Performing arts Books

Book SynopsisThis book engages with Margaret Atwood’s work and its adaptations. Atwood has long been appreciated for her ardent defence of Canadian authors and her genre-bending fiction, essays, and poetry. However, a lesser-studied aspect of her work is Atwood’s role both as adaptor and as source for adaptation in media as varied as opera, television, film, or comic books. Recent critically acclaimed television adaptations of the novels The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) and Alias Grace (Amazon) have rightfully focused attention on these works, but Atwood’s fiction has long been a source of inspiration for artists of various media, a seeming corollary to Atwood’s own tendency to explore the possibilities of previously undervalued media (graphic novels), genres (science-fiction), and narratives (testimonial and historical modes). This collection hopes to expand on other studies of Atwood’s work or on their adaptations to focus on the interplay between the two, providing an interdisciplinary approach that highlights the protean nature of the author and of adaptation.Trade Review“The sixteen pieces in this volume, partly illustrated with colored stills and screenshots, photographs, diagrams, or musical scores, build a comprehensive piece of conducted research about the texts of Margaret Atwood … . The fact that a great number of fans, academics, readers, or artists keep returning to the creative output of Margaret Atwood … Atwood’s alchemy leaves no doubt that her magic ‘has to do, in one word, with relevance’ … .” (Sandra Danneil, AAA, Arbeiten aus Anglistik und Amerikanistik, Vol. 47 (1), June, 2022)“This volume sheds light on the legacy in which Atwood inserts herself, and on the legacy she leaves for others to reinterpret through their perspectives and sensitivities. Articles as well as interviews offer insight into the subversive aspects of literary fiction, and enhance the political necessity of adapting and updating these narratives in the light of contemporary events.” (Laura Benoit, Interfaces, Vol. 48, 2022)“Students will love this book, and for readers anywhere it will stimulate a fresh creative engagement with Atwood’s imagined worlds.” (Coral Ann Howells, British Journal of Canadian Studies, Vol. 34 (2), 2022)Table of ContentsPart I Atwood Adapts “Atwood’s Hag-Seed and The Heart Goes Last, a Generic Romp” “Negotiating with the Dead”: Authorial Ghosts and Other Spectralities in Atwood’s Adaptations Transforming the Human and the Novel: The Utopian Potential of Resilience in Margaret Atwood’sM addAddam Trilogy Atwood’s Protean Poetics: Adaptation in the Service of Survival Feminist Adaptations/Adaptations of Feminism: Margaret Atwood’s The PenelopiadPart II Atwood Adapted The Unreliable Female (Narrator) in Mary Harron’s Miniseries Alias Grace The Figure of the Objectified Servant, from the Silent Biblical Maid to the Twenty-First-Century Web TV RebelShallow Focus Composition and the Poetics of Blur in The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu, 2017–) Feminism, Facts, and Fear: The Protean Reception of The Handmaid’s Tale (Atwood 1985, Miller 2017–) You Are Here: The Handmaid’s Tale as Graphic Novel Offred at the Opera: Dimensions of Adaptation in Poul Ruders and Paul Bentley’sT he Handmaid’s Tale Part III Atwood in the World: Atwood Adaptation Practitioners Staging The PenelopiadFilming Alias Grace Filming The Handmaid’s Tale “Adapting (to) Atwood”

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a long overdue, extensive study of one of the most beloved television shows: Friends. Why has this sitcom become the seminal success that it is? And how does it continue to engage viewers around the world a quarter century after its first broadcast? Featuring original interviews with key creative personnel (including co-creator Marta Kauffman and executive producer Kevin S. Bright), the book provides answers by identifying a strategy of intimacy that informs Friends’ use of humour, performance, style and set design. The authors provide fascinating analyses of some of the most well-remembered scenes—the one where Ross can’t get his leather pants back on, and Ross and Rachel’s break-up, to name just a couple—and reflect on how and why A-list guest performances sometimes fell short of the standards set by the ensemble cast. Also considered are the iconic look of Monica’s apartment as well as the programme’s much discussed politics of representation and the critical backlash it has received in recent years. An exploration of Joey, the infamous spin-off, and several attempts to adapt Friends’ successful formula across the globe, round out the discussion, with insights into mistranslated jokes and much more. For students, scholars, creative industry practitioners and fans alike, this is a compelling read that lets us glimpse behind the scenes of what has become a cultural phenomenon and semi-permanent fixture in many of our homes.Trade Review“Simone Knox and Kai Schwind that in Friends: A Reading of the Sitcom they have produced an extremely comprehensive and markedly reflective exploration of the complexity, artistry and cultural import of a series … . Their book, through its careful, assiduous research and very evident personal engagement with the series … . Knox and Schwind’s work illuminates the talent, skill and professionalism that went into the creation of series … .” (Mary Irwin, Critical Studies in Television, Vol. 17 (3), 2022)Table of ContentsIntroduction.-The One with All the Laughing and the Hugging: Specificity of Humour and Comedic Types.-The One where They Tame the Three-headed Monster: Foregrounding Holistic Performance.-The One where They Look at Monica’s Apartment: Style, Space, Set Design.-The One with the Emblematic Problematic Fave: Friends and the Politics of Representation.-The One with the Orbit of Failure: The Joey Spin-off, other Adaptations and the Global Reception of Friends.-Conclusion: The One where They’ll Still Be There for You: Reflections on Friends’ Place in Television Culture for its 25th Anniversary

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This beautifully written study combines sparkling expression with a bold argument. Some of the phrasing is not only memorable, but communicates with great clarity important features of the socio-religious landscape of Judaism around the turn of the eras.”—Paul Foster, The Expository Times ‘Book of the Month’Won the 2018 Prose Award in Theology and Religious Studies“Brilliant, elegant, and important––this volume reshapes an entire field of study. Here stands the finest history of the Apostle Paul to appear in generations.”—J. Albert Harrill, author of Paul the Apostle: His Life and Legacy in Their Roman Context

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDawn's witty outlook on life will have you laughing * Prima *A must-read to pass on to friends and family of all ages * Women and Home *A manual for how to create your own happiness * Sunday Times *A mellow, gentle read with words of wisdom * Independent *It's beautiful, like Dawn, and stuffed full of goodies -- Jo BrandThis book is inspired!!! -- Nadiya HussainOne brilliant, inspiring woman -- Emma KennedyWho wouldn't want to spend a year in the company of Dawn French? * BEST *A lovely concept . . . it's very intimate -- Matt Baker, BBC The One ShowLovely! -- Jane Garvey, BBC Radio 4 Woman's HourDawn French will get you thinking * Fabulous Magazine *I spent a good 10 minutes snogging it -- Sarah CoxI love it. Lots of my friends are getting sent one now!!! -- Deborah MeadenThis woman is a warm hug in human form - just thinking about her makes me smile. Dawn spreads joy in abundance. She is dazzling -- Lorraine Kelly

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Book SynopsisWhile the fundamentals of Acting in the Million Dollar Minute haven't substantially changes, all the information is completely updated and revised for today's commercial actor. This includes updates on the current industry, training, photos, the resume, unions, actor-agency contracts, the interview, the screen test, callbacks, pay and working conditions, and a complete list of SAG and AFTRA offices.Acting in the Million Dollar Minute deals exclusively with the art and business of acting in commercials. Here the art is narrow: script terminology and procedure, commercial dialogue, camera staging, working the product, sample commercial scripts, and detailed analysis of how a commercial is actually shot, are all updated for this new edition. You'll also find direction on how to: decipher the meaning behind the commercial script; begin and end every commercial performance; get the auditioners'' attention immediately when the camera begins; compel the auditioners, with the sheer force of your performance; how to actually watch your playback with tips on what to look for; take the camera from another actor (i.e. upstaging); give the director a performance that makes his or her job easier in the editing room.An important update to what's considered by all as an essential book on this topic!

