John Badham, a name synonymous with Hollywood hits like Saturday Night Fever, WarGames, and Point of No Return, is not just a celebrated director but also a revered instructor. His book, John Badham on Directing, has garnered widespread acclaim as an indispensable resource for both aspiring and seasoned filmmakers. This compilation of glowing reviews reveals why Badham’s work is considered essential reading for anyone serious about the craft of directing.
FilmWeek and CineGods boldly declare it “indisputably the most valuable book on the craft of film directing yet published.” This strong endorsement sets the stage for a chorus of praise highlighting the book’s practical wisdom and insightful approach. Carley Johnson from DGA Quarterly emphasizes its value for “vets and novices alike,” particularly in crucial areas like “how to work with difficult actors, techniques for preparing and executing action sequences, and how to analyze and deconstruct problematic scenes.” This focus on actionable advice is a recurring theme throughout the reviews.
Justin Pugh of MicroFilmmaker Magazine appreciates Badham’s practical approach, noting, “What I appreciate the most about Mr. Badham’s writing is how practical the information is.” Pugh contrasts Badham’s style with more theoretical approaches, emphasizing the book’s focus on “basic, useful information that you can actively use on the set to communicate to your cast and crew.” This hands-on, no-nonsense approach is what makes Badham’s book stand out.
Cari Beauchamp, writing for Indiewire, underscores the unique depth of John Badham on Directing. Beauchamp points out that the book is “something special” because Badham incorporates insights from other directing luminaries such as Martha Coolidge, Christopher Nolan, Paris Barclay, Oliver Stone, and Steven Soderbergh, along with legends like John Frankenheimer and Sydney Pollack. It’s described as “like being in a master class on directing from the best in the business, along with commentary from actors, cinematographers and producers.” This collaborative approach, offering diverse perspectives, enriches the learning experience for readers.
Kevin Polowy from Yahoo Entertainment’s “It List” portrays Badham as a “world-wise instructor” in John Badham on Directing. The book offers “sage tutelage on everything from working with actors to nailing down stories and tones.” Polowy also highlights the “guest lecture” contributions from prominent figures like Taylor Hackford, Jodie Foster, Patty Jenkins, Ryan Murphy, and Steven Soderbergh, making it “a great read for working and aspiring Spielbergs.” The book positions itself not just as a manual but as a mentorship opportunity from a seasoned professional and his esteemed colleagues.
Midwest Book Review deems John Badham on Directing “exceptionally well-organized and presented,” making it “an ideal curriculum textbook for directorial film classes.” They strongly recommend it as “essential reading for anyone wanting to successfully craft a movie from a writer’s script.” Furthermore, they advocate for its inclusion in various library collections, from film schools to public libraries, and for personal reading lists of film students, aspiring directors, and film enthusiasts. This review emphasizes the book’s structured approach and broad appeal.
Robbie McKane from The Filmmakers highlights the human element in Badham’s book. “What’s so lovely is it’s about people,” McKane notes, contrasting it with more technically focused books. While acknowledging the book’s practical nature, McKane emphasizes that “this industry is, and that is what this book tells so beautifully I think. It reminds you, this is the core of it, your relationship with actors especially.” This human-centric approach resonates deeply, reminding readers that directing is fundamentally about people.
Michael Walsh of Reeling Back draws a parallel between Badham’s book and engaging lectures, imagining Badham as a professor whose classes are “standing-room-only events” due to his “classroom charisma.” Walsh suggests that John Badham on Directing captures this engaging teaching style, offering a great learning experience.
Mark Burger from Yes! Weekly succinctly summarizes the book’s dual appeal: “It’s useful for those interested in directing but also entertaining and informative for film fans.” This broadens the book’s potential readership beyond just aspiring directors, suggesting its value for anyone curious about filmmaking.
Ryan Connolly of Film Riot, himself a director, speaks from the perspective of a newer filmmaker. He praises the book’s “incredible and honest information,” particularly its insights on working with actors. Connolly highlights the anxiety many new directors feel about collaborating with experienced actors and appreciates Badham’s guidance on building effective actor-director relationships. “How do you come to that relationship in a way that is going to be most helpful for the talent to help them get to the place that they need to get to? How do you collaborate best? And John had, of course, incredible things to say…” Connolly’s testimonial underscores the book’s relevance for emerging directors.
