Riley Poole's Book Of Secrets
Riley Poole's Book of Secrets: History for National Treasure Hunters"Someone did something in history and had fun. Great. Wonderful."This is how National Treasure (2004) fan-favorite character Riley Poole feels about oft-repeated stories of the distant past: dismissive and uninspired. Poole clearly gravitates toward lesser-known tales from history-the kind typically missing from high school classrooms.In this book, franchise expert Aubrey Paris explores historical mysteries capable of piquing the interest of Poole and his fellow enthusiasts of myths that could be true. Paris pairs well-publicized tales (Roanoke colony, Salem witches) with lesser-known events (Mecklenburg Declaration, Blair House) and surprising real-world topics plucked straight from the films' scripts (Templar treasure, president's book), offering the latest historical interpretations while examining myriad questions that inevitably remain. The resulting unofficial, unauthorized National Treasure history book will capture the imaginations of even the most skeptical students of the past-including Riley Poole himself-while inviting an enticing thought: How might Poole's niche knowledge of the unexplained contribute to National Treasure's future storylines?Aubrey R. Paris, PhD, is the cofounder and cocreator of National Treasure Hunt, the podcast, book, and tour offering an interdisciplinary analysis of the National Treasure film franchise. Her cast and creative team interviews have broken National Treasure news that has been covered by global media outlets, and she has engaged live audiences at venues ranging from the US National Archives to the Library of Congress and more.
The Actor's Algorithm
Confusion in acting is often perpetuated by the abstract language and metaphors commonly used by actors and instructors. Moreover, the behavioral models taught in acting schools are outdated, leaving many seeking a practical, modern alternative. In "The Actor's Algorithm," author David Ihrig introduces groundbreaking insights from brain science, explaining how the brain and central nervous system influence every thought, movement, emotion, and behavior in both life and art. Despite their importance, these mechanisms are rarely taught to dramatic artists, who are often left navigating their skills and creativity without a clear understanding of the underlying processes. This book presents a revolutionary system of acting that leverages natural brain functions to produce genuine behavior on stage and screen. Ihrig guides readers through a scientific framework for human behavior, distilled into seven actionable steps to fully embody any character. You will learn how to: - Harness your imagination more effectively, - Personify each character's perspective by creating detailed memories, - Discuss and engage with your craft confidently, ensuring a robust foundation in your acting skills. "The Actor's Algorithm" offers a tangible, step-by-step approach that demystifies acting skills and equips actors with contemporary, scientifically-informed techniques for authentic performances.
The Actor's Algorithm
Confusion in acting is often perpetuated by the abstract language and metaphors commonly used by actors and instructors. Moreover, the behavioral models taught in acting schools are outdated, leaving many seeking a practical, modern alternative. In "The Actor's Algorithm," author David Ihrig introduces groundbreaking insights from brain science, explaining how the brain and central nervous system influence every thought, movement, emotion, and behavior in both life and art. Despite their importance, these mechanisms are rarely taught to dramatic artists, who are often left navigating their skills and creativity without a clear understanding of the underlying processes. This book presents a revolutionary system of acting that leverages natural brain functions to produce genuine behavior on stage and screen. Ihrig guides readers through a scientific framework for human behavior, distilled into seven actionable steps to fully embody any character. You will learn how to: - Harness your imagination more effectively, - Personify each character's perspective by creating detailed memories, - Discuss and engage with your craft confidently, ensuring a robust foundation in your acting skills. "The Actor's Algorithm" offers a tangible, step-by-step approach that demystifies acting skills and equips actors with contemporary, scientifically-informed techniques for authentic performances.
The Trinity Acting Method
ACT WITH TRUTH. PREPARE WITH CLARITY. APPLY WITH CONSISTENCY. In a screen acting industry that demands fast turnarounds and bold, truthful performances, actors need a reliable process. That's why award-winning coach Matt Zina developed The Trinity Acting Method. This unique system-built on three core pillars: preparation, method and application-has helped actors at every level go on to land roles in major TV dramas, films and streaming series. Through preparation, actors learn how to mine the script for evidence and fully honour the writer's intention. In Method they transform that work into genuine physical and emotional readiness. And in Application, they deliver connected, consistent performances that live and breathe on camera. No fluff. No pretence. Just the tools needed to build performances that stand out for the right reasons. Whether you're new to acting or already working professionally, The Trinity Acting Method will change the way you approach every role-from first read to final take.
