Performing Arts

Shooting Better Movies: The Student Filmmaker's Guide is a comprehensive guide to filmmaking, covering everything from generating an idea to delivering a finished film. With years of experience in...

The Stage Lighting Handbook by Francis Reid provides a comprehensive guide to lighting for stage productions. Drawing on his extensive experience as a professional lighting designer, Reid explores...

Behind the scenes of one of cinema's most beloved comedies lies a story of revolution and chaos. Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story takes you into the world of film critic Chris...

The Shadow and Its Shadow: Surrealist Writings on the Cinema by Paul Hammond explores the unique relationship between film and the human experience. Written by key figures in the Surrealist movement,...

Applied Meisner for the 21st-Century Actor is a practical guide to Meisner's core principles for contemporary actors. The authors present a clear and pragmatic approach to creating an ethical acting...

A History of Experimental Film and Video by A.L. Rees explores the development of avant-garde film and video from its early beginnings to the 1990s. The author examines key figures such as Cezanne,...

Speak With Distinction by Edith Skinner is an authoritative resource for understanding the sounds of Spoken English. This comprehensive study presents phonetic environments and offers practical...

The Art and Making of Pacific Rim Uprising by Daniel Wallace explores the concept art behind one of 2018's most anticipated films. This book takes readers behind the scenes of the epic battle between...

Concept Design 2 brings together talented concept designers to showcase their imaginative worlds, vehicles and creations. This collection features over 470 original works, including finished pieces,...

Explore the magical world of Harry Potter like never before in this stunning pop-up guide. Matthew Reinhart's latest creation brings to life iconic locations from the films, including Diagon Alley...

Writing about Movies: A Comprehensive Guide to Academic Writing and Film Analysis. This two-part guide provides a thorough introduction to academic writing and film analysis. It covers the basics of...

Directing Feature Films: A Guide to Collaborative Creativity Learn how to bring your vision to life on screen by understanding the essential collaboration between directors, writers, and actors. This...

Zack Morris Lied 329 Times! Reassessing Every Ridiculous Episode of Saved by the Bell ... with StatsThis unique pop cultural retrospective offers an unprecedented blend of episode guide and modern...

The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky A Visual Fugue by Vida T. Johnson and Graham Petrie is a comprehensive study of one of cinema's most enigmatic directors. This book offers a fresh and stimulating...

Alien: Covenant - Official Collector's Edition brings together everything you need to know about Ridley Scott's latest film. A shipload of human colonists investigates an apparently habitable planet,...

Ben Baker's Festive Double Issue takes us back to the golden age of Christmas TV, when programmes were a shared national experience. This book celebrates forty years of festive programming, featuring...

The Cambridge Companion to the Circus provides a comprehensive guide for those interested in the foundations and evolution of the modern circus. This volume brings together an international group of...

The Humanitarian Impulse in Documentary Film Pooja Rangan examines the documentary genre's tendency to render human suffering urgent and immediate at all costs. She argues that this approach, known...

Shadows by Raymond Carney provides an in-depth analysis of John Cassavetes' 1959 film. The study explores how the movie addresses racial issues, despite the director's intention to focus on human...

A collection of images and press information showcasing the art of juggling in America and Europe at the turn of the 20th century. This booklet, compiled by Edward Van Wyck, one of the first...

Birch Plays: 1 celebrates the work of Welsh writer Brad Birch, a recipient of the 2016 Harold Pinter Commission for the Royal Court Theatre. This collection brings together plays from throughout his...

Bruce Lee Game of Death (Landscape Edition) is a revised edition of the A4 Bruce Lee Game of Death Book, featuring updated colour photographs and a new layout. This hardback landscape edition...

A Short History of Cahiers du Cinéma by Emilie Bickerton explores the influential project's evolution and impact on film-making and writing. Founded in 1951, Cahiers du Cinéma revolutionized the...

Writing a musical is often seen as a daunting task, with many wondering which comes first - the music or the lyrics. However, Tony-winning author Robert L. Freedman reveals that the answer lies in...

Developing film ideas and bringing them to life is a complex process. This comprehensive guide covers everything from concept development to distribution, providing a thorough understanding of the...

Arthur Lucan and his wife Kitty McShane were among Britain's highest-paid and most admired variety artists during the 1930s and 40s. Their on-stage success was built around Arthur's belligerent...

This concise and engaging exploration examines the interdependence between theatre and dance. Kate Elswit argues that resisting genre distinctions in the arts is crucial, and that the ampersand...

This book explores the significant influence of Shakespeare's works on Harold Pinter's career as a playwright. From Pinter's pre-theatre writings to his collaboration with Sir Peter Hall, and even an...

Theatre-Making Interplay Between Text and Performance in the 21st Century by D. Radosavljevic explores how contemporary theatre is redefining traditional notions of authorship, moving beyond binary...

Billy Wilder's early writings offer fresh insights into the creative mind of one of Hollywood's most revered writer-directors. This collection brings together more than fifty articles, translated...

A comprehensive chronicle of British theatre from 1992 to 2020, this book is a collection of selected reviews and commentary from one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Michael Billington's...

Keeping The Dream Alive is a memoir that charts the life of an individual who defied the odds to achieve success in Hollywood. Born into a poor working-class environment, this author overcame their...

Scrooge is a Christmas comedy play that takes place during a rehearsal, where everything goes wrong. It can be performed with or without memorized lines, as the actors play their parts with open...

Preston Sturges's films are renowned for their unique blend of wit and social critique. This in-depth analysis explores ten of his major movies, revealing the structures, motives, and meanings...

Directing Visual Content: A Practical Guide to Getting Paid Work in the Industry. With so many books on directing videos and visual content available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Most focus on...

Catherine Russell's book offers a fresh perspective on Japanese cinema, exploring its classical period and the studio system that dominated film production from 1930 to 1960. By examining the...

Learn the techniques and aesthetics of experimental filmmaking with this comprehensive guide. Kathryn Ramey shares her expertise in a step-by-step approach, covering material methods, hand-processing...

Steve Hutchison's in-depth analysis of 100 iconic slasher films from the 1980s is a must-have for film enthusiasts and horror fans alike. Each movie is carefully reviewed, with a detailed synopsis...

Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay by Annie Proulx, Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. This collection brings together two of America's most acclaimed writers, Annie Proulx and Larry McMurtry,...

Star Trek: Villains brings together profiles and interviews with some of the most iconic villains from the Star Trek franchise. Spanning over 50 years of television shows and movies, this collection...

Terry Nation's Blake's 7 defies easy categorisation, blending elements of science fiction, comedy, and drama to create a groundbreaking piece of television. This critical guide offers in-depth...

The CIA's Influence on Animal Farm: A New Perspective Daniel J. Leab presents an authoritative account of the Central Intelligence Agency's involvement in the making of the animated adaptation of...

Discover the fascinating world of film trivia with Empire Movie Miscellany. This unique collection of obscure and little-known facts about movies is packed full of interesting information, from...

Thorsten Botz-Bornstein explores the concept of "organic" in film through the work of Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr, known for his innovative and slow-paced style.This concise study reveals...

A Light in the Dark: A History of Movie Directors by David Thomson explores how our understanding of film direction has evolved over time. From its industrial roots to the present day, the role of...

The Golden Girls: A Little Guide to a Big Impact This little book celebrates one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history. First aired in 1985, the show was groundbreaking for its all-female cast...

The Art of Cinematic Storytelling: A Visual Guide to Planning Shots, Cuts and Transitions is a practical introduction to the design of shots, cuts and transitions for film, video, television,...

Difficult Men: Behind the Scenes of a Creative RevolutionBy Brett Martin, this 2014 book offers a comprehensive survey of the transformative period in television history. With extensive interviews...

The Making of Rebel Without a Cause A comprehensive history of the making of James Dean's iconic film, from its conception to the 1955 Academy Awards. This detailed account covers every aspect of the...

