GREAT BRITONS OF STAGE AND SCREEN, VOLUME II: DIRECTORS IN CONVERSATION (paperback)
ISBN 9781629334028
Barbara Roisman Cooper is an acknowledged expert on British cinema and theatre. Her many credits on those topics include articles in publications such as British Heritage, Modern Maturity, Biblio, and The Baker Street Journal. She has interviewed more than one hundred leading members of the British stage and screen communities.
Great Britons of Stage and Screen, Volume II: Directors in Conversation examines the artistic processes of a dozen creators of some of the most important films and stage productions over the last seventy-five years, many of which have received Oscars, BAFTAs, Oliviers, and Tonys. The book provides insights into the lives and works of these professionals: what they do, how they do it, and who inspired them to create some of the greatest works of film and theatre.
Great Britons of Stage and Screen, Volume II: Directors in Conversation is Roisman Cooper’s fourth book; her others are Straight from the Horse’s Mouth with Ronald Neame (2003); Anna Lee: A Memoir (2007), and Great Britons of Stage and Screen: Volume I: In Conversation (2015), a collection of twenty-two interviews with British actors.
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“Barbara Roisman Cooper has, over many years, been having in-depth conversations with an extraordinary range of distinguished British film and theatre directors. The result is this remarkable collection, which is not only a welcome source book, it is also a terrific read. ”
– Sir Christopher Frayling, former Rector of the Royal College of
Art and Chair of Arts Council England
“Great Britons of Stage and Screen: Directors in Conversation provides surprising insights into the lives of working directors, past and present, an invaluable contribution that transcends scholarship and enriches our cultural knowledge.”
– Nicholas Meyer, writer-director
“With her talent and inside knowledge as author and teacher of film, Barbara Roisman Cooper commands and coaxes her directors to performance pitch. This is an inspiring book.”
– John Minoprio, The Old Vicarage Picture House
“These insightful and entertaining conversations with twelve successful British directors will add immensely to the hands-on work in film schools in particular and students of film and theatre at large. If this fine publication by Barbara Roisman Cooper had been available when I was at UCLA, I might have become a director myself instead of a novelist.”
– Tim Symonds, author; UK member: Society of Authors,
Historical Novel Society, and Chartered Institute of Journalists
"The world of film and theatre has always been fascinating. Getting to see directors in action, how they prepare, and what they deliver is interesting. In Great Britons of Stage and Screen: Volume II: Directors in Conversation Barbara Roisman Cooper gives the reader a glimpse into the film world through the eyes of celebrated British directors. Barbara writes of the conversations she had with the directors, getting them to talk about both their professional life and personal life. The interviews and discussions are intriguing as the reader gets to learn about things that some directors have never revealed to anyone.
"Some of the directors the author interviewed include Ken Annakin, Michael Attenborough, Michael Blakemore, Howard Davies, Sir Richard Eyre, Deborah Warner and many more. From all the interviews in the book, one thing remains constant, the directors put in work to be where they were. The successful careers they had were thanks to the talents they nurtured, discipline, and passion for film. I enjoyed it when the author talked of the challenges the renowned directors faced, as it got the reader to understand that they were still human beings, despite the directors having made it big. The author also talked of the impact they had in their communities and it was encouraging.
"Great Britons of Stage and Screen: Volume II: Directors in Conversation is an illuminating book detailing Barbara’s riveting conversations with eminent and remarkable people in British film and theater. This is a fascinating book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in history, theater, interest in the arts, or readers looking for something of a mini-biography on some venerable artists. There are several lessons to be learned from those interviewed. One also gets to appreciate film as it has become one of the biggest industries not only in Britain but the whole world."
- Literary Titan
Author Book Signing and Some Surprise Activities:
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of
"Great Britons of Stage and Screen: Actors – Directors – Behind the Scenes"
Barnes & Noble in The Commons at Calabasas, 4735 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA