Seasonal greetings, Stage 32ers!
There are lots of books specifically to do with screenwriting, but I wondered if there are other books linked to the film industry that you have either enjoyed or contributed to your creative process?
'The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film' by Michael Ondaatje is a fave, although I am probably biased given Murch's involvemement with 'The Godfather Part II' and 'Apocalypse Now'.
Always enjoy the smorgasbord of Hitchcock films, no surprise that 'Hitchcock/Truffaut' by Francois Truffaut caught my eye.
I find Orson Welles fascinating (not watched as much of his work as I should have), 'This is Orson Welles' by Orson Wells and Peter Bogdanovich was a must.
I'm a fan of 'Metropolis' and 'M', have not seen any other Fritz Lang films, but 'The Films of Fritz Lang : Allegories of Vision and Modernity' by Tom Gunning lays out Lang's methodology (NB: this book has a lot of detail, I read it in stages, in case my head exploded 'Scanners' style).
Treated myself to 'In the Blink of an Eye' by Walter Murch and 'Adventures in the Screen Trade' by William Goldman for the Christmas break.
I intend to get a few screenwriting sessions in over the break with the aim of (hopefullly) finishing a first draft for a contained horror, so it's not all about putting my feet up.
I wish Stage 32ers all the best with your 2023 goals, and will raise a glass to your 2022 successes!
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All worthy reads. I've read a bunch of those also. One I've read multiple times is: The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. John Truby.
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Thanks, Steve, another one to check out!
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Mark Giacomin I haven't read many (or any) books linked to the film industry besides screenwriting books, but I've heard writers should read "In the Blink of an Eye" because it shows writers the editing process, which will help writers learn how to write better scenes.
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Hey Maurice Vaughan, about half way through it now. I wanted to read it because of the other Murch book I read, there was a bit about him adding the sound of a bell to a scene in 'The English Patient' to provoke a memory (at least that is what I sort of remember) and I thought it was such a good touch.
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That's neat, Steve Captain ("...there was a bit about him adding the sound of a bell to a scene in 'The English Patient' to provoke a memory..."). Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thanks for the book references.
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"Adventures In The Screen Trade" by writer William Goldman.
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I must admit Lindbergh E Hollingsworth, I'm looking forward to diving into that book.
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Merry Christmas to you and your family Maurice Vaughan Decided to start a rewrite on Christmas Day...good a time as any!
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Thanks, Mark Giacomin! Great time to start a rewrite. :) I've been working on projects today also.
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Thank you Dan MaxXx
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I am not a fan of “how to” books when it comes to art, because art is temporal. What does the artistic do in that second? What forces are in he world, what are they feeling or thinking? Not “on page 21 have a backflip “.
I did get Tarantino’s book as a Christmas present from my wife. That is look at film not so instructional.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald's (unfinished) novel, The Last Tycoon, has some interesting takes on the differences between prose fiction and screenwriting.
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I get what you mean, Craig D Griffiths. Totally agree with you about temporality. When I read 'Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep' for the second time, it was like reading a totally different book because my mindscape was in a different place. Part of my post was subjective as I limited it to books about the industry, when inspiration can come from any source. Outside of rewrites, I only wrote one new screenplay this year, the seed for that idea came from sunlight being refracted through the peephole in my front door.
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Thanks, Eric. I vaguely remember reading an article alluding to what you have stated. I tend to need reminders!
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Just get ahold some John Ford interviews...guy's blossoming industry wisdom...
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Thanks for the tip, Kiril! Probably shouldn't say I have never watched 'The Searchers'.