Book Description
One hundred political cartoons you wanted to see, but weren't allowed to: all were banned for being too hot to handle.
Think you live in a society with a free press? These celebrated cartoonists and illustrators found out otherwise. Whether blasting Bush for his "Bring 'em on!" speech, spanking pedophile priests, questioning capital punishment, debating the disputed 2000 election, or just mocking baseball mascots, they learned that newspapers and magazines increasingly play it safe by suppressing satire.
With censored cartoons, many unpublished, by the likes of Garry Trudeau, Doug Marlette, Paul Conrad, Mike Luckovich, Matt Davies, and Ted Rall (all Pulitzer Prize winners or finalists), as well as unearthed editorial illustrations by Norman Rockwell, Edward Sorel, Anita Kunz, Marshall Arisman, and Steve Brodner, you will find yourself surprised and often shocked by the images themselves—and outraged by the fact that a fearful editor kept you from seeing them. Needed now more than ever because of a neutered press that's more lapdog than watchdog, Killed Cartoons will make you laugh, make you angry, and make you think. 100 illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Antidote to editorial timidity .......2007-05-30
If you're disheartened by pusillanimous publishers who lack the sand to back up their writers and cartoonists when they come up with controversial material, David Wallis is your man. In his previous work, "Killed: Great Journalism Too Hot To Print," he championed journalists whose articles were decommissioned by their fearful overseers; now in KILLED CARTOONS he's back with a book that does the same for editorial cartoonists. Clever, thoughtful, and brave.
Kartoons that did not see print.......2007-05-13
What a shame these weren't printed. All were to the point, and pertinant.
Wrong choice.......2007-05-13
The Book was good enough it just wasnt quit what I was looking foward to
Funny, but you don't want to laugh.......2007-04-28
I enjoyed KILLED CARTOONS immensely. The work illustrates beautifully why political cartoons are important. (And why they're capable of generating real controversy.) What Wallis understands is that cartoons have a contradictory function. One the one hand they have to amuse the reader, and on the other, they have to upset his/her equilibrium--ideally to the boiling point. Cartoons reach us on a visceral level, which is why I found Wallis' commentary (captions, if you will) a perfect complement to them. Wallis is a witty intelligent and apparently well-informed writer. This book came to me as a gift, I just bought his KILLED: Journalism To Hot to Print, with my own money.
Understand what you're getting.......2007-04-21
For the right audience, I'm sure this is a fine work. I was not the right audience. I wanted a book that presented the cartoons, with perhaps minimal commentary, and let me decide for myself. Instead, this provides pages of commentary and, actually, very few cartoons (94 in its 282 pages - I counted). If you're looking for a treatise on the myth of freedom of the press, using a few cartoons as case studies, then by all means look at this book. Just know what it is you are buying, and know that less than a third of the pages in the book actually show the "Killed Cartoons" that the title promises.
Book Description
For high-schooler Yoko Nakajima, life has been fairly ordinary--that is until Keiki, a young man with golden hair, tells Yoko they must return to their kingdom. Once confronted by this mysterious being and whisked away to an unearthly realm, Yoko is left with only a magical sword; a gem; and a million questions about her destiny, the world she's trapped in, and the world she desperately wants to return to.More than just a fantasy story filled with horrific monsters, half-beasts, and magicians, The Twelve Kingdoms centers around a world reminiscent of Chinese mythology and rife with civil and political upheaval. Sea of Shadow, the first volume of this ongoing seven-volume epic, takes you on a wild ride that leaves you questioning the bounds of reality and fantasy."An exciting, fast-paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats."--BookLoons.com "This is a fantasy novel displaying a grand imagination and soaring adventure."--ActiveAnime.com"Fuyumi Ono weaves a bewitching tale of strength in adversity, bravery despite fear, courage above all, and trust â€" in yourself and in others."--Yabookscentral.comFuyumi Ono was born in Oita Prefecture, Japan. She graduated from Otani University with a major in Buddhist studies. During college she was a member of Kyoto University’s mystery story club for readers and writers of the mystery genre. In 1988, she made her publishing debut in Kodansha’s teen-targeted X-Bunko Teens Heart series. Besides The Twelve Kingdoms, Ono has written other novels in such genres as mystery and horror.
