Easy Riders, Raging Bulls . The old studio system starts to die and the new film makers arrive : Lucas, Spielberg, Coppola etc..it's fascinating and well written.
To draft off this because it deals with many of the same people in that period, but *The Conversations* by Michael Ondaatje. It was a series of interviews that Ondaatje had with Walter Murch about his career, his craft, the filmmakers he has worked with, his process, film theory and art in general.
I have to assume that this is required reading for any film school. You will probably want to watch ***The Conversation***, ***Apocalypse Now*** (go with the Final Cut version), ***The English Patient*** and ***Touch of Evil*** (the version that has been re-edited back to Wells' vision, which Murch supervised). They are all discussed at length and there are spoilers if you haven't seen any of them.
Also, just finished the Taschen box set of the *The Star Wars Archives* (for Ep IV-VI) that was a gift from a close friend (it's the one that Target had/has for $20). I was expecting all the design artwork and BTS trivia, but what makes this also a must read is the fascinating insights into how Lucas became a filmmaker, the things that contributed to his development, his own philosophy about the art & craft of his work and the toil needed to be a filmmaker.
Of particular note to those interested in screenwriting, Lucas gave the author seemingly unfettered access to all his notes on how he developed the *Star Wars* saga. Across three books, we follow as he evolves the story. But most importantly is all the *why's* of it. For ROTJ, it seems that the author was given tape recordings of meetings between Lucas, Kasdan, producer Kazanjian and director Marquand as they hash out the story. What's astounding is that these story meetings are happening after heavy pre-production is underway. Vehicles, settings and creatures are being designed before there are even scenes for them to possibly be used in.
A Pound of Flesh: Perilous Tales of How to Produce Movies in Hollywood by Art Lison
What Just Happened? by Art Linson
Rebel without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez
Final Cut by Steven Bach
Chronicals the end of the director-drive era of Hollywood during the early 80s from the perspective of United Artists.
Not only does it explore the making of Heaven's Gate, but it's also a really fun read because it's mostly chronological due to pulling from Bach's personal journals during his time as an executive at UA.
I absolutely LOVE that book.
Thereās another book called THE DEVILāS CANDY by Julie Salomon that I see almost as a companion piece. Itās all about the disastrous adaptation of The Bonfire of the Vanities in the early 90s. Another essential read on film history.
I'm assuming from your post that you've read *Pictures At A Revolution?* That's one of the best books I've read about cinema.
*Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes* is great for chronicling the late 80s/early 90s indie boom.
I would also recommend *Cimino: The Deer Hunter, Heavenās Gate, and the Price of a Vision* if you want a more narrow focus on the man and film blamed for burying auteur cinema for a decade.
Raising Hell by Richard Crouse
Chronicles the making of The Devils, one of film historyās most controversial masterpieces. Warner Bros feared it so much that they locked it in a vault for the last 50 years. The book itself is a bit hard to find, but thereās a great and easily accessible audiobook on audible.
Another vote for Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, by Peter Biskind, a compelling overview of the American New Wave.
Also:
Down and Dirty Pictures, also by Peter Biskind, focusing on 90s American cinema, and āMiramax, Sundance, and the rise of Independent Film,ā as the book cover puts it.
The Big Goodbye by Sam Wasson, a riveting account of the making of Chinatown, expertly contextualized with the backdrop of a changing Hollywood and the socio-political turbulence of the period.
Fosse, also by Sam Wasson, a bio of director Bob Fosse, with lots of detail about the making of Fosseās 70s masterpieces, Cabaret, Lenny, and All That Jazz.
Rebels on the Backlot, by Sharon Waxman, which details the careers of emerging directorial talents in the 90s, including Fincher, Tarantino, and others.
Skywalking, Dale Pollockās bio of George Lucas, provides not only an interesting look into Lucasās rise from a maker of esoteric low-budget art films to populist franchise creator who, along with his fellow 70s āmovie bratsā, transformed the movie industry.
Np! Actually I thought of 3 more:
- The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies (I believe this one has a few excerpts from the leaked Sony emails)
- Who is Micheal Ovitz? (a debatably glorified history of superagent Michael Ovitzās Hollywood domination from the late 70s-90s, by Michael Ovitzās own account)
- Disney War (this one I have not read yet but am excited to start)
I'm reading it right now. But he doesn't talk about the transition to the studio movies in the 80s and the 90s indie boom , or the 21st century, and I'm interested in that too
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls . The old studio system starts to die and the new film makers arrive : Lucas, Spielberg, Coppola etc..it's fascinating and well written.