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Book SynopsisCome along backstage and peek inside the spectacular and sometimes scandalous world of musical theatre.See the world''s most-loved musical productions come to life in this lavishly illustrated book!This show-stopping reference book includes:- A chronological structure that makes the book work as a history of musicals- Includes a 20-page reference section with key details on over 100 additional musicals- Neat timelines summarise the plot, characters, and songs for 20 top musicalsFrom The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music to Mamma Mia and Les Misérables, fall in love all over again with the songs, stories, characters, creators, and legendary stars from every era of musical theatre. Take a journey through the years and immerse yourself in the behind-the-scenes world of musical theatre! From the dance halls and vaudeville to the silver screen and sensational Broadway shows, this go-to musical guide has all the glitter and glamour of the West End. It''s Showtime! Delve into profiles of successful creators such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Packed with profiles of musical icons and fun infographics that summarise the plot, characters and songs, Musicals: The Definitive Visual Guide is the perfect way to embrace your inner theatre geek. With a foreword by Elaine Paige, this updated edition gives greater coverage on the smash-hit Hamilton and includes mention of new and popular stage and movie musicals. It''s a must-have or the ultimate gift for musical theatre fans.Complete the Series:If you enjoyed this illustrated celebration of musicals, look out for more titles in this series from DK. Uncover the most mesmerising moments in ballet history in Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story.

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Book SynopsisThrough examining more than 120 organizations on a global scale, this work shows how almost every human expression involves performing culture. Atlas of Performing Culture is an illustrated voyage across five continents Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas involving the study of venues and events related to performance, the dynamic and unrepeatable mode of artistic activity capable of uniting the audience who becomes the protagonist with artists and works of art, architecture, and nature. The volume is organized around five thematic sections related to the physical spaces, venues, and typologies of events. The unique experience of performing art can involve an island museum in Japan, the Rio Carnival, a Brussels theatrical debut, a rave party in the British countryside, and a cultural center housed in a former funeral home in the outskirts of Paris. Alongside theaters, concert halls, and festivals, we also find museums, sculpture parks, and hybrid cultural centers that elude any attempt of cataloging. By breaking down the traditional frontiers between performance art, visual art, and performing arts, this volume takes the reader whether specialist, practitioner, academic, or simply art aficionado on a journey to some of the main cultural sites and performative experiences around the world. Each section offers a specific overview into leading cultural organizations, as well as a selection of similar international institutions.

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHYThe quintessential suave hero, Roger Moore has had an extraordinary career that has spanned seven decades, from early television to the golden age of Hollywood and on to international superstardom. Dashing, handsome and every inch the archetypal English gentleman, he is unforgettable as The Saint, as Lord Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! and, of course, as James Bond, making seven blockbusting films as arguably the most debonair of the 007s. For the first time, Roger shares his recollections of playing some of the world's most famous roles alongside a host of legendary stars. With myriad stories from his personal life - from his childhood in London and experiences during the Second World War, to the happy and turbulent times in his later life. Along with anecdotes about his encounters with the stars and his wonderful memories from the heyday of Hollywood, My Word is My Bond is as frank, funny and disarmingly charming as the legend himself.Trade ReviewIn this kind, funny autobiography, Moore does his best to debunk his image as an upper-crust all-action hero... so engaging... so genuine. This is a delightful book, crammed with anecdotes of the television and film industry from the Fifties to the Noughties * The Mail on Sunday *Moore's autobiography is the funniest film memoir since David Niven's The Moon's A Balloon * The Daily Mail *Stuffed with showbiz anecdotes * The Sun *Funny, frank and charming * The Lady *There are stories galore... With a warm, winning mix of self-deprecation and praise for family, friends and colleagues, Sir Roger emerges as a figure every bit as dashing, but rather better-natured, than any he's played onscreen * Empire *Warm-hearted recollections of a long and distinguished career * The Scotsman *A lovely, ambling read * The Times *An amusing and racy memoir... Moore's wit and self-deprecation are evident on every page * The Stage *A man who can still snap a woman's knicker elastic with the flick of an eyebrow * The Times *

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Book SynopsisMendelsohn takes the classical costumes off figures like Virgil and Sappho, Homer and Horace He writes about things so clearly they come to feel like some of the most important things you have ever been told.' Sebastian BarryOver the past three decades, Daniel Mendelsohn's essays and reviews have earned him a reputation as our most irresistible literary critic' (New York Times). This striking new collection exemplifies the way in which Mendelsohn a classicist by training uses the classics as a lens to think about urgent contemporary debates.There is much to surprise here. Mendelsohn invokes the automatons featured in Homer's epics to help explain the AI films Ex Machina and Her, and perceives how Ted Hughes sought redemption by translating a play of Euripides (the bad boy of Athens') about a wayward husband whose wife returns from the dead. There are essays on Sappho's sexuality and the feminism of Game of Thrones; on how Virgil's Aeneid prefigures post-World War II history and why Trade Review Praise for The Bad Boy of Athens ‘Mendelsohn takes the classical costumes off figures like Virgil and Sappho, Homer and Horace … He writes about things so clearly they come to feel like some of the most important things you have ever been told.’ Sebastian Barry ‘Captivating …His is a vast intellect spanning centuries and genres with ease.’ BBC Culture “Mendelsohn's points are always passionately argued. He strikes the perfect balance between learned and playful … One fascinating essay after another from one of America's best critics.” Kirkus, starred review Praise for Daniel Mendelsohn ‘A scrumptious stylist … He writes better movie criticism than most movie critics, better theatre criticism than most theatre critics and better literary criticism than just about anyone’ Guardian ‘A brilliant storyteller, influenced by the Greek masters he so admires’ The Times ‘Mendelsohn is now, and has been for some time, the finest critic alive … [The essays] proceed from an unparalleled understanding of the Greek and Roman roots of storytelling, which he braids into reviews with a subtlety and patience that is beautiful to behold … A supremely entertaining book’ Toronto Star ‘Mendelsohn … is a gifted and entertaining writer. His prose is gorgeous and lyrical and his subjects are smartly considered and freshly revealed’ Vanity Fair ‘Absolutely vital in both senses of the word – required reading for anyone interested in dissecting culture’ The Daily Beast ‘A joy from start to finish … A wonderfully eclectic set of musings on the state of contemporary culture and the enduring riches of classical literature’ Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisImagery and figuration are not just figments of an artist's imagination. Perception and imagination are always shaped by what habit has taught us to discern. The visual path we spontaneously trace through the world depends on where we are situated in the four regions of the ontological archipelago: animism, naturalism, totemism or analogism. Each of these four regions corresponds to a way of conceiving the objects that make up the world, of perceiving the continuities and discontinuities in the folds of the world and of drawing the dividing lines between humans and nonhumans. From Alaskan Yup'ik masks and Aboriginal bark paintings to miniature landscapes from the Song dynasty and Dutch Golden Age interior scenes: each image reveals, through what it shows or fails to show, a certain figurative regime, identifiable by the formal means it uses and by the device through which it can unleash its power to act. The figurative regime enables us to grasp sometimes better than words can the contrasting ways of living that characterize the human condition and its relation to the nonhuman. By comparing a great diversity of visual images and artworks, Descola masterfully lays the theoretical foundations for an anthropology of figuration. One of the world's leading anthropologists, Philippe Descola has developed a comparative anthropology of relations between humans and nonhumans that has revolutionized both the human sciences and our ways of thinking about the great ecological issues of our time. His new book will be of great value to students and scholars of anthropology, visual art and art history and to anyone interested in art, culture and the relations between the human and nonhuman worlds.