The Documentary Filmmaking Master Class (Second Edition)
"A realist with a sense of humor, Chasse is both stringent and encouraging as she covers every aspect of creating a successful production." --Booklist starred review How to Make and Distribute a Documentary without Losing Your Mind or Going Broke Documentary filmmaking requires more than just a passion for the subject--whether it be one's personal story or that of someone else, a historical event or a startling discovery, a political movement or a heinous crime. Making a documentary and getting it in front of an audience requires determination, careful planning, money, and a strong production team. With over thirty years of experience in filmmaking, author Betsy Chasse mentors readers every step of the way with a down-to-earth approach and invaluable advice. Chapters cover topics such as: Choosing a SubjectDeveloping a Business PlanSecuring Financial BackingAssembling a Production TeamNailing Interviews and Shooting B-RollGetting through Post-ProductionDistributing and Marketing the FilmThe new edition enhances the well-regarded original title to adapt to the quick-changing media landscape, with all-new sections on updating revenue models for streaming, making the most of self-distribution and festivals, creating an algorithm-friendly marketing strategy, building your personal brand, and using AI tools thoughtfully. Both novices and experienced filmmakers will benefit from this all-inclusive guide. With the right knowledge, persistence, and The Documentary Filmmaking Master Class in their camera bags, readers will not only turn their visions into reality, they'll be able to share the results with others and navigate the process with confidence.
Tourmalin's Time Cheques
Tourmalin's Time Cheques is a light hearted exploration of time, love, and personal dilemmas through the story of a timid man caught between duty and desire. While returning by ship from a distant land, he struggles with doubts about loyalty in his engagement and the allure of temptation. His uncertainty deepens when he learns of an extraordinary system that allows individuals to deposit spare time and later withdraw it, as though drawing from a bank. This curious arrangement offers him the chance to relive moments and indulge in experiences without apparent consequence, yet it also complicates his reflections on commitment, honesty, and relationships. Through his comical hesitations and whimsical adventures, the narrative delves into the tension between romantic obligations and fleeting attractions. Blending humor with a fantastical premise, the tale uses the idea of time banking as both a playful conceit and a metaphor for how people value moments, fidelity, and choices. The result is a witty narrative that entertains while provoking thought about the meaning of time and devotion.
Misalliance
Misalliance presents a lively social comedy that unfolds within a prosperous household where contrasting ideals of love, marriage, and independence collide. The story centers on a prosperous family enjoying a quiet weekend that quickly turns into a battle of wits and perspectives when guests with conflicting beliefs arrive. Through spirited exchanges and ironic situations, the play examines ideas of class privilege, gender expectations, and personal freedom. As conversations reveal insecurities and ambitions, each individual confronts their own limitations within the social order. The arrival of unexpected visitors, including one quite literally falling from the sky, disrupts conventional harmony and forces everyone to reconsider their assumptions about propriety and affection. What begins as light banter evolves into an examination of how society defines worth, compatibility, and courage in human connection. With its layered humor and philosophical undertones, the play offers a vivid commentary on shifting social values and the uneasy tension between tradition and self-determination.
Divinas Palabras
In the heart of the early 20th century Spanish countryside, a world unfolds where the grotesque and the sublime dance in tragicomedy. A rural drama that probes the depths of the human condition, it captivates with its blend of social satire and moral dilemmas, reflecting the timeless struggles that continue to resonate today. Once lost to the sands of time, this masterpiece was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. As theatre enthusiasts and classic literature students delve into its pages, they will find echoes of the profound themes explored by luminaries like Federico Garc穩a Lorca and Miguel de Unamuno. The narrative's vivid portrayal of village life and its biting commentary on societal norms offer a rich tapestry of Spanish literature that is both a reflection and a critique of its era. This edition has been meticulously restored for today's and future generations, ensuring that its cultural significance endures. It is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, inviting readers to explore the nuances of a society caught between tradition and change. Whether you are a casual reader or a discerning collector, this work promises an engaging journey through the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of storytelling.
Disney's Animated Classics
Explores 100 years of Disney films, uncovering secrets, culture, and storytelling behind each movie.Which Disney character is responsible for the most onscreen deaths? What are the entry requirements for becoming a Disney Princess? Why is Jiminy Cricket always breaking into people's homes?In Disney's Animated Classics, Stephen R繹tzsch Thomas explores the iconic features from the studio's first 100 years, from Snow White to Wish. A love letter to storytelling and collaboration, each chapter takes readers behind the scenes of a different movie, uncovering the hidden secrets, creative geniuses, and surprising connections that will enthral die-hard Disney fans and casual viewers alike.Disney's Animated Classics examines how the studio's films have shaped and been shaped by the world around them and how they have attempted to reflect a changing culture. From the studio's representation of race and sexuality to its fluctuating creative fortunes through the decades, R繹tzsch Thomas offers an unflinchingly funny history of one of the biggest icons in cinema.His unauthorised deep dive is an irreverent but loving tribute to the films that have defined generations of childhoods. Whether you're a self-proclaimed Disney Adult, a film fan looking to learn about the animation behemoth, or just someone trying to understand why Robin Hood was responsible for your sexual awakening, there's something for you here.
