Book Description
DESTINOS is an innovative beginning Spanish program based on a 26-week television series premiering on PBS in the fall of 1992. The 52 half-hour shows of the series use the powerful appeal of a uniquely Hispanic genre -- the
telenovela (soap opera) -- to make language and culture come alive. The situation and context of each episode introduce students to the basic structures, language functions and vocabulary groups of Spanish that are then presented in the print materials. (Most grammar explanations and exercises are in the workbook/study guides.) This complete one-year course is designed to help students develop communicative proficiency -- listening, speaking, reading, and writing -- as well as cultural awareness in Spanish. The plot of DESTINOS is designed to engage student viewers from the very beginning. A wealthy Mexican patriarch, nearing the end of his life, reveals a secret he has kept from his family for many years. His revelation leads to some important questions that must be answered before he dies. Raquel Rodríguez, a Mexican-American lawyer, embarks on a search for those answers, a search that takes her to Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and back to Mexico. Students and viewers can join in the search -- learning Spanish and about the rich and diversified cultural context in which it is spoken throughout the world.
Customer Reviews:
Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish.......2007-03-29
The format and content of the course is the best I've found. A great way to supplement your learning and practice. We are using it in an informal conversation group to give us a basis for discussion as we view and do our workbook practice.
muy excelente para todos quien quieren aprender el idioma!.......2005-08-04
(translation of title: Very excellent for everyone who wants to learn the language!)
I cannot emphasize enough how beneficial the Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish series is for those who want to learn Spanish, or become more familiar with the language. This was used in a course I took at college, and it felt like we were all travelling along with the main character, Raquel, a lawyer who travels from her home in Los Angeles, to Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Puerto Rico, as part of her work with her clients, a family living in an estate in Mexico City.
The format of this program is styled after the Latin American "novelas" (soap operas). In other words, you will need to carefully watch each episode, to keep up with plot details. But, not to worry, because Raquel reviews what happened with you, at the end of every episode. Each episode is entirely in Spanish, and it gets you thinking in the language, comprehending what is going on very quickly, as well as picking up interesting information specific to the cultures she is immersed in, during her travels. We learn about art, music, dance, food and slang. (Slang is also a very valuable thing to know about, when travelling in Spanish-speaking countries. Words that are acceptable in one country could get you shot in another country---this isn't addressed in the episodes, but that is really important to be aware of)
I am pleased to say that the series is entertaining, educational and very beneficial to students. It makes you WANT to learn, and also, in spite of the melodrama, you will want to stick it out to the last episode to see how things turn out. Muy excelente!
¡Destinos es muy fantastico!.......2002-06-24
I'm using Destinos in a telecourse, and am having lots of fun with it, and even learning some Spanish. My listening skills have improved dramatically, since the video is the main learning tool, which forces one to sharpen up and really listen to what's going on. The workbook that accompanies Destinos is really detailed, making it possible to learn a considerable amount of Spanish grammar on one's own. Overall, the best Spanish textbook I've used yet! ¡Adiós!
Destinos rules!.......2000-03-16
okay, if you don't like Destinos, then you just aren't with the picture. Its the best, its the bomb, and if you don't like it, don't diss it! Go back and do your own little fancy thing! Forget the world around you and sit on your couch!
Encorages Bilingualism and Culture.......1999-07-23
Last May (1999) I finished my fifth year of Spanish. For two and a half years my class used Destinos. After the AP exam, of the 7 Students who took this years exam, 4 non-native "4's" and one non-native "5". I myself and a much stonger speaker now that I am in college. Destinos promoted speaking from day one and it gave real results. I am exceling in my cuture classes and also with different Spanishes (mex, castilano, argentinian) Destinos gives a well rounded look on the Hispanic Culture. I enjoyed following the charaters through their journeys (video series). I highly recommend this text/video series too all.
Average customer rating:
- Loved this book
- Aim for the Heart is a first-rate "How-To " for TV journalists
- Probably THE book to read for any up-and-coming reporter...
