Product Description

A total departure from previous writing about television, this book is the first ever to advocate that the medium is not reformable. Its problems are inherent in the technology itself and are so dangerous -- to personal health and sanity, to the environment, and to democratic processes -- that TV ought to be eliminated forever.

Weaving personal experiences through meticulous research, the author ranges widely over aspects of television that have rarely been examined and never before joined together, allowing an entirely new, frightening image to emerge. The idea that all technologies are "neutral," benign instruments that can be used well or badly, is thrown open to profound doubt. Speaking of TV reform is, in the words of the author, "as absurd as speaking of the reform of a technology such as guns." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (79)

Awful, shallow book
It actually presents many examples of lousy television.It presents no arguments or compelling facts that indicate television should be eliminated.The title is great, the arguments are poor to non-existent.Should TV be done better?Sure.Would it be helpful to put the emphasis on quality instead of profit?Sure.Eliminated?This book isn't going to convert anybody but may be comforting to people who already feel that way.What a waste of time.Almost as bad as Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death."

THIS BOOK SHOULD BE MANDATORY READING FOR ALL
This is an excellent and insightful book, one that is eerily prescient of the era to come.If the brainwashing effects of television were obvious enough to the author in 1975 (the date of publication), one can only imagine what he would have to say in the era of Direct TV and Cablevision.Jerry Mander's references to "Big Brother" and other sinister entites are entirely appropriate as he catalogues the "induced passivity" caused by the massive amounts of television watching that mark the modern era.What's interesting is that it doesn't even seem to matter WHAT one watches on television -- rather, the experience of television watching itself is one that suspends some very necessary functions of the human mind and retards the imagination.I did cringe as he mentions shows that I loved as a kid, but I could not help agreeing with his overall philosophies -- as radical as they might sometime seem to the less enlightened.In fact, I frequently cheered the author's brilliance as I was reading, to the point that others in my vicinity looked to see what book could possibly produce such an impassioned reaction.I underlined certain passages, drew astericks and arrows, all in an effort to remind myself of the importance of Mander's words and discoveries.Again, this book is extremely relevant in today's society, where an entire generation of people have been systematically emptied of their emotions and humanity by an all-consuming addiction to television and other forms of technology.This book should be mandatory reading in all schools.

We eliminated TV.
Several months ago, I bought the book at a library sale because I thought I could tease the children with the title.Then I read the book and took it seriously.Many homes now have large flat-screen TVs as the focal point of their family or living rooms.People spend hours sitting in front of a flat screen which displays colored dots.It's not reality.It's not the same as being there.Last month, we got rid of the converter box for our TV, and now the kids can watch movies using the DVD player but cannot turn on the TV and mindlessly flip channels.It just seems more relaxed now.I am rereading the book now, but the specific arguments didn't have as much of an impact on me as getting the message that those displays of colored dots are not reality.The kids do have access to TV shows on the computer and to iPods and to computer games and to DVDs played on the TV set, but they don't miss TV itself.In two days, we are going on a nine day camping trip to Northern Minnesota.A TV show on Northern Minnesota does not substitute for a camping trip there.It's an entirely different experience, as the author points out over and over again.I got the message and got rid of the TV!

A left-wing rant disguised as intellectual arguments
Jerry Mander is a former advertiser turned left-wing activist. His book therefore focuses less on how TV is bad for you and focuses instead on how evil he thinks capitalism is. In the end the fact that TV is a capitalist vehicle that does not give enough attention to the hippie agenda (this was written back in the 1970s, remember). A lot of talk explains how TV leaves us "less connected to nature" (it seems like nature and environmentalism is Mr. Mander's hobby horse. In the end this book is refuted by the fact that while there is a lot of mindless TV there are some good ones. Another reviewer mentions Mander's praise for Scenes from a Marriage. I myself praise the modern TV series South Park for its sharp, irreverant wit and this alone refutes Mander's single minded idiocy.

Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television
The book was in great condition and only cost me four dollars.I'm glad I bought my book here. ... Read more

Product Description
"Television Everywhere" is on the way. It's a generic term for using the internet to get TV to more devices in more places more conveniently - what you want, where you want, when you want it. It's far from a new idea. Plenty of futuristic notions of TV have been promoted in the past, usually by technologists with a shaky understanding of the television business.

But this time Hollywood's content ownership combined with new, simple technologies could enable the television industry itself to take the lead and modernize television, while extending its economic life well into the future.

More important than delivering TV through the internet is using the internet to retain and expand audiences for the TV we already have.That's what this book is about- why it's a problem worth solving, how to go about solving it, and how today's television industry will benefit from stepping in where cable companies, phone companies, and their technology suppliers are failing miserably.

Aimed primarily at Hollywood, this book is for studio, network, and channel executives, producers, show runners, ad agency strategists ("digital" or otherwise), media buyers, and executives at ratings/measurement companies. We describe how Hollywood can both extend the life of so-called linear television and control the transition to internet-delivered TV, while building upon existing "starter" digital assets such as Hulu, or channel- and program-specific web properties and applications. 

Finally, this book is also a wake-up call to internet content and technology companies to take a fresh look at an old problem, using a comparatively new, low-cost set of approaches produced by the "Web 2.0" and cloud computing waves which emerged over the last several years. ... Read more

Product Description
The industry speaks out about SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION WRITING

"Where was this book when I was starting out? A fantastic, fun, informative guide to breaking into–and more importantly, staying in–the TV writing game from the guys who taught me how to play it."
–Terence Winter, Coexecutive Producer, The Sopranos

"Goldberg and Rabkin write not only with clarity and wit but also with the authority gleaned from their years of slogging through Hollywood’s trenches. Here is a must-read for new writers and established practitioners whose imagination could use a booster shot."
–Professor Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Department of Film and TV

"Not since William Goldman’s Adventures in the Screen Trade has there been a book this revealing, funny, and informative about The Industry. Reading this book is like having a good, long lunch with your two best friends in the TV business."
–Janet Evanovich

"With sharp wit and painful honesty, Goldberg and Rabkin offer the truest account yet of working in the TV business. Accept no substitutes!"
–Jeffrey B. Hodes and Nastaran Dibai, Coexecutive Producers, Third Rock from the Sun

"Should be required reading for all aspiring television writers."
–Howard Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and The X-Files ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

very interesting
I find the author to be very helpful and informative.I watch a lot of tv and I know what people like, and I agree with his advise and honesty.Glad to know the old values and new ideas can make a tv show work for everyone.I do hope to either write a show someday, or just know it may take place in the future.The shows on tv now are just awful, and this book explains why.

Revealing Knowledge
This book was purported to be an overall guide on how to write for the TV industry.What to expect on the inside and how to get there.It was exactly that from the writer's perspective.He wrote a spec script with a couple of friends it was chosen from the stack and he was a TV writer from then on.

He explains who to curtsy to, who to fear, and who to shrug off and when.Hints at how to make friends and how to get the job done right all make for a well-rounded, excellently plotted and planned book.

