On Directing FilmA masterclass on the art of directing from the Pulitzer Prize-winning (and Oscar and Tony-nominated) writer of Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed the Plow, The Verdict, and Wag the Dog Calling on his unique perspective as playwright, screenwriter, and director of his own critically acclaimed movies like House of Games, State and Main, and Things Change, David Mamet illuminates how a film comes to be. He looks at every aspect of directing—from script to cutting room—to show the many tasks directors undertake in reaching their prime objective: presenting a story that will be understood by the audience and has the power to be both surprising and inevitable at the same time. Based on a series of classes Mamet taught at Columbia University's film school, On Directing Film will be indispensible not only to students but to anyone interested in an overview of the craft of filmmaking. "Passion, clarity, commitment, intelligence—just what one would expect from Mamet." —Sidney Lumet, Academy Award-nominated director of 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, and The Verdict |
Contents
STORYTELLING | 3 |
WHERE DO YOU PUT THE CAMERA? | 11 |
COUNTERCULTURAL ARCHITECTURE AND DRAMATIC STRUCTURE | 59 |
Copyright | |
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answer Aristotle arrive early artist audience better Bruno Bettelheim Cheshire Cat create dangerous pig David Mamet director door dramatic dream Dumbo entropy essential farmer walking film directing film director filmmaking follow the protagonist give guy walking hall hero House of Games Humphrey Bogart idea of earliness idea of homage instructor interesting juxtapose leading the pig little bit look MacGuffin MAMET mean movie script narration neurosis notebook objective Okay pay homage Penguin Books perfect movie pig's play prepare problem put the camera question retraction road scene screenwriter sell the pig shot list show up early simple simply as possible sitting slaughterhouse owner Steadicam STUDENT subconscious superobjective take a picture talk task teacher tell the actors tell the story There's thing third beat throughline trying understand uninflected images uninflected shots Volga River want to know whorehouse win the respect write to Penguin