I saw the picture then and as I sit here examining my DVD of this movie I agree with the DVD jacket claim of a "big stellar cast". But beyond stars such as Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Ian McShane, Laurence Olivier, Robert Shaw, Michael Redgrave, Christopher Plummer, and Susannah York, among many others, is the footage that includes planes from the period. No mock up, no XF, the Spitfires and Heinkels, Messerschmitts, et.al., are the real thing. The producer/director scoured the world for real, actual planes of the time. Never again will that happen, what you see flying in this film are the real, true planes of that period.

This book under discussion is the official book of the movie and includes not only Mr. Mosley's recall of the 'nuts and bolts' of the production but also includes some still pictures from the movie. To my knowledge, the only hardcover edition of "The Battle of Britain" is that done by Mr. Mosley for Time-Life books as a volume in their WWII series. I have a copy of that narrative-picture book, too. Having hardcover books on my shelf also such as ON BORROWED TIME, BACKS TO THE WALL, THE DRUID, HIROHITO, and a biography of Hermann Goering, I can think no one better suited than Leonard Mosley to tell this story of both movie and battle.

At this late date not many of these paperback books are available, but since Ballantine was publishing quite a few things concerning WWII during the late 1960's, copies from dealers can still be obtained. If you have seen the movie and wish for additional detail, then this paperback can both entertain and enlighten.

Having both the DVD and paperback, can recommend either or both.

Semper Fi. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Self Interest
I did the photography for the book and didn't own a copy.

Now I do. ... Read more

Product Description
How on earth did they do it? This behind-the-scenes diary reconstructs director Jean-Jacques Annaud's amazing undertaking-six years of preparation, nineteen wild weeks of filing in the Italian Alps with 180 crew members, a cast of three actors, twenty-three bears and hundreds of other animals including pumas, deer, horses, dogs, fish, birds, frogs, and even insects. Showing the sometimes dangerous, sometimes humorous situations of working with animals, this well-paced volume, filled with photographs, interviews, and anecdotes, proves to be a memorable story in its own right. ... Read more

Product Description
"Do I have to be good at drawing to become an animator?" Walter Santucci declares that question to be the most pervasive during his 15 plus years in the business. His unequivocal reply? "No, but it helps to get good at it!" He likes to think, based on both his achievements and failures, that being funny, rather than having artistic abilities, is the real key to animation success. Hey, look at South Park!

The Guerrilla Guide to Animation: Making Animated Films Outside the Mainstream seeks to teach those not able to afford animation training or who seek to find an alternate path. It's meant to provide the outsider, the anarchist, the rebel, guidance into the world of 2D animation. While there are many texts available on animation, the shortcuts, rule breaking and cheating are some of the elements that set The Guerrilla Guide to Animation apart from the others. By including an instructional section, as well as an anecdotal section, Santucci gives the reader a `do-it-yourself' guide from the correct animation terms to setting up your own studio - even building equipment yourself - and a chance to walk in the shoes of someone who's been there and done that. He also includes a motivational/inspirational chapter on `why do this if only your family will see it!', which will keep the reader grounded and focused on their original goal.

Provocatively written, the author's experience in directing and teaching makes him the perfect source for all of those would-be animators out there. A great combination of in-depth knowledge and years of personal success and failure, The Guerrilla Guide to Animation is a unique resource for those who want to do animation their own way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Everyone should have this book
This book is a lesson plan not only for a career in animation, but for life. It shows that you can pursue your goals no matter what obstacle is in the road. You just might have to walk in the ditch, but you can get there.
Walter is talented yes, but he worked hard to find the alternative path. Learn from him Grasshopper. ... Read more

Product Description
The latest volume in the Projections series, focusing on New York's vibrant and unique film community.

Following the success of Projections 10, in which Mike Figgis interviewed a host of Hollywood film-makers about the current state of the business, Projections 11 sets out to talk to those who have decided to live and work in the place many consider to be Hollywood's antithesis -- New York City. In an attempt to map out the distinct draw and effect Gotham has on its film artists, writer/filmmaker Tod Lippy has interviewed some of the city's acclaimed independent film-makers, as well as established directors, producers, writers, actors, and agents who have made the city their home, and in many cases, their inspiration. What emerges from these interviews with Spike Lee, Tim Robbins, Jim Jarmusch, Frances McDormand, and Nora Ephron, among others, is a chorus of praise for the diversity, energy, and artistic integrity many feel can only be found in New York. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Inspiring, Provocative
PROJECTIONS 11, portraying filmmaking in New York's diverse talent pool, acts not only as a cross section of filmmakers in the city, but as a preservation of moviemakers and their processes less hindered by the random guessing of the Hollywood studio agent complex. Working through well executed interviews that allow filmmakers to divulge information via vibrant personalities, from a very humorous Frances McDormand, to the enterprising team of James Schamus and Ted Hope, to an uninhibited Harmony Korine, editor Tod Lippy has captured articulately the energy of these players to portray them as part of the city's `human sea' and its conduciveness to creative thought.Devourable read that also functions well as an important historical and educational text for aspiring filmmakers, PROJECTIONS 11 dissects many aspects of filmmaking, from screenwriting to production design to scoring, giving witness to war stories and career progressions. Delightfully, thoroughly researched, PROJECTIONS 11 is a subtle ballad to New York City and it's invigorating creation dynamic. ... Read more

Product Description
The first films were shorts. Most leading filmmakers made shorts, including Chaplin, Keaton, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, Lindsay Anderson, and--more recently--Lynne Ramsey and Damian O' Donnell. Though a standard and much-loved part of the cinemagoing experience for decades, short films are now rarely seen, even though more are made than ever. Hundreds of student films are made annually and television stations use shorts as fillers. Dotcom companies fight to secure rights and short film festivals take place all over the world. There is even the beginning of a comeback for the cinema short.