Great read
I've read many a television writing book, and this is one of the best of them. Very interesting and educational. I definitely learned a lot! Highly Recommended!

If you are planning on ever working in television, read this book.
I read this book to help prepare me for what I would never know going into a writers room , or pitching to the showrunners. This helped me get to that point and to know how and what to expect when I get there, which I believe is soon. Thanks Lee.

More involved than you realize
This book on writing for television is simply a must read if you plan on breaking into the business.But even if you never plan to write a single script, it's simply a very interesting and insightful glimpse into the world of television.The authors convey useful information with wit and style.Writing for TV isn't as simple as you might think.I was surprised and intrigued by all the intricacies of the industry. ... Read more

Product Description
New edition of the popular screenwriting guide!

Writing Television Sitcoms is the ultimate all-in-one guide to writing a funny script, pitching a new show, and launching a successful career. AS digital technology reshapes the television industry, this new and expanded edition explains how today's writers can get ahead of the curve. Features include:

• A complete description of premise-driven comedy, a proven method for "writing funny from the ground up"
• Numerous examples from new and classic shows
• Advice from top writer-producers
• A thorough look at how sitcom story models are changing
• Complete script layout guidelines for all three formats
• Tips on how new-media developments can help you break into the business
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Just what every sitcom (and dramatic) writer needs
This is pretty much an A to Z book on the subject.From organizing the premise to delivering jokes and even getting a job!It would have been great to see several examples of beats and outlines or perhaps links to see them.Otherwise awesome!

At Last - A Real Guide Through the Maze...
Everyone who watches sitcoms has said, "I'm pretty funny. I bet I can write something as funny as that show" only to discover that watching TV and writing TV are not the same thing. Some give up, others decide to get themselves a book to teach them the ropes. The problem, however, is that most of the sitcom 'how - to' books are either long on theory and short on reality or spend all their time on the technical bits without providing the necessary foundation for success (developing a premise, characters, situations, etc.). Or the authors have legitimate credits (although they haven't worked in TV for a long, long time) but no real sense of how to TEACH sitcom writing to the reader.

That's what makes this book different from the others and therefore so valuable to the budding sitcom writer.

Not only was Smith a successful writer (a seller), he was a TV programming executive (a buyer), so he knows what works from both sides of the desk. This perspective and the knowledge he imparts is invaluable to the writer looking to develop a career in the industry.

Other key differences are Smith's inclusion of advice from current working (and successful) writer - producers and his discussion of what's needed to actually break into the business - including discussion of new media options and the opportunities it offers the aspiring writer.

It doesn't hurt that Smith's writing style - informal, relate-able, entertaining - makes this a truly enjoyable (and informative) read.

If you have any interest in writing sitcoms, and you don't want to enroll at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and attend Smith's classes, save yourself a lot of time and money and buy this book - it is the only book on sitcom writing you'll need or want.

finest resource on the subject
Evan Smith knows what he is talking about.Not only has he written the definitive book on writing sitcoms, he knows how to write a sitcom himself.Most writing teachers failed at the writing game and are now teaching you and me.Not Smith.He had a for-real career as a writer before he began teaching, and it shows on every page of his superb book.He goes into amazing and staggeringly useful detail about the nature of comedy, how to write a script, and that horrid conundrum -- launching a career in Hollywood.Smith has been in the trenches and comprehends the horror.He knows what you must know to write a great script AND get your foot in the door.Writing Television Sitcoms is an invaluable resource and should be on every writer's shelf -- not just those wanting to write a sitcom script. ... Read more

Product Description
•Practical and comprehensive—the only book of its kind•Revised edition focuses on the changing world market for television

Broad in scope and rich in detail, This Business of Television has been the essential sourcebook for producers, writers, broadcasters, network executives, and other television professionals since the first edition was published in 1991. And as the television business continues to evolve This Business of Television evolves along with it. This comprehensive guide to the legal, economic, and production aspects of the industry has been completely revised and restructured to reflect the rapid changes in television today, both domestically and internationally, A user’s guide to television contracts, plus directories of associations, governmental agencies, and producers and distributors, make this book an invaluable resource for anyone involved with—or simply interested in—the business of television. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Interesting book
This is a very interesting title. Easy to read and to comprehend some business aspects.

Some parts of the book were not updated properly, e.g., the overview of Television in South America.

Good guide for industry knowledge
I work in TV. I own a copy of this book and bought another for a new employee so she could come up to speed on the industry. Highly recommended.

The Best Television Book Ever
When I was in film school there was a lot of film history and film theory, and no one talked about television often enough for us to learn anything worth while about it. I now work as a television director, and it was this book that taught me the "business" aspects of the industry. Without this book I would probably be out of work or directing the local news someplace like Lima, Ohio.

An excellent resource
This book (textbook) is an excellent resource for just about everything in TV. The disk included is a great utility to have for printing out your own contracts. I only with this book could be updated, say, every two years.

Stolen 3 times... This book is hot!!!
This book is so hot that it's been stolen from my office library 3 times. I'm on my 4th purchase of this book. I felt like I could have an intellegent conversation about any aspect of the television business after using this book. It is my main resource for getting quick answers that are easy to understand. This is required reading for those getting started and a great resource for those that have been in the industry a while. It also includes a computer disk containing forms such as U.S. Copyright registration and others found in the book that you can import to your word processor.

Ron Hebert
Producer
2002 Emmy Awards - Pacific Southwest Chapter ... Read more

Product Description
Enhance the visual quality of your motion pictures and digital videos with a solid understanding of lighting fundamentals. This complete course in digital video lighting begins with how the human eye and the camera process light and color, progresses through the basics of equipment and setups, and finishes with practical lessons on how to solve common problems. Filled with clear illustrations and real-world examples that demonstrate proper equipment use, safety issues, and staging techniques, Lighting for Digital Video presents readers with all they need to create their own visual masterpieces.

Features:
* film style techniques for digital video productions
* creating "movie" looks on a low budget
* lighting for HD
* how to maximize existing light
* how to be a grip + safety issues
* interview setups
* color correction techniques in mixed lighting situations

* Shows how to shoot in available light
* Color correction in mixed lighting situations
* Film-style lighting techniques that create realistic looks
* Specialized setups for blue screen, night shots, and product photography
* Lighting sets with fixed practical light sources
... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

All You Need to Know About Lighting
Whether you're a beginner or intermediate level filmmaker, this book is for you. It's full of detailed information and illustrations of everything you need to know about lighting for video shooting. A lot of the information is also helpful for still photography. You'll get an excellent foundation of knowledge here. Besides technical details of "how," the book talks about the "why." Author John Jackman writes, "The real key to fine lighting is not only to simulate reality, but to communicate the proper mood and feeling to the viewer. You need to know more than just basic techniques or tricks; its best to have an understanding of how certain looks will communicate to your viewers."