- Great teaching tool
- Need more people to read books like this
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Aim for the Heart
Al Tompkins
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Make it Memorable
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ASIN: 1566251761 |
Book Description
The goal of this book is to help professional broadcast reporters, producers, and photojournalists tell stronger stories. It can serve as a guide for news managers whose job it is to train, coach, and inspire others. Veteran journalist Al Tompkins is Broadcast and Online Group Leader for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
Customer Reviews:
Loved this book.......2006-05-18
I've worked as a tv reporter for nearly 21 years...16 years in Portland, Oregon. This is by far one of the very best books I've read on the art of writing for tv news. I found it useful after reading the very first page. Tompkins uses clear, concrete examples to illustrate his points which instantly made me a better writer. Its refreshing to think about our craft with new insight on the purpose and focus of each story. I've urged all the producers and reporters in our newsroom to get and read this!
Aim for the Heart is a first-rate "How-To " for TV journalists.......2005-08-12
Al Tompkins scores with a practical guide to make pictures and words compelling, even for a novice TV reporter.
Probably THE book to read for any up-and-coming reporter..........2005-03-11
Mr. Tompkins' book was the reason I got my first job coming out of college. The first two stories I put on my resume tape were heavily influenced by the things I read in 'Write for the ear, shoot for the eye, aim for the heart.'
Al explains things so that you not only understand how to do the things we do, but also why we do the things we do. I still keep the book on my desk, and whenever my reporting gets into a rut, I haul out Al's book and re-read it. My next few stories are always better than my last few stories.
Great teaching tool.......2004-07-14
I purchased this book to help teach high school students how to write for broadcast, and the lessons Tompkins gives are valuable for students and professionals. Tompkins shows the process behind the writing and the factors a reporter should consider, such as when less writing is more. The book is funny, entertaining, and touching at the same time. He gives many specific examples, including exerpts from scripts, that show the detail and the planning behind the writing. It changes the viewer's perspective on the television news, and it certainly could help professionals refine their writing for broadcast.
Need more people to read books like this.......2004-04-23
Al Tompkins just gave a great presentation at RTNDA on how to find information on the internet. The seminar was filled with humor, insight, and just plain useful information. This book has a similar feel, like advice from someone who wants you to succeed. If a lot of young people read this book (along with some older journalists), perhaps journalism won't be in quite the spot it finds itself in.
Book Description
Following on from the successful MPEG-2 standard, MPEG-4 Visual is enabling a new wave of multimedia applications from Internet video streaming to mobile video conferencing. The new H.264 ‘Advanced Video Coding’ standard promises impressive compression performance and is gaining support from developers and manufacturers. The first book to cover H.264 in technical detail, this unique resource takes an application-based approach to the two standards and the coding concepts that underpin them.
- Presents a practical, step-by-step, guide to the MPEG-4 Visual and H.264 standards for video compression.
- Introduces the basic concepts of digital video and covers essential background material required for an understanding of both standards.
- Provides side-by-side performance comparisons of MPEG-4 Visual and H.264 and advice on how to approach and interpret them to ensure conformance.
- Examines the way that the standards have been shaped and developed, discussing the composition and procedures of the VCEG and MPEG standardisation groups.
Focussing on compression tools and profiles for practical multimedia applications, this book ‘decodes’ the standards, enabling developers, researchers, engineers and students to rapidly get to grips with both H.264 and MPEG-4 Visual.
Dr Iain Richardson leads the Image Communication Technology research group at the Robert Gordon University in Scotland and is the author of over 40 research papers and two previous books on video compression technology.
Download Description
"Following on from the successful MPEG-2 standard, MPEG-4 Visual is enabling a new wave of multimedia applications from Internet video streaming to mobile video conferencing. The new H.264 ‘Advanced Video Coding’ standard promises impressive compression performance and is gaining support from developers and manufacturers. The first book to cover H.264 in technical detail, this unique resource takes an application-based approach to the two standards and the coding concepts that underpin them.
- Presents a practical, step-by-step, guide to the MPEG-4 Visual and H.264 standards for video compression.
- Introduces the basic concepts of digital video and covers essential background material required for an understanding of both standards.
- Provides side-by-side performance comparisons of MPEG-4 Visual and H.264 and advice on how to approach and interpret them to ensure conformance.