This book traces the history of the short film and its current role. Focusing on short-film producers and directors, it looks at the short film as a training opportunity for new talent. It covers issues of distribution, funding (including the lottery boom), exhibition, festivals, training, and publications. ... Read more

Product Description
Finally a simple how-to-guide on filming your own porn video. This easy, step-by-step guide, walks you through the basics of making and directing an amateur porn video without having a Hollywood budget. Chapters include: Equipment on a Bare Skin Budget,Woodsmen & Nymph's; Lights, Cameras, Sex and much, much more. If you have ever dreamed of becoming a porn director orjust wanted to make a sexy amateur video this book is for you. Packed full of tips, tricks and techniques this guide can help jump start your porn directing career. Look for these other best selling titles: "Sexual Psychic Seduction". "Asian Dreams", 'Blonde, Beautiful and Bare Naked", "Latin Lust" and "Big Chests Small Breasts". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

SUPER LAME BOOK!DON'T BUY IT!
I rarely, if ever, give a book 1 star.That's how crappy this book was.I should have listened to the other two negative reviews.The author starts out by saying that you'll probably not make any money as a porn director and then says that you'll probably end up in jail making your film.

You know what they say, "Those who can't do, teach."I don't think the author was ever successful so he's down on the industry as far as making any sizable cash flow.

Then his directing tips were packed into the second half of an already very thin book.The first half will upset you.The second half is just plain stupid.Do yourself a favor and PASS on buying this book.

Take2 :)
Great book! I enjoyed reading it and found the information useful for my line of work. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adult films or the adult industry in general.

A good overview
This book gave a good overview of what to do in getting started in the adult industry including potential pitfalls. Although it lacked the some of the in depth instructions needed to get a person cemented, I think it is enough information to get your feet wet. The "doom and gloom" that was referred to in the first review is a reality, and only a fool would ignore the kernal of advice in the first chapter.

Good "How to" Book.
This book is a really good "How to" mannual for those wanting to get into the amateur porn business. It's hard to believe how easy it is to get started making your own adult videos. I like that the book covered both the basics and more advanced ins and outs of the business. I bought my copy used, but if I had bought it new it would of still been worth the money. This is a good starter book for anyone wanting to make their own adult videos.

Don't waste your time reading this book
If you have a boring desk job, counting beans and staring out the window of an office building, dreaming about directing and producing your own porno movies... then you don't want to buy this book.The first half of the book was a depressing, pessimistic outlook on getting involved with the adult entertainment industry.In your part of the world, if you file for a business license as a photographer, will the cops come banging on your door?Will the local District Attorney drum you out of town?Will the town clergy mention your name (and spit) during Sunday Service?Read this book and you will be convinced this to be your fate.

This depressing first third of the book was followed by some extremely basic photography techniques.A glossary which follows is very short collection of the most common terms, which was also disappointing.The sample model release was good, but not great.

The author missed his target audience.The book might have been useful if there was less doom and gloom, a better glossary of terms, and a much enhanced section on shooting video.The large type font hides the fact that this book has as much information as a pamphlet (the glossary and model release are page fillers).

The vast majority of people will buy this book looking for tips on how to break in their new camcorder with their spouse or their neighbors.This book isn't for you.The central idea of this book is: If you live in a U.S. town where everyone knows your name, don't become a porno film director without moving to L.A. or N.Y. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Glowing review?
I hesitate to write a review that is too glowing because it will come off like I work for the people.This book changed the way I approach writing.I have read too many books looking for answers on how to become a better writer.This one is the first to convince me that the work is worth doing.It gave me a concrete plan of attack that allowed me to get to the other side of a finished story and know that I didn't have to cheat to get there.It gives clear explanations and examples that illustrate the steps a writer should take in each draft of a screenplay.And unlike other books, it gives legitimate reasons for why each draft is necessary.It's not just rewriting for the sake of vainly trying to strengthen your story.There are actual, targeted areas in every draft of a screenplay that are as different as building an engine in a car, deciding what color the interior should be and then driving the car down the road.These are all different departments that do different things.The same holds true for each draft of a screenplay.Follow the guidelines in this book and I assure you, you will be a better writer.Buy it.

Inspiring Stuff!
This is an interesting and useful read for those about to embark on writing their first screenplay or for those studying film/media at college or university. It is also a great book for those with the often inevitable writer's block!

The author covers a variety of screen writing issues such as script form, character development, choosing a genre, developing tone and developing and re-writing drafts.The content is split into digestible chapters with sections within these. I've found this really useful when I'm flicking through for ideas or looking for a specific topic to revise on. It also meant that when I read the book for the first time I did not feel overwhelmed by a subject which was new to me. The glossary at the back is also very handy.

The screenwriter interviews were inspiring - I really enjoyed reading about Mark Herman (writer of `Brassed Off' amongst others). These, combined with other examples and visual case studies made this an engaging and motivational read. I am glad I read this book, I don't think I've found another on the market, which is of such good-value and absorbing.

Everything you need and more
This book so laid out well, so you can find what your looking for with ease. It shows you a first, second and final draft of a script to show and give examples of how you can progress your script - a great use to someone who has never done one before - and even to someone who has! It has sections of what things mean, so if there is anything your unsure of, you don't have to read half a book to find out what it is your looking for, its right there ready for you with no messing about. Without a doubt one of the best books for those who struggle to start a script, or who are doing an assignment on screenwriting. Even for those times when you can't quie remember what something means, this is your dictionary for screenwriting. Well worth it, 10/10!!

Amazing, wonder tool
This amazing book got me started down exactly the right track with my screenplay. It answered virtually every question I had. I'd recommend it to anyone. Note - the wrong cover image is on this site - the real cover is mostly text - appropriate for a book on screenwriting. Also, there's some author biography information for one of the authors, James Richards, that obviously refers to a different James Richards. Don't let that deter you from ordering this wonderful book! You won't be sorry.