Doug Chiang: The Cinematic Legacy (Volume I) & the Star Wars Legacy (Volume II)
A two-volume, 800-page, deluxe slipcased celebration of Academy Award-winning artist and designer Doug Chiang, LucasFilm's senior vice president and executive design director One of the most influential figures in crafting the visual language of Star Wars, Doug Chiang first joined forces with Lucasfilm for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and has supervised or contributed to the visuals for Attack of the Clones, The Force Awakens, Galaxy's Edge, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Rise of Skywalker, and the Disney+ Star Wars television series The Mandalorian. Chiang's impact on Star Wars, documented in full in the Star Wars Legacy volume of this monumental monograph, cannot be overstated. From the Naboo N-1 Starfighter to the iconic podracers and innumerable ships, droids, and creatures in between, no one person has had a greater hand in guiding the look and feel of Star Wars since Ralph McQuarrie. The companion volume in this set, The Cinematic Legacy, is dedicated to Chiang's work prior to his arrival at Lucasfilm and showcases his early work, from student films and commercial work to working at Industrial Light & Magic and creating designs for Back to the Future Part II, Alien 3, T2: Judgment Day, Death Becomes Her, Spawn, The Mask, and Jumanji, among others. Chiang also spent time at Image Movers Digital, where he pushed the boundaries of visual effects with contributions to The Polar Express, Beowulf, and War of the Worlds. Chiang's incredible imagination also expands into his personal work with Robota, a passion project of massive scale whose wide array of creatures, droids, ships, and far-off planets serve as the culmination of his influences and interests. In a career spanning five decades, Chiang has closely collaborated with legendary directors including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, and the Wachowskis, all of which are celebrated in this deluxe two-volume package.
The Pocket Rom-Com Movies
Explore 50 beloved rom-com films, from their unforgettable stories to the iconic stars who brought them to life.Celebrate the charm, humor, and heart of romantic comedies with this delightful pocket guide to 50 iconic films that have defined the genre. Uncover fascinating behind-the-scenes trivia, memorable quotes, and surprising facts about the stars, directors, and writers who brought these stories to life. Packed with insights into the cultural impact, enduring appeal, and heartwarming themes of these beloved films, this book is a heartfelt celebration of love, laughter, and the power of a great story. Perfect for hopeless romantics, film buffs, or anyone who just can't resist a happy ending, this pocketbook makes an ideal gift or companion for rom-com enthusiasts everywhere. Gemini Pockets From little guides to soothe your soul to all-access passes to the lives of pop icons, and from quizzes and puzzles for literature lovers to books on food, nature, fashion and more, Gemini Pockets are the perfect fit for your life and interests.
The Trinity Acting Method
ACT WITH TRUTH. PREPARE WITH CLARITY. APPLY WITH CONSISTENCY. In a screen acting industry that demands fast turnarounds and bold, truthful performances, actors need a reliable process. That's why award-winning coach Matt Zina developed The Trinity Acting Method. This unique system-built on three core pillars: preparation, method and application-has helped actors at every level go on to land roles in major TV dramas, films and streaming series. Through preparation, actors learn how to mine the script for evidence and fully honour the writer's intention. In Method they transform that work into genuine physical and emotional readiness. And in Application, they deliver connected, consistent performances that live and breathe on camera. No fluff. No pretence. Just the tools needed to build performances that stand out for the right reasons. Whether you're new to acting or already working professionally, The Trinity Acting Method will change the way you approach every role-from first read to final take.
Behind the Mirror
A USA TODAY BESTSELLERA look inside the TV show that watches you backIn a house designed for manipulation, paranoia, and power plays, sixteen strangers are cut off from the outside world--watched every second by cameras, judged by millions.Welcome to Big Brother. A show ahead of its time, it was once dismissed as fluff television. Now this voyeuristic reality show has quietly become a cultural juggernaut, capturing the rawest truths of human behavior while building an intense, obsessive fanbase along the way. But what are the costs of turning human lives into entertainment? What kind of psychological toll does it take to be put in isolation, under constant surveillance, in a perpetual state of suspicion? And what does it say about us as a society that we love to watch it unfold? Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother peels back the layers of the historic franchise and dives deep into the game that never sleeps. Through years of live footage, online discourse, and controversial castings, this eye-opening book unpacks how Big Brother has shaped and exposed societal dynamics around race, gender, identity, power, and surveillance. It's the story of a show that thrives in chaos and reveals a reflection of us all--ambitious, flawed, strategic, and deeply human. Whether you're a diehard fan or an unimpressed skeptic, Behind the Mirror will challenge what you thought you knew about reality TV. Because if you think Big Brother is just a game, you haven't been paying attention.
Making Rent
From the musical director of Rent comes a thirtieth-anniversary account of how Broadway's iconic grunge rock show and its music were made and how they would forever reshape musical theater. Thirty years after Rent, Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock opera, opened on Broadway, you would be hard-pressed to find a musical theater fan who doesn't know at least some of the show's iconic tunes by heart. "Take Me or Leave Me," "Light My Candle," "La Vie Boheme," and the ubiquitous "Seasons of Love" revolutionized the kind of music heard on the Broadway stage. Much of the impact comes from the show's musical style, a singular blend of grunge rock, power pop, gospel, and R & B that was brought to life by the show's onstage band, headed by the legendary musical director Tim Weil. From his first day as audition accompanist through his elevation to musical director, Weil was a critical collaborator with Larson in developing Rent's unique sound. And when, on the eve of the company's first public performance, Larson died unexpectedly, Weil was there to finesse a still-unfinished show into the musical Larson had long dreamed of. Making Rent reveals how the music that has shaped generations of new American musicals grew out of Weil and Larson's intimate partnership and how, for the six years he worked Rent's Broadway run, Weil endeavored to preserve Larson's musical vision. Previously untold stories about some of the show's most iconic moments, accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos, capture the energy, ingenuity, and passion of Rent's company and creators while providing a unique level of insight into just how collaborative and innovative a process making Rent was and why it has had such a lasting impact on musical theater and fans the world over.
50 Secrets Nobody Tells You in Hollywood
Have you ever thought about becoming a professional actor? Well, here's 50 Secrets nobody tells you in this highly competitive industry.50 Secrets Nobody Tells You in Hollywood weaves together insider knowledge with practical examples and motivational quotes to provide essential guidance for individuals embarking on an acting career. Practical advice, mentorship, and tough love steer readers through the challenges of the entertainment industry, offering wisdom on navigating red flags, highlighting best practices, and emphasizing the importance of self-care.Consider 50 Secrets the actor's personal empowerment tool, filtering out the noise and allowing them to remain resolutely focused on their most meaningful goals. For actors thinking of moving to Hollywood, and for those already here, this book will save you a lot of headaches and heartache. Appendices include suggestions for younger actors (20s and 30s), suggestions for older actors (40s, 50s and beyond), suggestions for acting teachers and coaches to incorporate this material, and discussion questions and ideas for practical application in the real world.
Welcome to the Family
An exclusive look inside the surprising history and contentious future of Hollywood's most unlikely blockbuster--the Fast & Furious franchise--a series that uncannily anticipated the shifting currents of pop culture while changing the business of global entertainment at the same time. What do Miami drug traffickers, bloodthirsty Yakuza warriors, Corona-soaked backyard BBQs, Dame Helen Mirren, and a duct-taped 1984 Pontiac Fiero-turned-rocket-fueled spaceship have in common? They are all essential elements of the ever-expanding, logic- and laws-of-physics-defying Fast & Furious universe: the most entertaining, outlandish, and secretly genius Hollywood creation that everyone has taken for granted - until now. Through an escalating series of high-risk maneuvers - from synapse-stretching stunts to timeline-bending narratives to explosive PR wars between the biggest, baddest, baldest egos in showbiz - the Fast family (and it is a family above all else) has redefined the art and commerce of popcorn moviemaking. And the gang did it all while staring down the kind of monumental, soul-rattling challenges - the death of a star, the upheaval of an industry - that would have crushed the speed and spirit of any other filmmaking team. An unauthorized journey into the makings of a cinematic saga unlike any other, Welcome to the Family exposes the stranger-than-fan-fiction journey of the franchise from the ground up. Through rigorous behind-the-scenes reporting and incisive cultural commentary, writer Barry Hertz's ride-or-die epic details every single twist and turn of Fast & Furious drama, a quarter mile at a time. By the end, you will believe a car can fly.
Bela Lugosi and the Monogram Nine
BETWEEN 1941 AND 1944, BELA LUGOSI starred in a series of low-budget films released by Monogram Pictures. To many viewers at the time and during the decades that followed, the "Monogram Nine" were overacted and underproduced, illogical and incoherent. But their increasing age has recast such condemnations into appropriate praise: in the 21st century, they seem so different not only from modern cinema, but also from Classical Hollywood, enough so as to make the aforementioned deficits into advantages. The entries in the Monogram Nine are bizarre and strange, populated by crazy, larger-than-life characters who exist in wacky, alternative worlds. In nine films, the improbable chases the impossible. This book, in turn, chases them."Gary Rhodes has become my favorite nonfiction author, while the subject of some of his writings, Bela Lugosi, has long been one of my favorite actors. Now Gary has teamed up with co-author Robert Guffey to present, for the first time, a collection of in-depth and insightful essays evaluating those lesser 'classics' that comprise the so-called 'Monogram Nine.' If you are a Lugosi fan and also a fan of old 'B' horror films, you will love this book." - Donald F. Glut, filmmaker, Marvel Comics writer, and author of The Empire Strikes Back novelization"An extraordinary volume. Rhodes and Guffey refract these films through the lens of surrealism, detailed genre study, auteurist-informed close readings, star studies, and vigorous historicism to name a few of the kaleidoscope of methods employed. This book provides a breakthrough model for serious work on films that have to date received very little scholarly attention." - Michael Lee, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma), editor at the journal Horror Studies
Honey Don't! & Drive-Away Dykes
A double edition containing the screenplays for the movies HONEY DON'T! and DRIVE-AWAY DYKES. HONEY DON'T!No man can HAVE her . . .No woman can HOLD her . . .And no one better PISS HER OFF! DRIVE-AWAY DYKESTheir love can't be named - and can't be stopped!Strap in! Strap on! Dive in! Read on! An F&F double: two Fabers, two authors, two stories - too much! Faber brings you a Honey O'Donahue Mystery PLUS a sizzling story of love on the run.