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Book SynopsisHitchcock Annual volume 26 will include essays on Rebecca, and an expanded section of review essays on recent books on such topics as Vertigo and the history of British cinema.

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Book SynopsisIn a career that spanned over seven decades, Roger Moore was at the very heart of the show-business scene. We all knew him as an actor who starred in films that made him famous the world over, but he was also a tremendous prankster, joker and raconteur - in fact, he was well known as one of the nicest guys in the business, and someone who was always up for some fun.In this fabulous collection of true stories from his stellar career, Roger lifts the lid on the movie business, from Hollywood to Pinewood. It features outrageous tales from his own life and career as well as those told to him by a host of stars and filmmakers, including Tony Curtis, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, David Niven, Frank Sinatra, Gregory Peck, John Mills, Peter Sellers, Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and many more.Wonderfully entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny and told with his characteristic wit and good humour, Last Man Standing is vintage Moore at his very best.Trade ReviewIn his deliciously indiscreet new memoirs, Roger Moore reveals what his co-stars were really like * EVENT magazine, Mail on Sunday *A compendium of Hollywood anecdotes * Sunday Telegraph *Highly entertaining . . . a hilarious read * Daily Express *Packed full of hilarious Hollywood tales told by an iconic English gent * Shortlist *[Moore] remains a weapons-grade raconteur and this is his gossipiest collection of tales yet . . . all told with eyebrow-arching glee * Empire *A heap of salacious tales about his illustrious peers . . . a treasure-trove of great actor yarns * Daily Mail *Packed full of gossip and anecdote about all the great stars * Sunday Independent (Dublin) *A collection of true stories, jokes and outrageous stories from the heyday of Hollywood * Waitrose Weekend *Laced with tales of A-list encounters * Hello *Amusing * Daily Telegraph *Memorable behind-the-scenes movie anecdotes from the veteran actor * Bookseller *A treasury of true stories with a host of stars including Tony Curtis, Sean Connery, David Niven and Michael Caine * Candis *Another engaging memoir from the most likeable James Bond of them all . . . charming * Irish Independent *A delicious peek at the shiniest fixtures of Tinseltown outside of the lime-light * Cultbox *Packed full of gossip and anecdotes about all the great stars * Belfast Telegraph *A wonderfully entertaining read * Western Morning News *A glorious tome filled style, humour and a touch of melancholy * Movies in Focus *

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Book SynopsisMany actors treat their profession as a purely artistic endeavor, rarely conceding that there is more to making a living than simply showing up on stage or in front of a camera. By refusing to seriously acknowledge that self-promotion is vital to their livelihoods, many performers can get quickly discouraged by the vicious circle of audition and rejection. However, with a little foresight and planning, actors can learn how to become their own best advocates for a career in the business of show. In Act Like It's Your Business: Branding and Marketing Strategies for Actors, Jonathan Flom helps actors and others in the arts understand the power of branding. This guide walks the reader through the process of creating a personal brand for a small business and then marketing that brand and broadcasting it through every step of the processfrom choosing clothing, arranging headshots, and designing resumes to selecting a repertoire, building a website, obtaining business cards, and networking. FTrade ReviewFlom (theater and musical theater, Shenandoah Conservatory) helps actors just starting out (and some who have been out there for a while) understand how important it is to sell your own special "brand." He helps students prepare for their career by determining what is in their control, beginning with goals and crafting a brand. He then gives advice on audition techniques, agents, casting directors, equity versus non-equity, and networking. To make sure that performers understand the "branding" concept along with the traditional routes to selling yourself he includes portraits of people just starting out, self-help questions, and asks hard-hitting questions, such as just how naked do you want to be on film. * Book News, Inc. *Those who have encountered young actors on campus will have heard the question, 'How do I get my career started?' Many professors will inevitably start talking about training, auditioning, and honing the craft of acting. In this book, Flom (theater, Shenandoah Conservatory, and a professional theater director) offers important, up-to-date information about the business side of acting--the way an actor establishes and promotes him- or herself to get work and keep working. This little gem of a book covers such standard subjects as auditioning (both live and video processes), agents, and networking, but it also includes information about branding oneself as a unique actor, marketing oneself, and setting realistic goals for success in the field. The easily digestible chapters are written in no-nonsense language. Flom does not gloss over unpleasant topics like financial stability or career longevity, and in a chapter titled 'The Cities Project' he encourages actors to think about careers that do not necessarily focus on New York or LA. The book also includes 'Performer Profiles'—interviews with working professionals from the many facets of the business. This book is long overdue in the extensive literature on careers in acting. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; professionals. * CHOICE *