An invaluable instructional guide and continuing reference manual for anyone who aspires to write a professional screenplay
Writing scripts for theatrical, film, and stage productions is a demanding and highly competitive occupation -- but also a potentially lucrative one for writers with talent, imagination, skill, and a thorough understanding of the key elements comprising script writing. The collaborative work of Robert Edgar-Hunt, John Marland, and James Richards, "Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting" is a basic introductory instruction manual addressing the complete spectrum of screenwriting issues including script forms, standard practices, idea creation, theories of storytelling, log lines, screen treatments, 'step treatment', the pitch to potential backers, character development, creating a fictional world, 'mise en scene', action, tone and genre, dialogue, critiquing and feedback, and more. A superbly illustrated compendium of information, examples, concepts, and more, aspiring screenwriters are taken through the complete process of producing a short screenplay especially written for this textbook covering the total process from initial draft to film pitch. "Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting" is an ideal and effective introduction that should be considered an invaluable instructional guide and continuing reference manual for anyone who aspires to write a professional quality screenplay, either alone or in collaboration.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Inspired
This is probably the only book about making short films that takes readers by the hand and leads them every step of the way from writing a winning short to getting the little gem screened at the major festivals. There's a website with free material at www.making-short-films.com and there are scores of colleges up and down the country using the book as a teaching aid. Before shooting a frame of film, filmmakers would do well to read this book.

Easy Reader
A must have book for anyone thinking of starting out in the movie business. An informative, funny, up to date, practical guide that will make the journey easier. ... Read more

Product Description
With their quirky, arresting, comic, and intelligent movies, Ethan and Joel Coen have carved out their niche as America's preeminent independent filmmakers. Now, in a prose style that complements the Coens' filmic one, this book dissects the brothers' latest endeavor, "The Big Lebowski", to reveal how the movie goes from idea to reality, offering a discussion of the Coens' themes, atypical brand of humor, and artistic vision. 162 photos, 32 in color.Amazon.com Review
Since their debut with Blood Simple in 1984, Joel and Ethan Coenhave created a unique body of work that seems to project their combinedimaginations directly onto the movie screen. By concentrating on thefilming of their homage to Raymond Chandler, The Big Lebowski, thisbook provides a great deal of insight into the way that these extraordinaryfilmmakers take an idea and transform it into a movie.

Text and illustrations combine to reveal the Coens' combination ofquirkiness and craft, and the ways that the singular (or is it binary?)vision of the brothers combines with actors and crew in the group effortnecessary to produce a finished film.This book doesn't attempt a criticalanalysis of the work of Joel and Ethan Coen--the complexity of their visionresists such an approach. Instead, we're treated to a fly-on-the-wall viewof the creative process, and it's enough to get the most casual film loverto grab a notebook, rent a camera, and start making movies! --SimonLeake ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Just ok.
Book was ok. Entertaining? Eh. Informative? Maybe 1/8 of the content was interesting. There is a lot of repetitive writing about the movie. Describing scenes and what have you. Seems like a friend of the Coens' gathered some watered down memories over the years, interviewed some people, and slapped together the book. It's put together nicely, but I think if it were more concentrated with information... If the interviews and insight were like a director's bonus track on a dvd, providing insight on what was going on, problems, mistakes, improv... This seems too little to scratch the surface.

My favorite part was the preproduction storyboards and costume designs included at the end. But they were few. Select scenes and boards. This could have made a wonderful coffee table hardcover if it was more in depth. Comparing boards to actual scene stills. Including insight from the directors, actors, behind the scenes people... etc..

I made it through since I am a big fan of the movie and the Coens' work. There was nothing ground breaking here.

Lewbowski Rules!
I am glad I got this book.It proves to me how much the Big Lewboski really rocks!

Worst "book report" ever
I've never felt so intellectually abused by a book as to resort to writing a scathing review like this on Amazon. This book is mind-bogglingly aweful! It reads like an 8th grade book report. It has no pretense of a plot and does amazingly little to actually delve into the making of the Big Lebowski. Don't buy it! Half of it is literally just the author monotonously describing what *happens* in the Big Lebowski. YES, repeating what you've watched in the movie!! Page upon page reads like "and then the dude goes into...and then...and then..." Much of the rest is an incredibly egotistical author bragging about how "in" he is with the Coens and prattling on about his interactions with them and how well he knows them. The author's grasp of english is profoundly poor and his "hip" slang falls utterly flat and non-sensical as he tries to invent numerous non-words. Even the pictures have nothing to do with their placement in the text. The ONLY redeeming characteristic of the book is that the author includes many long quotes from the Coens and the people who work closely with them.

A Great Read For Filmmaking Enthusiasts
Every once and while I look for books to re-inspire my need to make films. This is one of those useful books for people interested in the real filmmaking process. This book doesn't have useless interviews about how much fun the actors had working with a director but covers every thought and decision the crew had to make in the production. If you're a Coen Brother's fan, you'll also be interested to gain some insight into how they invent and produce their signiture films.

One of the best books written about the Coens
This book was co-written by William Preston Robertson who is someone, if you've studied the end credits of the Coens' early film, who has worked on their films in various capacities. He's often provided voiceovers where needed and even offered a place for them to crash when they developed writer's block while working on the screenplay for Miller's Crossing.

So, he writes this book with an insider's perspective. At every opportunity he makes fun of them (as only a close friend can) and spends the first part of the book tracing their career up to The Big Lebowski. The rest of the book plays out as a quasi-Making Of that is quite an entertaining read. For example, he places their film in the grand tradition of bowling noir, a very rarified subgenre of the film noir. Robertson is quite funny as he pontificates about this subgenre at some length.