Welcome to Pawnee
"Filled with hilarious stories and sweet observations, Welcome to Pawnee is a book for any Parks and Rec fan. It's funny and straight from the heart. Jim did a great job of not Jerry-ing this book." -- Amy Poehler"There is no one more qualified to write the definitive Parks & Rec book than the unbelievably hilarious, one-of-a-kind talent we all know & love: Tim--I mean Jim--O'Heir." -- Adam ScottJim O'Heir, who played Jerry (or Garry or Larry) on Parks and Recreation brings fans a heartfelt look at one of America's most beloved sitcoms, brimming with never-before-told stories featuring the cast and crew, along with dozens of unseen photos! For seven seasons, Leslie Knope and the Parks and Recreation gang charmed millions of viewers with their quirky antics and unwavering positivity. The sitcom continues to be a fan-favorite for streaming services today, nearly a decade after its finale. Now for the first time, Jim O'Heir, who played the lovable Jerry (or, well, Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry, depending on the episode), invites readers back to Pawnee for an exclusive look behind the scenes.Joined by his Parks and Rec pals, including Chris Pratt, Retta, Rob Lowe, and showrunners Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, Jim reveals how this "little show that could" came to be, thanks to the tireless dedication and comedic genius of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and the rest of the gang. As the show found its footing, the cast quickly bonded into a tight-knit family. Jim shares all his favorite unforgettable memories both on and off camera, from hilarious unscripted moments and epic dance-offs in the hair and makeup trailers, to iconic birthday parties at Rashida Jones's house and quiet bonfires in Nick Offerman's backyard.Welcome to Pawnee is a loving tribute to Parks and Recreation, imbued with the same warmth and humor that endeared the show to millions."An incredible book that shares a behind-the-scenes look from our time on set! You're going to love it; Jim shares so many memories that I hold near and dear to my heart." -- Chris Pratt?"This book is full of lies. Only the Dark Lord himself knows the truth about Pawnee. Do not trust Jerry." -- Aubrey Plaza
Star Wars Insider Presents the Force Awakens 10 Year Anniversary Special
A deluxe, fully illustrated look at the making of the first chapter of the sequel trilogy, the 2015 blockbuster, Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. This hardcover volume features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, from script development to concept art and costume designs, through to filming and eventual release. Lavishly illustrated with photography and imagery from the Lucasfilm Archives, this must-have collector's edition also includes interviews with stars Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, and John Boyega.
St. Paul
Presented here for the first time in English is a remarkable screenplay about the apostle Paul by Pier Paolo Pasolini, legendary filmmaker, novelist, poet, and radical intellectual activist. Written between the appearance of his renowned film Teorema and the shocking, controversial Sal簷, or the 120 Days of Sodom, St Paul was deemed too risky for investors. At once a political intervention and cinematic breakthrough, the script forces a revolutionary transformation on the contemporary legacy of Paul. In Pasolini's kaleidoscope, we encounter fascistic movements, resistance fighters, and faltering revolutions, each of which reflects on aspects of the Pauline teachings. From Jerusalem to Wall Street and Greenwich Village, from the rise of SS troops to the death of Martin Luther King, Jr, here--as Alain Badiou writes in the foreword--'Paul's text crosses all these circumstances intact, as if it had foreseen them all'. This is a key addition to the growing debate around St Paul and to the proliferation of literature centred on the current turn to religion in philosophy and critical theory, which embraces contemporary figures such as Alain Badiou, Slavoj Žižek and Giorgio Agamben.
Short Film Scripts
Step into a filmmaker's workshop where blueprints become stories. This anthology gathers award-winning shorts and unproduced gems across genres-espionage, intimate drama, Shakespeare-inflected tragedy, and personal, iPhone-shot experiments.Each script is introduced with a candid note on how it came to be: the Lisbon-sparked evolution of THE DARK BETWEEN US (Best Creator, Seoul Webfest; Coverfly Thriller Top 10), the bilingual spy world of LE NID, the RAW-verse seed in LEAVING PRIYANKA, the grief-forged meditations of TULIP/ROCK and SUNFLOWER/SOUL, and the Shakespeare-driven ambition of LIBERTY. You'll also find a brief primer on how to read a screenplay-part blueprint, part poetry-so you can see the movie on the page.Made for film lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone curious about process, these pages reveal the practical choices behind low-/no-budget filmmaking, the creative risks that shape a story, and the lessons learned along the way. Above all, they celebrate the courage to make something now-with whatever you have-and to keep getting better.
Short Film Scripts
Step into a filmmaker's workshop where blueprints become stories. This anthology gathers award-winning shorts and unproduced gems across genres-espionage, intimate drama, Shakespeare-inflected tragedy, and personal, iPhone-shot experiments.Each script is introduced with a candid note on how it came to be: the Lisbon-sparked evolution of THE DARK BETWEEN US (Best Creator, Seoul Webfest; Coverfly Thriller Top 10), the bilingual spy world of LE NID, the RAW-verse seed in LEAVING PRIYANKA, the grief-forged meditations of TULIP/ROCK and SUNFLOWER/SOUL, and the Shakespeare-driven ambition of LIBERTY. You'll also find a brief primer on how to read a screenplay-part blueprint, part poetry-so you can see the movie on the page.Made for film lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone curious about process, these pages reveal the practical choices behind low-/no-budget filmmaking, the creative risks that shape a story, and the lessons learned along the way. Above all, they celebrate the courage to make something now-with whatever you have-and to keep getting better.