The Complete History of Planet of the Apes is a comprehensive exploration of this iconic media phenomenon. From its origins in 1963 with Pierre Boulle's novel to its current status as a global brand,...

Scenes Issue 6: A Celebration of Cult Cinema This latest issue of Scenes magazine delves into the world of classic and cult movies, featuring in-depth interviews with industry icons. Chris Wade's...

The Final Rewrite: How to View Your Screenplay with a Film Editor's Eye by John Rosenberg offers a unique perspective on crafting your screenplay from the eye of an editor. This book provides...

Chris Marker's La Jetée is a 28-minute film consisting almost entirely of black-and-white still images. Since its release in 1964, it has had a lasting impact on generations of viewers and artists...

The Performance of Law: Everyday Lawyering at the Intersection of Advocacy and Imagination by Randy D. Gordon This book explores how law is performed in everyday life, examining its connections to...

Get an insider's view of life behind the scenes in British television. John R. Walker shares his real-life experiences as a supporting artist, working on numerous popular shows.From Doctor Who to...

Contemporary Scenes for Young Actors offers 34 engaging scenes written specifically for actors aged 8-16. Douglas M. Parker's scenes provide young performers with material to explore a range of...

The Richard Dyer Reader brings together key writings by a foundational figure in the critical study of cinema and popular culture. This collection guides readers through Dyer's prolific output,...

Roger Ebert's scathing movie reviews have long been a source of entertainment for film fans. This new collection brings together some of his most biting critiques, as well as those that fall just...

Backwards and in Heels: A History of Women Working in Film Alicia Malone's groundbreaking book tells the story of women who have shaped the film industry, from its earliest days to the present...

The Autobiography of the Leader of the Three Stooges by Moe Howard is a candid and humorous account of his life. Born into a working-class family in Brooklyn, Moe recounts how he turned his childhood...

Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Gilmore Girls, exploring the show's clever writing, quirky characters and the cultural references...

British Gothic Cinema explores the fascinating world of British horror film, tracing its evolution from the 1940s to the present day. This comprehensive study covers every key film in the genre,...

The Medieval Tailor's Assistant: Common Garments 1100-1480 is a comprehensive guide for recreating clothing from Medieval England. This revised and expanded edition provides detailed patterns,...

The Rocky Horror Show turns 40. Born in a tiny attic theatre on a dark and stormy night in 1973, this musical phenomenon has been an immediate hit with audiences and critics alike, providing a...

Screenwriting is Filmmaking: The Theory and Practice of Writing for the Screen by Brian Dunnigan provides a comprehensive guide to writing for the screen. With over thirty years' experience in...

Steve Waters reflects on how cinema has shaped his life and work as a playwright. Through a series of personal essays, he explores how films have influenced his writing and worldview over nearly a...

My Life, My Way: A Hollywood MemoirThis candid and humorous memoir takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of John Schneider's life, from his early days as an actor to his rise as a...

It's December 1936 and William Gillette, a renowned Broadway star, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to...

Great Operatic Disasters is a collection of some of the most memorable calamities from opera houses around the world. From grand scale mishaps to embarrassing blunders, this book records the most...

Diane Amans' introduction to dance with older people provides a comprehensive guide for those working in this field. Combining key debates and issues with practical guidance, the book offers valuable...

Analysis Through Action for Actors and Directors explores an innovative process for making new theatre. This comprehensive guide traces its development from Stanislavsky's experiments to today's...

For those looking to break into the acting industry, this book offers an honest and insightful look at what it takes to succeed. Written from a unique perspective, Catherine Balavage shares her own...

For fans of the iconic film franchise, this comprehensive companion provides an in-depth look at the making of JAWS. Journalist Patrick Jankiewicz delves into the story behind the terrifying tale...

The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures: A True Life Murder Mystery from the Birth of the Movies by Paul Fischer. In 1888, Louis Le Prince shot the world's first motion picture in Leeds, England...

The Critical Practice of Film: An Introduction provides a comprehensive introduction to film studies, covering the key concepts and techniques that underpin the practice of filmmaking. This book...

