Directing Film: The Director's Art from Script to Cutting Room

by Ken Russell

In this ground-breaking book, acclaimed film director Ken Russell unpacks the creative insights, technique know-how and sheer determination that have resulted in more than fifty diverse and yet intensely personal films.Drawing on his parallel experiences of producing, screenwriting and editing -- as well as his favorite (and some un-favorite) movies by other directors -- Russell places the role of the director as auteur within the context of film-making as a collaborative enterprise.

Genres: Film

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

The filmmaker, not the author of IQ Tests.

Ken Russell tried several professions, before choosing to become a film director.He was a still photographer a dancer and even served in the army, but it was film that was to be Mr. Russell's destiny. He began by making several short films, and those paved the way for his brilliant television films of the sixties that are acclaimed for his attention to detail and opulent visuals. His third feature film Women in Love (1969) was a triumph and he became an internationally known filmmaker. In the 1970s his talent truly blossomed, over the next 2 decades he would direct a succession of remarkable films most of them contained his trademark flamboyance that critics generally dismiss but many seem to find this engrossing.He will forever be remembered as a controversial and visionary artist with something of a third eye when it comes to making oddball dramas that have captivating images and themes.

Reviews

[Alex Pintică · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has some entertaining stories, but that's it

[Malcolm Frawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an in-depth thesis on film-making. It's an entertaining stroll through a variety of Russell's films & the experiences he endured in the writing, casting, shooting, editing & other facets of the process. His personality, & his love for what he does, shines through every page. Most enjoyable.

[Kendal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ken Russell's Substack

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although very short, Directing Film is without a doubt the funniest book about film I have ever read. Story after story, joke after joke, Ken Russell gives you a taste of what being a film director is like, all with a dash of his signature twisted humor. His description of Paddy Chayefsky is worth the price of admission alone, and his story about pitching The Boyfriend is absolutely hilarious. I am not often one to be reduced to tears of laughter while reading a book, but Ken's book sure pulled it off.

Essentially, the whole book is structured as a how-to manual, so each chapter deals with one area of film making: the pitch, the screenplay, casting, principal photography, etc. However, rather than Ken just telling you how to make a pitch or how to go about casting, he fills each chapter with hilarious anecdotes about his experiences in film, most of which do not make executives look too good. In a way, it's a saucy satire on film courses themselves with Ken pointing out the flaws in the system through co-opting a "scholarly" or traditional form, but instead filling the pages with the most jeering, sarcastic stories--all of which offer practical, honest advice. I would liken this book to a scene in my favorite Rodney Dangerfield movie, Back to School, in which Rodney, after returning to college, sits in a business class only to give the students "practical" advice from the back row. Have a look.
That's pretty much how I would describe the tone.

If you are even remotely interested in film, read this book NOW. Ken's wit is timeless, and his points, especially ones about the (in his words) "soft drink salesmen" who now run production companies, are truer now than when this was published.

[Drew Raley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncle Ken occupies a singular space among genuine auteurs. Late-in-life alcoholism scuppered his chance at solidifying a truly staggering legacy, and his slow decline into exile, unemployability, and esoterica all but guaranteed that his achievements will inexorably be obscured by his bad choices and diminished public profile. Make no mistake, though: Ken ran the table between 1969 and 1975, and contributed far more to film form than his contemporaries, including John Schlesinger, Tony Richardson, Karel Reisz, and Richard Lester. Only Nic Roeg and Lindsay Anderson lay claim to a singular and lasting impact on British film culture comparable to Ken Russell. Titans, all.

[S. Claus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading for the conversational tone of Mr. Russell's writing alone, this light volume is packed with interesting information for a budding filmmaker or artist of any discipline, for insight into the business of movies in the 80s when this was written, and for insight into Mr. Russell's fascinating mind.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alternately a chipper how-to of the step by step process of making a film and a laundry list of the mind-crushing, absurd and ecstatic images Russell brought to mainstream film in the 70's. There will never be another like him; I don't think we could handle or afford it.

[Jeff]

I missed buying this at a used book shop.

[Steve Folan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and shows Ken Russell to be a provocative, creative and practical person. It was a great read and he describes the challenges of making a film and how he solves them or doesn't.