5 comments about The Art of Voice Acting, Third Edition: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice-Over.

1. James Alburger wrote this book some years ago. In fact, he's on his 3rd edition! And this book is still so in style. Having worked in voice-over for a number of years here in Los Angeles I can honestly say that Mr. Alburger hits the nail on the head with his advice. He covers the basics like proper breath control, how to create believable characters and subtext, breaking down copy, recording a demo and how to succeed at your first session. You can follow the samples that he has included in the book and on the CD to practice your craft and get it down. How great is that!
   
   Recently I heard that Mr. Alburger and his colleague Penny are putting on a major voice-over event here in L.A. sometime in the spring 2008. I don't think aspiring voice-over artists will want to miss that, but should read his book first.
   
   By the way, Mr. Alburger is correct that on-going training and "classes" are essential to voiceover success....unless you are lucky enough to be working every day in the industry....which is very rare.
   
   A must-read for anyone interested in entering this potentially lucrative industry. Break a leg!



2. Has some good information in it. It's written in simple, accessible prose. But, honestly, there were so many typos within the first few pages, that I started getting distracted and looking for them. It's also quite repetitive, reiterating, rather than adding to a point or topic. (i.e. "take as many VO and acting classes as you can!")



3. Only thing I have a problem with in this excellent book is the rather constant "suggestions" that you stay in classes forever. As in stage and film acting, a lot of good, natural actors have been ruined by "teachers" who insist on "shaping" them to their own personal style. Works for some workshop junkies I suppose.



4. This book provides all the necessary information one needs to find his or her way into the voice acting profession.
   
   Alburger brims with enthusiasm and an earnest desire to share his experience to the benefit of others.
   
   It could probably be a little more concise, but the positive tone of the book more than makes up for any wordiness or repetition.
   
   Thanks, James!



5. The author, James Alburger, has taken his passion and years of knowledge, experience, and wisdom to assist others who are interested in the art of voice acting. I have not attended any workshops yet, but after reading this book that also comes with a demo cd... I feel that I have gained a wealth of information that will be very valuable as I develop my voice acting career.
   
   This book covers tips, techniques, the business side, auditions, demos, characters, promotions, agents, and getting paid. I enjoyed this book and will read it over and over again on my acting journey.

4 comments about Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Second Edition.

1. Motion Picture and Video Lighting is one of the best book's on lighting I have read.Great illustrations,and information.Great book for anyone who wants to learn,or study lighting.



2. After a long lifetime as a practicing director of photography, I now also teach graduate film and video lighting at the San Francisco Academy of Art University. In a quest for the best book for my students, one that provides background and needed information to the hands-on work we do, I searched through most of the available texts and found Blain Brown's to be by far the best book out there for aspiring directors of photography. Until this semester, I used his previous edition. I am delighted by this new edition, which brings many out-of-date issues up to date.
   
   For a purely technical book, a gaffer's "bible," see Harry Box's Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Third Edition: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution



3. The thing about this book is that it is written from a completely professional point of view. It deals with lighting as it is really practiced on professional movie sets - not like most books on cinematography which seem to be written by people who haven't actually done it all that much in the real world. I've bought about every book there is on movie lighting and most of them are a waste of money.

   This book covers everything from a basic introduction to color, exposure and electricity up to the more complex technical issues you have to deal with as a gaffer or cinematographer: very thorough and comprehensive. The Set Technicians book is good if all you are trying to be is an electrician, but this is the one you want if you really want to move up as a gaffer, lighting director or Director of Photography. Except for one chapter (film exposure), everything in the book applies equally well to video, digital video or High Def. There is also a very good chapter on video which covers what you REALLY have to know to work in video lighting.

   If you work (or want to work) in the motion picture industry, knowing lighting is the key to advancement and success. This is the book to get if you really want to learn motion picture and video lighting.




4. Blaine Brown's book provides a decent explanation of set lighting, it's instruments and protocol. The text, though, seems to speak more to the cameraperson or AC who is curious about lighting. There is a lack of attention given to the juicers and hammers who are actually creating and shaping the light. There is a considerable amount of text granted to electrics and the distribution of power, but much more thorough and much more practically explained definitions are readily available in Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook."

No comments about Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (7th Edition) (MySpeechLab Series).

5 comments about Michael Caine - Acting in Film: An Actor's Take on Movie Making (The Applause Acting Series) Revised Expanded Edition.