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Book SynopsisFull Service is the ultimate guilty pleasure, revealing for the first time the shadow lives of the people who created popular culture, told by the man who was so central to fulfilling their desires.Scotty Bowers, a dashing young ex-Marine exuding sex appeal, arrived in Hollywood in 1946 and quickly caught the attention of many of the town's stars. Working out of a gas station on Hollywood Boulevard, Bowers soon became the go-to guy for anyone looking for a bespoke sexual partner; no matter how outlandish the tastes, Scotty could find someone for everyone...In his thirty years 'tricking' and arranging tricks for LA's rich and famous, Bowers went to bed with thousands of people and engineered sexual liaisons of all flavours for countless more.Trade ReviewI have known Scotty Bowers for the better part of a century. I'm so pleased that he has finally decided to tell his story to the world. Scotty doesn't lie - the stars sometimes do - and he knows everybody. -- Gore VidalPeople get very angry at the idea of these beloved Hollywood icons being revealed to have secrets, but actually all that Scotty's revealing is that these people were real. -- Stephen Fry[Scotty Bowers] made his reputation by sleeping with everyone in Hollywood who wasn't actually Lassie, and now he tells all. -- Anthony Lane * New Yorker *[A] juicy, filthy memoir. * Guardian *[A] lurid, no-detail-too-excruciating account of a sexual Zelig who (if you believe him) trawled an X-rated underworld for over three decades without getting caught. * New York Times *Full Service is a scandal fest, oozing salacious gossip in which Bowers... recalls where who did what to whom and how. * Sunday Telegraph *Scotty Bowers is the most honest person I've known, with the best memory for names and places I've ever seen. If he tells you that something happened to somebody, that's the way it was. -- Bob Benevides - one of the subjects of Full Service * L.A. Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThis book gives new insight into acting and theatre-making through phenomenology (the study of how the world shows itself to conscious experience). It examines Being-in-the-world in everyday life with exercises for workshops and rehearsal. Each chapter explores themes to guide the creative process through objects, bodies, spaces, being with others, time, history, freedom and authenticity. Key examples in the work are drawn from Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Sophocles’ Antigone and Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Practical tasks in each section explore how the theatrical event can offer unique insight into Being and existence. In this way, the book makes a bold leap to understand acting as an embodied form of philosophy and to explain how phenomenology can be a rich source of inspiration for actors, directors, designers and the creative process of theatre-making. This original new book will provide new insight into the practice and theory of acting, stimulate new approaches to rehearsal and advance the notion of theatre making a genuine contribution to philosophical discourse. The fundamental task of the actor is to be on stage with purposeful action in the given circumstances. But this simple act of ‘Being’ is not easy. Phenomenology can provide valuable insight into the challenge. For some time, scholars have looked to phenomenology to describe and analyse the theatrical event. But more than simply drawing attention to embodiment and the subjective experience of the world, a philosophical perspective can also shed light on broader existential issues of being. No specialist knowledge of philosophy is required for the reader to find this text engaging and it will be relevant for second-year students and above at tertiary level. For postgraduates and researchers, the book will provide a valuable touchstone for phenomenology and performance as research. The book will appeal to theatre and performance studies, and some applied philosophy courses. The material is also relevant to studies in literary and critical theory, cultural studies and comparative literature. The work is relevant to The International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR/FIRT) (Performance and Consciousness), Performance Studies International (psi) and the Performance Philosophy Research Network — an influential and growing research field. Primary markets for this book will be students (both at university and conservatoires) and academics in theatre studies, as well as practitioners and actors in training. The text will be useful to students in units or modules relating to acting theory and theatre-making processes, and which combine critical theory with practical performance. It will also be useful for practitioners of theatre looking to expand or inflect their own methods of approaching performance.Trade Review'Daniel Johnston's Phenomenology for Actors: Theatre-Making and the Questions of Being proves itself as a book that successfully brought forward a uniquely fresh idea of showing how philosophy can contribute to the creative process and theatre-making. It is undeniable that this is relevant to the literature of performance phenomenology as well as its practical use for theatre-makers. Giving attention to the book as being easy to digest while discussing heavy phenomenological and existential themes, even those who have minimal to no background in phenomenology will be able to find this book useful and apply its samples.' -- Bryle Louis T. Dayacap, Philosophia: International Journal of PhilosophyTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements A Note on the Text 1. Beginnings: Being There Touching Hands with Being What Is Phenomenology? Performance and Phenomenology Philosophers on Stage Mapping the Self 2. Phenomenology: Being-in-the-World Some Background Terms Space and Bodies The History of Being Destruktion and the Text From Theory to Practice Observe a Walk Observe Stillness Scrutinize an Object Chart a Place Well Known to You Unpack a Place Where You Feel At Home Dissect a Familiar Activity Describe a Person Recount a Time When You Struggled to Communicate Demonstrate a Moment When You Had an Unusual Experience of Time Stage a Life Choice Recreate the Instant in Which Your Life Was Threatened Text-Character-Performance 3. Being-with Others: The Cherry Orchard Equipment Involvement Touch Being Elsewhere Other People Authenticity and Freedom: Antigone Falling Nothingness Moods and Faring Thrownness and Projection Fate and Destiny 5. Time and Resoluteness: Hamlet Timeliness Having a History Being-a-Whole Resoluteness Being-towards-Death 6. Possibilities: Aletheia On the Essence of Truth in Theatre Poetry, Language, Theatre Building, Dwelling, Theatre The Question concerning Theatre Technology Ereignis References Index

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Book SynopsisRonald Bergan was a British film historian, critic, and regular contributor to the Guardian newspaper. He has authored many critically acclaimed books on film, including the biographies of directors such as Francis Coppola, Jean Renoir, Sergei Eisenstein, and the Coen brothers.

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Book SynopsisAn absurdist comedy and fifteenth winner of the Yale Drama Prize, exploring family, religion, identity, desire, and beauty in Korean American cultureTrade Review“Jar of Fat immediately grabbed my attention. Seayoung Yim’s voice was incredibly strong and especially fun. This play felt radical, but also simply so honest that it couldn’t be ignored.”—Rachel Lynett, author of Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You Too, August Wilson)“Seayoung Yim is a force to be reckoned with.”—Lauren Yee, playwright“A stunning achievement. Seayoung Yim has written a wickedly witty, profoundly poetic, and moving theatrical play. At the end of the play, the only word I uttered was ‘wow.’”—Chay Yew, author of Porcelain and A Language of Their Own“Jar of Fat is such a terrific adventure. Hilarious and disturbing, brutal and tender. Seayoung Yim is a major new talent.”—Lloyd Suh, playwright“Seayoung Yim knows the ugliness of beauty and the beauty of ugliness. Rejoice, for the glorious, riotous Jar of Fat is here to slap us awake and lead us all into the wild, fat lives we deserve.” —Jess McLeod, director