Customer Reviews:
Astonishingly good.......2007-06-25
I couldn't put this book down. I stayed up all night to finish it, and went to work the next morning like a zombie. The story is extremely well-written and the translation is handled perfectly. I did not expect the character development to be so in-depth--this book is a must-read for both children and adults. I can't wait for Book 2 to come out!
A fun read..........2007-06-19
I enjoyed the anime series and since it's based on novels instead of manga I figured I'd read them. The book takes you deep into the world of the twelve kingdoms, and also into the mind of the heroine, Yoko, who is dealing with her own faults while trying to survive in an unfamiliar and hostile world. The author's descriptions give a vivid account of what it's like to be Yoko by mentioning "other senses" type of details, by which I mean senses other than sight. We hear about sounds, smells, and most importantly how things feel. The story is rich and complicated, but not so much that one can't put things together. I enjoyed this book, and anyone who is a fan of anime or manga would probably like it as well.
Good ending, lukewarm beginning and middle.......2007-06-12
I wish there were half-stars on Amazon, because my actual rating for this book would be a three and a half. For most of the book (i.e. the beginning and middle), my reaction was merely that it was okay. I had liked the premise for the book, which was why I bought it, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations as I began to read. After the initial set-up, I felt like the same things kept happening over and over again: Yoko fights demons, almost dies, gets help from strangers, and then the cycle repeats. There are also long periods of reflection, both in Yoko's mind and in conversation with "herself" (the blue monkey), which always seemed too similar to one another as well; there wasn't much progression until the final conversation. The whole idea of the "good girl" and Yoko's eventual lack of trust didn't feel natural too me~it was as though I could see the author pulling the strings, purposely feeding me information to get me to believe these character traits that just didn't seem to develop properly.
Don't get me wrong, though~there were quite a few things about the book I did enjoy, especially the ending. While much of the book gave me a humdrum feeling, by the time I closed the book I was left with the impression that I actually liked it. I am now even looking forward to the next volume. In short, the ending saved this book for me, which is why I wish I could give it three and a half stars instead of three. There were also other enjoyable points/ideas as well: I especially liked the concepts of beastlings, egg fruit, and the various other demons in the story, among other things. I just wish I was able to like all of the book, not just parts.
Outstanding !.......2007-06-09
I have seen the Anime version and was very pleased that the book is so different. I cannot wait untill the next book is released.
Beautiful Read.......2007-06-02
This book was a joy for me to read, plain and simple. I am an avid anime and manga fan, and I was intrigued by this book, simply because I had heard a friend mention the 12 Kingdoms anime long ago. I was surprised and delighted to find this book was worth far more than I paid. The book is very well written and I had trouble putting it down. The story is captivation and keeps you guessing, weaving a very surprising and I enjoyed it, just when you think you finally start to understand, you are taken in a whole new direction. The world put forth in this book seems limitless, and the characters, most notably Yoko, grow in such a fantastic way it's hard to put into words. I am very pleased and recommend this to anyone who has a hint of imagination, a taste for adventure and a love for the unknown
Average customer rating:
- gorey
- ghoulish delight
- morbid alphabet
- Best use of the word "ennui"
- Now don't get me wrong....
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The Gashlycrumb Tinies
Edward Gorey
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The Haunted Tea-Cosy: A Dispirited and Distasteful Diversion for Christmas
ASIN: 0151003084 |
Amazon.com
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..." The rhyming couplets of this grim abecedarian are familiar, of course, to devotees of macabre humor, but the darkly crosshatched drawings are (as Poe put it) "the soul of the plot." Several years went by during which The Gashlycrumb Tinies: Or, After the Outing was not available in a small hardcover edition like this one, which is the true format for Edward Gorey's specialty, the adult picture book. (For those who wish to share the gloom there's a 10-copy assortment with The Curious Sofa.)
Book Description
A new, small-format edition of one of Gorey’s “dark masterpieces of surreal morality” (Vanity Fair) - a witty, disquieting journey through the alphabet.