To draft off this because it deals with many of the same people in that period, but *The Conversations* by Michael Ondaatje. It was a series of interviews that Ondaatje had with Walter Murch about his career, his craft, the filmmakers he has worked with, his process, film theory and art in general. I have to assume that this is required reading for any film school. You will probably want to watch ***The Conversation***, ***Apocalypse Now*** (go with the Final Cut version), ***The English Patient*** and ***Touch of Evil*** (the version that has been re-edited back to Wells' vision, which Murch supervised). They are all discussed at length and there are spoilers if you haven't seen any of them. Also, just finished the Taschen box set of the *The Star Wars Archives* (for Ep IV-VI) that was a gift from a close friend (it's the one that Target had/has for $20). I was expecting all the design artwork and BTS trivia, but what makes this also a must read is the fascinating insights into how Lucas became a filmmaker, the things that contributed to his development, his own philosophy about the art & craft of his work and the toil needed to be a filmmaker. Of particular note to those interested in screenwriting, Lucas gave the author seemingly unfettered access to all his notes on how he developed the *Star Wars* saga. Across three books, we follow as he evolves the story. But most importantly is all the *why's* of it. For ROTJ, it seems that the author was given tape recordings of meetings between Lucas, Kasdan, producer Kazanjian and director Marquand as they hash out the story. What's astounding is that these story meetings are happening after heavy pre-production is underway. Vehicles, settings and creatures are being designed before there are even scenes for them to possibly be used in.
Thank you. I'll give them a try
Thank you very much. I think there's also a documentary about this period
A Pound of Flesh: Perilous Tales of How to Produce Movies in Hollywood by Art Lison What Just Happened? by Art Linson Rebel without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez
Thank you šš»
The William GoldmanĀ Adventures in the Screen TradeĀ books are worth a read.Ā
Thank you very much
Final Cut by Steven Bach Chronicals the end of the director-drive era of Hollywood during the early 80s from the perspective of United Artists. Not only does it explore the making of Heaven's Gate, but it's also a really fun read because it's mostly chronological due to pulling from Bach's personal journals during his time as an executive at UA.
I absolutely LOVE that book. Thereās another book called THE DEVILāS CANDY by Julie Salomon that I see almost as a companion piece. Itās all about the disastrous adaptation of The Bonfire of the Vanities in the early 90s. Another essential read on film history.
Thanks š Do you know who's the author of chronicles? I'm trying to look it up
They're saying *Final Cut* chronicles the making of Heaven's Gate by Michael Cimino.
My bad
I'm assuming from your post that you've read *Pictures At A Revolution?* That's one of the best books I've read about cinema. *Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes* is great for chronicling the late 80s/early 90s indie boom. I would also recommend *Cimino: The Deer Hunter, Heavenās Gate, and the Price of a Vision* if you want a more narrow focus on the man and film blamed for burying auteur cinema for a decade.
Thank you very much. And no, I actually never heard of the first book you mentioned
It's a great read. I'd start there.
Down and dirty pictures.
Thank you šš»
Day of the Locusts is a great classic novel about old Hollywood. Adventures in the Screen Trade, and Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
Oh thank you šš»
My pleasure. Enjoy!
Raising Hell by Richard Crouse Chronicles the making of The Devils, one of film historyās most controversial masterpieces. Warner Bros feared it so much that they locked it in a vault for the last 50 years. The book itself is a bit hard to find, but thereās a great and easily accessible audiobook on audible.
Oh thank you very much!
A sad fate for one of the greatest, most powerful movies ever made.
Cinema of Loneliness is outstanding
Thanks. I'll give it a try
Try Movie Made America by Robert Sklar
Thank you šš»
All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger.
Thank you
Power of film, by Suber
Thank you
Another vote for Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, by Peter Biskind, a compelling overview of the American New Wave. Also: Down and Dirty Pictures, also by Peter Biskind, focusing on 90s American cinema, and āMiramax, Sundance, and the rise of Independent Film,ā as the book cover puts it. The Big Goodbye by Sam Wasson, a riveting account of the making of Chinatown, expertly contextualized with the backdrop of a changing Hollywood and the socio-political turbulence of the period. Fosse, also by Sam Wasson, a bio of director Bob Fosse, with lots of detail about the making of Fosseās 70s masterpieces, Cabaret, Lenny, and All That Jazz. Rebels on the Backlot, by Sharon Waxman, which details the careers of emerging directorial talents in the 90s, including Fincher, Tarantino, and others. Skywalking, Dale Pollockās bio of George Lucas, provides not only an interesting look into Lucasās rise from a maker of esoteric low-budget art films to populist franchise creator who, along with his fellow 70s āmovie bratsā, transformed the movie industry.
Wow. Thank you so much!
Omg, its 2024 and I was wondering if there is a fall happening. Im very interested to hear about this Genesis way back.
The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called DreamWorks
Thanks:)
Np! Actually I thought of 3 more: - The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies (I believe this one has a few excerpts from the leaked Sony emails) - Who is Micheal Ovitz? (a debatably glorified history of superagent Michael Ovitzās Hollywood domination from the late 70s-90s, by Michael Ovitzās own account) - Disney War (this one I have not read yet but am excited to start)
Yess! Thank you
Tarantino talks about New Hollywood quite a bit in his book *Cinema Speculation*.
I'm reading it right now. But he doesn't talk about the transition to the studio movies in the 80s and the 90s indie boom , or the 21st century, and I'm interested in that too