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Book SynopsisRuth Doughty is the Programme Leader in Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. She is one of the co-founding editors of the journal Transnational Cinemas and co-edited Sound and Music in Film and Visual Media (2009).Christine Etherington-Wright is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the BA Film Studies at the University of Portsmouth, UK. She is the author of Gender, Professions, Discourse (Palgrave, 2008).Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Auteur Theory 2. Adaptations 3. Genre Theory 4. Formalism 5. Structuralism and Post-structuralism 6. Marxism 7. Realism 8. Postmodernism 9. Psychoanalysis 10. Feminism 11. Masculinity 12. Queer Theory 13. Race and Ethnicity 14. Postcolonial and Transnational Cinemas 15. Stars 16. Audience Research and Reception 16. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisWitty and dynamic lovers’ dialogues for the stage. The actress and author Isabella Andreini won international renown playing the bold, versatile, and intellectual inamorata of the commedia dell’arte. After her death, her husband Francesco Andreini continued publishing her works, among them the thirty-one amorosi contrasti—or lovers’ debates— presented in this volume. Available in English for the first time, Lovers' Debates enables readers to envision the commedia dell’arte through the words of its most revered diva. Lovers flirt boldly, trade bawdy insults, exhibit their learning, and drive each other mad in stage dialogues that showcase Isabella’s skill in composition and drama. Sparkling with wit and bursting with dynamic energy, these brilliant lovers’ dialogues for the stage hold strong appeal not only for specialists in early modern literature and women’s studies, but for enthusiasts, scholars, and practitioners of classic and contemporary theatre. Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Illustrations Introduction The Other Voice Life, Works, Legend: “A Brilliant Discursive Mask” Playing the Game: Genre and Occasion Structure and Themes: The Contrasti in Action Diva on Top: The Professor, the Realist, the Bawdy Virago The Art of Losing Control: Madness and Frenzy Theater and Metatheater, Comedy and Tragedy Posthumous Success: Fragmenti, Alone and with Lettere Note on the Italian Text and Transcription Note on the Translation Lovers’ Debates for the Stage Amorosi contrasti PrefazioneDedicazione Tavola de’ Contrasti Scenici Nomi di tutti i Personnagi Amorosi contrasti: Italian Text Lovers’ Debates PrefaceDedication Table of Debates for the Stage Names of All the Characters Lovers’ Debates: English Translation NotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisPrison Cultures offers the first systematic examination of women in prison and performances in and of the institution. Using a feminist approach to reach beyond tropes of 'bad girls' and simplistic inside vs. outside dynamics, it examines how cultural products can perpetuate or disrupt hegemonic understandings of the world of prisons. The book identifies how and why prison functions as a fixed field and postulates new ways of viewing performances in and of prison that trouble the institution, with a primary focus on the United Kingdom and examples from popular culture. A new contribution to the fields of feminist cultural criticism and prison studies, Aylwyn Walsh explores how the development of a theory of resistance and desire is central to the understanding of women’s incarceration. It problematizes the prevalence of purely literary analysis or case studies that proffer particular models of arts practice as transformative of offending behaviour.Trade Review'Walsh's book doesn't disappoint. [...] Prison Cultures provides an incredibly rich, detailed, and complex performance analysis of women's prisons and imprisonment, and develops an argument for performance as a tool for resistance in carceral settings. [...] [It] shifts the prison theatre discourse in new directions, shunning the typical arguments around efficacy and impact in favour of striking new ground. The book is an ideal source for researchers interested in theatre and performance in the criminal justice system, and for those with a keen interest in penology, cultural and feminist criminology. The provocations presented to the applied theatre in the criminal justice sector should also serve to make this a valuable resource to those studying, and practising, prison theatre.' -- Simon Ruding, New Theatre Quarterly‘This book provides an incisive and innovative analysis of carceral environments that challenges the common sense of prison cultures. Walsh deploys a radical and feminist sensibility to uncover not only how various types of performance strategy perpetuate rigid typologies of women, but also how artistic interventions and theatre representations can fashion alternative and resistive subjectivities.’ -- Prof Paul Routledge, Leadership Chair in Contentious Politics and Social Change, University of Leeds'It is a novel and original contribution to the field, with insightful performance analyses that illuminate the complex ways performance practices function in wider culture, as well as within the context of prisons themselves.' -- Katie Beswick, University of Exeter'Prison Cultures offers a multilayered and complex account of how justice is staged and experienced by women in prison and how such experiences are subsequently mediated in contemporary culture. Drawing on a range of examples and disciplines and committed to a feminist perspective, Aylwyn Walsh makes a compelling case for performance's function as a tool of resistance to carceral and patriarchal logics, imaginaries and practices against women in and out of prisons. This is an important source for anyone with an interest in performance and the criminal justice system specifically, but also, more broadly for anyone with a concern about the role of performance against regimes of power that perpetuate marginalization, racism and gender-violence. A timely intervention.’ -- Dr Marilena Zaroulia, University of WinchesterTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Prison Cultures Habitus and ‘Tragic Containment’ Chapter Two: Genealogies of Prison as Performance: Towards a Theory of Simulating the Cage Chapter Three: Trauma, Strategies and Tactics: Problems of Performance in Prison Chapter Four: Race, Space and Violence Chapter Five: Prison Lesbians: Screening Intimacy and Desire Chapter Six: Performance through Prison: Institutional Ghosts and Traces of the Traumatic Paradoxes of Prison Cultures Bibliography

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Book SynopsisOrry-Kelly created magic on screen, from Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon to Some Like It Hot. He won three Oscars for costume design. He dressed all the biggest stars, from Bette Davis to Marilyn Monroe. Yet few know who Orry-Kelly really was - until now. Discovered in a pillowcase, Orry-Kelly's long-lost memoirs reveal a wildly talented and cheeky rascal who lived a big life, on and off the set. From his childhood in Kiama to revelling in Sydney's underworld nightlife as a naïve young artist and chasing his dreams of acting in New York, his early life is a wild and exciting ride. Sharing digs in New York with another aspiring actor, Cary Grant, and partying hard in between auditions, he ekes out a living painting murals for speakeasies before graduating to designing stage sets and costumes. When he finally arrives in Hollywood, it's clear his adventures have only just begun. Fearless, funny and outspoken, Orry-Kelly lived life to the full. In Women I've Undressed, he shares a wickedly delicious slice of it.Trade ReviewIf you love or even like Old Hollywood, if you hanker after parties where Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard, Hedy Lamarr and Jean Harlow chew the fat in Spanish costumes under camellia-strewn bowers, then Orry-Kelly's Women I've Undressed: the Fabulous Life and Times of a Legendary Hollywood Designer is a little bit of paradise. * Daily Telegraph *There's something completely compelling about this very talented, very outlandish, gay Australian rascal's journey into Hollywood. -- Gillian Armstrong, the Oscar-nominated director of Women He's UndressedA sumptuous coffee table fashion tome but the text reads like a racy Jackie Collins novel... Women I've Undressed is a frank and brutal account of Hollywood's golden era, of its stars and their foibles, their individual weaknesses and Achilles' heels, the details that only a personal tailor gets to see, but more importantly, this book brings recognition to one of the most talented costume designers of the era... He was Hollywood royalty, but despite those Oscars, he was not a household name. This book will likely change that.' * Irish Independent *Delightful... Kelly was an extraordinary character... A camp romp through the Golden Age of Hollywood with some gloriously indiscreet asides, peppered with Kelly's exquisite sketches and photos of stars in his frocks. * Australian Women's Weekly *He writes with deep affection... His book is beautifully designed and illustrated... Orry-Kelly's pen portraits bring the city and the period pungently to life. * The Australian *Several books have already laid bare the fractious relationship between movie star and designer, but Orry-Kelly's account of life as a prominent Hollywood costume designer leaves most of them in the ha'penny place. Found in a pillowcase and kept under wraps by his family for half a century, it is an Aladdin's cave of memories and moments. * Sunday Business Post *Those of us who assume Hollywood costume designers are as camp as Christmas - e.g. Cecil Beaton or Dame Edna's son Kenny - will need to have a rethink in the light of this tremendous book. * Daily Mail *A work of art... He proves as elegant a writer as he was a fashion designer... Women I've Undressed is a must for fashion freaks and movie buffs alike. * Weekend West *

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Book SynopsisA beautifully designed celebration of the 40th birthday of the Barbican Arts Centre, in the heart of the City of London. It is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, encompassing an art gallery, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and a much-loved conservatory, and regular collaborators include the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Compiled by Nicholas Kenyon, the Barbican Centre's Managing Director 2007–2021, this is an in-depth exploration of the centre, drawing on the vast array of material available in its archives, much of which has never been seen before. It includes plans and photographs from the centre’s design and construction, original signage and branding, and brochures and programmes. All this is accompanied by a wealth of photographs of the huge range of performances and exhibitions that have taken place over the years, from early RSC performances to the popular Rain Room installation of 2012 to today’s impressive programme of events put together in conjunction with schools and the local community. The book's authoritative and evocative text includes: ·Foreword by Fiona Shaw ·Introduction by Sir Nicholas Kenyon ·Cultural historian Robert Hewison on how the centre came into being ·Architectural historian Elain Harwood on its architecture ·Music critic Fiona Maddocks on music ·Writer and theatre critic Lyn Gardner on theatre ·Editor and creative director Tony Chambers on visual art ·Author and film critic Sukhdev Sandhu on film With listings of Barbican events from 1982 to the present day, and snippets of oral history from some of the many people associated with the centre over the years, this sumptuous book is an invaluable companion to one of the world's most important cultural spaces.Trade Review‘A visual delight’ -- Helen Barrett * Spectator *‘A thoughtful take on the radical vision that its architects laid out for the culture and the arts’ * Monocle *‘[A] beautiful mix of illustration and photography, which captures the story of the [Barbican]’. * Mr Porter *'A massive, lavish book’ * Tribune *‘Handsome’ -- Oliver Wainwright * The Guardian *‘A comprehensive and sympathetic presentation of one of modern Britain’s most iconic buildings’ * Time Out *‘Ample and beautifully produced’ -- Keith Miller * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisJenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. With a theater degree in hand, she was determined, she was confident, she was ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she'd imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, struggle, rejection and doubt. If only she'd had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way—an established actor who could educate her about the business, manage her expectations, and reassure her in those moments of despair. Jenna wants to be that person for you. With amusing candor and wit, Fischer spells out the nuts and bolts of getting established in the profession, based on her own memorable and hilarious experiences. She tells you how to get the right headshot, what to look for in representation, and the importance of joining forces with other like-minded artists and creating your own work—invaluable advice personally acquired from her many years of struggle. She provides helpful hints on how to be gutsy and take risks, the tricks to good auditioning and callbacks, and how not to fall for certain scams (auditions in a guy's apartment are probably not legit—or at least not for the kind of part you're looking for!). Her inspiring, helpful guidance feels like a trusted friend who's made the journey, and has now returned to walk beside you, pointing out the pitfalls as you blaze your own path towards the life of a professional actor.Trade Review"I loved reading Jenna's honest and sincere appraisal of the actualities of breaking into, finding one's way, and then thriving in this business. I hope it is given out as a guidebook of sorts to any young actor when they land at LAX."—Jon Hamm "In The Actor's Life, Jenna Fischer lays out exactly what aspiring actors can expect from this crazy, unpredictable industry both practically and emotionally. Nothing is sugar-coated, nor is it cynical. It's just reality, plain and simple. At every level of success, we are all just artists trying to figure it out day by day. That's the truth."—Christina Applegate "If I had Jenna's book when I was a struggling actor it would have eased the pain and encouraged my journey. This is an insightful, funny, sweet story from one actor to another; we all need a leg up, a hand to hold, and the encouragement to keep going when we truly find our passion. Jenna manages to do that and more in this very helpful guide for an actor finding their way into the business."—Julianna Margulies "How lucky for those who dream that Jenna Fischer has written this book and candidly explained the hard work, persistence, and delusion required to become a working actor. This book is generous, practical, and in the right hands will be a talisman for the deserving few who refuse to give up."—Matthew Weiner, creator of Mad Men "Jenna Fischer's story is an excellent resource for anyone who is involved in the life of an actor. Much of this information was new to me; I have always respected the actor's journey, but now I am in awe of it. It's also entertaining from beginning to end."—Allison Jones, Casting DirectorTable of ContentsForeword by Steve Carell Introduction Chapter One: Getting Started Chapter Two: Headshots, Getting in the Union, and Building Your Resume Chapter Three: How to Find, Get, and Keep an Agent or Manager Chapter Four: Auditioning, Rejection, and How to Persevere Chapter Five: You Got a Job! How Things Work on a Television or Film Set Chapter Six: The Journey Actor Interviews: Sharing the Brushstrokes Acknowledgments About the Author

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Book SynopsisChronicles various feature films in Martin Scorsese's oeuvre, from his debut to his 2008 release, the "Rolling Stones" documentary "Shine a Light". This title includes Scorsese's own insights on both his accomplishments and disappointments. It also provides a framework for understanding both Scorsese and his profound impact on American cinema.Trade Review"Given their career-long back-and-forth, this collection makes perfect sense.... In these reconsiderations, Ebert invites us into his thought processes, letting us see not just what he thinks, but how he forms his opinions. Ebert's insights into Scorsese are terrific, but this book offers the bonus of further insights into Ebert himself." - Time Out Chicago "Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is an unabashed fan of Scorsese, whom he considers 'the most gifted director of his generation.'... Of special note are interviews with Scorsese over a twenty-five-year period, in which the director candidly discusses his body of work." - Publishers Weekly "A film-by-film chronicling of the professional, yet passionate, Ebert-Scorsese relationship.... A work of obvious affection, even adoration, what might surprise readers most is how Scorsese by Ebert emerges as a work of profound identification." - Time"

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive history of the creation and growth of Lincoln Center, exploring the interconnections between politicians, financiers, and performing artistsTrade Review“Masterful. . . . A powerful work of nonfiction with the drama of a novel.”—Jaap van Zweden, Wall Street Journal“Written by a scholar, musician and arts executive, Polisi’s superb work is an authoritative yet eminently readable account of the creation and growth of the world’s most important performing arts center.”—Nathan Leventhal, president emeritus, Lincoln Center“Joseph Polisi has written an indispensable and detailed account of Lincoln Center’s complex history, from its iconic Cold War founding to the cultural uncertainties of classical performance in America today.”—Robert Marx, president, Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation“A superb history about one of the world’s most important cultural centers. The narrative is compelling and besides providing a history of the Lincoln Center, is about leaders, leadership styles, and leadership effectiveness.”—Jamal J. Rossi, Eastman School of Music“The public deserves such an eyewitness account as this. Joseph Polisi welcomes readers to a historic glimpse of a noble venture that envisioned the arts as a pillar of democracy. In it we see the courage and frailty of humanity reflected by leaders whose tenacity established Lincoln Center as a ‘beacon to the world.’”—Robert Blocker, Yale University