1. Having loved the music from this film for many years, I decided to watch it. I thought it would be an amusing film, but it was tragic. Seeing how the women suffered with unwanted pregnancies was heartbreaking. The women in the film, with the exception of the Shelley Winters character (who had other problems), allowed Alfie and other men to treat them like dirt. If a male driver picked up a hitchhiker, he could assume she was "his." Alfie ordered these woman around and they cowered under his orders. Access to birth control and legal abortion has prevented many woman from the tragic fate of women in this film. This film is a "should watch" for anyone who takes for granted that women today have choices that allow them to have the life they choose. We may have to continue fighting for these rights, unfortunately.



2. This paperback did give some basic information that any mature adult should already know. Show up on time, be humble, know your lines, be sociable with others you're working with...I already knew all this though working in the corporate world.



3. A great book. Michael Caine is one of the best in the business, and part of the fun crowd. This book gives wonderful insight into the world of acting in film, behavior on/off the set, "the take," and more.



4. acting is acting and if you can act onstage, you can act on-camera, probaly true but still before you make your move to the silver screen, read this book...Michael Cain reveals insider secrets, tips and straight forward talk about acting from a grand master..what a gem of a book for anyone interested in film...



5. This book is short and sweet, right to the point and actually pretty fun to read. Michael Caine knows what he's doing (ridiculously obvious comment of the day) and he gives a lot of great tips to actors and filmmakers alive. I am a director and I've read dozens of books on directing and there are things in this slim volume that I have never seen anywhere else.

4 comments about Kids' Broadway Songbook (Book/CD) (Vocal Collection).

1. If your youngster is looking to audition for musicals, or if he or she just wants to sing for fun, this is a great book to buy! The songs are not too difficult, but they are still "real" musical songs. This isn't a book full of songs sang by cartoon characters! The accompaniment tracks are alright, too. I teach theatre and musical theatre to middle school students, and I've used songs out of this book a lot. I highly recommend it for the beginner.



2. The book itself is a nice compilation of songs from well-known shows. However, the CD music is not as good as I'd expect for this caliber of collections. Instead of Piano accompaniment, it would have been so much better if multiple instruments were used.



3. I have used this book with many of my younger voice students and it is always a hit with them. Some of the songs are hard, but some are really easy, so it is a good book to use with beginners, and accomodates them as they progress. I highly recommend this book.



4. a couple monthes ago my singing teacher sold me her extra copy of this songbook and ever since then I've been doing almost nothing except for songs from this book! I've done "Castle on a Cloud" "I Won't Grow Up" etc.. I highly recomend this book!

5 comments about Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook.

1. This was on a list of suggested reading from a class I attended with Second City. I bought it hoping to use some of the ideas for my middle schoolers. There are many ideas in the book for younger kids, like songs. There are some good ideas that can be adapted into a middle school room.



2. I teach sixth grade math, and have a group of students for an exploratory class. We talk about current events, esteem building, community building, fun non-academic skills with an emphasis on social awareness. I have been using this book for most of the year so far, and my students look forward to it,a nd ask for it. I don't have a background in theater, but this book has several premade units that have a focus on different skills. The one I am just completing focuses on community building for the group and concentration and focus for the individual. I find it easy to use, and I like the skills that it is building and reinforcing in my students. If you don't want to do a whole unit, the individual exercises and warm-ups can be set up and completed in 5-10 minutes. Great,and quick!
   I strongly recommend this for any classroom!



3. I teach drama/theater in a low income public school. I bought the book because my school has very few resources and I thought this might be useful. As it turned out the book was hardly used during my first year teaching. My biggest problem with this book is that it is not very user friendly for a teacher who just wants to add some fun to a class but not a complex game. In other words the book needs to make the games simpler so the kids can pick them up faster and have more fun. This might not be problem for teachers in high school as your students might be more mature and able to handle more complex games. But for middle school teachers tread lightly. Also if you have a bunch of behavior problems in your class then forgot about it. In my experience I found the worse the behavior the better they were at spoiling fun classroom games. Be warned.



4. EXCELLENT!! Inspiring. Well Organized. So many great ideas for the new or seasoned acting teacher.



5. As a teacher of drama to many low-income, urban, and "difficult" adolescents, this is the book that I find most useful, alive, and inspiring! Simply wonderful for anyone trying to bring the best out of young actors!

5 comments about The Perfect Wrong Note: Learning to Trust Your Musical Self.

