The language of Hollywood resonates beyond the stage and screen because it often has inherent drama—or comedic effect. This volume contains a combination of approximately 100 expertly researched essays on words, phrases and idioms made famous by Hollywood along with the stories behind 30 or so of the most iconic—and ultimately often used—quotes from films. There are also sidebars that focus on other ways the entertainment world has changed language. For instance, stories behind stars whose names have been used for drinks (hello, Shirley Temple) or roses (there are ones named after Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland, among others). And, a sidebar on William Shakespeare’s unique contribution to the English language.

Starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen, along with A-list guests, the award-winning and critically acclaimed British television comedy series Staged was an instant hit. Launched during the global coronavirus pandemic, the show follows the two thespians playing fictionalised versions of themselves as they try to rehearse a play during lockdown... over Zoom. Completely Staged presents the complete text of the BBC screenplays from Staged’s writer and director Simon Evans and co-creator Phin Glynn, illustrated throughout in full colour with stills from the show, original drawings, sheet music for the theme tune, Georgia Tennant's carrot cake recipe, tips on how to draw a pineapple and much more. This treasure trove is a must-have for every fan of Staged, a show which perfectly combines comedy and poignancy to encapsulate the collective feelings of a reluctantly virtual world.

In this “highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture” (Rolling Stone), discover the wild and explosive true story of the early years of MTV directly from the original VJs. Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn (along with the late J. J. Jackson) had front-row seats to a cultural revolution—and the hijinks of pop music icons like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duran—as the first VJs on the fledgling network MTV. From partying with David Lee Roth to flying on Bob Dylan’s private jet, they were on a breakneck journey through a music revolution. Boing beyond the compelling behind the scenes tales of this unforgettable era, VJ is also a coming-of-age story about the 1980s, its excesses, controversies, and everything in between. “At last—the real inside story of the MTV explosion that rocked the world, in all its giddy excess, from the video pioneers who saw all the hair, drugs and guitars up close. VJ is the wild, hilarious, addictive tale of how one crazy moment changed pop culture forever” (Rob Sheffield, New York Times bestselling author).

Reality is deadly when you go off script. Bliss Island seems like an idyllic place to live - especially to the people suffering on the war-torn mainland. What's not so idyllic about Bliss is the fact that the Island is a set, and everyone's life is a performance; they're all stars of a hit reality TV show, Blissful Days. Characters on the show think they're better off on Bliss than the mainland, but they're always in danger of being cut if their ratings dip too low. And no one really knows what happens to cut characters. Nettie Starling has never had great ratings, so it seems lucky when a producer offers suggestions to help her improve. But she'll soon have to decide how far she'll go to preserve her ratings ... especially when she learns what could happen to her if she doesn't.

Television is a demanding industry and at the centre of the creative process is the pivotal role of the director. Do you have the right skills to make quality programmes that resonate with audiences? Directing Television offers you a contemporary survival guide. TV directors need a sense of vision, effective management of cast and crew, mentoring and problem solving skills and most importantly the ability to tell a visual story. See inside the everyday realtivies of TV programme making with this essential guide, written by a Nick Bamford a freelancer director and media trainer with over 25 years of experience of making every type of genre from studio work to outside broadcast. Directing Television offers contemporary skiils in each process from pre-production, development, casting, contributors, locations, programme structure, equipment, call sheets, scripting drama, planning the shoot, the importance of screen grammar and camera basics, through to the final edit. It covers a range of programme styles: factual and reality TV, drama, observational docs, comedy and specialist programmes as well as case studies and `war stories' from real TV experience. Benefit from professional advice and develop your creative directing skills today!