If I had one complaint about the book is the amount of detail that is gone into about the storyboarding process which I could have done without. But this is a minor quibble at best.

Robertson's style of writing is very casual and easy to read--it won't take you long to get through this book. If you are a hardcore fan of the Coens, then you will definitely enjoy this book and all the little, inside jokes. It will certainly deepen your appreciation for the film and acts as a great companion-piece. ... Read more

Product Description
PRODUCING INDEPENDENT 2D CHARACTER ANIMATION takes an in-depth look at the artistry and production process of cel animation in a friendly, how-to manner that makes thesometimes tedious process of animation enjoyable and easy to understand. This book guides animators through every step of planning and production; includes examples of actual production forms, organization tips, screen shots, and sketches from the pre- to post-production processes; and contains detailed information on the hardware and software used to complete each step.

By mapping out the course of how his small studio brainstormed, created, then produced its award-winning animation, TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE, Mark Simon explains to animators what it takes-both creatively and resource-wise-to get their animations to market.

Includes exclusive interviews with Oscar-nominated independent animator Bill Plimpton, Craig McCracken, creator of the POWER PUFF GIRLS, Craig "Spike" Decker of SPIKE & MIKE'S SICK AND TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION, David Fine & Alison Snowden who are the Academy Award-Winning producers of BOB AND MARGARET, Cartoon Network's Senior Vice President of Original Animation, Linda Simensky, and Tom Sito, Co-Director of OSMOSIS JONES...as well as others.

* Take your project from concept to creation, then take it to market

* Learn story development, character design, audio recording, editing, ink and paint, compositing, and the software available to enhance your animated films

* Complete with project organization guidelines, production forms, as well as work samples, trial software, and eight animations on CD-ROM! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

this book officially kicks ass
First of all, I just wanted you to know - this book officially kicks ass.

I have been messing around with Flash animation on and off for the past 4 years. Some of my stuff appeared on Howard Stern's syndicated TV show, and I even won a prize in an animated joke competition.

But I have been in a total slump lately - no motivation or understanding of how to improve my skills and not a decent idea to speak of.I haven't posted a new animation on my website in well over a year.

Then I received the book (Producing Independent 2D Character Animation) as a gift.It has been the jump start I needed, like shock treatment for my creativity.I've written some scripts and started storyboarding. I also did an animatic in Flash to check the timing/jokes. With the procedures outlined in the book as my guide, I intend to begin animating again shortly.

Thanks to the author for sharing his knowledge.

Informative; Possibly Suffers from a Misnomer
There is some good information in this book. If you have at least a modicum of familiarity with animation though, there's very little new about art or theory or instruction in here. The title and subtitle should be reversed in terms of importance to

Making and Selling a Short Film: Producing 2D Independent Character Animation.

Granted, this is not a flaw with the book, but I am writing this review as a caution to those who might think of it as one thing, when it is in fact another. They don't mean "I produced animation for Mary." They mean "For Mary I was involved in an animation production."

Difference being, aside from a section on tips, there is -no- mention of the process of animating, but rather name-dropping of software/hardware you'll need to run a digital version of the conventional studio, presented vicariously through the author recounting his experiences in making his short film.

All that being said, though, the tips are pretty good and the single most informative part of this entire book are the exclusive interviews with artists and suits from around the industry. These are so insightful (on the respondent's part) and so chock full of good things to know that it might have been more beneficial to chop the price in half and have the whole book just be about the interviews. Still, keeping the price the same, it's almost still worth it.

This is not a bad book by any means; on the contrary, it is one of the better, more clearly written books out there, and though there are too many purposeless illustrations, the ones with purpose are great and it's wonderful eye candy to have them in full color. I never got a chance to see it before I bought it, and ordered it into Barnes and Noble by my house...Now I'll likely be contributing it back into the world via the Marketplace as an interesting one night stand...

best buyfor beginning animators
explains all resources all indumentary needed and best of all almost everything has high budget and low budget examples.

Why is this so expensive?
This book is selling for $27.99 at Barnes and Noble as of 2/24/04 - that's over $20 less than here!

Highly Recommended!
This book is the most concise, and comprehensive book I've seen on the subject of producing a 2D animated cartoon. While several other books focus on the art of animation, Mark Simon focuses on the nuts and bolts of "getting it done". Topics flow from planning, visualization, character design to storyboarding, audio recording and animatics, through editing, rendering and even distribution options. The sample CD-ROM has a huge assortment of demo programs to help you "work along" with the book. It is by no means the ONLY book you need to embark on animating a cartoon, but it is an essential one for any prospective cartoon filmmaker's library. Interviews with several industry professionals are included and add a perspective from the talent buyer's view. All in all a very handy resource for someone who knows what they want to do, but need guidance to realize their vision. ... Read more

Product Description
Back in print with a new introduction and epilogue by the author, this modern classic is "one of the few indispensable books about Hollywood." --Jack Kroll, Newsweek. "What altered Hollywood irrevocably was the notorious 1980 film Heaven's Gate." --Irwin Winkler, The New York Times, 1/14/99. Heaven's Gate is probably the most discussed, least seen film in modern movie history. Its notoriety is so great that it has become a generic term for disaster, for ego run rampant, for epic mismanagement, for wanton extravagance. It was also the watershed film of the '80s--not for its cinematic qualities, but for its effect on Hollywood and the way movies were and were not made for years afterward. For Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate did not merely fail; the film did the unthinkable: it sank a studio. Less than a month after the picture's second release, United Artists--the company founded in 1919 by Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, D. W. Griffith, and Charlie Chaplin--for all practical purposes ceased to exist. What happened? Why? How? In answering these questions, combining wit, extraordinary anecdotes, and historical perspective, Steven Bach has produced a landmark book on Hollywood and its people, and in so doing, tells a story of human absurdity that would have made Chaplin proud. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

final cut
I have reread this book a few tmes because of its fascinating subject.It reflects broad knowledge of the movie industry, as well as considerable research. The film about which it was written was an utter disaster because of Cimino's insufferable gall and refusal to work at all with the organization that was putting up the financing for it. He shut himself away from any attempts by United Artists to exercise control over his reckless spending and concocted a megalomanic and unrealistic fiasco, the aftershocks of which are still felt today.