- Examines the way that the standards have been shaped and developed, discussing the composition and procedures of the VCEG and MPEG standardisation groups.
Focussing on compression tools and profiles for practical multimedia applications, this book ‘decodes’ the standards, enabling developers, researchers, engineers and students to rapidly get to grips with both H.264 and MPEG-4 Visual.
Dr Iain Richardson leads the Image Communication Technology research group at the Robert Gordon University in Scotland and is the author of over 40 research papers and two previous books on video compression technology.
"
Customer Reviews:
Totally solid, and still the only book out there.......2007-06-14
I almost didn't get this book because some of the other reviews are pretty bad. I'm glad I got it!
This isn't a standard. So you won't find every table that's part of h.264, but you'll find enough that the standard will be accessible after you read this book. And given that the goal is conversational instead of documentary, Richardson has done a terrific job of simultaneously describing a host of relatively difficult concepts, explaining how they fit together, and explaining their places in the MPEG4 and H.264 standards.
This is probably not a first book on video compression; for that, you might try Digital Video Compression (with CD-ROM). If you get that other book, though, only read the first half. (The second half is absurdly dated and not very helpful.) I think it's reasonable to read the first half of that book, then this one, and then jump right into the standard itself (for whatever purposes you want to do that).
Pretty useless.......2006-11-11
The book does not go deep into the H.264 standard.
It seems that it was supposed to be a review of MPEG-4, with H.264 added as an afterthought.
I expected the level of the Mitchell / Pennebaker classic book on MPEG, but was disappointed.
A book which is better than many overview papers.......2005-10-14
I like the book on overview of H.264 (because it is no worse than most of overview papers, even those in IEEE by H.264 chairs).
One Chapter on H.264 Only - Don't Bother.......2005-09-17
I got this book since it is the only book on H.264 I know of.
There is a single chapter on H.264, chapter 6. The free
on-line papers from Richardson are mostly what is in that chapter.
There are plenty of H.264 overviews on the net for free
which cover the subject in greater depth which are more current.
First on the subject, rough around the edges.......2003-12-25
This is the first text book published on H.264. It has a nice overview of digital video compression techniques followed by chapters focusing on the specifics of each of the MPEG-4 and H.264 standards. Buying this book relays much of the same information but is more cost effective than buying each of the papers and articles on the subject from IEEE and others.
It appears that this book was rushed to publication in order to be first. Particularly in the chapter on H.264, there are many typos and incomplete figures. In some places, a new technical term is used without proper introduction. I look forward to a cleaner second edition in the future.
Book Description
Jackie Mason has built his Tony Award-winning career out of the culture and language of Jewish people, so who better to instruct the unindoctrinated in the joys of Yiddish? How to Talk Jewish, a guide to 100 Yiddish words, phrases, and expressions, includes pronunciations, definitions, and examples of usage, along with Jackie's incomparable wit. Is your blind date haimish? Uh oh. A zhlub, worse. A doctor? The naches are almost inexpressible! Jackie Mason brings all the vivacity, spunk, and chutzpah of Yiddish to the tongues of the less fortunate. Don't be a meshugenner, buy it already!
Customer Reviews:
Jackie Mason helps you learn to talk Jewish the Yiddish way.......2007-02-06
I wanted to learn some common Yiddish sayings. So I bought Jackie Masons' book titled: "How to Talk Jewish". It is an enjoyable book complete with Yiddish sayings and a taste of Jewish life as only Jackie Mason can tell it.
How to Talk Jewish.......2006-03-03
Not as good as I had hoped. He explains a lot of Yiddish phrases that are not commonly used. The commonly used expressions were not defined as well as I could have defined them myself.
Can we talk????.......2003-04-09
Quintessential Jackie! Hilarious! A must-have in a Jewish humor library. May I also recommend a nifty, gezunta book I received as a gift and fell in love with? "A Little joy, A Little Oy" -- if Jackie's a main course Joy, Oy is one amazing antipasto.
