Les Misérables


Book Description

(Applause Books). It has been 150 years since Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables was first published. However, for the last 25 or so, the poignant saga of Jean Valjean, a villain to some but a savior to others, set in France during the early years of the 19th century, has become one of the world's most popular musicals and has become one of the must-see movies of 2013. In Les Miserables: From Stage to Screen , the reader can find out how the musical came to life the trials and tribulations of turning it from the initial concept into a thrilling musical extravaganza and how the new film version starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe and directed by the Oscar-winning Tom Hooper ( The King's Speech ) has emerged from the show that has been seen by over 60 million people worldwide. To bring this fascinating story to life, the book also contains at least 20 facsimiles that highlight key moments in the creation of Les Miserables , both on stage and on the screen, including: * Original costume sketches * Annotated scripts * Original music scores and librettos * Film screenplay extracts and anniversary mementos




From Stage to Screen


Book Description

The camera enables us to see right into a character's soul, revealing his or her innermost thoughts and emotions. Screen acting requires a more rigorously truthful and spontaneous performance than the stage, as well as very different technical expertise. From Stage to Screen is a handbook for the professional actor packed with advice on how to make the transition and fully prepare for a TV or film role. The book is divided into three sections: the first examines the relationship between the actor and the camera and how it differs from that of a performer with a stage audience; the second addresses the technical skills the screen actor needs in order to work as part of a large collaborative team and 'make the shot work'; and the third explores the very different experience of an actor working on a screen project, including getting the job, how to prepare properly, what to expect and how to manage the whole process, from casting through to ADR, in order to deliver the very best work.




Les Miserables


Book Description

Full of fantastic memorabilia from the history of the show - from film props to set designs; and includes a foreword by Cameron Mackintosh.




The Disney Musical on Stage and Screen


Book Description

The Disney Musical: Critical Approaches on Stage and Screen is the first critical treatment of the corporation's hugely successful musicals both on screen and on the stage. Its 13 articles open up a new territory in the critical discussion of the Disney mega-musical, its gender, sexual and racial politics, outreach work and impact of stage, film and television adaptations. Covering early 20th century works such as the first full-length feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), to The Lion King - Broadway's highest grossing production in history, and Frozen (2013), this edited collection offers a diverse range of theoretical engagements that will appeal to readers of film and media studies, musical theatre, cultural studies, and theatre and performance. The volume is divided into three sections to provide a contextual analysis of Disney's most famous musicals: · DISNEY MUSICALS: ON FILM · DISNEY ADAPTATIONS: ON STAGE AND BEYOND · DISNEY MUSICALS: GENDER AND RACE The first section employs film theory, semiotics and film music analysis to explore the animated works and their links to the musical theatre genre. The second section addresses various stage versions and considers Disney's outreach activities, cultural value and productions outside the Broadway theatrical arena. The final section focuses on issues of gender and race portraying representations of race, hetero-normativity, masculinity and femininity in Newsies, Frozen, High School Musical, Aladdin and The Jungle Book. The various chapters address these three aspects of the Disney Musical and offer new critical readings of a vast range of important works from the Disney musical cannon including Enchanted, Mary Poppins, Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King and versions of musicals for television in the early 1990s and 2000s. The critical readings are detailed, open-minded and come to surprising conclusions about the nature of the Disney Musical and its impact.




Stephen Poliakoff on Stage and Screen


Book Description

Over four decades, Stephen Poliakoff has proved himself to be a distinctive dramatist in the mediums of theatre, film and television. Moving from playwright to television and film director, he has been hailed as 'TV's foremost writer' (Independent) and as 'one of our most poetic and best TV dramatists' (Daily Telegraph). In the USA, his TV 'films' have received industry acclaim, The Lost Prince winning three Emmy Awards and Gideon's Daughter two Golden Globes. This book is the first to offer a comprehensive overview of Poliakoff's work for stage and screen and a framework for its critical evaluation. It will prove invaluable to students of theatre, film, and television studies. Robin Nelson locates Poliakoff's distinctive vision and fierce independence as a writer and director in both personal and public histories and against industry contexts. He charts Poliakoff's 'meteoric rise' as a playwright, and his 'second starburst' in television drama since Shooting the Past (1999) which re-affirmed his reputation as a dramatist of distinction. While the chronology of Poliakoff's impressive output is clearly laid out, works are discussed in thematic clusters ranging across mediums to afford a fresh perspective. The book covers 'issue dramas', 'quirky strong women' and 'histories/memories' as well as Poliakoff's early developing dramaturgy, and it examines in detail the later feature films and television dramas which have secured his reputation as our most distinctive television dramatist.




Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen


Book Description

Transforming an actor into a character for film or theater takes a great deal of skill, prowess, and creativity, and in this new edition, author Todd Debreceni empowers you with just those qualities. From his years of film, TV, and theatrical experience, he shows you tips and techniques that will have you applying your own makeup effects like a pro in no time. Along with walking you through genre-specific considerations (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and so on) Todd also teaches you about the gear you will need, how to maintain your kit, how to take care of the actor's skin, how to airbrush properly when HD is involved, and so much more. Learn how to sculpt and mold your own makeup prosthetics, with a focus on how human anatomy relates to sculpture, to create the most realistic effects. Recipes scattered throughout the book show you exactly what you need and how to use it, helping you to create the best SFX makeup applications. Case studies feature some of the world's top makeup effects artists including Steve Wang, Thom Flouts, Ve Neill, Neill Gorton, Greg Nicotero, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Jordu Schell, Howard Berger, Matthew Mungle, Christien Tinsely, Vittorio Sodano, and Tami Lane. Put your new techniques into practice right away and see how some of the looks from the book were achieved with the step-by-step tutorials on the companion website, www.focalpress.com/cw/debreceni. New to this edition: * Animatronics * Specialty contact lenses * Collapsible core molds * Contoured or conforming molds * Making resin and silicone eyes * Even MORE information about silicone rld's top makeup effects artists including Steve Wang, Thom Flouts, Ve Neill, Neill Gorton, Greg Nicotero, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Jordu Schell, Howard Berger, Matthew Mungle, Christien Tinsely, Vittorio Sodano, and Tami Lane. Put your new techniques into practice right away and see how some of the looks from the book were achieved with the step-by-step tutorials on the companion website, www.focalpress.com/cw/debreceni. New to this edition: * Animatronics * Specialty contact lenses * Collapsible core molds * Contoured or conforming molds * Making resin and silicone eyes * Even MORE information about silicone




Fight Direction for Stage and Screen


Book Description

William Hobbs has written his book as a guide to the inexperienced, so they are able to put their ideas into action more smoothly. The author's aim is to promote a more professional attitude and way of thinking about the task of performing and arranging fights that will demonstrate the range of exciting challenges which are open to directors, actors and fight arrangers alike. Both amateurs and professionals will find the problems and dangers of stage combat dealt with by the author. There is a fully illustrated glossary of strokes, a chapter on battle scenes and mass fighting, and an account of how to arrange comic and symbolic fights and how to stage unarmed fights. The author explains his system of notation for recording the moves of a fight, and includes a 6short chapter on weapons. The final chapter covers slapstick - a deceptively simple art. Forewords by Laurence Olivier and Roman Polanski. The author's first fight direction was for Franco Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet at the Old Vic and he was Fight Director to Olivier's National Theatre Company for 9 years. He has worked at the National Theatre with Peter Hall, the RSC, the Royal Opera House and the ENO and on many productions in Europe. His many TV productions include Olivier's King Lear and the recent BBC series, Clarissa. Fight direction on feature films includes Cyrano de Bergerac, Dangerous Liaisons, Hamlet, The Duellists, Excalibur and many others. He has just finished shooting the film Rob Roy."




Film and Television Acting


Book Description

Film and Television Acting offers solid techniques for creating a natural, believable performance for film and television. The reader will discover techniques for listening and reacting, blocking and business, character, focus, the closeup, and comedy as they pertain to acting in front of a camera. The book analyzes the differences between theatre, film, and television acting, providing the theatre trained actor with specific approaches for making the transition to on-camera work. This second edition is thoroughly revised and updated. The book contains numerous scenes and exercises, including sample scenes from Cheers and Seinfeld, which provide the reader with ways to practice the specific techniques outlined by the author. Included are interviews with well-know actors and directors: Don Murray, Norman Jewison, and Emmy award winner, Glenn Jordan, to name a few. These interviews illustrate how the professionals apply their training and technique to filmed performances. There is also a chapter-length interview with John Lithgow, in which the actor provides a first-hand account of the differences of acting for the theatre and for the camera.




Physical Expression on Stage and Screen


Book Description

A practical book on the Alexander Technique for actors and acting/movement teachers.




From Stage to Screen


Book Description

This volume offers new contributions to international scholarship on musical films (1927-1961), focusing in particular on the relationships between entertainment genres such as operetta, cafe music, music hall, cabaret, revue that were prominent during the early years of film. In this volume twenty scholars investigate a number of significant aspects of the topic, exploring the interrelations and possible borrowings between European film culture (including some reference to Eastern European film culture), and the musical theatre and film tradition of the United States. The authors featured are: Lauren Acton, Beatrice Birardi, Antonio Caroccia, Marija Ciric, Jonathan De Souza, James Deutsch, Alexandra Grabarchuk, Clara Huber, Ryan P. Jones, Raymond Knapp, Isabelle Le Corff, Sergio Miceli, Matilde Olarte, Jaume Radigales, Elena Redaelli, Marida Rizzuti, Cecile Vendramini, Isabel Villanueva, Delphine Vincent, Emile Wennekes, Leanne Wood, Iryna Yaroshchuk.