End Of The Auteur
There's conflicting ideas when the age of the unbridled American movie director began, but near-unanimity about where it ended: In early 1981, with Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate". As an executive at United Artists, Steven Bach helped green-light "Gate", and offers his take on what went wrong in this 1985 memoir, one of the best books about movies I've ever read.

"Heaven's Gate" is defended by some film lovers as an unappreciated classic. Yet it can not be gainsaid that the movie sunk United Artists, costing UA $44 million and a black eye during a period of otherwise galloping prosperity. For Bach, it ended one career as a producer and started another as a writer. He proves to be as good at the latter profession as he was bad at the former.

To his credit, Bach doesn't duck his share of the blame, noting he was too eager to make his mark at a company where shepherding excellent films was the norm. Saying no to the likes of Woody Allen, winner of 1977's Best Picture and Best Director Oscars, was simply not done. What could be said to Cimino, winner of the same trophies the following year?

"Do they respect us?" Bach is asked by his co-production head at UA, David Field.

"I don't know," Bach replies. "We have to do something first."

"Doing something" here translated into finding a hot young director and giving him a license to make a film without regard to cost. Initially budgeted at under $8 million, "Heaven's Gate" became a problem once Cimino realized he could do what he wanted and not be held accountable, from refusing to discuss budget with authorized UA executives to forcing the casting of his apparent girlfriend, a French actress almost unknown to Americans, in a lead role.

Bach doesn't attack Cimino's vision as much as note his hubris. "Heaven's Gate" was not a bad film, Bach argues, so much as one that missed its audience with a message of unrelieved despair, delivered in overlong and self-important fashion. "What one loves in life are the things that fade" was the Cimino-approved tagline for "Heaven's Gate", and one that for Bach summed up a big reason for the film's failure with mass audiences.

Bach, who died earlier this year, spends much of his book on matters other than "Heaven's Gate". There are meetings with Allen, an earnest handwringing session with Martin Scorcese and Robert De Niro about preproduction problems with "Raging Bull", and plans to make films that would never see the light of day. One poignant running sidelight is the effort to coax a new "Pink Panther" script from a clearly ailing and "wraithlike" Peter Sellers, who rallies enough to produce a draft only to drop dead a week later.

Making you care about the producer's lot in Hollywood may be Bach's great achievement. It's not the definitive story of "Heaven's Gate"; watching a Trio documentary on YouTube details some of Cimino's most egregious cost-raising moves left unreported here. But it's a great story about Hollywood at a time when it was about to undergo massive change. If Bach deserves some of the blame for what went wrong, he also earns credit for telling the story here in such entertaining and compelling form.

Entertaining and Wonderfully Written
I picked this book up due to a recent interest in film history, and while the content is wonderful, I will let the other reviewers focus on that. Instead, I just wanted to say that this book is so beautifully and cleverly written that even people who aren't particularly interested in United Artists or Heaven's Gate will likely enjoy it.

One thing that can be fun (or frustrating, depending on how you look at tit) is that Bach often coyly avoids mentioning names of specific people or films that aren't directly related to the Heaven's Gate fiasco- particularly if failure or controversy are involved. He leaves enough breadcrumbs for knowledgeable readers to figure out what he's talking about, but I admit to being stumped several times. It can be rewarding to solve these little insider puzzles though, when you figure them out.

I'm very sad to learn that mister Bach has passed away because he was a true literary talent. I am adding the rest of his books to my wish list as soon as I'm finished with this mini review!

A Steven King story come to life.
Not so much that it is horror (people aren't dying or being stalked by monsters), but in how the process of making the film started out wrong, and continues to get more and more wrong at every step. As a history, you know how it'll end, but it's still almost depressing how at each step the execs make wrong decision after wrong decision, throwing good money after bad. If Bach is to be believed, he and his confederates were so desperate for a defining hit that they simply talked themselves into a disaster, didn't have the guts or experience or self-preservation instinct to cut their losses and then the piper was paid.

Cimino comes across as someone who simply needed to be told no on occasion and forced to work within limits, and the early rejection of his Fountainhead idea shows that that was probably possible. But once the train started rolling, nothing save a miraculous Citizen Kane level result would have saved the day, and Heaven's Gate was no miracle. You could tell by the way they caved in to his demand to cast Huppert that the only real option had become ditching the project altogether, but that's not how ego works. Some say it's a masterpiece (though with the sound issues, absurd length and lack of narrative dynamism that's pretty hard to support), but it didn't need to be a masterpiece; it needed to be a hit. It wasn't and it destroyed Cimino's career and UA along with it. We are left to wonder whether a fictional account of a war that never happened was worth it.

The End of Both UA and an Era
Final Cut, by Steven Bach, tells the story of how Heaven's Gate by Michael Cimino bankrupted United Artists, the legendary film production company founded by Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford in 1919.

Final Cut is ultimate tale of throwing good money afer bad.Michael Cimino won an Academy Award for Best Director for The Deer Hunter, and was given very wide latitude for the making of his western epic, Heaven's Gate.Very quickly, the production was over-budget and over-schedule.Cimino stopped talking to UA; UA feared cutting off the money and losing their investment.Word of the disaster leaked to a hungry press, and the opening of Cimino's bloated work was nothing short of catastrophe.The film lost $44 million and induced Transamerica to sell UA to MGM.