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Book SynopsisLEWISTON: Alice and Connor sit by their roadside stand selling cheap fireworks while developers swallow the land around them. Promised a condo in the new development, their future is secure. Enter Marnie, Alice’s long-lost granddaughter, proposing to buy the land to save her family’s legacy. Marnie and Alice will become reacquainted with each other’s deeply held secrets, uncertain pasts, and hopeful futures. Hunter, a 2014 MacArthur Fellowship recipient, explores the emotional frontiers of a family struggling to make a home in the vastness of the American landscape with affection, poignancy, and a profound sense of empathy.CLARKSTON: Jake meets Chris when they are assigned to the same night shift at Costco in Clarkston, Washington. Chris has a hard life; his mom is a meth addict, and living in Clarkston has forced him down a dead-end road. He has promise, but he’s “stuck.” Jake went to a liberal arts school, is gay a

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Book SynopsisThe essential handbook for every actorIn every drama school, in every English-speaking country, students from all over the world have to learn a Standard English Accent, and voice and drama tutor shave to teach it. But what exactly is it? How many varieties are there? And which one should they use when? Following on from How To Do Accents, this book provides a long awaited,up-to-date answer to these important questions and offers a complete course in how to do A Neutral Standard English Accent & Upper and Upper-Middle Class VarietiesPart One: contains all the tools you need to learn a current Neutral Standard English Accent; neutral in terms of class, race, age, gender, occupation and social backgroundPart Two: introduces you to the most useful Upper and Upper-Middle Class varieties of Standard English AccentTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Part One: New Standard English Accent Part Two: Upper-Class Varieties And Finally: Get Professional

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Book SynopsisThe perfect companion to AMC’s six-part television series James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction, this unique book explores the history and evolution of the genre with contributions from the filmmakers who have helped bring it to lifeFor the show, James Cameron personally interviewed six of the biggest names in science fiction filmmaking—Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg—to get their perspectives on the importance and impact of the genre. This book reproduces the interviews in full as the greatest minds in the genre discuss key topics including alien life, time travel, outer space, dark futures, monsters, and intelligent machines. An in-depth interview with Cameron is also featured, plus essays by experts in the science fiction field on the main themes covered in the show. Illustrated with rare and previously unseen concept art from Cameron’s personal archives, plus imagery from iconic sci-fi movies, TV shows, and books, James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction offers a sweeping examination of a genre that continues to ask questions, push limits, and thrill audiences around the world.

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Book SynopsisThis book shows how Carnival under British colonial rule became a locus of resistance as well as an exercise and affirmation of power. Carnival is both a space of theatricality and a site of politics, where the playful, participatory aspects are appropriated by countervailing forces seeking to influence, control, channel or redirect power. Focusing specifically on the Maltese islands, a tiny European archipelago situated at the heart of the Mediterranean, this work links the contrast between play and power to other Carnival realities across the world. It examines the question of power and identity in relation to different social classes and environments of Carnival play, from streets to ballrooms. It looks at satire and censorship, unbridled gaiety and controlled celebration. It describes the ways Carnival was appropriated as a power channel both by the British and their Maltese subjects, and ultimately how it was manipulated in the struggle for Malta’s independence.Table of Contents1. Perceptions of Colony and Carnival.2. Power and its Historical Framework.-3. Social Difference and Street Dynamics.4. Fancy Dress, Rank and Dignity: Power and Play in Carnival Balls.5. ‘The sweet satires that prick where it is needed….’: The Caricature of Power.6. Raising the Levels of Street Carnivals – Competitions and Prizes.7. Carnival or Carnivals? Political Wrangles Between State, Church and Party.8. Politics vs Religion and State – Beyond Carnival and the Carnivalesque.9. Carnival as a Transnational Cultural Phenomenon.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisWhen a film is not a document, it is a dream. This visual autobiography traces the author's lifelong love affair with film. It looks at his life from a rural Swedish childhood through his work in theater to Hollywood's golden age, and a romantic history that includes five wives and more than a few mistresses.Trade Review"Bergman's minute recall is essentially, astonishingly, visual. Description after description stamp out scenes from his films. The man, his memory, his work are one.... It is wonderfully liberating to be made privy to the tangible relish in his craft.... The Magic Lantern is no conventional autobiography, more a scalding stream of consciousness from the pen of a licentious puritan." - New York Review of Books "[Bergman] has found a way to show the soul's landscape.... Many gripping revelations." - New York Times Book Review "Joan Tate's translation of this book has delicacy and true pitch.... The Magic Lantern is as personal and penetrating as a Bergman film, wry, shadowy, austere." - New Republic "[Bergman] keeps returning to his past, reassessing it, distilling its meaning, offering it to his audiences in dazzling new shapes." - New York Times "What Bergman does relate, particularly his tangled relationships with his parents, is not only illuminating but quite moving. No 'tell-all' book this one, but revealing in ways that much longer and allegedly 'franker' books are not." - Library Journal"