Customer Reviews:
gorey.......2007-09-01
being an avid Ed Gorey fan it was nice to get a new copy of one of my favorites
ghoulish delight.......2007-08-23
as expected, this was a sickly-sweet, twisted little gem - i wish there could be more!
morbid alphabet.......2007-07-27
disguised as a children's read, this little book shows all the ways little people could die, from A to Z.
I expected the artwork to look like the cover page but they are all black and white. He uses pen for all the illustrations, achieving many values and textures with lines, stripes, various patterns and predominately crosshatching. It's cute.
Best use of the word "ennui".......2007-07-01
A twisted, strange, lovely alphabet that shows Edward Gorey at his macabre best. I give one of these books to every friend I meet who understands my own bizarre sense of humor. Edward Gorey rules!
Now don't get me wrong...........2007-06-07
I like all of Gorey's work. The stories are simply worded and have a feeling of every word in its place. The art at a first glance also seems rather simple in an intriguing way, the you look closer and the tiny lines drag you in the rest of the way.
I think for many people, Edward Gorey is a love him or hate him thing. You either find it very amusing or just plain sickening nonsense. I happen to be of the former. I do have some trouble with some of his stories (that dang statue book...) because I find them somewhat....pointless. This book, however, is one of the more comprehensible, if also one of the most simple in premise.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a bit of "dark humor" now and again. But, really, unless your kid is pretty tough, don't read it as a bedtime story until they are old enough to really understand that it's not real. If you must introduce them to Gorey at a young and tender age, go pick up a copy of The Epiplectic Bicycle (My other favorite E.G. book) or one of his more nonsensical books. Don't give your kid nightmares.
Average customer rating:
- GREAT FOR THE ASPIRING COMIC WRITER!
- Why didn't some body think of this sooner?
- Cool, helpful, worth the read
|
Panel One: Comic Book Scripts by Top Writers
Kurt Busiek ,
Neil Gaiman ,
Nat Gertler ,
Dwayne McDuffie ,
Trina Robbins ,
Greg Rucka ,
Jeff Smith ,
Kevin Smith , and
Marv Wolfman
Manufacturer: About Comics
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The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics
ASIN: 0971633800 |
Book Description
Contains annotations, plots, interviews, and scripts by many of comics' hottest writers, including Kurt Busiek, Neil Gaiman, Greg Rucka, Kevin Smith, Jeff Smith, Marv Wolfman, and more.
Customer Reviews:
GREAT FOR THE ASPIRING COMIC WRITER!.......2003-05-28
This is a great text that takes you through the creative process of several unique writing styles. The variety of script and drawings from a host of authors, really made this book encouraging to the aspiring comic writer. I'm looking forward to getting Panel Two when it comes out.
Why didn't some body think of this sooner?.......2002-05-07
It seems like such an obvious good idea.
It's a wonderful glimpse into the creative process.
Just received it last night, and I'm already half through it. I haven't done that since I was eleven and got Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. Not that this book has any similarity to that one. This is not a how to book. Its a more intimate, than any instructional book. Its a similar difference in experience to watching a biography to reading someones private correspondence. The presentation adds to the feeling as well.
Better than seeing pencils, better than watching a demo, or hearing someone try to explain the creative process. You actually see it and are part of it because this is what the artist sees, while he is in the process.
As a comic book fan for years and creative hopeful (which I believe is a large part of the intended audience), I hope this is first in a long line.
Great job, thanks Mr. Gertler.
Cool, helpful, worth the read.......2002-04-04
One thing that's bugged me in my various efforts at writing a comic book script is that no reference I checked seemed to agree as to what format is right. As this book explains, that's because there IS no "right" or "wrong" format, just different ways to do it.
Every script in this volume shows you something. Gaiman's reads like a personal note to the artist, Wolfman shows how plot-first can work, McDuffie shows you how to work in a recap, Kevin Smith shows a more movie-script style of writing and Kurt Busiek's entry... heck, when I read the original comic book I thought it was one of the greatest comic book stories I ever read, but the script for "The Nearness of You" just made it all the more powerful.
If you want to try to write comics, you could do a lot worse than picking up this book.