Heaven's Gate and the fiasco that trailed it marked the end for much more than UA, however.During the 70's, directors and not front offices led the way on productions.With the threat of a single film causing a production company's demise, that arrangement ended forever.

So, how exactly did Heaven's Gate cause UA to crash and burn?It wasn't the most expensive film UA produced that year, and many of the other films were profitable.The answer lies in UA's parent:Transamerica.The film had cause the parent company a lot of headaches, and UA had a great distribution chain that MGM coveted.Since Transamerica, a conglomerate that started in the insurance business, was tiring of its investment in UA, spinning off the company to MGM looked like a good move, particularly in light of MGM's offer.Sadly, neither UA nor MGM remain in the movie business today.

Final Cut's subtitle is "Art, Money, and Ego."There's no shortage of any of these in the story.Cimino may be principally to blame, but Bach takes some of the blame and spreads some of it to other UA execs and Transamerica.

The book's a fantastic story about a certain period in Hollywood.Bach tells the story with great pacing; the reader runs alongside as Heaven's Gate and UA plunge into the abyss. ... Read more

Product Description
Back cover of book:Journey behind the magic of Peter Jackon's critically acclaimed blockbuster King Kong with this fascinating, intimate view of different stages of production on the hit film. Packed with exclusive images and personal recollections from the filmmakers, actors, and crew, The Making of King Kong takes you right into the heart of King Kong headquarters in Wellington, New Zealand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A lot of information
Did you like the movie?(I loved it!)If yes then you will want this book ... it is all you want to know (and more) about King Kong 2005.A good read.

A Fantastic Book!
Very simple...a fantastic book from a fantastic film. Well written and concise. The photography is perfect and fills you in on the myriad of details that went into this stunning film. The parts on how Wellington, New Zealand became New York are worth the price alone. The detail is overwhelming. As someone who lives in New York I was amazed that Peter Jackson and crew captured the rows of piers that once jutted out into the Hudson, towards Hoboken, New Jersey. This didn't have to be put in...yet is a small example of the attention, pure attention to detail that went into the making of this film. This will not destroy the mystery behind the making of this epic...it will enhance it.

excelent book!!!
Having always been a fan of '76 version of King Kong and never having seen the original version, at first when I knew that Peter Jackson was making his updated version, I became excited because it was one of those iconic mosters from my childhood, and also because Peter Jackson's previous works with The Lord of the Rings, which was quite amazing.

This is one very detailed hell of a book!!! Really good technical stuff as well as concept work, I just wish there would have included more Kong pics, either concept art as well as any photo from the movie. But anyway, this stuff is great!!!!

Amazing Insight into the World of Kong - A Must Have!
Having watched Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong three times already, I wondered so often during the film how they made it all look so real. I never doubted for a second that there was an uncharted island of the coast; it was all so real and vibrant I couldn't help believing. I wanted to know exactly how they created not only Skull Island and it's creatures, but the whole city of New York, the actor's takes on the movie, and Peter Jackson's vision. Having said so, I believe this is the best possible guide for the movie you could have.

Each page is a veritable explosion of color and detail as they take you through step-by-step, explaining the creations of miniatures and models, motion-capture of Andy Serkis, and blue and green screens suddenly turning into lush tropical jungles, or cold, dirty, city streets. They give histories into the Skull Island natives, personal actor narritations of their characters, and detailed explanations of the process of creating an image in the computer and bringing it to life on the big screen. This is one of those books with something for everyone, and you can skip around to whatever interests you most. Myself, I read the entire book and often went back to certain sections to just immerse myself in the creative genius of the people who made this production a reality. It also made me a bit amazed at times, when I learned that the famous log scene was conducted on a bucking constructed log in the middle of a sea of blue screens only 2 meters from the floor. Or that New York wasn't really New York at all. Or even that the biplanes were all reconstructed by hand from old blueprints, because there were no surviving ones. It also talked about teh detail put into the shop windows, where everything was bought or made by hand. After reading this, I had such a deep feeling of respect and amazment for the people who worked on this production, making it as realistic as possible. I know that sounds weird, because King Kong is a fantasy story, but with such heart and detail and life, it's hard to think of it as anything but real. In all, this is the perfect book for anyone who wants more insight into the world of Kong, or even wants to be entertained and amazed time and time again.

Making of King Kong a valuable guide
This book is one of the best "Making of" volumes I have read - informative, interesting, intelligent, and with plenty of 'insider' views of the film making process. Refreshingly, the focus is less on the "let's chat with the movie stars" aspect, and far more on the complex process of pulling this huge movie together. A real salute to Peter Jackson and his team! ... Read more

Product Description

Guts and Glory: The Making of the American Military Image in Film is the definitive study of the symbiotic relationship between the film industry and the United States armed services. Since the first edition was published nearly two decades ago, the nation has experienced several wars, both on the battlefield and in movie theatres and living rooms at home. Now author Lawrence Suid has extensively revised and expanded his classic history of the mutual exploitation of the film industry and the military, exploring how Hollywood has reflected and effected changes in America's image of its armed services. This significantly expanded edition has been brought completely up to date and includes many of the most recent war films, such as Saving Private Ryan, U-571, Pearl Harbor, and Windtalkers. Lawrence H. Suid, a military historian, is the author of several books and has recently appeared on The History Channel, Turner Classic Movies, and CNN. He lives in Greenbelt, Maryland. Click here for his website.

Customer Reviews (2)

Good, Though a Little Choppy
Film and military historian Lawrence H. Suid's Guts and Glory: The Making of the American Military Image in Film is an updated version of a published twenty-six years ago, now encompassing cinematic depictions of the First World War up to the Gulf War and Somalia.Thus, younger readers will be glad to see movies such as Black Hawk Down (2002) and Windtalkers (2002) come under Suid's updated study.His chronological approach amply highlights the US military in the vicissitudes of Hollywood image making since the film industry's inception.As such, Guts and Glory is, at its crux, a study in cinematic sociology, with ramifications for political science.Suid's span runs from classics to lesser-known movies. He includes fantasies such as The Final Countdown (1980), smarmy failures such as Pearl Harbor (2001), the humorous - like Stripes (1981), assorted millennial and survivalist works, and those that otherwise suffered from "the ambiguity of conflicting images" such as Pork Chop Hill (1959) (201).

World events are often midwife to the film industry; hence, Suid discusses at length the effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis and growing atomic arsenals (229ff) in the making of the American military image.With their extended implications for the American mythos, politics and popular sentiment impact the minds of producers and screenwriters.For most films, producers worked closely with the Pentagon, providing them scripts to get their comments.This was more for material than spiritual support.

Throughout, there is a pleasing balance in Suid's analyses.He lauds films such as The Killing Fields (1984) and Southern Comfort (1981) for at least nominally standing "above the political issues" to let "the visual images of slaughter speak for themselves" (468).Thus, he applies his vast knowledge in addressing why certain films proved effective or interesting, and why others did not - why Full Metal Jacket (1987) "became a strangely detached and uneven movie" (525), or why From Here to Eternity (1953) proved, "one of the few Hollywood portrayals of the armed forces that ranks both as a great military film and a great American movie"(151).Several films are cross-categorical, such as Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964).This touches upon one of Suid's key subjects, how each military service attempted to aid Hollywood in repairing or enhancing their respective images. In the course of this discussion, Suid includes some surprises, such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), brought to light because of the Air Force's staid approach to the existence of UFOs (494).Discussed at length are the movies depicting and interpreting the Vietnam War, a study worth a separate book. John Wayne and his role in military movies warrant two chapters (116-135; 247-277).

A work of this broad a reach bears a few criticisms.Suid seems a bit over-determined when he states that Spielberg did a "great disservice to the men he was trying to memorialize" (633) with respect to Saving Private Ryan.He omits the Western, particularly this genre's portrayal of Native Americans and Mexicans in conflict with the US Cavalry.Suid discusses John Ford's productions, and Ford made several movies where racist dynamics were bound-up with Cold War politics - such as Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1950).Finally, Suid could have briefly spoken to how America cinema affected perceptions of America for international audiences.

Still, Suid's research remains a paradigm of thorough inquiry. He includes a helpful index to the 220-some films that come under his purview.There is also an interesting appendix delineating Suid's vast number of interviewees, which includes dozens of directors, producers, screenwriters, actors, technical advisors, US military personnel, critics, and studio executives.In the end, Suid believes that Americans likely watch war movies not out of bloodlust, but to enjoy "watching other people challenge death" (673).This book will likely remain a standard for years to come.

humungous & worth every word
This is a mighty tome that has something intelligent to say about virtually every war movie made in Hollywood, and even some that weren't from the Hollywood studios.

More amazing yet, where I have a good remembrance of, and a firm opinion about, a given movie, I find that Suid has hit the nail on the head with his comments. Especially notable was the treatment he gives to two fairly recent films, Saving Private Ryan and Pearl Harbor. Almost everyone I know, and the critics as well, hailed SPR as a work of genius. I thought it was dreck, that it got just about everything wrong that it could have gotten wrong, and finally I walked out of the film when the beleaguered Yank says he's run out of ammo and does anyone have any "bandoliers"? Over the course of half a dozen pages, Suid explains to my satisfaction exactly what I found SPR unsatisfying.

He even gives a preview of such very recent films as Blackhawk Down, and there too he's right on the money.

Full disclosure: I know Suid, because he interviewed me about a book that became a film that is mentioned (mostly favorably) in his text. ... Read more

Product Description
After the 1973 success of American Graffiti, filmmaker George Lucas made the fateful decision to pursue a longtime dream project: a space fantasy movie unlike any ever produced. Lucas envisioned a swashbuckling SF saga inspired by the Flash Gordon serials classic American westerns, the epic cinema of Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa, and mythological heroes. Its original title: The Star Wars. The rest is history, and how it was made is a story as entertaining and exciting as the movie that has enthralled millions for thirty years–a story that has never been told as it was meant to be. Until now.

Using his unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its trove of never-before-published “lost” interviews, photos, production notes, factoids, and anecdotes, Star Wars scholar J. W. Rinzler hurtles readers back in time for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look at the nearly decade-long quest of George Lucas and his key collaborators to make the “little” movie that became a phenomenon. For the first time, it’s all here:

• the evolution of the now-classic story and characters–including “Annikin Starkiller” and “a huge green-skinned monster with no nose and large gills” named Han Solo
• excerpts from George Lucas’s numerous, ever-morphing script drafts
• the birth of Industrial Light & Magic, the special-effects company that revolutionized Hollywood filmmaking
• the studio-hopping and budget battles that nearly scuttled the entire project
• the director’s early casting saga, which might have led to a film spoken mostly in Japanese–including the intensive auditions that won the cast members their roles and made them legends
• the grueling, nearly catastrophic location shoot in Tunisia and the subsequent breakneck dash at Elstree Studios in London
• the who’s who of young film rebels who pitched in to help–including Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Brian DePalma

But perhaps most exciting, and rarest of all, are the interviews conducted before and during production and immediately after the release of Star Wars–in which George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Sir Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, composer John Williams, effects masters Dennis Muren, Richard Edlund, and John Dykstra, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, legendary production designer John Barry, and a host of others share their fascinating tales from the trenches and candid opinions of the film that would ultimately change their lives.

No matter how you view the spectrum of this thirty-year phenomenon, The Making of Star Wars stands as a crucial document–rich in fascination and revelation–of a genuine cinematic and cultural touchstone. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (78)

Peas in the same pod.
This and The Secret History of STAR WARS are two great books to own together. They're perfect companion pieces. This book details the making of STAR WARS soley and it's great at doing that. It's not mucked up with befuddled second hand info that contradicts things said and heard before it, it is straight from the source. If there's one word that sums up this book, it would be: legit. (Same could be said for The Secret History of STAR WARS.) Also, besides its 'legit-ness', this book is especially great for the pictures. If anything, this makes a great picture book if you don't want to read all the other stuff in here. If you haven't already, pick it up.

All in one
Like you, I Love Star Wars! This book has all those little facts, pictures and info that you couldn't find anywhere and has never been available till now. This book is so well put together it almost makes the Star Wars experience new again. I already ordered the Next instalment: The Empire Strikes Back. Three of my friends have ordered this book after I talked it up so much and they to are overjoyed. I highly recommend it.

The Making Of Star Wars is a good read on the very 1st star wars film.
The making of star wars book is a great book on the making of the very 1st star wars film. It has lots of photos , storys etc in the book. A great book and J.W. Rinzler again has written another good star wars book here.

Incredible backstory on the original film - must have for Star Wars geeks
Love Star Wars? Want to know everything about how the movie came to be made? Buy this book.

A must-own book for any Star Wars fan, period.

Be careful which edition you get!
The paperback version of this book that I first bought (not from Amazon) turned out to be a version that was practically text-only, and also lacked some sections of text. Illustrations were only in a few photo pages inserted among the low-quality text paper. Quite disappointing, since I expected what can be seen through "look inside" on Amazon. Apparently, this is the British paperback version, and according to Jonathan Rinzler (himself?) in a comment (which was written before I changed this review), the American paperback is nothing like this. Well, I don't really know, I'm just saying: be careful about which edition you choose! I recommend the hardback.

I originally gave this a "1" rating, based on the terrible paperback, but since I realized Amazon does not separate between editions in ratings (and also it might not be the edition actually on sale here) I changed it. ... Read more

Product Description
From Raiders of the Lost Ark to The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The man with the hat is back–in the definitive behind-the-scenes look at the Indiana Jones epic action saga.

When George Lucas and Steven Spielberg put their heads together to create a no-holds-barred action-adventure movie, bigger-than-life hero Indiana Jones was born. The rest is breathtaking, record-breaking box-office history. Now comes an all-new Indiana Jones feature film: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Here’s your chance to go on location for an up-close, all-access tour of the year’s most eagerly anticipated blockbuster, as well as the classics. The Complete Making of Indiana Jones is a crash course in movie magic-making–showcasing the masters of the craft and served up by veteran entertainment chroniclers J. W. Rinzler and Laurent Bouzereau. Inside you’ll find:

• exclusive on-set interviews with the entire cast and crew of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, including Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, and John Hurt–plus director Steven Spielberg, executive producer George Lucas, screenwriter David Koepp, and the incredible production team that built some of the most fantastic sets ever.

• hundreds of full-color images–from storyboards, concept paintings, and set design schematics to still photos from all four films with candid action shots of the productions in progress

• an in-depth chronicle of the making of the first three Indiana Jones movies–Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade–including transcripts of the original concept meetings, cast and crew anecdotes, production photos, and information on scenes that were cut from the final films

• never-before-seen artwork and archival gems from the Lucasfilm Archives

• and much more!

Don’t miss the thrilling new movie or this definitive making-of opus. It’s as essential to fans as that trusty bullwhip is to Indy! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Indy fans buy it!
Really great softcover book with all the 4 indy films in it. Good quality paper, great pictures and stories!

THE MISSING LINK IN THIS BOOK
The title of this lavishly illustrated book is misleading. How can it be "The Complete Making of Indiana Jones" when there is no mention at all of SECRET OF THE INCAS, the Charlton Heston movie that was the most obvious inspiration for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK?

You like Indy, get this book...Now!
For the Indiana Jones Fan this book is the motherload when it comes to behind the scenes stuff, information, designs, props, etc. Is as complete as it can be.I enjoy it very much and it is displayed proudly in my house next to my Indy toys. If you like Indy, or just clasic cinema in general you cannot go wrong with this book.

Almost definitive and highly recommended.
Rinzler and Bouzereau continue their fantastic documentation of Lucasfilms. As was their intention, the focus is on Raiders, but all Indiana Jones feature installments are covered. Crystal Skull gets the least coverage as the movie was being completed concurrent to the book, but even that has a lot of information about the pre-production and shooting.

Reading this book and watching the 2004 DVD documentaries (and the 2008 CS one) really satisfies any fans' or scholars' quest for Indiana Jones background. I'd actually give it 1/2 a star less if this system allowed it because the story can't be definitive till Crystal Skull gets complete coverage.

Also, this book was never sold in hardcover in the US, so if you want this in hardback you may wish to spring for a UK or Canadian copy.

This brings you right onto the movie set
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R12K7T8NDBIXE2 This is probably the best making-of-the-movie book I've read so far this year.

A lot of effort must have been put into research. Considering when the first Indiana Jones movie was shot, I'm very impressed by how they manage to document all this information.

The book is about the production process of the 4 Indy movies, up to the Crystal Skull. The narration explains in great detail all the events that happen behind the scenes. It's filled with lots of interviews. Read from how Spielberg came up with Indy's name to the last day of shooting Crystal Skull where Harrison Ford gave Shia LaBeouf a signed hat.

Reading the book is like working on the set itself. For that, it's worth the price alone.

There are hundreds of high resolution production photos. Several art illustrations were put in also, such as posters, storyboards and set designs. There are 300 pages in this 15-inch (screen measurement) book.

For fans of Indiana Jones, this will be an immensely satisfying book. For non-fans, this book will still impress. This book is that good.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.) ... Read more