As a beginner myself without a lot of money to buy or rent equipment, my favorite chapter is "Lighting Low-Budget Locations." Jackman talks about ways to use CFLs, worklights, and painters sticks to get a good shot. But don't be fooled. If you can get your hands on the professional gear, then he has that covered too.

An invaluable resource for the videographer/filmmaker.

Just Wish I'd Had This Sooner.....
I recently made a little promotional film for a friend's book and learned the hard way how crucial good lighting is. Your camera work can be great--or utterly mediocre--but sound and lighting really make or break your project. (And trying to fix backlighting after-the-fact just doesn't really work, not for those of us without professional studios, at least).

I really like this book (and disagree with an earlier review that it is short or very informal/casually written. Including the Glossary and index its 261 pages, 9"x7.5", perfectly reasonable size. The writer uses "I" which helps with readability, as it is rather dry subject, even when you really need to understand it. I also found the illustrations well done and helpful).

Chapters include "Basic Lighting Techniques", "Interview Set-ups", "Studio Lighting", "Advanced Lightning Set-ups", "Using a Light Meter For Video", "Basic Primer for Signal Monitoring", "Volts, Amps, and Watts" and the one I've xeroxed for my notebook for easy reference "Lighting Low Budget Locations"

I think this is an excellent starting point if you're making a film. Much better than "learning the hard way" how crucial lighting is (and how you can't go back and fix it--better to anticipate the problems and get it right). Very recommended.

Great Basic Book on Lighting
John Jackman should be thanked for putting together his wealth of knowledge on lighting technique in this indispensable book. Although mostly comprised of the basics in lighting for digital productions this book is invaluable for beginners and seasoned video filmmakers alike.

Everything is there from how to plug in your wiring to lighting setups for interviewing people. It has plenty of photographs giving examples for various types of setups. I truly believe that beginnings and novices could all learn a lot from this great book.

You really just need to go out there and do it.
I really feel the best way to learn is just to go out there and do it. Obviously, reading this book page-to-page isn't going to make you a professional gaffer.

The book was much smaller than I expected. It is more like a handbook, and it is often written in first-person casual speaking, like a professor would be giving a lecture and it got transcribed, with some humor added here and there. It feels a little convoluted/messy at times or vague/just stating the basic info (e.g.: it would briefly explain one thing and then state it would 'explain more about it later' -- but when/where?! I had to look in the Glossary) It feels like one of those text books I get assigned to read for school; made for students.

I feel someone professional would definitely want something more advanced and something more straight-to-the-point; at the same time, I feel there's still a lot of jargon used (can use more bold text on many terms on the pages) and not defined clearly or just convoluted with lots of fill-in material. It can definitely be frustrating to a total beginner too. I'm sure authors often want to reach wide audience as possible, but that can also backfire. I would say its *intended target* was more towards the beginner student, but it's really not always friendly and can often be overwhelming to read.

- The index for this book really needs work! It's really incomplete.

I definitely still find it inspiring to read, especially for students wanting to become a gaffer or taking that position in a student film.

Now let this be a lesson to me.....
.... none of us know everything and there is always something to learn.

A quick read, but contains lots of information.
a leisurely reading pace took about 4hrs if you include going back over some things to make sure you have it right.

I am not a book reviewer or expert on publishing books, so excuse me if there are descriptive industry terms for what I'm trying to say but not using.
My interest is in the subject matter with this type of book, but can't help realizing when it's done well enough to increase my knowledge of a subject without making me work hard at using the book itself.

I thought it well written and laid out, goes into some areas that many might not want or need to go, but then it's done in sections so you can go straight to your area of question, or skip what you don't care to know about.

Mr Jackman does a pretty good job of not mixing more advanced things with basic ones he's trying to convey in each section.The use of blue inserts within sections with additional information is great and lets you get a bit more knowledge on that subject by reading those page sections.

This book is written with reference to video and television lighting, but holds true for still photography AND even everyday room lighting in my opinion.What makes an improvement in video or photos can also make a difference in your daily life in your home or office also.

Also a nice glossary of terms in this book, can help a lot when some of the subject is new to you.

I can and will put all this lighting information right to work to improve my results and will be watching for John Jackman's next release to see what else I didn't know about lighting a scene.

... Read more

Product Description

Sound for Film and Television, Third Edition provides a thorough introduction to the fascinating field of recording, editing, mixing, and exhibiting film and television sound. It strikes a fine balance between aesthetic and technical content, combining theory and practice to approach sound as both an art and a science. This new edition has been completely updated to reflect the latest advances in HD technology, new hardware and software systems, new distribution methods, wireless sound capture, and more. Also, analog-related content has been reduced and transferred to the chapters covering historical techniques. Sections on troubleshooting and FAQs have been added to help you avoid common pitfalls in sound production.

Customer Reviews (6)

Sound Makes or Breaks your film or TV show
If you're a student of film or if you're a home movie maker, you really owe it to yourself to pick up this book and read it.Very quickly you come to realize that making a movie or tv show or good home movie is about:

- Light
- Sound
- Makeup
- Editing
- Camera
- Script

Mess any one of these things up and you wind up with a suboptimal product.

This book is very comprehensive on the sound aspect.It covers a whole lot more than what a home movie maker like me needs but it's certainly comprehensive enough for a student of film who is getting into the field.

If you make movies, get this book and study it.Never underestimate soound.

Great college textbook for students seeking a career in sound for film and television!

This was not really my kind of book. It had the feel of a college textbook, and the material included was as dense and boring as any college textbook I have ever read. The pages were big, the print was small, and the page formatting was double column. There were pictures included the same way as in a typical college textbook. The author teaches a class or classes in California at the college level. And it is my understanding he uses this book as the course textbook.

I'm not in college any longer, and I haven't been there for some time. My reading preferences tend to weigh in positively with informative books that do not get too technical, but provide a lot of information and make good points. This book does not make many points at all. It is very technical. And quite frankly it does not provide much information that I could really use. Accordingly, I could not give it a 5-star rating.

Having said all that, I found the book to be a good college textbook. If the student is working toward an entry-level position in the motion picture industry as a sound techie, then this book is probably a must-read. It covers a lot of material. It is quite dense in the material it provides. And the student if she digests and assimilates the information in this book will probably be able to fit into a production company or consulting firm that help to make sound in film and television great.

Early in the book the author told me to read the chapters in the following order: 4, 8, 5-7, and 9-13. I took his advice and never went back to chapters 1-3. But I had already read the preface and the introduction. If you want to learn about much of the ins and outs of sound, microphones, and mixing sound recordings, or editing sound recordings so you can be the ultimate professional at what you do, then I highly recommend this book to you. But if you just want to know about sound regarding your camcorder projects and how to make it good or better, then this book might be a bit much for you. I did not see a way to translate what I read here into making better sound for my home videos. 4 stars!

A concise professional level overview of sound recording and design for motion pictures
"Sound for Film and Television" presents a concise and well rounded overview of the many issues, technologies and creative concerns involved in the recording, mixing, design and presentation of sound in motion pictures. The wide range, multi channel sound fields typical of modern films require an in depth understanding of sound design requirements, aesthetic concerns and the "reality" that many sounds imply and require. The sound of a truck, in the distance, for example, must not only be "distant" but suggest the ambience of "what distance", "where" and what sort of sound field that distance occurs in. Music, dialog and effects must all be considered as distinct elements. The modern sound mixer/designer is truly a "conductor" of a refined and precisely selected, crafted and presented sonic orchestra.

"Sound for Film and Television" gives good, professional level summaries of these concerns, and cites and includes many examples from well known films that are considered hallmarks of sound design and development. RECOMMENDED.

May Prove a Valuable Reference to Some ... Others, A Trip in a Time-Machine
Mostly written in the first-person plural, this technical text has an oddly informal approach. Likewise, the strange use of slang had me a little confused. For example, "bit-slinging"? Having never heard this expression, I took a break from the obligatory charts/grids and read this entry. Apparently, the author dubbed editing-room assistants "bit slingers" because they remind him of "gunslingers" from "cowboy movies." Hmm. Odd choice.

Moreover, while some of the images are helpful (like how lighting can expose the cabling on a body microphone), many have a 1970s appearance. Maybe a more modern approach to capturing these images would have helped. And, sure, I know the purpose of this text is to teach/inform ... but a "good-looking" book never hurts. (Especially when I have students who'd prefer not to read at all).

Still, for all its drabness, awkwardness, and "coined" terms, the text contains information that could help a person who is new to this field. So, while I'm not a fan, I can see how some may benefit it.

A Bible for Sound
I have all three of Holman's books: this one, Sound for DV, and Surround Sound. What I like about the books is their friendly style, their explanations of how to do things, and their being grounded in actual practice. Hence, this book has lots of examples from film and television.

For me, and perhaps for others, sound is not easy. There are lots of technical features you need to know, lots of ways of making errors, and a wide variety of equipment at a wide range of prices. (It's not like photography, where a point-and-shoot digital camera will do a good job. There's really no such "point-and-shoot" recorder/microphone that does a close to first rate job.) Holman holds your hands, and leads you to do a better job, explains along the way, and tells wonderful stories as well.

The book is not "easy," because the materials are not easy. But, if you want to master sound for film and television, you need this book, at least. ... Read more

Product Description
Why is TV writing different from any other kind of writing? How will writing a spec script open doors? What do I have to do to get a job writing for TV? Writing for television is a business. And, like any business, there are proven strategies for success. In this unique hands-on guide, television writer and producer Ellen Sandler shares the trade secrets she learned while writing for hit shows like Everybody Loves Raymond and Coach. She offers concrete advice on everything from finding a story to getting hired on a current series.

Filled with easy-to-implement exercises and practical wisdom, this ingenious how-to handbook outlines the steps for becoming a professional TV writer, starting with a winning script. Sandler explains the difference between “selling” and “telling,” form and formula, theme and plot.
Discover:

• A technique for breaking down a show style so you’re as close to being in the writing room as you can get without actually having a job there
• The 3 elements for that essential Concept Line that you must have
in order to create a story with passion and consequence
• Mining the 7 Deadly Sins for fresh and original story lines
• Sample scripts from hit shows
• In-depth graphs, script breakdown charts, vital checkpoints
along the way, and much, much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Great reference book
This is a great reference book. I've been writing for TV for 14 years and can tell you the more you talk to veterans in the business, the better.Once you write your script check out the site [...] for more information on what do AFTER you've written it and before you start re-writing it!

A gem that applies to writing more than just TV scripts...
Personally, I write screenplays rather than TV scripts--but found wisdom and information in this book to be completely adaptable and applicable to my goals. I would encourage anybody else who has interest in writing scripts of any type to consider reading and adding this book to their library. I have read a number of books on different aspects of writing over the years--many both helpful and inspiring in a variety of ways. Far and away, however, the most beneficial are (not surprisingly) written by serious writers themselves, who are speaking from firsthand knowledge and hard-won experience. What really shines through here is that the author is not only an excellent teacher of the craft, but an accomplished practitioner herself. The guidance one gets you will quickly find is in sync with the experience of actually sweating through the hard, but amply satisfying work of doing. The last third of the book, which deals with the practicalities of what to do with a script now that it's been written (and revised enough times to warrant sending it out into the world!) is guidance and information one isn't likely to get unless one actually knows people inside the industry. Love the book.

Sandler knows TV!
This is a brilliant book on so many levels. Not only is it written by someone who has "been there, done that," (Sandler was Co-Executive producer on Everybody Loves Raymond, and an Emmy nominee) but by someone who really knows how to *teach* what she knows. It's rare to find both qualifications in the same individual.

The exercises alone make this book worth the price, but the insider tips and behaviorial insights make it priceless. A "must have" addition to every TV writer's library.

Buy it.
I have purchased quite a few books on writing for screen, large and small. This is the one that finally got me writing. Get this book and you'll see too. Thank you Ellen for your ideas, examples and for restoring my motivation!

Simple, Concise, and Filled with an Abundance ofInfo for Writers/Producers
If you are serious about writing/producing for TV then this book is a must.What better way to get information from someone who has actually worked in the business and taken the journey many of us are currently forging.I found Ellen Sandler writer/producer of Taxi, Coach, Everybody Loves Raymond, and more to be honest and sincere in her description and advice on what it takes to become success writer/producer in the business.

This book is a rich resource on how to write your first spec script and what qualities besides good writing one should possesses or developto break through, what often times seems to be a brick wall of Hollywood studio, producers, agents, managers, ect.The content and tone is that of a workbook, however not in a traditional sense, but in a more subtle and simple way.Ellen gives a brief background about how she herself got into the business and then informs the writer of what they need to know about the spec script and how to read to write.She further goes into what you need to do to develop your story, how to make it come alive, and re-edit it until you cant anymore. In another part of the book she focuses on what you need to do when you have your spec script written and gives you sound advicewith real world examples on how to break into the door.She offers up helpful tips on FAQ's such as should you move to LA?,the difference between producers and writers, pitching your ideas, dealing with agents/managers, potential salary figures, respecting the industry and business standards and more.

Besides loving the content on writing, I loved the wealth of information contained in the book on such helpful topics as where to get scripts, industry jargon/terminology, bookstores and publication sources for writers, as well as a host of contact information for other beneficial advisors.

Lastly, I love the humility with which this book concludes.Ellen acknowledges here successes and rightfully so, but advises the reader to keep searching and seeking out other advisors and not be afraid to listen to contradictory information, keeping in mind that in Hollywood there is not set path to success.

As a publicist switching careers and having previously written spec scripts I love this book and highly recommend. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the classic History of Broadcasting in the United States, Tube of Plenty represents the fruit of several decades' labor. When Erik Barnouw--premier chronicler of American broadcasting and a participant in the industry for fifty years--first undertook the project of recording its history, many viewed it as a light-weight literary task concerned mainly with "entertainment" trivia. Indeed, trivia such as that found in quiz programs do appear in the book, but Barnouw views them as part of a complex social tapestry that increasingly defines our era.

