John Badham On Directing - 2nd edition. John Badham
WIESE PRODUCTIONS
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 379-8799, (818) 986-3408 (FAX)
Cover design by Johnny Ink. www.johnnyink.com
Interior design by William Morosi
Copyediting by Karen Krumpak
Manufactured in the United States of America
Copyright 2020 by John Badham
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Badham, John, 1939- author.
Title: John Badham on directing : notes from the sets of Saturday night fever, War games, and more / John Badham.
Description: Second edition. | [Studio City, California] : [Michael Wiese Productions], [2020] | Includes index. | Summary: “Action and suspense pictures have almost always been made by “seat of the pants” filmmakers. Crafting their stories from gut instinct and intuition, their innate talent often leads them to exciting results. Badham examines and explains the elements of action and suspense that are needed to make a great film, spotlighting the universal elements exemplary scenes across all film genres possess and giving readers valuable directing and acting tools. This edition features a brand new section. “A Director’s Survival Guide to Episodic Television” explores the political danger zones faced in the ever-expanding worlds of streaming, cable, and network television. Badham has created a much-needed first-aid kit for all directors; the newly expanded list of “14 Must-Ask Questions Before Rehearsal” is an essential addition to any filmmaker’s toolbox. Intended for actors, directors, cinematographers, production designers, or other creatives, here are the tools to deconstruct and understand your scenes. Continuing the work begun in Badham’s bestselling I’ll Be In My Trailer, he shares more insights from talented directors on working with difficult actors, finding the best rehearsal techniques”-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019057049 | ISBN 9781615933167 (trade paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Motion pictures--Production and direction.
Classification: LCC PN1995.9.P7 B2724 2020 | DDC 791.4302/32--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019057049
In Memoriam
This book is in memory of my mentor and best friend of more than fifty-five years, David Levinson. Without his help, encouragement, and wise counsel, I would still be stuck in the basement of the Universal Studios casting department. Better than any shrink and much more fun, David shepherded me through personal crises and a career path with the ups and downs of a Six Flags roller coaster.
Trusting me with my first and many subsequent directing jobs, he wrote and produced the episode of The Senator with Hal Holbrook that got me my first Emmy nomination and David’s Emmy Award for the best produced dramatic series. With an uncanny ear for great writing and a sharp eye for good directing, he mentored many of the best producers and directors working in television.
His sharp, sarcastic tongue and take-no-prisoners approach to storytelling and harsh lessons in excellence quailed many a timid talent while earning their respect. We who knew, loved, and respected him are compiling a handbook of his pith: Shit Levinson Said. It will be the manual for young writers and directors who will never find a wiser—or more outrageous—rabbi.
Safe travels, David.
John Badham
Contents
PART I A Lack of Trust: The Five Mistakes
Introduction: A Nasty Bit of Laundry
CHAPTER 1 Mistake #1: Directed by Anonymous
CHAPTER 2 Mistake #2: Know-It-Alls Rule
CHAPTER 3 Mistake #3: Filibusterers
CHAPTER 4 Mistake #4: Too Many Notes
CHAPTER 5 Mistake #5: Enamel Grinders
CHAPTER 6 Working with Your Actors: A Cyber-Colloquium
PART II Action and Suspense: The Three Strategies
CHAPTER 7 Strategy #1: Not Just a Pretty Chase
CHAPTER 8 Strategy #2: Who, Where, and When
CHAPTER 9 Strategy #3: Quick Techniques and Safety
PART III Preparing the Scene: The Director’s Checklist
Before Rehearsal: The Checklist
CHAPTER 10 The Scene Related to the Film
CHAPTER 11 Enter the Characters
CHAPTER 12 Strategies, Stakes, and Obstacles
CHAPTER 14 Imagination Instigators
PART IV Surviving Television: A Director’s Guide
CHAPTER 15 Not a Parallel Universe
CHAPTER 16 Research and Preparation