1. This book is impressively well written with a dry, concise and insightful tone. This book is not against perfectionism, but against the idea that mistakes should be always avoided, even during practice. The author suggests that music should be performed with a strong body awareness, and that this should be cultivated during practice in a way that is a sort of dialogue between ourselves and our bodies; in this dialogue, errors are a way for our bodies to communicate with us, so we should be able to make them boldly and then recover from them as much information as we can. This, in the end, makes the correction of the error deeper, and our performances more confident.
   
   The book is not a step-by-step guide to practicing using this method; it's more a pedagogic book detailing the philosophy behind this approach. Still, it's very though provoking even for non teachers and for amateurs musicians, especially adults returning to music after previous bitter experiences.



2. This book is absolutely enjoyable to read. I just couldn't stop reading it...I did not want to continue practicing without hearing all that William Westney had to say about practicing techniques (for any instrument, though mainly piano) and musicality. He uses great resources if you want to learn more about what he writes. His focus is getting in touch with the innate musician within you...a very positive and motivating book...highly recommended.



3. If you want to truly refresh your thinking about teaching music, this is the book. Explore with the author ways to bring enthusiasm and joy into the learning process... how to use 'honest mistakes" as tools. Be prepared to learn why traditional methods can sometimes harness creativity. This book described for me a way to help my students relax and welcome the journey into music. Whether teaching by traditional methods or not, this book is a must. Thanks, Mr. Westney, for the great read and the inspiring words.



4. Not really being part of the culture to which the author is reacting, I found this book to be captivating, if a bit strident. The unfortunate tendency towards perfectionism taints a great deal more than music instruction. The expectations of deference and respect on the basis of position weaken bishops and U.S. presidents as well as maestros and music teachers. Still, the control freak element runs deep. As an adult beginner taking piano lessons, I just see it from a different perspective. Take humor in the strutting of the popinjay, no need to be alarmed by it.
   
   Also, the man either knows nothing about golf, or else cheats on his scorecard. I suspect the former rather than the latter. But, a recorded lousy golf swing is just a lousy golf swing, while one left off the scorecard is, well, a reflection of character.
   
   However, on his home ground, the practice room and the recital stage, the author is very strong. Texas Tech is lucky to have him. Go, Red Raiders!



5. This is my favorite book about music-making (classical piano, in my case). Westney very convincingly makes the case for an overhaul of the way we approach music practice and performance. The 'juicy wrong note' idea promotes a wholistic, passionate attitude. It is NOT the idea of treating mistakes lightly...more, it's the attitude of making the mistake whole-heartedly and then learning what it has to tell you about your level of preparedness,an unsuspected weak point, etc. Westney does not cover specific how-to's (the best book on that for piano in my opinion is Berman's) but more the philosophy to bring to the practice room and to the performance. I'd give more stars if it were possible

5 comments about From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film.

1. I will try to make this review as succinct as possible. This is to urge you to read this book and act on it.
   
   I have read many many books on film (and the craft). I am a film producer/director who has won several festival awards and countless official selections. I was in utter awe at how much information was in this modestly sized cheap book. I base most of my book collections on Amazon reviews and peer suggestions. In that aspect alone this book refers to books on every single subject of filmmaking!
   
   That alone makes this book solid gold. It took me about 2 years to compile my current film-oriented library. If I had this book before hand, I am undoubtedly sure it would not take me 2 years to build my collection.
   
   So, what else will you find in this technical masterpiece? "Everything you need to create a successful Independent Film". Literally.
   
   Every chapter flows swiftly (at the end of every chapter is a reference to what seems an endless list of contacts/books/sources). And before you know it, you're done. And boy will you want more. ;)
   
   Simens packs so much information in a tiny amount of space, it makes other books i've read seem redundant. Read it once and you'll be a better filmmaker 10 fold. Read it twice, and you should have no reason to hold you back (aside from the lazy).



2. This book is awesome. I recieved it as a gift with my first feature film coming up (coming from shorts). I went from having a little bit of a clue, to knowing almost every in and out of what I should do, how to do it, and how to get the upper hand in doing it.
   
   The author is great. His points are humourous because they are so blunt. He'll add little comments that tell you a ton, and totally make fun of something in the process; but whatever it is is so true that it's the information you really need to know. For example, he puts "TOP SECRET" signs by any huge point that makes or breaks films, that 4-year film school and HY avoids telling people. All points helpful, enlightening, and direct.
   