To understand our century, we must fully comprehend the evolution of television and its newest extraordinary offshoots.With this fact in mind, Barnouw's new edition of Tube of Plenty explores the development and impact of the latest dramatic phases of the communications revolution.

Since the first publication of this invaluable history of television and how it has shaped, and been shaped by, American culture and society, many significant changes have occurred.Assessing the importance of these developments in a new chapter, Barnouw specifically covers the decline of the three major networks, the expansion of cable and satellite television and film channels such as HBO (Home Box Office), the success of channels catering to special audiences such as ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) and MTV (Music Television), and the arrival of VCRs in America's living rooms. He also includes an appendix entitled "questions for a new millennium," which will challenge readers not only to examine the shape of television today, but also to envision its future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essential for understanding the development of TV as a business and technology
This is a generous single-volume condensation of Erik Barnouw's seminal three-volume HISTORY OF BROADCASTING IN THE UNITED STATES.It is not a perfect book--took much is left out for that--but it does provide any student of American TV with an essential overview of many aspects in the birth and development of the medium.Despite the great length of the book, even in the single-volume abridgment, there are some curious omissions, but the strong points of the book are very strong indeed and make the book one of the crucial volumes for any personal library on television.

Barnouw tells in wonderful (and wonderfully entertaining) detail the development of the technologies that allowed the existence of radio and television, as well as the economic realities that turned it into the massive business that it has long been.He also explores the political aspects of the medium, both in terms of serving as part of the Fourth Estate by providing oversight to government actions and policies, and the erosion of that role as right wing groups have undermined that role (Barnouw anticipates the ultimate melding of right wing politics and corporate owned media, while at the same time crying crocodile tears over the mythical liberal media).He is also exceptional at detailing what kinds of shows arose at what time and what the constituent factors were.Even if one has a pretty decent idea of what was happening on TV at what time, Barnouw will both broaden and deepen one's understanding of the medium.

Nonetheless, while this is an outstanding book, one can't help but be struck by what was left out.For instance, there is no mention of a large number of seminal television shows.Although one of the most popular shows on TV in the fifties, THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW with Silvers as Sgt. Bilko got no mention at all.THE TWILIGHT ZONE was one of the best-written and iconic shows of all time, yet it is not discussed at all.Though I was never a fan of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, it was nearly as popular as THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, which receives extensive notice.One recognizes that there are time restrictions, but these omissions are significant.There is also an amazing neglect of British Television shows.SECRET AGENT MAN aka DANGER MAN received no mention nor did the massively influential MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS.

This all highlights the book's strength.It is far weaker in discussing the aesthetics of TV than examining it as an industry and as a technology.The cut off point for the book is the late eighties, yet not a single word deals with the enormous growth of television as an art form in that decade.The most important show that decade by far was HILL STREET BLUES.Virtually every series (what Barnouw would call a telefilm) in the history of prime time television prior to HILL STREET BLUES adhered to the episodic format, each series consisting of a series of self-contained segments that would resolve all of that week's action and then be forgotten by the next week and the next episode.Some prime time soap operas did use the serial format, with the action spilling over from week to week, but none of these enjoyed any critical acclaim and were at best contained rather simplistic plots.HILL STREET BLUES, on the other hand, though it tried to resolve one story arc each week, contained multiple story arcs and possessed a remarkably complex narrative style.This revolutionized television narrative and made possible subsequent shows as various as ST. ELSEWHERE, THE X-FILES, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, 24, THE GILMORE GIRLS, FARSCAPE, ER, THE SOPRANOS, SIX FEET UNDER, LOST, and VERONICA MARS (the list could go on and on and on).In other words, almost everything good on TV can be said to have evolved out of what HILL STREET BLUES wrought.Yet, Barnouw does not mention HILL STREET BLUES even once.The development of the multiple story arc series was the greatest aesthetic development not merely of the eighties, but one of the two or three most important developments ever, yet Barnouw simply doesn't notice.

But for understanding the history of television as a business and the technology it is rooted in, Barnouw's book stands alone.Most people imagine the story of television beginning in the fifties or perhaps the late forties, but Barnouw begins in the late 19th century with Marconi.This isn't just a book that any more-than-casual student of TV ought to read; it is one they MUST read.

This is an exceptional telling of the story of television.
Erik Barnouw tells the story of television from the beginning.It doesnot begin with Uncle Miltie and I Love Lucy, in fact Milton Berle doesn'tappear until page 117.This is a story of television which begins sevendecades earlier, when the first piece of the puzzle which would becometelevision was unveiled: the telephone.This, Barnouw recognizes, is thebirth of television, because it fired the imaginations of scientists andengineers, artists and entrepreneurs, and, perhaps most importantly, boysplowing fields with their horse teams.

The stories of the young geniuseslike Marconi and Farnsworth capture the imagination, and Barnouw highlightsthese heros' struggles in the wars waged by RCA against each of them. Greater attention is due Edwin Howard Armstrong, another young genius whowas crushed by the monstrous corporation, but Barnouw gives Armstrong morethan most.By the time RCA premieres television service in 1939, thereader understands that television has already had a tremendous impact onAmerica.

Television's greatest moments are here, and Barnouw does aexcellent job of devoting appropriate amounts of time to each.The authorrecognizes how interwoven television has become in our society and somechapter breaks are measured by historical events, rather than by eras oftelevision. The end of World War II and the assassination of JFK not onlymarked shifts in our nation's history, but in television as well.Whatfollowed were not historical events, as before TV, but media events.

The book also features a very useful and interesting 11-page chronology,an excellent biographical notes section, and an exceptional indexes, all ofwhich make this tremendously accessible.It is tremendously compellingreading.Don't pick it up before your favorite show, because you won't beable to put it down in time! ... Read more

Product Description
On September 19, 1962, The Virginian made its primetime broadcast premiere. The 1902 novel by Owen Wister had already seen four movie adaptations when Frank Price mentioned the story's series potential to NBC. Filmed in color, The Virginian became television's first 90-minute western series. Immensely successful, it ran for nine seasons--television's third longest running western. This work accounts for the entire creative history of The Virginian, including the original inspirations and the motion picture adaptations--but the primary focus is its transformation into television and the ways in which the show changed over time. An extensive episode guide includes title, air date, guest star(s), writers, producers, director and a brief synopsis of each of The Virginian's 249 episodes, along with detailed cast and production credits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

television's show The Virginian
I was impressed with how fast the book arrived after ordering it. Although I have not read the whole book yet, it's been good so far and I like the pictures that are in the book. This was a favorite tv show of mine when growing up, so it's nice to read all about the history of the show. Anyone who was a fan of the tv series would enjoy the book. The book covers not only the actors that played on the series, but the men and women behind the scenes as well, from producers, writers and directors etc. What amazed me is the fact that I did not remember all the different actors that came and went on the series. Several of them went on to do other tv shows and you still see them from time to time. I believe that by the time the series was over, that only James Drury and Doug McClure had survived the entire series. In the back of the book is a chapter dedicated to the episodes for the entire nine seasons and a list of the actors that guest starred on the episodes. Nice trivia!