Lillian & Joe Moses
OY A KLUG!.......2002-02-06
Only a meshuggener would not find this book entertaining and informative. Then again, probably only meshuggeners would want to READ shtick like this. Too bad Jackie didn't record this for the blind and the goyim; LISTENING to his spiel would just make this so much more of a mecheieha. If only that gantseh macher Webster had had Jackie as his editor -- oy!
Lexicography that is witty and wise.......2001-02-04
This is a smart little book of 93 Yiddish words and expressions that are defined, illuminated, and used-in-a-sentence by comic and philosopher Mason. In his Introduction, a thoughtful essay on Yiddish, he asserts that although he born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1934, he grew up in a one hundred percent Yiddish-speaking world ("I didn't know that anybody in this country spoke English until I was old enough to go to the movies.") His family moved back to New York before he was five.
This little book contains a wealth of Masonisms. Jackie Mason used to have run-ins with censors and others. He reserves the right to be both self-deprecating and insulting. Jews, gentiles, politics, marriage, family, ethnicity, money, power, and God himself - all are up for grabs. There are a lot of funny stories. In addition, he has an understanding of the Yiddish language that he is happy to share. (Harry Truman was haimish - accessible, natural - FDR was not. Colorful explanation is provided.) He offers a theory of chicken soup that links it -successfully - to most of the world's cuisines. He is never dull. Mason: "It seems that in English that you have to prove that you're not emotional in order to have class." He posits his sociolinguistic theory (which you've heard if you've seen or heard his stage show) that the more emotional the speech - content and structure - the more "low class" the speaker. He defends emotionality. He loves Yiddish, and in fact the language (black English, specifically) of any people engaged in a battle of wits to survive.
A funny and endearing book.
Average customer rating:
- Great read
- If you are planning on ever working in television, read this book.
- More involved than you realize
- Want to write for television? Buy this!
|
Successful Television Writing
Lee Goldberg , and
William Rabkin
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0471431680 |
Book Description
The industry speaks out about SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION WRITING
"Where was this book when I was starting out? A fantastic, fun, informative guide to breaking into-and more importantly, staying in-the TV writing game from the guys who taught me how to play it."
âTerence Winter, Coexecutive Producer, The Sopranos
"Goldberg and Rabkin write not only with clarity and wit but also with the authority gleaned from their years of slogging through Hollywoods trenches. Here is a must-read for new writers and established practitioners whose imagination could use a booster shot."
âProfessor Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Department of Film and TV
"Not since William Goldmans Adventures in the Screen Trade has there been a book this revealing, funny, and informative about The Industry. Reading this book is like having a good, long lunch with your two best friends in the TV business."
âJanet Evanovich
"With sharp wit and painful honesty, Goldberg and Rabkin offer the truest account yet of working in the TV business. Accept no substitutes!"
âJeffrey B. Hodes and Nastaran Dibai, Coexecutive Producers, Third Rock from the Sun
"Should be required reading for all aspiring television writers."
âHoward Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and The X-Files
Customer Reviews:
Great read.......2007-05-07
I've read many a television writing book, and this is one of the best of them. Very interesting and educational. I definitely learned a lot! Highly Recommended!
If you are planning on ever working in television, read this book........2006-01-29
I read this book to help prepare me for what I would never know going into a writers room , or pitching to the showrunners. This helped me get to that point and to know how and what to expect when I get there, which I believe is soon. Thanks Lee.
More involved than you realize.......2003-08-03
This book on writing for television is simply a must read if you plan on breaking into the business. But even if you never plan to write a single script, it's simply a very interesting and insightful glimpse into the world of television. The authors convey useful information with wit and style. Writing for TV isn't as simple as you might think. I was surprised and intrigued by all the intricacies of the industry.
Want to write for television? Buy this!.......2003-07-28
I love this book. I got it on a Saturday afternoon and read it within twenty-four hours. (And that includes all the time I spent reading and rereading parts of it, to my family and friends). It has officially joined Martell's "The Secrets of Action Screenwriting" and Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible" as one of my three "go-to" reference books. This one will get worn out.
And I don't even watch TV, anymore.
