Rating:  - Crafty Directing
Most directing books, I've noticed, are either basic primers (how not to cross the "line") or books of chatty anecdotes by major directors. Sidney Lumet's book is about the only one that gives away trade secrets, and he doesn't give many of those.
Finally John Badham has written the book I was hoping to get to read. I'll Be in My Trailer: Creative Wars Between Actors and Directors is as full of director tradecraft as you might hope, coming from the very crafty director of Saturday Night Fever, Stakeout, WarGames and The Jack Bull. Badham hasn't stopped at his own knowledge; he's interviewed fellow directors like Mark Rydell and Richard Donner, and quoted from interviews with other directors.
The tradecraft I'm talking about includes things like shooting closeups first if you're dealing with a scene that might wear out your actor emotionally (generally you shoot the master first, closeups last); the two points of view about rehearsals; what it means when an actor says, "I want to talk to you about my costume; and how not to waste your casting sessions looking important.
This book only focuses on dealing with actors. I'd love to hear what Badham and his colleagues have to say about the more subtle uses of different lenses, when to shoot at a location and when a studio, six day shoots vs. five day shoots, and other technical and production questions. But that really does deserve another book.
If you want to direct, or if you're just a writer or actor who wants to appreciate all that a director has to deal with, buy this book.
Rating: - Should Be Required Reading for all Directors
The stories of actors being difficult to work with have long been a staple of Hollywood. And of course some are, and not only in Hollywood but in filming a 30-second commercial, a music video, or even the local church choir.
In this book John Badham, a director of reknown tells these stories from the other side. Here are stories of what he has had to do to get the performance he wanted out of the actor he was using. Most of the stories tell of his own personal expeiences, some are related stories of friends and associates of his. For any director, in business or just aspiring, this should be required reading. For any actor, here is what the educated director should be able to do to convince you that what he needs is what will produce the best work of which you are capable.
Besides being very informative and supplying a lot of tricks of the trade, this book is well written and delightful reading in its own right.
Rating: - The BEST book on Directing available!!!
I've had the pleasure of having John Badham as my mentor in film directing, over at Chapman University --- I had no idea that directing is something that can be 'taught'
For aspiring and current directors, this book is a GEM ---- it gives clear instructions on how to dissect a screenplay, for the purposes of best directing, and most importantly, instruction on how best to communicate with actors and other creative staff members
The best part is that the book's directing examples show the 'right-way' to do things and the 'wrong-way' to do things ---- believe me, after reading, most aspiring directors will hit themselves over the head saying "ohhh... that's how you do it!"
For movie lovers, the book is also a great treat ----- Badham's lessons on directing are elaborated through his many experiences on set, making the book extremely humorous and entertaining as you journey with Badham through his mistakes and his successes ----- while it is a book that teaches directing, its entertainment value is one that will provide a lot of fun to any movie lover
It's a quick and informative read that anyone would thoroughly enjoy! The writing is superb and the material is easy to understand and apply ---- Professor Badham - well done!
HAPPY BUYING!!!
Rating: - Picks for aspiring actors and directors alike
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 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.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Rating: - IT List - Encore magazine
Invaluable how-to for directors covering the multiple aspects of working with one of the most public collabortions, the actor. "I'll Be in My Trailer: The Creative Wars Between Directors & Actors" (Michael Wiese Productions). John Badham, who directed Saturday Night Fever and WarGames, teams with New York Times writer Craig Modderno to deliver an invaluable step-by-step guide to directing actors for film and television. Entertaining and educational, the pair interviewed more than 50 pros to get the lowdown on collaboration, covering everything from casting to rehearsals to dailies. The duo is liberal with anecdotes; for example, relating director Clint Eastwood's battle with Kevin Costner--think clash of the titans. But it's Badham's candid personal experiences that turn a would-be textbook into a delightful read. Practical advice is paramount. Directors Oliver Stone and Steven Soderbergh share thoughts, so do actors John Cusack, Jenna Elfman and James Woods. Concise, funny and honest, Trailer is a must for actors and a pleasure for moviegoers fascinated by the sturm un drang that produces art.
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