Great for Fans of The Virginian
This is an excellent book for those that are fans of The Virginian t.v. series and those who performed in and worked on the series! Virginian fans have waited a long time for this great resource and recognition of this wonderful series. I found it to be well a written/researched look at this series from both behind and in front of the cameras. It is a good value. I would recommend it to those interested in this series or t.v. westerns in general.

A Fun Read
This book is almost as interesting in its oversights as it is in its fascinating tidbits of information.Due to the (over) price of the book one must be, or know, a die-hard The Virginian fan to purchase it in the first place.I expected a lot more for the money.There are some very interesting, although relatively short, interviews with James Drury, Roberta Shore, Doug McClure's daughter, Randy Boone, and Sara Lane.The lack of photos good photos, and interviews with other surviving cast members left a rather glaring gap in the history.
The producer of the show during most of its years in production, Frank Price, was by far the "main character" in the book.There are actually as many photos of his actress wife who played in a couple of episodes of The Virginian as there are of the many of the main characters.The book was formatted in a fashion that invites the reader to skip around, hunting for interesting information, rather than read from cover to cover.
However, as a true fan of the show and its characters, I found enough information to make it a worthwhile purchase.James Drury's a class act.Although he states quite clearly that he's "not a man who carries tales," he offers enough anecdotal stories (who knew his horse on the show lived to be 37?) to keep things interesting.Doug McClure's daughter provided some touching photos; his ex-wife Barbara Luna, some wonderful stories.Gary Clarke is a self-effacing delight who reveals, among many other things, that the age difference between his youngest daughter and eldest son is 48 years, and that he was a complete novice at horseback riding when he started on The Virginian. Roberta Shore, who played Betsy, is--to this day-- the Swiss yodeling voice in the Disneyland ride "It's a Small World".How's that for trivia?She is also quoted as saying, "I may have watched the following season to see who they put on to replace me.I don't know who she was, but she only lasted a year."Come on now, even I know who she was: Diane Roter.
But Diane Roter, David Hartman, Don Quine, and Clu Gulager are only some of the interviews which weren't included in the book. I wish there had been an explanation as to why.Did they refuse to be interviewed?Could they not be found?It's just curiosity, but it's the same curiosity which made me want to read the book in the first place.

I was blast from the past .
It was great going back to my past I loved this TV show it brings back so many memorys.

Old Memories
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It brought back many good memories as a child watching the Virginian as well as the other westerns of the time.It was interesting to read about the episodes and what went into making the series as well as things that the actors were thinking and the behind the scene activities.Although things weren't always as perfect as they seemed, we all can relate to what it takes to work together as co workers and The Virginian set was no exception.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to relive memories and to anyone who is just now getting to know the series via reruns.I have enjoyed watching them everyday myself. ... Read more

Product Description

Television is a form of media without equal. It has revolutionized the way we learn about and communicate with the world and has reinvented the way we experience ourselves and others. More than just cheap entertainment, TV is an undeniable component of our culture and contains many clues to who we are, what we value, and where we might be headed in the future.

Media historian Gary R. Edgerton follows the technological developments and increasing cultural relevance of TV from its prehistory (before 1947) to the Network Era (1948-1975) and the Cable Era (1976-1994). He begins with the laying of the first telegraph line in 1844, which gave rise to the idea that images and sounds could be transmitted over long distances. He then considers the remodeling of television's look and purpose during World War II; the gender, racial, and ethnic components of its early broadcasts and audiences; its transformation of postwar America; and its function in the political life of the country. He talks of the birth of prime time and cable, the influence of innovators like Sylvester "Pat" Weaver, Roone Arledge, and Ted Turner, as well as television's entrance into the international market, describing the ascent of such programs asDallas andThe Cosby Show, and the impact these exports have had on transmitting American culture abroad.

Edgerton concludes with a discerning look at our current Digital Era (1995-present) and the new forms of instantaneous communication that continue to change America's social, political, and economic landscape. Richly researched and engaging, Edgerton's history tracks television's growth into a convergent technology, a global industry, a social catalyst, a viable art form, and a complex and dynamic reflection of the American mind and character. It took only ten years for television to penetrate thirty-five million households, and by 1983, the average home kept their set on for more than seven hours a day.The Columbia History of American Television illuminates our complex relationship with this singular medium and provides historical and critical knowledge for understanding TV as a technology, an industry, an art form, and an institutional force.

Customer Reviews (2)

Lays out the developmental history of television beginning with its pre-war inception
Most people are not aware that the technology of sending images and sound over the airwaves was well underway prior to the outbreak of World War II. The demands of the war effort were what delayed the introduction of television to the American population until after the war's end. In "The Columbia History Of American Television", Gary R. Edgerton (Professor and Chair of the Communication and Theater Arts Department at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia) lays out the developmental history of television beginning with its pre-war inception, then takes the reader through the Network Era, then the Cable Era, and concludes with an examination of the current Digital Age of television. Along the way, Professor Edgerton addresses an enormous number of relevant issues such as television as an art form, its impact on American popular culture, its gender, racial, and ethnic components, its impact on politics and social issues, its effect as a commercial venture for the American economy, and so much more. A seminal work of meticulous scholarship, "The Columbia History Of American Television" is a welcome and highly recommended addition for academic and community library American Popular Culture reference collections, as well as an informed and informative work suitable for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the history of television in America.

Exceptional Television History
Professor Edgerton provides an excellent history of American television, providing his unique insights as a media expert in an engaging writing style that is enjoyable yet scholarly. The book is filled with antidotes and critical events that tell the fascinating story of American's favorite pasttime. The book will be valuable both to those who seriously study television and to media professionals who create and produce television. American and international students and educators will also find the book especially insightful about the important role of television in American society. As a scholar and media practitioner who has studied television around the world for the past 20 years, I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tenth edition of Herbert Zettl's field-defining text TELEVISION PRODUCTION HANDBOOK, the author's emphasis shifts to how production proceeds in the digital age --from idea to image -- and how it moves through the three major phases, from preproduction to production to postproduction. In this context, you will learn about the necessary tools, examine what they can and cannot do, and explore how they are used to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This edition also features the latest digital equipment and production techniques, including HDV and HDTV. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Decent Book
The first few pages were written on as stated in the description but this didn't turn out to be a problem for me. The book is overly in good condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Fully updated, revised, and expanded, this second edition of Modern Cable Television Technology addresses the significant changes undergone by cable since 1999--including, most notably, its continued transformation from a system for delivery of television to a scalable-bandwidth platform for a broad range of communication services. It provides in-depth coverage of high speed data transmission, home networking, IP-based voice, optical dense wavelength division multiplexing, new video compression techniques, integrated voice/video/data transport, and much more.

