I always felt the essence of cinema was the coming together of acting and writing. There are many books on the topics related to directing, but I feel that John Badham’s first section on acting is worth its weight in gold. There are many skills involved in making a motion picture, but few so important as working with (and understanding) the actors. That’s probably why of all the migrations possible to become a director, few are as successful or plentiful as that of actor to director. This book clearly lays out truthful principles in helping an actor achieve his goals in a way I’ve never seen before. The other two sections are full of helpful tips as well, but Part 1 is essential for anyone who is serious about directing.
—Francis Ford Coppola, Producer/Director (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation)
Insights from one of the greats. Imagine sitting with Badham and asking every question you had on the craft. It’s a treasure trove of invaluable tools and tips.
—J.J. Abrams, Director (Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, Super 8)
John Badham has always delivered spectacular pieces of cinematic action and remains a master at staging it and breaking it down. He has a clean, crisp sense of storytelling and an unerring sense of motion and power. It is a privilege to have his legacy handed down upon a new generation of filmmakers.
—Guillermo del Toro, Director (The Shape of Water, Pacific Rim, Pan’s Labyrinth)
John Badham is an officer and a gentleman in the trench warfare of making movies who’s won combat medals for such classics as Saturday Night Fever, Blue Thunder, and, of course, WarGames. Now he puts his unparalleled insights in book form. For those who’ve been unable to take Badham’s celebrated classes, these are lessons from a master — a filmmaker who’s worked with everyone from John Travolta to Mel Gibson to Laurence Olivier.
—Stephen Galloway, Executive Editor of The Hollywood Reporter
A must-read for students of cinema. Mr. Badham brings his considerable knowledge and experience of visual storytelling and puts it in the reader’s lap.
—David Irving, Associate Professor of the Undergraduate Film and Television Department at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
John Badham has penned another wonderful book. He reminds the reader that we directors have to create a safe space via active listening, along with give and take. Wonderful anecdotes remind us that every actor wants direction, even a day player.
—Regge Life, Author (Becoming an Actor’s Director) and Distinguished Director-in-Residence at Emerson College
The fluid way John stages and constructs his scenes is masterful, and the second edition of his book lays out everything I saw him do in person. This book absolutely cracks the code on the art of directing for film and TV.
—Joe Menendez, Producer/Director (Siren) and Director (From Dusk Till Dawn, 12 Monkeys, Queen of the South)
A practical guide with practical examples not only from John’s career but from other top A-list directors — a must-read for all filmmakers.
—Randal Kleiser, Director (Grease, The Blue Lagoon, White Fang, It’s My Party)
Badham has provided the essential handbook on the business and craft of directing.
—Stefan Blitz, Editor-in-Chief of ForcesOfGeek.com
On Directing gets to the essence of the relationship between the art and craft of directing. An essential text for both students and those long into their careers.
—Elric Kane, Filmmaker (Murmurs, Kissy Kissy) and Chair of Film & Digital Media at Studio School Los Angeles
Ace director John Badham’s handbook is a mercifully non-academic, extremely practical, and very entertaining look at the task of making pictures. The book should become a standard text.
—Peter Bogdanovich, Director (The Last Picture Show, What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon)
I wish this book had been around when I first started. It would have made my life a lot easier as a director. One hell of a good read!
—Richard Donner, Director (Lethal Weapon, Superman, The Omen, The Goonies)
What a gift this book is for the novice and not-so-novice filmmaker. As Badham dissects even the most complex issues, he achieves the most precious quality: simplicity. Truly a must-read.
—Dezsö Magyar, Director (No Secrets), Writer (Streets of Gold), Master Teacher and former Artistic Director of the American Film Institute, the Canadian Film Centre, and Chapman University’s Dodge College
It’s said there are ten easy steps to directing movies, but unfortunately, no one knows what they are. John Badham comes as close as anyone ever has to demystifying the art of directing while still managing to offer a thoughtful, fun, and engaging read.
—Edward Zwick, Director (Glory, Blood Diamond)
A no-nonsense guide to directing. Badham’s take on working with actors and navigating their demons is both searingly honest and immensely entertaining.
—Emilio Estevez, Actor (Stakeout, The Breakfast Club, The Way) and Director (Bobby, Numb3rs)
Essential reading for anyone seeking how to do that delicate dance that is directing the actor.
—Daniel Sackheim, Emmy-winning Director and Producer (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, NYPD Blue, House)
A beautifully curated spectrum of practical advice from a master craftsman and teacher, combined with extraordinary wisdom assembled from industry leaders: one of a handful of truly useful books in a crowded field.
—James Bundy, Dean at the Yale School of Drama, Artistic Director of the Yale Repertory Theatre, and Professor of Drama
You don’t need to be a movie director to enjoy John Badham’s informative, witty, no-nonsense treatise on the hoops that must often be jumped through to make a movie or TV show. A fascinating journey through the evolving realities of an ever-changing business.
—Joe Dante, Director (Gremlins) and Producer
Over 25 years ago, John Badham gave me the best advice on directing actors. John is a brilliant director and through his books a masterful teacher.
— Michelle MacLaren, Emmy-winning Executive Producer/ Director (Breaking Bad), Director (Game of Thrones)
John Badham has extracted a lifetime of experience (and that of a few hundred of his Hollywood friends) into an array of practical, easy-to-understand learning moments.
— Pavel Jech, Emeritus Dean of the Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU)
Badham’s intuitive analysis and use of real-world examples helps guide the future
