• The Directors: Take One

  • By: Robert J. Emery
  • Narrated by: John Bell
  • Length: 14 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)

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The Directors: Take One

By: Robert J. Emery
Narrated by: John Bell
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Publisher's summary

Today's most acclaimed film directors reveal intimate behind-the-scenes details of their most influential work and their unique approaches to their art.

In the companion to the Silver Plaque-winning Starz/Encore documentary series, this book offers interviews with 13 top filmmakers. Contains each director's filmography, complete listings of major awards, and cast credits for all films discussed.

©2002, 2012 Big Show Entertainment, Inc (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
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Editorial reviews

For those wishing to follow in the footsteps of film greats likes Ron Howard, James Cameron, Spike Lee, Norman Jewison, John Carpenter, and Sidney Lumet, The Directors: Take One provides ample inspiration. Concise filmographies of 13 renowned directors provide the introduction to an extended firsthand narration of each one's life, performed in deep, resonant tones by voice actor John Bell. Bell easily inhabits the voices of these great men, amusingly narrating Ron Howard's account of being a small child on the set of the Andy Griffiths Show, and James Cameron's iconoclastic tale of quitting his job as a truck driver to go "full guns blazing" into film. Though these interviews were conducted in the '90s, in this contemporary narration, they remain compelling today.

What listeners say about The Directors: Take One

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Best Book On Directors I Have Read!!!!

Would you listen to The Directors: Take One again? Why?

Yes. I read mostly memoirs and biographies of directors, producers, etc and this book is by far the best at literally sitting down with a director and going film by film through their work and getting everything from anecdotes to why they chose the projects, etc.

FANTASTIC!!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The directors laying out their work, film by film, and discussing the selection, making, and outcome of their films.

This book should serve as a template for anyone considering writing a biography.

What does John Bell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Any time you listen to an audio book you get the emphasis, the excitement of the moment. (Particularly when you are lucky enough to have the director, producer, actor, etc read their own autobiography!!! )

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My extreme reaction would be "FINALLY"!!! I have listened to so many autobiography/memoirs and biographies and often they try to psychoanalyze this or that.

I didn't come here to hear theories; I came here to hear actual stories of what it was like on set, what so and so said when a shot was complete, etc. I want to know what it was like to be there, and this book nails that.

Any additional comments?

Out of all the books people try to recommend for budding writers, directors, producers, I would recommend this book. My Audible Library is page after page of memoirs and biographies and few are nearly as informative. This is how it is done!

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Love this series

A great little series with fascinating insight and stories from some of the greatest directors through history.

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Best insight details from Directors

i love it. i hope theres more book with newer directors. my fav from this book is james cameron, john carpenter, ron howard and lawrence kasdan

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Very Useful. Highly Recommend.

Although not a How To book, I feel as if all the experiences and anecdotes of every director interviewed will somehow serve me when I find myself in a similar situation.

Listening to this audiobook you will make all their experiences yours.

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