Intended as a day-to-day reference for cable engineers, this book illuminates all the technologies involved in building and maintaining a cable system. But it's also a great study guide for candidates for SCTE certification, and its careful explanations will benefit any technician whose work involves connecting to a cable system or building products that consume cable services.

*Written by four of the most highly-esteemed cable engineers in the industry with a wealth of experience in cable, consumer electronics, and telecommunications.

*All new material on digital technologies, new practices for delivering high speed data, home networking, IP-based voice technology, optical dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), new video compression techniques, and integrated voice/video/data transport.

*Covers the latest on emerging digital standards for voice, data, video, and multimedia.

*Presents distribution systems, from drops through fiber optics, an covers everything from basic principles to network architectures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

not as good as they say
Comprehensive in some degree but lack of details. Not quite useful to me. Have to read other books to get a better picture. In simple words, don't buy this book with your own money!

Engineer
This is a very good book for someone interested in the CATV industry.

It gives you a good explanation of the technologies that allow CATV companies the ability to provide all the services now available.

It does this in one book, so that you don't have to hunt through several books to find what you need, when you need it.

comprehensive but major reservations
This encyclopedic reference appears to do a good job of spanning the tremendous range of technology comprising satellite transmission and reception ("transception"); head-end organization; regional and "last mile" distribution; and set-top box technology, steering (unfortunately) way clear of the hardware, firmware, and software issues associated with providing modern unidirectional and bidirectional digital services atop multiple tuners in home network (including up-and-coming IPTV) environments supporting slavable hard drives. HOWEVER, being an electrical engineer and, therefore, having naturally started with the chapter on modulation and analog detection, I was WOEFULLY disappointed. It is fine to author mathematical treatments with a heavy hand ("It is imperative that one understand ...," etc.), but one had better know what one is talking about. This is clearly not the case. Where mathematics are presented as putative groundwork for some forthcoming exposition, they are erroneous and weak. Irrelevant theorems from high-school trigonometry are cited as if they are the be-all and end-all of signal analysis. The description of run-of-the-mill Fourier analysis is flawed and terminologically imprecise. The Nyquist theorem is casually referred to as "Harry Nyquist's rule" and cited as if it were a side-effect rather than a vital principle--a principle that is clearly way beyond the authors' understanding, insofar as I never saw any development of the sampling theorem or the expansion of bandlimited functions in terms of sinc (no, NOT sync) pulses. Now, when I studied communication systems, it was critical to have a crystalline understanding of how the signal and power spectra morphed as one proceeds from block to block throughout the (analog or digital) system. Yet, the authors are unable to do this, muffing through vague mention of "X Hz of single sideband and Y Hz of double sideband" and obfuscatory, misleading diagrams of time-domain phenomena accompanied with similarly vague notions of orthogonal this or quadrature that but--you guessed it--steering clear of any precise mathematical exposition (a la Hilbert transforms or diagrams that clearly indicate signal spectra, satellite spectra, aliased sidelobes, etc.) while fumbling through discussions of "two layers" of filtering that attempt to lump transmission "filtering" and reception "filtering" into one logical task without asserting or fully executing any conceptual paradigm whereby the one logically inverts the other. Where is the sampling theorem? Where is the fundamental mathematical expression of amplitude modulation? Where is a clear diagram that demonstrates how the I, Q, and L analog TV signals are multiplexed? Why is there discussion of envelope detection without any mention of the Schwarz inequality? "Constellations" of QAM, QPSK, etc., "signals" are diagrammed without the merest mention of what one is actually looking at, viz., message vectors in Kotelnikoff space based upon an eigenvalue expansion achieved via Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization. What really blew me away, though, was--brief though it was--the most nonsensical statement of all: The authors were discussing various directions in digital compression, and I saw a subchapter heading entitled, "Fractals." I said to myself, "Wow! That's great! I wonder what they've managed and how." Well, the "explanation" was nothing more than, "Fractals are really useful; the only problem is in figuring out the equations." That's like a math student telling his teacher, "I've got the solution to the problem! The only thing I'm missing is the detailed algebraic expansion!"

Comprehensive (2nd Edition)
Well done compilation that is approachable while covering a lot of ground. If you need one book that touches on all the technology aspects of the cable industry and can fit on your bookshelf, this is it. I highly recommend it.

Excellent tutorial and reference
This book is a remarkable survey of a very broad field.It is necessarily somewhat superficial in its coverage of some of the more abstruse topics, but provides the necessary essentials an engineer needs to operate in the cable television environment.Unlike mere compendia of archival publications, this book has a consistent pedagogical viewpoint and notation.It is oriented towards practicing engineers, providing just enough theory to support successful problem solving.I recommend it to anyone working in the field. ... Read more

Product Description
This classic, best-selling text introduces students to the basic skills required in all aspects of television production, including camera and studio, field equipment and production, and multicamera directing, at the same time emphasizing the latest production techniques and technology, such as audio workstations, non-linear editing, and HDV (High Definition Video). TELEVISION PRODUCTION HANDBOOK introduces cutting-edge developments in the field, while maintaining its reputation as the standard for the Television Production course. Presented in full-color for the first time, this is the most current, technically accurate reference text available, and it offers the most extensive teaching and learning package for the course. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

New Books should not say not for Resale on back
When I payed extra money to get A brand new never used book for college, I don't expect the book to be shipped in a Weight Watchers scale box with bo shipping material and the box having more tape than cardboard.Also the book also says not for Resale on the back of the book so someone made $56 dollars for something they got for free.I hope Amazon.com has a beter time disguishing whats new and whats USED on their website.

A Good Text
This is an excellent reference text for TV production students.I use this in my classes.The problem is it is very expensive and it is missing some key framing concepts (the rule of thirds). It can be redundant at times. As a whole though it is an excellent text.

The Best television production textbook ever!!!!
This textbook is a truly fantastic textbook if you want to learn about television production. There are no other textbooks like it.....it literally is the bible for all television production students. I have done several internships in the field of television and this textbook has covered a lot of what I have done in these internships. Its amazing how much of what I have read and seen in this textbook are also things that I worked with in my internships. It's simply the best textbook out there for television production students!!!Look into other works by Herbert Zettl, he is the Sigmund Freud of the television world! ... Read more

Product Description

The Apprentice. Project Runway. The Bachelor. My Life on the D-list. Extreme Makeover. American Idol. It is virtually impossible to turn on a television without coming across some sort of reality programming. Yet, while this genre has rapidly moved from the fringes of television culture to its lucrative core, critical attention has not kept pace.

Beginning by unearthing its historical roots in early reality shows like Candid Camera and wending its way through An American Family and The Real World to the most recent crop of reality programs, Reality TV, now updated with eight new essays, is one of the first books to address the economic, visual, cultural, audience, and new media dimensions of reality television and has become the standard in the field. The essays provide a complex and comprehensive picture of how and why this genre emerged, what it means, how it differs from earlier television programming, and how it engages societies, industries, and individuals. Topics range from the blending of fact and fiction, to the uses of viewer labor and "interactivity," to issues of surveillance, gender performativity, hyper-commercialism, and generic parody.