Clint Morris of MovieHole delivers a concise and powerful recommendation: “John Badham on Directing is a must-read for anyone that wants to know how to make a movie…” This unequivocal endorsement reinforces the book’s status as essential reading.
Dan Persons from Huffpost provides a detailed overview of the book’s scope, mentioning its practical tips on “working with actors, staging action scenes, and making sure that the film playing in their heads finds its way onto the screen as accurately as possible.” Persons also emphasizes the book’s engaging nature, filled with “anecdotes and insights” from Badham and colleagues like Steven Soderbergh and Oliver Stone, making it compelling even for those not pursuing directing careers.
Andrew J. Rausch of C-U Blogfidential emphasizes the book’s value as a reference, stating “John Badham on Directing makes for a valuable addition to any film reference library.” Rausch points to the book’s guidance on actor collaboration, character motivation, efficient planning, and crew management, highlighting its comprehensive coverage of directorial responsibilities.
Alex Simon from The Hollywood Interview describes the book as offering “an engaging look at the psychological, technical, and managerial elements that go into helming a film or TV show.” This highlights the book’s holistic approach, addressing the diverse skill sets required for directing.
Baptiste Charles from Raindance appreciates Badham’s experience-based approach, noting, “There is nothing like hearing the experience of someone who has spent a lifetime in the trenches.” Charles praises Badham for distilling his vast knowledge into “wise, practical, and ingenious principles that should be taken to heart,” emphasizing the book’s focus on teachable craft and recognizable art.
GF Willmetts from SF croneset points out the book’s practical benefits for producers as well, noting, “Producers really need to read this book and appreciate that rehearsal time saves money in filming time…” Willmetts also highlights the book’s broader applicability beyond directing, stating, “There is also a lot about management skill and communicating with people so there really is something here for everyone.”
Forris Day, Jr. from Scared Stiff captures the book’s enjoyable reading experience, suggesting readers “Grab a cup of coffee, a cozy chair and spend a few hours hanging out with legendary director, John Badham.” Day praises Badham’s “conversational and friendly writing tone” which makes learning feel effortless.
E.H. Nolan, a writer, compares John Badham on Directing favorably to other film books read during film school, stating, “None compare to John Badham’s books. These are in a class by themselves.” Nolan highlights the book’s expanded scope compared to Badham’s previous work, and its consistent humility and entertainment value.
Jeremy Hanke of MicroFilmmaker Magazine, reflecting on Badham’s earlier book I’ll Be in My Trailer, believes Badham offers “one of the most singularly useful and fascinating approaches to the director/actor dynamic” through his writing and techniques.
Simon Brew from Den of Geek describes I’ll Be in My Trailer as “written in a dip in and out style,” making it enjoyable and accessible. Brew emphasizes Badham’s candidness about learning from mistakes and the book’s valuable advice for potential directors.
Per Holmes from HollywoodCameraWork calls I’ll Be in My Trailer “one of the best and most brutally honest books on filmmaking ever written,” specifically regarding actor-director relationships.
Forris Day Jr., in another quote from Coffeeshop Conversations, notes the broader applicability of I’ll Be in My Trailer, stating, “When I read this, I’m thinking, this is actually just a good management book. Not just in film, but just how to treat people properly.” This reinforces the book’s lessons on interpersonal skills and effective leadership.
Alex Epstein, a screenwriter, praises I’ll Be in My Trailer as “one of the most useful books I’ve read about directing actors for the screen,” firmly establishing Badham’s expertise in this crucial area.
Tommy G. Kendrick from Actors Talks Acting provides a quote that encapsulates the essence of Badham’s approach to actor direction: “Why do we care about the trust? We care because a trusting person is going to give you more of their creativity. A person who doesn’t trust you is going to say I’ll just give him what I know is safe.” This highlights the importance of trust and collaboration in Badham’s directorial philosophy.
In conclusion, the overwhelming consensus from these reviews is that John Badham’s books, particularly John Badham on Directing, are invaluable resources for anyone interested in filmmaking. They offer a unique blend of practical advice, insightful anecdotes, and collaborative wisdom from a Hollywood legend and his peers. Whether you are an aspiring director, a seasoned professional, or simply a film enthusiast, John Badham’s work provides a masterclass in the art and craft of directing.