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Book SynopsisThis book provides the most complete account of Paul Thomas Anderson’s career to date, encompassing his evolution from a self-anointed auteur to one of his generation’s most distinctive voices. It is at once an unconventional primer on Anderson’s films and a provocative reframing of what makes his work so essential.Trade ReviewThe Cinema of Paul Thomas Anderson is a feast of a book. With consummate clarity and inventiveness, Warren brings the films into rich, often fractious dialogue with one another. The results are extraordinarily illuminating. The entire book is infused with the kind of energy and delectable unpredictability that I associate with Anderson’s art at its best. Warren’s study shakes up conventional approaches to director-centered analysis in a fashion that will have lasting influence. -- George Toles, University of Manitoba, author of Paul Thomas AndersonEthan Warren should be commended for his razor-sharp analysis and rich knowledge of Anderson’s unique perspective and worldview, as well as Anderson’s contribution to American cinema. Warren leaves no stone unturned in this book, and his insightful enthusiasm makes these multifaceted films come alive through his careful study of Anderson’s life and influences. -- Whitney Crothers Dilley, author of The Cinema of Wes AndersonSmart and compelling. -- Christopher Schobert * The Film Stage *[Warren] brings his cinephilic eloquence to bear upon unknotting the enigmatic plots of, or characters in, Anderson’s films as well as Anderson’s ethos. To be sure, this is not a film theory text. Rather, Warren’s biography holds this boy genius (or brat) up to the light like a prism and slowly allows every refraction of Anderson to shine. -- Hannah Bonner * Senses of Cinema *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsForeword, by Lindsay ZoladzIntroduction1. On Paul Thomas Anderson’s Career to Date2. On Places and Spaces3. On Influence4. On Domesticity5. On Screenwriting6. On Gender Performance7. On Alienation Effects8. On Faith and Belief9. On Music Videos10. On HistoryNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisIn this candid and empowering A to Z of being an actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh draws on her decades of experience on stage and screen – including in massively popular television shows such as Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Coronation Street – to lift the lid on the realities of life in today's industry, and show you how to navigate it. She shares practical advice on preparing for roles (don't be afraid of looking like a dick), managing the ups and downs of your career (and how to be out of work without losing your mind), dealing with failure (and success), not constantly comparing yourself to others (bloody hard, but try), looking after your mental health, and the power of knowing when to say 'no'. Passionate about the arts, she makes a compelling case for their importance to society, but also calls out the industry on where it continues to fall short – including a clear-eyed assessment of what needs to change to make it safer and healthier, more accessible and inclusive. Written with refreshing honesty and self-deprecating humour, An Actor's Alphabet is a book for anyone who dreams of becoming an actor, wants to be a better one, or just wants to learn what being one is really like. 'Endearingly honest, funny and eye-opening. I loved it!' Francesca Martinez 'Like its author, this book is brimming with wisdom, intelligence, empathy and humanity... An absolute must!' Maxine Peake 'This is the best book on acting and being an actor I've read… Julie Hesmondhalgh is the mentor/best friend/guide we all need in these troubled times' Paul Chahidi 'Wonderful… not just a book about acting, but also about life. Us. The world. Humanity. Battling through this shit and finding time for a hug. I adore it.' Russell T Davies 'A must-read, whether you've been on the artist's journey for years or are just starting out' Shobna Gulati 'This book is bold, brash, sincere and angry. It regrets nothing and questions everything… Treasure it like we should treasure Julie' Jack Thorne 'A generous gift to actors, full of honesty, hope and wit. There is loads of tangible advice, not just for acting but for life' Anna Jordan 'Julie's book is honest, challenging and helpful. A great read' Andy NymanTrade Review'Brilliantly conversational and no-nonsense... very personal, focused on the things that mean something to her. She writes with passion; wise words that cover subjects from class to parenting, sex to tax... shows a huge generosity' * Reviews Hub *'Very interesting… has a warmth and humanity that isn't often found in training manuals or self-help books... will be extremely useful for anyone taking their first steps into this unstable industry and will raise plenty of smiles of recognition from more experienced members of the profession, but it will also give the general reader insight into the struggles of forging a long-term career in the performing arts' * British Theatre Guide *'Honest and revealing... Hesmondhalgh has risen imaginatively to the challenge of the A-Z format, and the result is interesting, informative and unusual... the sound advice she gives and the different topics she covers are very relevant to students considering a career in acting or other branches of the profession... She writes with honesty, humour and sincerity... a comprehensive and up-to-date toolkit for all those involved in and teaching within the profession' * Word Matters (Journal of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama) *

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Book Synopsis'A really emotional read... it's wonderful' - Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2'It's such a lovely book!' - Holly Willoughby, This Morning 'A lovely read... it's got everything - emotion and lots of laughs' - Alex Jones, The One Show'A gorgeous book!' - Lorraine'From Wham! to Spandau Ballet, from success to chaos in the blink of an eye - Martin and I are two ordinary people who have been on an extraordinary adventure together. Through it all, our commitment to each other and to our family is what has always mattered the most.' Shirlie KempWith a heartwarming foreword by Noel Fitzpatrick,IT'S A LOVE STORY tells the incredible story of Martin and Shirlie Kemp – from the moment they set eyes on each other, through their stellar careers, to raising a family together.For the first time, fans and readers will have an insight into their journey together, the lessons they have learned in the spotlight and behind the scenes, and their secrets to success, happiness and raising a loving family. The book will uncover the personal highs and lows of Britain's favourite couple, and the unbreakable bond that has kept them strong, no matter how hard the fight gets.'40 years together has been filled with incredible highs, when every teenage dream and every wish literally came true, to the most horrifying of lows that belonged in our nightmares. Shirlie and I are always asked, "What's the secret to a long marriage?" - well, hopefully within the pages of this book we all might find the answer to that question!' Martin Kemp

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Book SynopsisPlaying & Teaching the Saxophone: A Modern Approach provides a method for teaching the saxophone that is specific enough to use as a textbook in a collegiate saxophone methods class, simple enough for a band director to use in guiding their saxophone sections, clear enough for adult beginners to teach themselves the instrument, and deep enough for professionals to use as a resource in teaching private lessons at any level.The first sections of this book, Getting Started and Learning the Notes, take a student in a collegiate methods class or other adult beginner through the fundamental concepts of playing the saxophone. The In-Depth section then lays out critical concepts that are essential to the further development of any saxophonist. As a contemporary guide for teaching the musicians and music educators of the 21st century, this method addresses the pedagogy of not only the instrument, but of the whole student. It includes a diverse array of musical examples that celebrate communitieTable of ContentsForeword Introduction Getting Started 1. The Saxophone 2. Parts of the Saxophone 3. Saxophone Assembly 4. Saxophone Disassembly 5. First Sounds on the Neck/Mouthpiece 6. Embouchure 7. Basic Voicing 8. Breathing 9. AIR-ticulation 10. Saxophone Posture and Hand Position 11. Basic Tuning 12. The Saxophone Family Learning the Notes 13. The First Notes: BAG FED 14. Middle C and Low C 15. Voicing and Overtones for Low Notes 16. The Octave Key 17. New Notes: F#, C#, Bb 18. Flawless Fingers 19. Low C# and D#, G# 20. Filling in the Gaps: One Octave Chromatic Scale 21. The Chromatic Scale: Second Octave 22. Palm Keys 23. The Lowest Notes: Bb and B 24. The Many Fingerings of Bb 25. Alternate Fingerings for F# and C 26. Final Performance In-Depth 27. Introduction to In-Depth Concepts 28. Articulation 29. Vibrato 30. Voicing & Overtones: The First Overtone 31. Voicing & Overtones: The Second Overtone 32. Overtone Practice Routine: ROVR 33. Intonation Training 34. Reed Storage and Adjustment 35. Developing Musicality 36. Introduction to Jazz Concepts 37. Soprano, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophone 38. Altissimo 39. Extended Techniques Teaching Tools 40. Introduction to Teaching Tools 41. First Lesson Planning Guide 42. Troubleshooting 43. Saxophone Pitch Tendency Guide 44. Saxophone Equipment 45. Saxophone Maintenance 46. Wellness for the Young Musician 47. Suggested Practice Routine and Warm-ups 48. Saxophone Resource Guide: Listening, Repertoire, and Further Reading Appendix A: Major Scale Reference Sheet Appendix B: Transposition Appendix C: Teacher's Guide to Saxophone Methods Appendix D: Chamber Music Acknowledgements About the Authors

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Book SynopsisA study of European art cinema's postwar heyday. This book presents an argument that cinematic modernism was not a unified movement. It traces the emergence of art cinema as a historical category. It explains the main formal characteristics of modern styles and forms as well as their intellectual foundation.Trade Review"Andras Balint Kovacs has written a monumental work. Impressive in its scope, erudition, originality, critical acumen, and philosophical sophistication, Screening Modernism is a landmark historical study of modernist cinema that makes a permanent contribution to the field." - William Rothman, University of Miami"

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