MBR: The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf 1/2

The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Today in History: Musicals
Joe Stollenwerk
Emmis Books
1700 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45206
1578602653 $14.95 www.emmisbooks.com

TODAY IN HISTORY: MUSICALS offers a day-by-day account of the shows,
stars and history of Broadway in a format which allows fans to flip to
any day of the year to discover fun facts and trivia. From the birth
dates of stars and major musical events to fun pop quiz queries, TODAY
IN HISTORY: MUSICALS is a fine discussion for any fan of the genre.

Experimental Film and Video
Jackie Hatfield, Ed
John Libbey
c/o Indiana University Press
601 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN 47404
0861966643 $27.95 www.iupress.indiana.edu

Artists working in film and video today may not realize it, but the
last forty years has seen a technological revolution in the materials
of production, fostering many possibilities for experimentation.
EXPERIMENTAL FILM AND VIDEO gathers key artists working in film, video
and digital media to present a collection of philosophical reflections
on the course of digital media and progress of narrative, performance,
and theatre. A college-level, scholarly tone makes this the perfect
guide for college collections strong in film media.

Boffo!
Peter Bart
Miramax Books
77 W. 66th St., New York NY 10023-5298
1401352162 $26.95 www.miramax/com

BOFFO! HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE BLOCKBUSTER AND FEAR THE BOMB comes
from the editor-in-chief of Variety and co-host of AMC's Sunday Morning
Shootout, and provides a vivid, experienced look at Hollywood, using
nearly thirty hits from film, TV and theatre to examine the making of
blockbusters and the lessons they hold for any would-be hit maker. From
budget concerns to anticipating changes in audience tastes, BOFFO
covers pitfalls as well as successes and is a 'must' for any film
director, producer, or Hollywood wannabe.

The Art of Superman Returns
Daniel Wallace
Chronicle Books
85 - 2ND St., San Francisco, CA 94012
0811853446 $40.00 www.chroniclebooks.com

Fans of the film SUPERMAN RETURNS must have this film book: it covers
all the concepts and developmental art which served as the movie's
foundation, pairing over two hundred works of art - costumes,
locations, sets - with interviews with the director, screenwriters,
artists and costume designers involved. Sketches and color stills
accompany reviews of the plot's progression and choices in production.
THE ART OF SUPERMAN RETURNS packs in the color and the depth and is the
perfect accompaniment to the movie.

Johnny Depp: A Modern Rebel
Brian J. Robb
Plexus Publishing
110 Riverside Dr. Apt. 5F, New York NY 10024
0859653854 $19.95 www.plexusbooks.com

Perfectly timed for the latest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' blockbuster
film is Johnny Depp: A Modern Rebel: a biography of the quirky actor
whose good looks and lively adventures hide a rebellious young man
whose drug-filled adolescence seemed unlikely to create a celebrity.
>From his volatile relationships and life to his evolving career and
interest in independent, adventure-laden roles, is Johnny Depp: A
Modern Rebel is revised and updated and comes packed with black and
white and color photos.

Transamerica
Duncan Tucker
Newmarket Press
18 E. 48th St., New York NY 10017
1557047324 $18.95 www.newmarketpress.com

Here's the official book tie-in to a winning movie about a transsexual
woman about to take the surgical plunge to become full woman when she
learns she once fathered a son - and the two meet. The complete
shooting script here is accompanied by scene notes, two essays by the
film's writer on making the film and on transsexuality, and production
notes. Add nearly firth black and white still photos and you have a
keepsake for avid fans of the film TRANSAMERICA.

Acting the Part
Lori Pauli, Editor
Merrell
49 W. 24th St., 8th Flr, New York NY 10010
1858943280 $49.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

ACTING THE PART: PHOTOGRAPHY AS THEATRE provides readers with the first
major history of staged photography, using many key works to provide a
history of the genre from the mid-nineteenth century to modern times.
It could've been reviewed in our Arts or Photography section - but
any interested in theatre will also find it involving and not to be
missed, discussing play-acting and Surrealism, sources of inspiration,
and narrative strategies from cinematography and advertising as they
influence modern performance art. A gorgeous blend of art and theatre
evolves.

Michael Wiese Productions
11288 Ventura Blvd. @621, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com

Two excellent film guides are picks for aspiring actors and directors
alike. John Badham and Craig Modderno's I'LL BE IN MY TRAILER: THE
CREATIVE WARS BETWEEN DIRECTORS & ACTORS (1932907149, $26.95) is for
directors who find the actor's personality and needs both puzzling and
challenging. How can a director lead a stubborn actor, pairing
temperament with the work at hand? How can directors modify behaviors
that alienate actors? These and other common issues unique to the
director/actor relationship and movie production are reviewed in
chapters that offer solutions. John Gaspard's FAST CHEAP & UNDER
CONTROL (1932907157, $26.95) tells how to stretch production dollars,
handle tight budget constraints, and get the most from personnel and
props to create a memorable film production. Lessons from low-budget
mavericks serve as foundations for duplicating success, with
descriptions covering everything from dealing with written scripts and
hidden improvisation potentials to previewing results and achieving
memorable films even when poor. Both are outstanding recommendations
and 'musts' for any serious film library holding, promising lasting
lending value.

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Midwest Book Review
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