Book Description
Four days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Pulitzer Prize--winning cartoonist Joel Pett of the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader chided President George W. Bush for having declared that America would "punish any state that harbored or trained terrorists." In one of his cartoons, Pett asked if this included the state of Florida, where the terrorists had lived and taken flying lessons. When Pett followed with other criticisms of Bush, readers canceled subscriptions, demanded that Pett be fired, and left profane messages on his voice mail. "One elderly woman spat into the phone that I 'should have been in the World Trade Center,'Pett said. "Such is the power of the cartoon when it is unleashed."
Unrestricted by journalistic standards of objectivity, editorial cartoonists wield ire and irony to reveal the naked truths about presidents, business leaders, and other public figures. Indeed, since the founding of the republic, cartoonists have both made an important contribution to and offered a critical commentary on our society.
This book demonstrates the limits of cartooning from the courtroom to the newsroom. Chris Lamb examines the reasons for the declining state of the art and the implications for all of us. Most newspapers today publish relatively generic, gag-related, syndicated cartoons. They are cheaper and generate fewer phone calls than hard-hitting cartoons. Lamb charges that they are symptomatic of the foundering newspaper industry and reflect a weakness in the newspaper's traditional watchdog function. If a newspaper wants to fulfill its function in society, maybe it should find ways to make the phone ring more -- not less!
Customer Reviews:
One Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words........2006-01-14
As newspaper readership stagnates, publishers are reducing staff. As a result of the deteriorating newspaper industry, cartoonists are losing jobs and few are finding new ones. At the 2003 Pittsburgh convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, Rob Rogres, the conference's organizer, observed "that the shrinking number of cartoonists reflects the economics and priorities of the newspaper industry. He's one of the lucky ones, as staff cartoonist for Pittsburgh's 'Post-Gazette.'
This book is full of editorial cartoons plus a few comic strips, some old but still relevant, some of more recent vintage. "If things continue as they have [been]," one frustrated cartoonist said, "they may be forced to do as they did in colonial days: sell their work on the streets." Kevin Kallangher, a former president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, "predicted that editorial cartooning would rise and fall with daily newspapers. The future of cartooning is inextricably bound to the future of newspapers."
At the Pittsburgh gathering in 2003, the fact that "the number of editorial cartoonists working full time for daily newspapers had dropped to a 30-yr. low. These annual conventions have become more and more like reunions of WWII veterans," fewer return and those who do "wonder which of them will be the next one to go." The profession has compromised itself by using subs instead of the real thing. "Paul Conrad [of the 'Los Angeles times'] once told a gathering of cartoonists that they had shrunk from their responsibilities because they were ill informed on either the issues of the day or the classics of antiquity."
This is an important form of American journalism, using pictures to show social criticism in this country's tradition of a free press. "As artists, satirists, and commentators, editorial cartoonists make a unique and invaluable contribution to society. My local daily newspaer has an excellent, long-time staff cartoonist on the editorial page. "Journalism ought to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable; there's no better way to afflict the comfortable than with editorial cartoons." And Charlie Daniel at the 'Knoxville News Sentinel' is one of the best.
By having too many editorial columnists and writers, but no full time editorial cartoonist, journalism is reflected in "the decling readership and declinging influence of American newspapers." Chris Lamb is professor of communications at the College of Charleston.
Average customer rating:
- Everything You wanted to know about Asterix and more!
|
The Complete Guide to Asterix (The Adventures of Asterix and Obelix)
Rene Goscinny , and
Uderzo
Manufacturer: Distribooks Inc
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ASIN: 0340653469 |
Customer Reviews:
Everything You wanted to know about Asterix and more!.......1998-08-13
Find out some of the ingredieants for Getafix's magic potion. Indepth discushions with Uderzo about the creation of Asterix (Did you know he has a soft spot for chickens?) And finaly translate all those laten quotes that have been eluding you for years. This is the best Asterix book you could pick up!
Book Description
The comic book that teaches you how to read and write Japanese! This brand-new series from Manga University uses original comic artwork to teach readers how to identify and write the most common Japanese kanji ideographs. Volume 1 introduces 80 basic kanji that all Japanese schoolchildren are required to learn before entering the third grade. Subsequent volumes in the series will focus on more difficult kanji and kanji compounds. Each page features its own comic strip, kanji pronunciation guide, stroke order, and English explanations.