   It also is a huge directory book for studios, executives, rental houses--basically contact information for every single thing he goes over in the book. It also lists other books, films, etcetera to go and read and view and further your knowledge. You can't learn from just 1 book and go out and make it.
   
   I'm going through this particular book, thought, 3 times--at least. To (2) index everything and then (3) pull everything from it together into a timeline that works best for me.
   
   Now, [[[ CONS ]]] . Like other reviews have mentioned--he goes off on how "the other 97% of you probably had a hard time parting with the money to buy this book" when talking about budgets, hinting that you probably are making a 5000$-50000$ feature--and then turns around and gives his most detailed, step-by-step process of making a film, about 15 chapters, all around making a 250,000$ film (which, as you'll find out, is marketed as a 1,000,000$ film). You have to take this relatively. Take what's there, and shrink it down to your budget. He explains SOME things you can cut down on to make a film with lower budgets afterwards, but only spends about a few paragraphs on it. So you go through all the process of the 250,000$ film and take from it everything you can. Bring it down to your level. It has all the information you need to get started, as listed, but you're going to have to get creative and cut down hard on the 250,000$ budget--starting with the things he mentions during those paragraphs.
   
   The other con is, this book is published in 2003, so written during 2002 or earlier. This book doesn't know about HD, HD cameras, and HD tapes. Among others. It's either film or miniDV. And DVC--ha. It's surprisingly savvy on Internet distribution, primarily because it hasn't evolved there yet, but obviously there is other information about it that is present now that you won't find in the book. The main thing is, again, it's a little dated on digital stuff, which is dissappointing, because digital is like the light of ultra low budget film making. However, some updates on this topic can be found at his web school.
   
   Another personal con is all the endorsements and stuff. So a few big names have succeeded by involving Dov's information--it's sad that that's what it takes to sell the book. If you bought the book because tarauntino or queen latifa's names on it, you probably aren't going anywhere. Luckily, he doesn't mention these people anymore than anyone else once you dive into the text; only as references to first-time film makers, etc.
   
   -
   
   Great information, I think it lives up to it's claims, and the personality of Simens makes it interesting all the way through. His personality is extremely direct, and if you can't take the heat, you probably won't make the cut in the industry, so it's probably a great thing.
   
   Enjoy



3. Thank you MR. Simens... I have read many a film production book. None of them compare to this one. This book is clear and the most organized piece of work I have yet to come across. He speaks in terms that is easy to follow and understand, with a large dose of reality. Reality that can get your movie made. He wants you to do it. He has made your production list for you. No need for other books (money saved). Please, if you have read thus far and have not purchased this book, do so now. You will not be dissapointed... And for the expert(s) (with the three stars or less) Get real. Swallow your pride. This book is perfect. Mr. Simens knows what he is talking/writing about. EVERYTHING you need to succeed is right here. Get your first movie off of the ground, then go from there. Again, Thank you Mr. Simens.



4. I reference this book all the time. From Reel to Deal cuts to the chase and offers no bull. It is an easy read and loaded full of practical and useful information. I have produced eight short films in four years and currently preparing for my first feature-film. Dov's book it geared for those making a feature-film but useful for shorts as well. I always recommend From Reel to Deal to any filmmaker who has not read it already. Do yourself a favor and buy or borrow this book. It is a must-read for filmmakers, or as Dov's says PRODUCERS.



5. I've wanted to take one of Dov's workshops but they're never close to where I live so I bought this book which I like. However, with a copyright of 2005 I would have thought it would have more web information (urls, etc) in it. I suspect most of the information was compiled before the web got popular which has been a while. Oh well. I emailed Dov last year too and nobody bothered to reply. Still, for the price, very good info.

2 comments about Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes.

1. This textbook has informative historical aspects of organizational communication. Business majors would benefit from this textbook for citing useful material for papers. Case analysis are peppered throughout the book for easy application and comprehension. Recommended read for business students



2. Katherine has put together an excellent org com textbook: well-written, concise and very well organized. From Time-Motion Studies to Maslow to Theory Y, Ms. Miller gets down to the point, uses tremendous examples and gives excellent bibloigraphic information for further study.

   I took Org. Com. as the first communication class I ever had, and although it was a 400-level course, Kathy's book helped make it not only a pleasure and a joy, but the defining class in my determination to pursue an MA in Communication in the Fall of 2002.

No comments about The Little Mermaid: Broadway's Sparkling New Musical.