Product Description

The classic guidebook to the director's craft.

After 50 years in the theatre, English director Frank Hauser joins New York writer and director Russell Reich to bring you an inspirational and practical guide that critics are calling "provocative," "lucid," and "indispensable." Luminaries like Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Richard Eyre, Edward Albee, Moises Kaufman, Rosemary Harris, and Jerry Zaks have hailed "Notes on Directing" as "witty," "bold," "audacious," and "an instant classic."

More than a how-to book, this is a tool for directors looking to translate the page to the stage - or to the screen - and is of immense value to actors, playwrights, students, and teachers. Essential for any student of film or theatre, here is what all directors need to know, and what every actor, scriptwriter, and audience member wants them to know. Includes four appendices, an original acting exercise, a recommended reading list, and an index.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65319 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Theatre Library Association
"OUTSTANDING BOOK ON THEATRE OR LIVE PERFORMANCE" 2003 George Freedley Award Finalist

The Wall Street Journal, February 13, 2004
Clear, straightforward, dryly funny. Deserves to earn at least a million dollars, if not a Nobel Peace Prize.

ForeWord Magazine
"BOOK OF THE YEAR" 2003 Silver Award

Customer Reviews

Best book of directing tips I have read
If you direct, or plan to direct, buy this book!

The directorial wisdom in the book is presented in brief, powerful points that are well categorized. The directing books I have found tend to be tedious, dense, and self-important. Notes on Directing is a breath of fresh air--giving you just what you need.

One word of caution: while Notes on Directing is an essential and fabulous book, don't expect it to tell you how to be a director. This is a book to refer to after you have acquired basic foundational skills.

A "must read!"

If you are a new playwright, and wonder what a director does, or should be doing (if he/she is directing your play), this small book will tell you briefly and succinctly.

It begins at the beginning with the Script, then explains the Director's role, Casting, Rehearsal Rules, Talking to Actors, Building Blocks, Staging, etc. The authors do not embellish, nor are they verbose. The information presented is clear and direct. Most important, the format allows one to go immediately to the section most needed if necessary.

This book enlightens, makes one think, and is an invaluable learning resource.

For would-be directors: a MUST
If you seek to be a director, you must have NOTES ON DIRECTING: it looks small but it packs in notes gathered by British director Frank Hauser for his apprentice - notes which came from a long career in the industry. Hauser shared these with many famous theatrical and cinematic figures from Richard Burton to Sir Alec Guinness: now the former student expands upon his mentor's private notes to provide a book-length treatise appropriate for any student of directing. Chapters are packed with advice, explanations, quotes, examples, and insights into the director's role: a 'must' for any who would assume such a mantle.