Customer Reviews:
Kanji de Manga.......2007-04-02
I own the first three volumes of kanji de manga and I also own kana de manga, and I do think they are useful. They allow for quick learning and show stroke order in detail for everyone of the characters. The problem is that they do not give enough information, like how use verbs in sentences when they have been conjugated. Also, they are not very good for people who aren't very fluent in the language because of the Japanese used in the examples. I do appreciate that all of it is in Hiragana and Katakana, which provides good practice, but would pose a problem for people who do not now kana. This is good book for people who are interesting in Japanese, but I would not recommend it for people who intend on becoming fluent in the language, not to mention as of now there is only 4 volumes, and a fifth one on the way. I would suggest going for the White Rabbit or Tuttle flash cards.
Good books, but weird organization of the volumes.......2007-01-20
While I do like these books, and I have found them to be useful in my and my families learning of kanji, they are organized in a completely non-sensical way. At the back of each book, they proclaim that they are useful in studying for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficieny Test) exams. They are useful.. just not comprehensive.
For example, Volume 1, which has 80 kanji in it to learn, (despite what the paragraph at the back of the book says) is NOT the full list of kanji you would need to learn to pass the first level exam (JLPT4). The JLPT4 test requires 103 kanji at the current time, as well as like 700 vocab words, and basic grammar and listening skills. If you were to just study this book, and nothing else, you would surely fail.
At first I thought maybe the authors had just made an error and meant to say that the books were organized loosely based on the elementary school grade level. However, this is also not true. An example of this is ±(oj"hana") which is a grade level 1 kanji taught to first graders, but is in fact in Volume 2.
The only other glaring problem I've found with these books is the lack of any sort of English definition lookup or table of contents. While you can look the kanji up if you know the spelling in kana, being able to look it up in English would've been really nice. However, the books are cheap and fun and pretty easy to use.
Quite Useful.......2006-11-03
A good workbook for learning Kanji. It shows each character, what it means, and how to draw it. I wish it would have the meaning of each character written in Romagi as well, I found myself adding that myself, but that's not a big deal. My only serious complaint is regarding the last half of the book which is for practicing drawing the characters. There is no suggestion as to how this section should be used. A character or two to copy from on each page would have helped tremendously. As it is there isn't even a single line suggesting how to use the section effectively, just 50 pages of graph paper. You can flip back and fourth between the page in the front displaying the character you want to learn and the back where you try to draw it, but this is extremely awkward. Especially for someone who is left handed such as myself. I ended up practicing each character on the page describing it.
Recommended Book for those who already know their Hiragana and Katakana........2006-07-13
This isn't the best book for those who are total beginners. Of course, you learn 80 kanji and 160 combination kanji, but it's hard for beginners to read the manga inputs because it contains each one drawn out scene that contains the newly learned kanji. But, in there... it's written in hiragana and katakana along with the kanji. Of course, there's an english translation. But, it's written at teh buttom of teh page and doesn't pacifiy each hiragana and katakana combination's meaning.
Though, if you know your katakana and hiragana already it's fun to write out what everything says and figure out the english meaning later, or maybe you already know it. So, it's also good to work around with if you're not a complete beginner.
Kanji De Manga is good to follow for those who are determinded to learn kanji, you can practice your kanji and make little flash cards. (like I did.. and it's REALLY helpful for memorization and in my opnion, quite fun.)
And for those who don't know their hiragana nor katakana I only knows 1 or the other, I suggest "Kana de Manga", it's a REALLY good book to learn your hiragana and katakana, along with their meanings. Which is good for future translating. I'm still only a begginer myself. ^^; But this helps me get ever so much closer.
Have fun.
<3
Kanji de Manga .......2005-12-28
Kanji de Manga is a good book because it has 80 kanji - enough to pass level 4 of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficency Test)even though on cover it says that it teaches you to read and write, it's best used with another book on pronunciation.
Amazon.com
There must be dozens of books on how to draw comics, but even the best artists need to tell a good story. Who can teach them? Dennis O'Neil. A comics writer and editor for more than 20 years, O'Neil oversees DC Comics' Batman titles--one of the most successful comics franchises ever. In addition, he's a bestselling novelist, a screenwriter, and a writing teacher. So when it comes to storytelling, O'Neil knows his stuff. In this guide he delivers his knowledge in a succinct, no-nonsense style.
O'Neil explains three-act story structure and examines subplots, characterization, and methods for developing drama and suspense. He then applies these concepts to comics' specific forms: graphic novels, miniseries, maxiseries, and the rare megaseries (such as Batman: No Man's Land, a year-long über-narrative played out across five comics titles). As in good comics, words and images work together in this book. Every idea is illustrated by panels or pages from great moments in DC Comics lore. Especially illuminating are the script excerpts that come paired with the comic book pages they describe.
Strangely, the book ignores the visual side of comics writing. Modern comics scripts specify shots, angles, and blocking in movie-director fashion, but that craft is never addressed. (DC has a good opportunity here for a second volume.) However, what this book sets out to teach--storytelling--it does quite well. Aspiring comics writers won't just learn theory, they'll be empowered, because O'Neil provides a framework for crafting new tales. --J.B. Peck
Customer Reviews:
good, but limited in scope.......2007-08-31
I read this book because I'm interested in making comic books for fun, and while there was a lot of good stuff here and it was easy to read, there was a lot more that I would have liked to see covered. O'Neil limited his instruction to the traditional super-hero style comic book with lots of action and so forth. While I learned some valuable things about writing, especially from the examples of comic scripts shown in the book, a person like me who'se more interrested in graphic-novel style literature is going to have to go elsewhere for further instruction and advice.
good stuff.......2007-06-13
I thought the book was very informative, provided excellent examples, and gave great tips on writing. Many of the writing tips could probably also crossover into other mediums as well. In addition, the book is actually fun to read. If you are thinking about scripting your comic idea, read this book.
Beyond Comics, This is a GREAT book on the principles of writing!.......2006-12-19
Whether you write comic books or novels, there are powerful nuggets on the writing process that if applied, you will experience growth in your craft. The book is well organized, easy to read, and easier to digest. This book is a more than a "must read"... it's a "MUST OWN" for ANY writer.
Best book on writing I've ever read........2006-01-04
I've read about a dozen books on writing and screenwriting, and most have been very helpful, especially J. Michael Straczynski's "The Complete Book of Screenwriting." None of them, however, have just laid it all out like Dennis O'Neil's book. While Straczynski's tome can tell you everything you night ever want to know, O'Neil's book tells what you what you MUST know, and very clearly lays out the basics, without which your story will not work. It's short - and half illustrations at that - but insightful and concise.
It is written specifically for the fast-paced, melodramatic writing style of comics, especially action comics, but it's lessons are useful in any story.
I especially like that it is not about teaching you how to write, but about utilizing tools that will clarify your writing, or help to get you out of a bind.
Thank you Mr. O'Neil.......2004-07-18
here in Palestine ( holly land), we miss the fortune of books and comics, I want our kids to see this fancy world just like I do every time I read BATMAN or Spiderman ...
For that I thank Mr. O'Neil who gave me this chance to know HOW TO WRITE COMICS , for a long time I wanted to write a comic stories , I drawn a Super hero of my own , imagined the story line, BUT did not know how to put it on paper, Now ... its an easy mission ... thanks to Mr. O'Neil
Hoping that writing for kids here in Palestine can make a little hope for Peace in the land of Christ.
Book Description
At last. A how-to book by someone who actually knows how to. -- Larry Gelbart
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Learning Tool.......2007-06-02
This book is a bit of a contradiction, insofar as it is very entertaining reading, yet you learn a great deal almost by accident. I also intuitively feel I'd like the author; whether as an instructor or just a nice guy to share a cold beer with. If you are interested in how to make humor "click," this is the place to look. Highly recommended.
Who, me?!.......2005-08-23
So someone once asked me, "Pamela, do you write comedy?". "Not on purpose", I replied.
But now, with the help of a really funny guy who wrote a really helpful book, I can make a good go at it.
Like Brad Schreiber himself, this book is intelligent, witty, accessible, inspiring, and fun.
It offers overviews of various forms of humor, theories of humor, examples of humor, excerpts from humorists, practical advice on writing funny, and even provocative exercises that guarantee at least a giggle, most often a guffaw.