By spanning reality television's origins in the late 1940s to its current overwhelming popularity, Reality TV demonstrates both the tenacity of the format and its enduring ability to speak to our changing political and social desires and anxieties.

Customer Reviews (1)

An anthology of essays by learned authors
Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture is an anthology of essays by learned authors exploring the popular culture phenomenon of "Reality TV" that has redefined entertainment, particularly in the twenty-first century. From hybrid blends of documentary and reality TV, to ubiquitous court TV shows, demographics of those who follow reality TV, webcasting, the profound impact of "Survivor", and more, Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture explores avenues with scholarly depth and attention to detail. An index allows for quick research in this groundbreaking cultural expose recommended especially for academic libraries.

... Read more

Product Description
Television Production offers you a very practical guide to professional TV and video production techniques. You will find straightforward description and explanations of the equipment you will use, and discover the best ways to use it. You will also learn how to anticipate and quickly overcome typical everyday problems.

You will explore in detail all the major features of television production, learning the secrets of top-grade camerawork, persuasive lighting techniques, effective sound treatment, as well as the subtle processes of scenic design and the art of video editing.

Successful program-making is about communication and persuasion. It is not merely a matter of knowing which buttons to press, but how to influence and persuade your audience, hold their attention, develop their interest, and arouse their emotions. This book tells you how to do all this - and much more.

The fourteenth edition has been completely revamped:
* New: Coauthor Jim Owens brings his wealth of teaching and international broadcasting experience
* New: In brilliant full color for the first time, hundreds of new photos and illustrations demonstrate the techniques presented in the book
* New: Thoroughly overhauled with the latest developments in tools and technology
* New: Focus on the latest equipment, delivery methods, and convergence of digital technology

* Everything you need to know about the tools and techniques of television production
* Doesn't just tell you how to use equipment, but also why and when: a big-picture approach to help you succeed on any type of shoot, regardless of the equipment
* In brilliant full color for the first time, hundreds of new photos and illustrations demonstrate the techniques presented in the book

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book. Excellent service.
Delivered on time and the book is by far my favorite tome on video production. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a brilliant collection of essays on a show that has taken the art of television drama to new heights. "The Wire" is about survival, about the strategies adopted by those living and working in the inner cities of America. It presents a world where for many even hope isn't an option, where life operates as day-to-day existence without education, without job security and without social structures. Over its five season, sixty-episode run (2002-2008), "The Wire" presents several overlapping narrative threads, all set in the city of Baltimore. The series consistently deconstructs conventional narratives of law, order - and disorder - offering a view of America that has never before been admitted to the public discourse of the televisual. It is bleak and at times excruciating. By focusing on four main topics (Crime, Law Enforcement, America and Television), examines the series' place within popular culture and its representation of the realities of inner city life, social institutions and politics in contemporary American society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

I miss being an English major
An interesting collection of essays on a variety of topics. Insightful analysis but not too highbrow. Also, it was nice going through the plot summaries again.

Intriguing analyses
The book contained easy-to-follow and yet, structurally sound and interesting arguments and analyses regarding various aspects of "The Wire". It had very little direction and was more a compilation of critical looks into the dimensions of the show. I used this book as a tool in for a course solely structured around using "The Wire" a s a critical lens through which to view various aspects of life and the human condition especially with regard to dualities in the inner cities of america. It was helpful despite being a little bland and presumptuous at certain points.

Required Reading for "The Wire" Fanboys
I would love to do an "eternal sunshine of the spotless mind" procedure so I could watch all 5 seasons of "The Wire" again for the first time.I'm obsessed with the show as are many others I know.Since there's no more episodes and I've read everything I could find on the Web I was pysched to find this book.The essays are very uneven.Several are very good, 1 I thought was flat out great (by the Bileveau's) and the rest are so-so. Even the so-so ones were still a joy to read.Not as insightful or provocative as the better ones but it was still fun to go back through some of the scenes and dialog.The Bileveau's piece on Michael and Namond was the highlight for me.It combined solid literary criticism w/ insightful social applications.

If you're obsessed with "The Wire" I don't think you really have a choice but to read this book.You won't love all of the essays (some of them you'll finish and won't remember any of what you read) but you'll look forward to picking it up each time.

A worthy title of its subject...
This book of essays is fantastic, allowing one to delve much further into the deep sea of powerful narrative that is The Wire. The essays are interesting, expertly-written and demonstrate a deep knowledge of and respect for the show, while offering an expanded view of the power of The Wire. Worth every dollar. I wish more volumes like this were available for television series. ... Read more

Product Description
Imagine the greatest week of television ever.In celebration of its 50th anniversary, TV GUIDE has done just that.Picking and choosing from classic programs, unforgettable characters, hilarious moments and broadcast-interrupting tragedies, TV GUIDE has created in this deluxe and nostalgic history the ultimate week of programming.Here are fifty years of riveting innovation distilled into one unforgettable book.

From Saturday morning cartoons through prime time and late night, Fifty Years of Television pays tribute to hundreds of the most important shows of all time.More than 250 color and black-and-white photographs capture the giants of TV in their prime—from "The Great One," Jackie Gleason, to his latter-day descendant Homer Simpson, from Jack Webb of Dragnet to James Gandolfini of The Sopranos.The exciting, graphic covers of TV GUIDE offer a fantastic voyage through generations of pop culture.More than 400 collectible covers are included, featuring the work of artists such as Charles Addams, Salvador Dalí, Al Hirschfield, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol.Landmark essays from the pages of TV GUIDE by Oprah Winfrey, John F. Kennedy, Alex Haley and other American icons shed light on the seductive power of the medium.In original interviews, some of TV's best known and most beloved personalities reminisce about the shows that made the country tune in. A sweeping appreciation of TV, this is the ultimate book of its kind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Book
Extremely happy.Book was in extremely great shape for the price.I wasn't expecting the cover to still be on it, but it was there also.Thank you very much.

A great trip down memory lane
I bought this book as a gift and it was a hit - wonderful content, and a fun book to keep out on the coffee table - everyone wants to look at it.

50 years of tv guide
wonderfully put together brings back a lot of memories will be a great conversation piece when neighbours come over.

Great memories of childhood shows!
I am so pleased with my purchase of FIFTY YEARS OF TELEVISION. I look at it so often and relive some of the best television in history.
I was also very pleased with the excellent service,price and quality of this collectible book.
I would recommend this book to any Baby Boomer wanting to take a walk through the best years of TV programs in 50 years of entertainment.

Past Programming Brought to Life
This book and its photos stir up unforgettable memories: Mickey Mouse, Leave it to Beaver, Dennis the Menace, Get Smart, Ed Sullivan, Batman, Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason, Lawrence Welk, Bonanze, Flipper, Daktari, the JFK assassination, and much more. It also provides a useful TV Guide index covering the years 1953-2002.
... Read more

Product Description