Directors: From Stage to Screen and Back Again

208 Pages·2013·3.77 MB·English

by  Susan Beth Lehman

The interviews contained in ‘Each of Susan Lehman’s interviews L
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Directors: From Stage to Screen with master directors who moved H
and Back Again demonstrate from stage to film is a collection of M
the myriad ways in which gems that expose the art and craft of A
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a theater background can film directing with sharp clarity and
engender innovative and honesty. Her book is a “must read” for
stimulating work in film. As anyone who wishes to direct a film and
unique and idiosyncratic as the is a perfect addition to the limited
personalities they feature, the shelf of texts that accurately reveal the
directors’ conversations with reasoning of practiced film directors.’
Susan Beth Lehman range over Neil Goldstein, Emmy
a vast field of topics. Each one award-winning documentarian
traces its subject’s personal
artistic journey and explores D DIRECTORS
how he or she handled the ‘What a gift for student directors,
I
lessons and challenges of Susan’s book exposes us to the Masters
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moving from stage to screen. and their unique insights to the
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demands of composing creative stories.’
C FROM
Susan Beth Lehman, actor, Johnnie Hobbs, Jr, Associate
director and screenwriter, Professor, Ira Brind School of T
STAGE TO SCREEN
is Assistant Professor of TV Theatre Arts at The University
O
and Film at DeSales University of the Arts
AND BACK
in Pennsylvania. R
AGAIN
S
www.susanbethlehman.com ‘From the front of the house to behind
the camera, this insightful collection
of interviews presents the reader with
a rare “bi-focus.” You just might want
to read it twice.’
Kimberly Gadette, veteran film
critic (Online Film Critics Society;
Rotten Tomatoes)
intellect
www.intellectbooks.com
SUSAN BETH LEHMAN
‘Insight made interesting – that’s how Susan Lehman’s interviews reveal the thought processes
and experiences of successful directors. Th is is not a cookbook of recipes for success. Th e
comments of the directors vary but the interviews provoke discussion about what is common
and which experiences contribute to success. Th is is an enjoyable read for fi lm and theater
fans and should be required reading for students. I thoroughly enjoyed it.’
Richard Ruggiero Ed.D, Professor Emeritus, California State University at Northridge
‘A superb introduction to some of the top directors of our time. Susan Lehman’s book is a
collection of truly engaging dialogues with twelve of today’s most successful directors from
stage and screen.’
Guy Gunderson, Emmy award-winning editor
‘Directors: From Stage To Screen And Back Again is an inspirational read for every director
and every lover of the dramatic arts. Th e “conversations” give an indispensable insight into
the minds of some of the great directors of our time. I learned things that I can’t wait to apply
to my craft .’
Sal Romeo, artistic director of Friends and Artists Studio
‘Miss Lehman’s book is a must for every actor – to hear and learn fi rst hand from a spectacular
group of directors sharing their approach to working on and off set, shattering all
misconceptions and empowering actors as to what to really expect when the Big Break
comes!’
John Kirby, premier Hollywood acting coach
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Directors
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Directors
From Stage to Screen and Back Again
By Susan Beth Lehman
intellect Bristol, UK / Chicago, USA
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First published in the UK in 2013 by
Intellect, The Mill, Parnall Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3JG, UK
First published in the USA in 2013 by
Intellect, The University of Chicago Press, 1427 E. 60th Street,
Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Copyright © 2013 Intellect Ltd
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without written permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the
British Library.
Cover designer: Holly Rose
Copy-editor: MPS Technologies
Production manager: Tim Mitchell
Typesetting: Planman Technologies
ISBN 978-1-84150-490-2
Printed and bound by Hobbs, UK
Photo Credits:
Lenore Dekoven
George Kunze (photographer)
Oz Scott
Gordon Hunt
Paul Aaron
Neil Reinhold (photographer)
Joel Zwick
Jeremy Armstrong (photographer)
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Conversations with successful directors who have transitioned from working in
live theater to working in feature fi lm and television.
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Contents
Acknowledgements xi
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Good Story, Well Told xvii
Brief History of the Modern Director xxi
Chapter 1: Paul Aaron, August 2010 1
Chapter 2: Gilbert Cates, October 2010 17
Chapter 3: Judy Chaikin, October 2011 33
Chapter 4: Lenore Dekoven, August 2010 47
Chapter 5: Gordon Hunt, June 2010 57
Chapter 6: Neil LaBute, August 2011 69
Chapter 7: Rob Marshall, June 2011 77
Chapter 8: Jiri Menzel, July 2011 95
Chapter 9: Oz Scott, May 2010 111
Chapter 10: Matt Shakman, September 2010 129
Chapter 11: Jerry Zaks, April 2011 145
Chapter 12: Joel Zwick, July 2010 159
Conclusion 173
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