As a story consultant myself, I recommend Brad's book to my writing clients.
As a reader, I recommend Brad's book to anyone -- writer, speaker, performer -- who wants to lighten their life and the presentation of their message with humor.
Over 70 excerpts from top screenwriters .......2005-02-10
Produce winning comedic screenplays using fiction and nonfiction alike with Brad Schreiber's What Are You Laughing At?: How To Write Funny Screenplays, Stories, & More. Included are over 70 excerpts from top screenwriters and pairing them with writing exercises and details on the differences between writing comedy for TV versus stage. There are eleven modes of comedic dialogue, 13 common problems screenwriters encounter and valuable insights into the rhythm and sound of words in What Are You Laughing At? Brad is himself a L.A. screenwriter, so his tips come from an insider's hand.
an example of what it teaches.......2004-06-11
This book is funny -- even if you don't feel like learning anything from it, you'll laugh. Writers will recognize themselves in the examples for sure. I like that the book is about *writing funny* as opposed to writing screenplays or columns or novels or [insert genre here]. Schreiber breaks down the principles of humor writing and gives you guidance on applying them to any type of project.
Brad Schreiber: WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?.......2004-04-09
This is a wry, dry, witty and comprehensive piece of work which is excellent reading in itself as well as being essential for the aspiring writer. Schreiber draws on his experience as TV development executive, teacher, script consultant and actor to hand on a wealth of useful information on everything from Aphorisms to Yiddish Sound Theory and from the Author's Voice to Vulgarity - and for the really keen student there are 'Do This Now' exercises at the end of every section. This is a high quality publication by Michael Wise Productions. It has a useful index and an excellent introduction by Christopher Vogler. I enoyed it hugely.
Book Description
A comic strip conversation is a conversation between two or more people that incorporates the use of simple drawings. These drawings illustrate the dynamics of communication, providing support to individuals who struggle with the quick exchange of information in a conversation. This book has become a staple for parents and professionals working with students with autism and other developmental disabilities. The visual supports provide not only concrete social cues, but also can improve students' understanding of the more abstract components of conversation. It's short and sweet, easy to implement, and fun to work with.
Customer Reviews:
Waste of Money.......2006-10-07
I expected this book to be more educational and informative. It really just gives you a couple templates and not that many ideas, you do the work on your own. You do not need this book to create your own comic strip.
Amazing approach to thinking...........2006-06-23
As the teacher of a very difficult and often misunderstood student with Asperger Syndrome, I found the Comic Strip Conversations opened a door for my student and I to share our worlds. Our perspectives on situations were so different and caused SO much frustration; but we were able to "talk" about the discrepencies in our viewpoints in a very non-threatening way by utilizing the strategies in this book. It was just the beginning for us, but this book was a critical component to building a relationship with my student that has ultimately led to several extremely successful outcomes. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN AMAZING ADDITION TO ANY TEACHER'S LIBRARY!
Innacurate description.......2006-06-02
This book may be good for some, however it is misleading in the description. I was led to beleive that this book was in fact comic book coversations to help explain simple situations to my child with Autism. Instead, you have to write your own comic strips to do the explaining. Not worth the book in my opinion if it is still up to me to do all the work, I already do that without this book.
Great Strategy.......2005-08-15
This is a wonderful book that clearly explains what comic strip conversations are, how to write them, and why they are useful. Although the book is short, the concepts held within are a treasure for helping children learn social communication skills in a fun and non-aversive format. I have used this book to teach parents, aides, and 1:1's how to communicate desired behavior and to help the children express important ideas and needs.The writing and pictures are clear and concise. The use of these picture stories can sometimes help us understand what the child is trying to tell us through behaviors/actions that are hard to interpret.
Very Short and Very Specialized.......2002-07-04
In my opinion, this is probably most suited for the most severe cases, but the book is short and cheap.
Books:
- Killed Cartoons: Casualties from the War on Free Expression
- Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't
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- Lonely Planet Costa Rica
- Mad About the Seventies: The Best of the Decade
- Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill
- Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
- Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 1 (Reprints TALES OF SUSPENSE #39-50) (Hardcover)
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Books Index
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The Mammoth Book of the Funniest Cartoons of All Time (Mammoth Book of)