Life As It Is (More or Less)
Witty, fearless, and unmistakably modern, Fanny Fern turned everyday life into art. Writing in the mid-1800s-when women's voices were seldom heard-she transformed ordinary moments of marriage, work, motherhood, and exhaustion into sharp, funny, and deeply human reflections on resilience and grace.Life As It Is (More or Less) captures Fern's honesty and humor in a fresh adaptation designed for 21st-century readers, educators, and performers. This Performance Edition combines timeless essays with modern storytelling notes, performance insights, and new monologues inspired by Fern's originals. It invites readers to explore how laughter can still challenge convention and how truth, spoken aloud, can bridge centuries.Ideal for classrooms, reader's theatre, and solo performance, this edition includes guidance on pacing, tone, and emotional delivery-tools that help bring Fern's natural rhythm and wit to life. Through both historical context and contemporary voice, it reminds us that honesty and empathy never go out of style.Part of the Memories in Ink collection from the True Voice Shorts series, Life As It Is (More or Less) celebrates the enduring power of voice-honest, imperfect, and unafraid.For actors, readers, and anyone who believes that ordinary life deserves to be heard, not hidden.
The Reluctant Dragon
The Reluctant Dragon: A Performance Edition Adapted from the work of Kenneth Grahame By Querida FunckA witty fable of friendship, imagination, and the courage to choose peace over pride-adapted for today's readers, actors, and storytellers.In this Performance Edition of The Reluctant Dragon, Lemery House Press brings Kenneth Grahame's timeless tale into a format designed for stage and classroom use. Blending literature and performance, this edition presents the complete text of Grahame's classic story framed by insightful context, character and story arc analysis, and techniques for live or recorded interpretation.First published in 1898, The Reluctant Dragon playfully overturns the knight-versus-monster tradition. Instead of a ferocious beast, Grahame gives us a poetry-loving dragon, a sensible boy, and a courteous St. George who learns that not every battle must end in blood. Their unlikely friendship becomes a lesson in empathy, imagination, and creative compromise-a message as relevant now as it was more than a century ago.This Performance Edition supports readers and educators seeking ways to bring literature to life. Actors and voice artists will find guidance for pacing, tone, and character differentiation. Teachers and drama coaches can draw from included notes on historical context, classroom discussion ideas, and approaches for story-theatre performance.Part of the True Voice Shorts - Modern Fables for Grown-Ups series, The Reluctant Dragon: A Performance Edition celebrates the power of story to bridge page and stage, inviting readers to read, speak, and share timeless literature in new ways.
Frankie's Flyer
An aspiration of self-fulfilment and defiance takes flight when Peter Reed, a newly qualified teacher with top honours from the renowned University of Stellenbosch, arrives in the rural town of Somerset East, South Africa. At the celebrated Gill College High School, Peter brings a vision inspired by the enduring wisdom of Confucius and Aristotle and the modern insights of Howard Gardner s theory of multiple intelligences. Determined to challenge the narrow labels assigned to his special class students, Peter teaches by an irrefutable principle: I hear, I forget. I see; I remember. I do; I understand. Through hands-on learning and a belief in every student s unique potential, he breathes new life into children labelled as mentally retarded . But in a school steeped in enduring tradition, Peter s radical innovative teaching methods spark fierce resistance from Dr Hawkins, a principal with secrets of his own. As Peter battles prejudice, narrow-mindedness, and a failing system, his students begin to defy every expectation, led by Frankie, an orphan Indian boy with a dream of building and flying his own glider. Years later, fate delivers a cruel irony: Peter, now broken by time and circumstance, is reduced to menial labour in a multi-million-rand business owned by his former students. As he toils in the shadows of their success, a familiar voice calls his name. Rochelle, a former student, now an accomplished medical doctor, echoes his own words back to him: A good teacher is like a candle it consumes itself to light the way for others.
Lysistrata (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition)
Aristophanes' Lysistrata is a battle plan staged in bedrooms rather than on blood-soaked fields. To end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city-states, the sharp-tongued heroine corrals women into a sex strike as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace. What follows is a riot of stalemates, swollen egos, and negotiations derailed by bodily impatience. Far from a crude gag, the play weaponizes laughter to expose the absurdity of martial obsession and the fragility of male power when confronted with sustained collective action.
Multiple Maniacs
A very John Waters traveling show, replete with freaks, robbery, murder, sex, blasphemy, and savage shellfish--a lurid, surreal celebration of camp and trash. The Cavalcade of Perversion is a traveling show run by Lady Divine and a crew of her fellow degenerates. They have to drag suburban housewives into each vile, tasteless performance--only to rob them at gunpoint at the end of each show. When Divine gets bored of the routine and graduates to murdering the attendees one day, it sets her off on a rampage, hunting down her cheating lover, Mr. David, and unleashing a chain of frenzy, a truly blasphemous sex act, and a surreal violation by a giant lobster. Multiple Maniacs is John Waters' paean to the glories of trash. As Lady Divine chants as she marches proudly into downtown Baltimore at the end of the movie, "I'm a maniac! A maniac that cannot be cured! O Divine, I am Di-vine!"
Love Johnny Carson
A Vulture Best Comedy Book of 2025 A wildly entertaining book by one of the world's most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host Over the course of his thirty-year career hosting The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson appeared on some 4,500 broadcasts, interviewed over 25,000 guests, and solidified himself as a warm, witty, comforting presence to US audiences during turbulent times. Carson aficionado Mark Malkoff has amassed more Carson stories from original sources than anyone in entertainment history, speaking to over four hundred individuals, and now, in Love Johnny Carson, he sets the record straight in this comprehensive portrait of Carson's life, career, legacy, and character. Read about the debuts of stand-up comics like David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres, the never-before-detailed reasons why Johnny stopped talking to Joan Rivers, why he banned guests like William Shatner and Orson Welles, the true origins of Carnac the Magnificent (it wasn't stolen from Steve Allen), the part Johnny played in getting Nixon elected president, the beloved comedian who the Carson writers dreaded guest-hosting, and many other behind-the-scenes stories of the funniest and most beloved Carson moments of all time. In the end, Malkoff's book serves not only as a biography but also as a love letter; a love letter to show business, to personalities, and to the singular show-business legend of Johnny Carson.
Hanky Panky
Lose yourself in the mischief and mastery of classic conjuring Hanky Panky returns to astonish a new generation. Hanky Panky: A Book of Conjuring Tricks is a hands-on magician s handbook filled with sleight, showmanship, and the playful ingenuity of vintage performance magic. Compiled from the vault of 19th-century conjuring lore, this volume teaches card tricks for beginners, beginner magic tricks with everyday props, and more advanced illusion techniques that form the backbone of modern magic shows. Clear step-by-step directions, tips on magic show preparation, and routines for charming audiences make it both a practical magic performance guide and a sourcebook of theatrical delight. This edition s significance is twofold: historically, it preserves the voice and craft of a formative era in stage magic an era that shaped Wiljalba Frikell magic traditions and sleight-of-hand pedagogy; culturally, it renews rare material that has been unavailable for decades. Alpha Editions has restored and reissued this work, meticulously refreshed for today s readers and future generations. Far more than a simple reprint, this collector s item is a cultural treasure for casual readers, aspiring magicians, and classic literature collectors alike. Whether you re hunting classic magic tricks, studying illusion techniques, or seeking a compact magician s handbook, this restored volume is your portal to time-tested secrets: learn magic tricks, perfect card sleights, and craft performances that endure.
Hairspray
A feel-good fable and an enduring critique of conformity told with true John Waters flair. Tracy Turnblad, a spunky, full-figured Baltimore teen, wants nothing more than to be a featured dancer on The Corny Collins Show. So when she gets chosen to be on the air, it seems like all her dreams are about to come true. But when she and some of the Black cast of the show try to integrate the segregated dancing, things take on a life of their own. A sweet, hopeful parable about the dangers of conformity and segregation, Hairspray is perhaps the one optimistic entry in John Waters' shocking and delightfully deranged oeuvre. Both a clear-eyed social critique and a celebration of the dizzying aesthetics of Baltimore in the early 1960s, this is another, softer side to the essential John Waters.
Female Trouble
"Burroughs famously dubbed Waters the Pope of Trash. Female Trouble, we might say, is his Summa Trashologica."--Ed Halter, The Criterion Collection It all goes to hell when Baltimore bad girl Dawn Davenport doesn't get the cha-cha heels she's been demanding for Christmas. In this hilarious, irreverent, pyrotechnic melee of high-trash hijinks, Dawn ruins Christmas, skips town, and embarks on a wild ride that involves hitchhiking, robbery, murder, pregnancy--and, of course, modeling and glamour, too. The second installment of John Waters' classic Trash Trilogy, Female Trouble explodes conventional norms of good behavior (and art) and is all the proof you'll ever need that sometimes being bad can feel so, so very good.
Playhouse to Powerhouse
The rise of Black cultural nationalism in the 1960s came with resounding promises of assertive new methods to achieve Black liberation in America, especially through art. Nowhere were these efforts more impactful or lasting than in the Black theatres founded or led by Black women between 1960 and 1990. Prior to the 1960s, most Black theatre was barred from mainstream white venues, limiting public access, Black artistic and economic opportunity, and cultural ownership. Playhouse to Powerhouse: Locating Black Power Women and Their Movement in the Black Theatre examines the revolutionaries who brought about this change, merging arts and entrepreneurship to embed theatres in Black communities from California to New York to Texas. In Playhouse to Powerhouse, Kerry L. Goldmann explores the Black theatre movement through the lens of three significant women-led theatres that are still in operation today: Nora Vaughn's Black Repertory Group in Berkeley, Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre in Harlem, and George Hawkins and Eileen Morris's Ensemble Theatre in Houston. Goldmann concludes with a discussion of the current moment, examining contemporary obstacles such as gentrification, the co-opting of Black theatres, and the impact of COVID-19. This remarkable work sheds light on the foundational role that Vaughn, Teer, and Morris played in the Black cultural revolution of the mid- to late twentieth century, securing theatre houses that thrived in multiple capacities as sites for revolution organizing, revenue generation for communal uplift, and unapologetic Black cultural representation.
Funnier
A roadmap for understanding and creating comedy from the visionary Second City comedy director Great comedy can feel ineffable--and unlearnable. Debunking the myth that "either you are funny, or you aren't," Libera breaks the magic of comedy down into an innovative theory and practical toolkit. Developed over the course of thirty years as a director for The Second City and professor of comedy studies in their training center, Libera's approach is effective across stand-up, sketch, film, and television comedy, as evidenced by her powerhouse students: Amy Poehler, Kristen Schaal, Steven Yeun, and many more of your favorites. This book starts with a way to think about comedy and then guides you through concrete strategies for making your work smarter, richer, funnier. Libera covers everything from generating material to revising and performing to fostering social connection through comedy. In the book's final section, Libera draws from her personal life to make a profound case for why future comedy writers should consider the ethics of their art and their responsibility to their fellow human beings in the audience. Readers won't just be funnier because of this book--they'll be better people.
Future Boy
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A poignant, heartfelt, and funny memoir about how, in 1985, Michael J. Fox brought to life two iconic roles simultaneously--Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and Marty McFly in Back to the Future. An amazing true story as only Michael J. Fox can tell it In early 1985, Michael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was about to get even bigger, but only if he could survive the kind of double duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox's days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom Family Ties, but then the chance of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg--Back to the Future. Sitcom during the day, movie at night--day after day, for months. Fox's nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dream job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFly while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex's bravado, Marty's flair, and Fox's comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special. In Future Boy, Fox tells the remarkable story of playing two landmark roles at the same time--a slice of entertainment history that's never been told. Using new interviews with the cast and crew of both projects, the result is a vividly drawn and eye-opening story of creative achievement by a beloved icon.
Star Wars the Blueprints
A magnificent showcase of over 200 production drawings of star ships, vehicles, weapons, droids, and props from the Star Wars galaxy. Drawing on unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm Archives, this deluxe volume reveals and celebrates the spectacular work of the technical artists and designers who conceived the unforgettable look and feel of the Star Wars galaxy. Go behind the scenes with this collection of official Star Wars blueprints: Officially licensed: Created in close collaboration with Lucasfilm, with content from across the whole Skywalker saga of movies, including the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and never-before-published blueprints from the sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.Rare and beautifully realized designs: Pore over more than 200 rarely-seen Star Wars schematics, including 10 pull-out artworks that display these artifacts in unrivaled detail.A must-have Star Wars gift: With a wealth of content housed in a high-quality hardcover finish, Star Wars: The Blueprints is the perfect addition to fans' libraries, and a fantastic gift for anyone interested in the history and design of science fiction films.Encompassing material from Episode I: The Phantom Menace to Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, this expansive book catalogs the entire Skywalker saga in stunning detail, featuring rarely and never-before-released, behind-the-scenes content. With over 200 schematics, including ten pull-out artworks that showcase the elaborate details of these iconic designs, this book is an essential addition to the collection of every Star Wars enthusiast. (c) & (TM) 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
A new offering in the nascent Reel West film history series that focuses on that quintessentially American cinematic art form, the western. Few lines of movie dialogue have had greater impact than the most famous line from John Ford's 1962 masterpiece The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: "This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." Although critics of the day did not realize its magnitude, with time The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance has become cemented in our popular culture. This film connects to nearly every Western before or after, from Ford's own Stagecoach (1939) to Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (1992). Coming six years after The Searchers, Ford's other great late-career masterpiece, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance may be even more archetypal of a changing West. In this first-ever book on the subject, Chris Yogerst unpacks one of the signature films of the post-classic Western period and one of the greatest works of director John Ford and actors John Wayne, James Stewart, Lee Marvin, and Woody Strode.
Splatter Flicks
Splatter Flicks: How to Make Low-Budget Horror Films (2nd Edition) is your crash course in turning a micro-budget idea into a killer movie-from the first scream on the page to the final cut on a streamer. This updated edition folds in today's tools and techniques and adds fresh, on-the-ground insights from working pros across writing, acting, stunts, costume and production design, music, editing, special effects, and distribution.You'll learn how to shape a lean, original script; raise and protect your budget; plan practical and digital gore; direct performance and action safely; cut for tension; score for dread; and build a marketing and distribution path that actually finds an audience. The book walks you end-to-end: development and funding, production, post, and release.You'll also get field notes from filmmakers doing it now-award-winning VFX artist William Reliford on studio-level visuals at indie prices; producer-writer-director John Penney on shepherding features; directors Jill Gevargizian and Natasha Kermani on graduating from shorts to features; DP Jendra Jarnagin on shooting fear; make-up FX artist Anthony Pepe on the state of splatter; plus insights from programmers, stunt coordinators, production designers, sculptors, and more.
