Communication videos and dvds All Titles 21st-Century Bard: The Making of Twelfth Night When the decision was made by Britain’s Channel 4 to film a TV adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the result was a gloriously irreverent, deliciously colorful production in which the twins Viola and Sebastian—Parminder Nagra and Ronny Jhutti—are re-imagined as shipwrecked asylum seekers adrift in a surreal contemporary London. In this fascinating four-part series, the people who made it all happen explain how it was done. All Too Wonderful: Frank Capra and James Stewart In 1940s American cinema, they were made for each other. This magnificent program captures how Frank Capra used James Stewart to project a message of an ideal America, perhaps best illustrated in their 1946 collaboration, It’s a Wonderful Life. It also details their biographies and first meeting on the set of 1939’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Stewart’s later career is examined—primarily his collaborations with Hitchcock on Rope, Rear Window, and Vertigo—but the program argues that Stewart’s time with Capra produced a cinematic "ideal vision of what man could be." Art and Life: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth After the veritable riot that ensued from his 1938 radio directorial effort, "The War of the Worlds," Hollywood recognized the extraordinary genius of Orson Welles. A contract with RKO Studios and full creative control over his masterpiece Citizen Kane soon followed…and then he married Rita Hayworth. This robust program juxtaposes the biographies of Welles and Hayworth. Career pressure led to the end of their marriage: Hayworth’s iconic portrayal in the title role of Gilda, and Welles’ The Stranger are discussed, among others, as well as the testimony to their only collaborative effort, The Lady from Shanghai. The Art of Film This program studies the art that underlies the craft of filmmaking—a painstaking process that culminates in the take, that shared moment of concentration when everything comes together. Twelfth Night director Tim Supple and his first assistant director, production designer, director of photography, costume designer, stunt coordinator, and others offer their insights into set design, the culture of the film set, creating a look through costuming, choreographing the action, creating moods with lighting, and the nature of directorial vision. British Documentaries: A Reel History From 7UP, to The Ascent of Man, to Walking with Dinosaurs, the British film and TV documentary has set the standard for this powerful art form. In this program, industry icons Lucy Blakstad, Leslie Woodhead, Paul Watson, Paul Appleby, John Lynch, Paul Hamann, and Jeremy Mills discuss landmarks in the history of the British documentary. Clips from groundbreaking shows including those named above as well as the bombastic Sylvania Waters; Civilization, with Kenneth Clark; The World About Us, with David Attenborough; The Human Body; Fermat’s Last Theorem; Naked; and Paddington Green are featured. Original BBC broadcast title: Culture Fix: Making Documentaries. The Business of Film In this program, Channel 4 commissioning editor John Richmond, producer Rachel Gesua, director Tim Supple, screenwriter Andrew Bannerman, and members of the cast and crew talk about the business of making a modest TV adaptation of Twelfth Night. Step by step, they walk viewers through scripting; budgeting for talent, crew, cameras, sound, sets, blue screen, lighting, and costuming; casting actors and hiring the principal crew; scouting locations; planning and building sets; and scheduling the shoot Calling All Liberals! Air America Radio Can liberal talk radio succeed? What is the right mix of humor and political advocacy that turns airtime into market share? In this ABC News program, Chris Bury evaluates the liberal radio network Air America Radio—and the undeniably enormous success of conservative radio, an integral part of the Republican Party infrastructure. Will The O’Franken Factor beat Rush Limbaugh and his colleagues at their own game and balance the political airwaves? A panel discussion moderated by Ted Koppel follows the report. Casting Calls: Hollywood and the Ethnic Villain   Does Hollywood’s portrayal of villains reinforce racial stereotypes or does the industry give the public what it wants? This program explores the history of film’s ethnic "bad guy," looking at sociopolitical and economic forces that create, perpetuate, and rehabilitate these characters. Special attention is paid to current depictions of Muslims onscreen. A wide range of film clips, from Birth of a Nation to The Sopranos, provides many examples, along with commentary from critics, directors, and actors, including Bob Cochran, co-creator of 24; David Chase, creator of The Sopranos; Dr. Jack Shaheen, author of Reel Bad Arabs; and New York Times culture editor John Darnton. A Discovery Channel Production. Computer Worms and Viruses Computer bugs are no mere prank. A disruption of global communications networks by today’s sophisticated worms and viruses is costing companies billions and can do lasting damage to the world’s economic health. This NewsHour program begins by defining these binary invaders and then examines the escalating security challenges of keeping networks free of infection. Members of the Computer Emergency Response Team at Carnegie Mellon University and other white hats discuss proactive ways to detect and then block electronic intruders through single-user protocols and enterprise-wide defenses   Digital Dark Age? Gambling with Humankind’s Knowledge Compact and portable, digitized information is an attractive alternative to bulky books, analog media, and emulsion-based photographs—but can it stand the test of time? In this program, Stewart Brand, co-inventor of the TCP/IP Internet protocol, and others in the know assess the rapid proliferation of digitization; confront the alarming risk of massive data loss through technology obsolescence, platform incompatibilities, and storage media degradation; explore the potentially catastrophic impact of data loss on cultural identity; and outline some of the efforts being made to stave off a digital dark age   Feeding the Beast: An Inside Look at the News Media Keeping people informed 24/7 demands a never-ending stream of news items—each one filled with material to be edited, facts to be checked, and decisions to be made as the clock steadily ticks. This ABC News program takes an unvarnished look at the Chicago Tribune, ABC’s World News Tonight, and WJLA, an ABC affiliate, providing insider insights into what goes on at America’s newspapers and TV stations as they scramble to feed the beast. From Theater to Video: Finding an Audience This program is a virtual "how to" on the theatrical and video distribution business. In two presentations, Steve Rothenberg, president of domestic distribution at Artisan Entertainment, explains today’s tough movie industry mentality and how to beat what he calls "the theatrical game." The specifics of test screenings, when to release films, and what determines niche, platform, exclusive, and wide-scale releases are covered. In addition, Robert Tollini, former senior vice president of marketing for Major Video Concepts, drives home the importance of commerce and breaks down the significance of video in sell-through and rental markets. A powerhouse resource on the business of the movies. (51 minutes, color)   Gameheadz Since the first Pong machine was launched three decades ago, computer games have evolved to become the world’s second-largest entertainment industry, after music. This fascinating program profiles the visionaries, mavericks, and renegades of this addictive multibillion-dollar industry. Interviews with Nolan Bushnell, Ralph Baer, and others illustrate the innovation and creativity that went into the creation of Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Brothers, and Tetris, among others, and the Game Boy system.   Hitch: Alfred the Auteur As this program illustrates, Alfred Hitchcock would take even bigger risks and attain greater success in the second half of his career. Film clips, stills, and commentary from Hitchcock, actors, and production specialists help chronicle the making of such classics as The Birds, Rear Window, Vertigo, and Psycho. Footage also looks at Hitchcock’s ambivalence toward the popular TV show that brought him into millions of living rooms. Along with extensive discussions with Hitchcock himself, interviews include Tippy Hedren; Karen Black; Bruce Dern; director Peter Bogdanovich; Evan Hunter, screenwriter of The Birds; and Joe Stefano, screenwriter of Psycho. Materials previously unavailable include outtakes and screen tests. Hitch: Alfred the Great In 1927, London audiences got their first taste of a Hitchcock masterpiece with The Lodger. This program traces the first half of Alfred Hitchcock’s life, looking at his upbringing, education, and incredible rise as a director. Along the way, the video details his apprenticeship with Fritz Lang, his production of the first British "talkie," Blackmail, his move to Hollywood, a tumultuous collaboration with David O. Selznick, and the formation of his own short-lived studio. Footage from The 39 Steps, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Under Capricorn highlights his use of montage, the "10-minute take," and his philosophy of "pure cinema." Also featured is a wealth of commentary from actors, writers, daughter Penny Hitchcock, and the director himself, including excerpts from François Truffaut’s famed 26-hour interview. Hitch: The Genius of Alfred Hitchcock Over a 60-year career, he was known as the master of suspense. Today, his name is synonymous with the genre. This two-part series presents the definitive examination of the life and works of Alfred Hitchcock. Each program features extensive film clips, interviews, commentary, and previously unavailable materials, including outtakes, filmed auditions, and Hitchcock’s own home movies. Original BBCW broadcast title: Hitch. Hollywood Pairs: American Cinematic Couples and Duos Making movies is a collaborative effort and at the heart of it is the vision of the director, as executed by the actor. This vibrant five-part series examines the working relationships of some of Hollywood’s most revered actor/director teams: Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles, James Stewart and Frank Capra, Elia Kazan and Marlon Brando, Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne and John Ford. Each actor was the director’s instrument in the creation of some of American cinema’s most colossal works. An essential mixture of production lore, cinematic scholarship, and film clips from landmark productions. Inside Hollywood: Mindsets and Methods When it comes to Hollywood, inspiration can only take aspiring actors, screenwriters, and directors so far—business know-how is a must. In this menu-driven two-part series filmed at Indiana’s Heartland Film Festival, prominent Hollywood producers, writers, and executives provide expert commentary that strikes a necessary balance between business and creative aspects of the film and television industries. Can be viewed using a DVD player or computer DVD-ROM drive. 