Producing Videos has been called the 'bible' of video making. A bestseller over many years, it offers a comprehensive and user friendly guide to all aspects of video production - from the first chapter on using a camera (if it doesn't go in easily, don't force it) to the chapter on distribution (no matter what happens, always hold onto your master). All the elements of video production are covered: camera operation; scriptwriting; composition; budgeting; preproduction planning; lighting and sound recording; interview techniques; field production and studio shoots; digital editing; digital postproduction techniques; video streaming and other forms of online distribution. This edition has been fully revised and updated to cover developments in technology, promotion and distribution. It includes tips from over 120 experienced video teachers from around the world, and is illustrated with over 600 photographs and 200 diagrams. Producing Videos is the best handbook available for learning the basics of video making. It is an ideal guide for students, and for anyone who has a flip camera burning a hole in their pocket and aspirations to become the next hot new director. 'Whether you are a beginner or veteran filmmaker, Martha Mollison's Producing Videos serves as a comprehensive guide to all aspects of video production.' - Greg Walters, Portland Community College 'An invaluable resource for developing my students' video journalism skills.' - Kay Nankervis, Charles Sturt University

The pitch went like this: Chris Butler, a retired cop, ran a private investigator firm in Concord, California. His business had a fascinating angle—his firm was staffed entirely by soccer moms. In fact, Butler employed PI Super Moms: attractive, organized, smart, and trained in investigative techniques, self-defense, and weaponry. This American Life host Ira Glass described them as “MILF: Charlie's Angels." When this story came across Pete Crooks's desk when he was working at Diablo magazine in 2010, he was instantly hooked. He'd heard a little bit about Butler and his super moms in the news; they'd been featured in People magazine and on Dr. Phil. What Butler's publicist was offering was too tantalizing to pass up: an opportunity to ride along with Butler and a few of his sexy PIs as they prepared to start filming a reality TV show. But after the ride-along—and after he started receiving mysterious emails from one of Butler's employees—Crooks started to realize something didn't seem right. After doing a little digging, he discovered the “sting" he'd seen only had one real victim…him. The PI bust had been a setup. Crooks wasn't a hardboiled crime reporter. He did lifestyle pieces for a regional magazine. The more he learned about Butler's operation, the more he realized he was in far over his head. But swallowing his fears, he decided he was going to write an expose on Butler and his entire organization. He soon found himself deep in the underbelly of fake sting operations, wannabe celebrities, police corruption, drug-dealing, reality television, double-crossing employees, and more twists and turns than a dozen crime thrillers.

Mt. Zion's first lady, Sullivan Webb, has left her philandering ways behind her, but lingering questions surrounding her daughter's paternity motivate Sullivan to seek out her own absentee father, Pastor Samuel Sullivan. What her search uncovers is years of lies, secrets, and betrayal that threaten to destroy the lives of almost everyone she loves. Kina Battle's newfound celebrity status as the winner of a popular weight-loss reality show goes to her head as quickly as she shed her unwanted pounds. Kina is prepared for the fame, endorsement deals, and celebrity appearances that come along with stardom. What she isn't prepared for is the harsh backlash when her secrets are exposed and the public starts to question whether she is the devout Christian that she's led everyone to believe she is. Lawson Kerry Banks could get over her husband's affair if the evidence wasn't staring at her through the eyes of his love child. Lawson's insecurities and inability to accept his child force Garrett to choose between the woman he loves and the child he's fathered. Life as the soon-to-be wife of high school football coach Mark Vinson lacks the excitement of Reginell Kerry's former life. It certainly lacks the financial security that pulling down $1000 a week as an exotic dancer afforded her. When the bills start to pile up, Reginell goes back to doing what she knows best, only this time it may cost her more than she's willing to pay. Angel King's broken heart finds a safe place to mend in the arms of high school classmate Jordan McKay. He respects her decision to abstain from sex until marriage, he loves the Lord, and he adores her. However, Jordan is harboring a dangerous secret that could destroy their relationship and leave Angel brokenhearted once again. Just when these ladies think they've gotten life figured out, fate steps in and throws a curve ball, adding fuel to the drama that seems to follow the ladies wherever they go.

Defining and examining the rationale of docudrama, the nine essayists in the first part discuss the history and development of docudrama on TV and in film; they also consider the place of truth in docudrama, the main critiques of the form, and the audience's susceptibilities and expectations. In investigating the actual filmmaking process, the eight essays in the second part focus on how "docudrama as a 'commodity' is created in the United States and England." Part essay, part case study, and part interview, this section also explores how Hollywood and the commercial networks as well as producers and writers work and think. The final part presents an in-depth critique of a number of controversial docudramas that have helped form and shape public opinion, including Battleship Potemkin, Roots, Reds, JFK, Mississippi Burning, Schindler's List, and In the Name of the Father.