So you want to know how to make a movie? 

John Badham: On Directing can help you there.

Hailed as “indisputably the most valuable book on the craft of film directing yet published” by Wade Major & Tim Cogshell, FilmWeek and CineGods,  the second edition of Chapman Professor’s highly praised book only adds to the value of the first.

Badham breaks down the elements of action and suspense that are needed to make a great film and the elements of any good scene across genres. He also gives valuable tools that the reader can apply in directing and acting for maximum impact. 

A veteran director who has worked on more than 39 feature-length productions and many television shows over a career that has earned him Academy Award nominations and international box office success, Badham shares his experience including notes from the sets of Saturday Night Fever, War Games, and more in this book.

This second edition features a brand new section: The Director’s Survival Guide to Episodic Television and explores the political danger zones faced in the world of streaming, cable and network television. 

 Badham has also created a First Aid Kit for all directors and the newly expanded list of “14 Must Ask Questions Before Rehearsal”– an absolute essential in any filmmaker’s toolbox. 

“John Badham: On Directing started because we realized that a lot of actors don’t trust directors, don’t trust them because they’ve been abused and yelled at, had problems with directors, and it’s an unpleasant experience for them,” said Badham in an interview with Cultured Vultures this year.

In his book he shares insights from talented directors on how they work with difficult actors, rehearsal techniques and getting the best performance from any actor whether novice or pro.

“Actors are human beings, and they have this annoying habit of having opinions, and being creative, and what both my books talk about is taking advantage of this creativity, instead of trying to be a dictator, and to make them your creative partner,” said Badham.

Known as being an ‘actor’s director’ due to his background working as a theater director, he has since brought that knowledge to Dodge College where he teaches intermediate and advanced directing.

“A lot of what we’re doing at Chapman University in the film school there is very much focused on training the directors to work with actors, and how to give notes, how not to give notes and working out the best way to bond with actors.” said Badham.