2-part series, 54-64 minutes each. The Jayson Blair Story: Favoritism and Plagiarism at The New York Times African-American journalist Jayson Blair has been pilloried as the personification of affirmative action out of control. Was it race that fueled his rapid promotions at The New York Times and prompted management to essentially ignore reports of his inaccurate work? In this ABC News program, correspondent Bob Jamieson chronicles the sensational rise and fall of Jayson Blair. Afterward, anchor Chris Bury talks with Mark Whitaker, editor of Newsweek; Condace Pressley, president of the National Association of Black Journalists; and The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz to assess the impact of the scandal on The Times, the credibility of the news media, and equal opportunity. Journalists Under Fire: Working in a War Zone Behind every calmly delivered TV news report is an untold story of on-the-spot decisions, unexpected delays, and last-minute changes. Add to that tension the dangers of working in a war zone and the nightly news becomes quite a drama indeed. In this program, ABC News correspondents, camera operators, producers, and others explain what it takes to record events in dangerous locales such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Israel and then broadcast them to living rooms nationwide. Joyful Complicity: Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe As an investigative journalist in Austria-Hungary, Billy Wilder espoused ideals that would be the themes in his later films: a play of ambiguity; changes of identity; and a fascination for America. This compassionate program explains how Wilder used these themes to craft Marilyn Monroe’s performances in The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot. Their joyful complicity is best illustrated in Wilder’s Fedora, sequel to his masterpiece Sunset Boulevard and made 16 years after Monroe’s untimely death; the film is his dedication to the actress whose talent and charm he argued would never be duplicated in Hollywood. (30 minutes, color and b&w) The Language of Film When Tim Supple directed the filming of Twelfth Night, he was a stickler for sticking to the words as the Bard penned them. Everything else, though, was up for grabs as he and screenwriter Andrew Bannerman shifted and intercut scenes and in general translated the play into the all-encompassing language of film. In this program, members of the cast and crew use snippets of the screenplay to demonstrate how scene, setting, character, action, and dialogue combine to communicate the essence of the story with all of its nuances, subplots, themes, and hidden meanings. Myth Makers: John Ford and John Wayne They helped to instill the mythic qualities of the cowboy in American cinema. This powerhouse program focuses on the friendship of John Wayne and John Ford, beginning with their first meeting in 1928 and spanning their collaboration over 130 pictures, 14 of which were made without a contract—unheard of in 21st-century Hollywood. The program analyzes chiefly their work in Stagecoach and Red River, as well as Fort Apache, one of the first pro-Native American films, and The Alamo, which Wayne directed. Their efforts in World War II—Wayne’s at home, Ford’s abroad—and the war’s effect on their later work are also considered. An ideal resource for the American film historian. NOW with Bill Moyers: John Nichols and Robert McChesney on the Media and Democracy In this program, media experts John Nichols and Robert McChesney join Bill Moyers to examine America’s corporate media machine and the dire implications of closed-door deregulatory decisions. Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation, and McChesney, author of Rich Media, Poor Democracy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times, discuss, among other topics, the pernicious influence of corporate interests on the free press, which they contend have become a major barrier to the exercise of democracy. NOW with Bill Moyers: Daniel Yankelovich on Public Opinion Research Opinion polls are said to be the voice of America; Daniel Yankelovich has been listening for the last 40 years. In this program, Bill Moyers talks with the survey pioneer recently named one of the 20th century’s ten most influential people in the area of public policy. From his vast experience in the field, Yankelovich explains the agendas behind public opinion research, homing in on its uses and abuses by special interest groups. He also discusses the integral link between the economy and education, as well as what Americans can do to become poll savvy. Psychology and Method: Elia Kazan and Marlon Brando Brando and Kazan: two dynamic forces of heightened realism who used each other to further their aims. This valuable program goes behind the scenes of some of their best-known collaborations—A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront—to illustrate how Kazan was like a father figure to Brando, challenging him to excel. Both men’s careers leading up to their first meeting at Lee Strasberg’s Actors’ Studio are highlighted. The program also conveys Kazan’s socially conscious political philosophy and how he integrated it into the films of his later years, particularly The Last Tycoon. (28 minutes, color and b&w) Reporters at War: War, Lies, and Videotape It is said that in war, truth is the first casualty. This program examines the oftentimes confrontational relationship between America’s media and the U.S. military and how, from the Vietnam War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the two sides have tried to outwit and outthink each