The Marx Brothers' early years on stage are revealed in this comprehensive history. From their debut in 1905 to their final live performances in 1945, Robert S. Bader explores the hardscrabble...

The Boy with Two Hearts by Hamed Amiri is a powerful true story about a family's desperate journey for survival and hope. In 2000, a young mother's courageous speech sparked a warrant for her...

The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations by Michael M. Kaiser. In the performing arts industry, financial difficulties are often a result of economic constraints...

Jacob's Ladder is a screenplay and essay collection that explores the making of the film adaptation. The book includes Jacob's Chronicle, a detailed account of the script's development, as well as...

The story of Hollywood's gritty facade, born from a desire for authenticity. In the 1960s and 1970s, actors and filmmakers sought to create a new kind of cinema, one that reflected the raw,...

The cinematic experience of the twentieth century was marked by experimentation with vision. In this book, Francesco Casetti explores how film defined a unique gaze, one that recorded and received...

Screen Adaptation Beyond the Basics: Techniques for Adapting Books, Comics, and Real-life Stories Into Screenplays by Eric R. Williams. Take your screenwriting skills to the next level with advanced...

Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life is an in-depth and engaging biography that sheds new light on the life of the legendary actor. Written with the cooperation of Sara Jane Karloff, this book offers a...

The Back Stage Guide to Stage Management, 3rd Edition: A Comprehensive Resource for Aspiring and Veteran Stage Managers. This detailed guide brings the art of stage management up to date, offering a...

The Tactile Eye: A Sensuous Exchange with Cinema Jennifer M. Barker's exploration of film and its viewers delves into the visceral connection between the two, revealing a deeply tactile experience...

Licence to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films is a comprehensive exploration of the 007 franchise, tracing its evolution from the 1962 film Dr No through to the present day. This...

The ballerina has long been synonymous with beauty and perfection. Yet, this ideal is far from the reality of their lives. Deirdre Kelly reveals the troubled stories of those who danced behind the...

The Little Book Of Duologues by Anna Andrews is a collection of five short duologues for actors, covering a range of characters and relationships. Written with typical British humour, these pieces...

Discover the visual secrets behind some of cinema's most iconic films. This book explores the key techniques used by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese to create tension, shock, and emotion in his...

Back to Frank Black offers an unprecedented volume of material exploring the landmark television drama Millennium. This collection features interviews with cast and crew, in-depth essays analyzing...

Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) is widely regarded as a landmark film in American avant-garde cinema. Directed by Maya Deren and her husband Alexander Hammid, it tells the story of a tormented female...

First aired in 1968, Mr. Novak was a groundbreaking television series that paved the way for future dramatic programming.This comprehensive guide to the show features episode guides with vintage...

Verbatim: The Fun of Making Theatre Seriously by Mark Wheeller is a comprehensive guide to the world of verbatim theatre. Mark Wheeller shares his personal journey through this form, demystifying the...

Oishisou!! The Ultimate Anime Dessert Book brings the world of anime to life in the kitchen with its 60+ recipes inspired by Japanese culture and motifs. From traditional favorites like anpan and...

Derek Jarman's Medieval Modern explores the artist and filmmaker's lifelong engagement with medieval culture. This book is the first to uncover a rich seam of medievalism in Jarman's art, revealing...

Caruso and Tetrazzini on the Art of Singing is a practical guide to singing, offering simple yet fundamental rules based on common sense. Written by two renowned artists, Luisa Tetrazzini and Enrico...

Daniel Craig: A Life in Spotlight This biography offers an intimate look at the life of Daniel Craig, from his early days as a struggling actor to his rise to international stardom. With...

The Making of Citizen Kane: Revised EditionCopiously illustrated with rare photographs and production documents, this study provides an in-depth view of the operations of the Hollywood studio system...

The American West has been immortalized in film for over a century. This collection of portraits captures the essence of the Old West through rare and evocative images reminiscent of Edward Sheriff...

Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film from Godzilla to Kurosawa is the first comprehensive biography of a director who left an indelible mark on science fiction cinema. With a career spanning multiple genres,...