other. Interviews with renowned American journalists Walter Cronkite, Andy Rooney, and Peter Jennings, among others, and Jihad Ali Ballout, head of communications at Al Jazeera, are featured. Where does the truth fit when a free and democratic society goes to war? Graphic news footage is included. Viewer discretion is advised. A Discovery Channel Production. Science of Special Effects Filmmaking is an art, but special effects are all about science. This program explores the dynamic link between the sciences—from astronomy to zoology—and the film industry’s finest special effects. Leading innovators explain many of their techniques, illustrated with footage from dozens of movies and TV programs, including Stuart Little, Fight Club, and The X-Files. Experts include Stan Winston, Academy Award-winning creature creator whose work includes Alien, Terminator II, and Jurassic Park; Phil Tippett, special effects supervisor for Jurassic Park; Professor Donald Hoffman, who specializes in cognitive and computer science; and Nick Foster, software engineer for Antz. A Discovery Channel Production. Screenwriting: Tips from the Pros FADE IN: A stage, upon which sit award-winning playwright and screenwriter Mark St. Germain, two-time Emmy-nominated Freaks and Geeks creator and writer Paul Feig, actor and writer Bobby Garabedian, and producer Belen Santos. In two straight-talking forums, they advise today’s flock of would-be screenwriters on what makes a character compelling, how plot points should be used in a three-act structure, how to get good representation for a script once it is written, and why it is important to know the rules…before breaking them. (33 minutes, color) The Technology of Film Computers are changing everything, including filmmaking. This program illustrates the digital postproduction process through numerous editing examples taken from Twelfth Night. Key crew members—a film editor, sound designer, sound recording engineer, digital effects artist, and others—share their expertise with setting the film’s pace and rhythm, constructing sequences with different types of shots, crafting the soundscapes that support the action and help tell the story, recording and mixing the music, creating skyscapes for the blue screen, and grading the lighting. Time Frenzy: Keeping Up with Tomorrow One of the ironies of the ubiquitous technologies now in use is that they were supposed to save time and improve the quality of life. What went wrong? This cautionary program examines the social and ethical consequences of the increasingly fast pace of life in the U.S. It contrasts the American 24/7 work ethic with the business traditions of other countries and, in the process, examines the impact of technology on personal relationships, education, health, and the environment. TV and Film Writers in Hollywood: Learning to Succeed This program provides the essentials for writing for television and feature films. David McFadzean and Matt Williams, writers for such primetime television programs as Roseanne and The Cosby Show, discuss what they call the "grueling" cycle of writing for the medium. They advise would-be writers how to take and learn from criticism, and that any immorality in stories should be constructed within the context of morality. In addition, McFadzean speaks of the difficulties of writing and selling a screenplay in the film industry, defining a good screenwriter as "someone who goes from failure to failure with enthusiasm." An essential overview of what any aspiring teleplay or screenwriter should expect in Hollywood. (32 minutes, color) The Video Game: Past, Present, and Future From Pong and Donkey Kong to Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider, this program traces the remarkable history of video games by studying the companies, technologies, and economics that are fueling the industry in Japan, the U.S., and France. It also seeks to understand the driving force behind the video game’s phenomenal cultural penetration while offering insights into the rigorous development and aggressive multichannel marketing of games and game consoles. The inevitable convergence of the video game and film industries and the impact of the Internet as a global gaming environment are also considered War Spin: The Media and the Iraq War Some stories are simply too good to be true. In this program, John Kampfner, political editor for the New Statesman (London), skewers heroic reports of the ambush, capture, and rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, calling them misrepresentations designed to bolster wavering support for the Iraq War. Kampfner also scrutinizes the controversial practice of embedding members of the news media in military units and questions the sincerity and overall informational value of the daily CentCom briefings in Doha. An ideal springboard for discussions about propaganda, media ethics, and journalism in the modern combat zone. Original BBCW broadcast title: War Spin. The X Factor: Inside Microsoft's Xbox Microsoft owns the office, and now it wants to take over the living room. Drawing on input from key Microsoft decision-makers and the hotshot development teams behind Crimson Skies, Halo 2, and Oddworld, this program illustrates the challenges of video game development and marketing. Xbox architecture and controller design, scripting, animatics, motion capture, programming, and playtesting are touched upon as the creators pull all-nighters of debugging, agonize through green light prototype meetings, and race to meet E3 trade show and final delivery deadlines. Can Microsoft use the Xbox to beat Nintendo and Sony at their own game?