It's only 135 pages. (Well, 209 pages when you count the extra 74 pages of beat sheets, writer's outlines and treatments of TV programs, which were bought and in most cases produced Real examples). It's concise, but packed with useful information.
This isn't a basic "how-to" book. It assumes you're already a writer (and that you know the correct structure for television). It's daunting, what you'll be up against, (and the authors don't sugarcoat it), but if you want to write for television--study this book, apply the lessons it teaches, and it will give you a huge head start.
Within twenty pages, I had a better understanding of how a television series works then I would have ever figured out on my own. If you haven't heard or don't understand the term *franchise* as it applies to TV, you'd better buy this book, if you really want to write for television. It seems obvious to me, now, but that's only because the authors made it obvious.
And most of the lessons apply to all screenwriting, or writing in general, or just doing business. It's like I was a given a cheat-sheet by reading this book and, I guess, that's exactly what it is. These guys don't only say it--they've lived it. From both sides. Writing and pitching--and taking pitches and hiring writers. They back it all up with real-life examples and anecdotes. Even if you aren't a writer, this book is fun to read.
I really enjoyed the examples of how to and how *not* to pitch in this book. The authors gave me a whole new attitude and more confidence. (At least in theory--I'd probably still go into brain-lock ... when it came right down to the pitch. Or worse yet--become a Mr. Blabbermouth). But at least I have a firmer grasp of what I need to do and how I should present myself and my writing, when (or if) I pitch.
This one is well worth it.
Book Description
Working as a correspondent for
20/20 and
Good Morning America, John Stossel confronted dozens of scam artists: from hacks who worked out of their basements to some of America's most powerful executives and leading politicians. His efforts shut down countless crooks -- both famous and obscure. Then he realized what the real problem was.
In Give Me a Break, Stossel takes on the regulators, lawyers, and politicians who thrive on our hysteria about risk and deceive the public in the name of safety. Drawing on his vast professional experience (as well as some personal ones), Stossel presents an engaging, witty, and thought-provoking argument about the beneficial powers of the free market and free speech.
Download Description
"
Ballooning government?
Millionaire welfare queens?
Tort lawyers run amok?
A $330,000 outhouse, paid for with your tax dollars?
John Stossel says, ""Give me a break.""
When he hit the airwaves thirty years ago, Stossel helped create a whole new category of news, dedicated to protecting and informing consumers. As a crusading reporter, he chased snake-oil peddlers, rip-off artists, and corporate thieves, winning the applause of his peers.
But along the way, he noticed that there was something far more troublesome going on: While the networks screamed about the dangers of exploding BIC lighters and coffeepots, worse risks were ignored. And while reporters were teaming up with lawyers and legislators to stick it to big business, they seldom reported the ways the free market made life better.
In Give Me a Break, Stossel explains how ambitious bureaucrats, intellectually lazy reporters, and greedy lawyers make your life worse even as they claim to protect your interests. Taking on such sacred cows as the FDA, the War on Drugs, and scaremongering environmental activists -- and backing up his trademark irreverence with careful reasoning and research -- he shows how the problems that government tries and fails to fix can be solved better by the extraordinary power of the free market.
He traces his journey from cub reporter to 20/20 co-anchor, revealing his battles to get his ideas to the public, his struggle to overcome stuttering, and his eventual realization that, for years, much of his reporting missed the point.
Stossel concludes the book with a provocative blueprint for change: a simple plan in the spirit of the Founding Fathers to ensure that America remains a place ""where free minds -- and free markets -- make good things happen.""
"
Customer Reviews:
Great book - really makes you think.......2007-09-11
This is a great book. In his wonderful style, Stossel subjects commonly-held assumptions, common scams, scares, and media lies, the government, and a lot of other stuff to whithering skepticism. Discover why everything you know (or, at least, a lot of it) is wrong.
It's funny how people are willing to be very skeptical of businesses but aren't willing to turn that same skepticism on the government. Stossel manages to do that and argues that the expansion of the government hurts consumers much more than it helps them. A lot of people have this idea of a benevolent government saving us from big, bad industry, but this isn't true at all, as Stossel quiet ably shows.
I'd recommend ignoring the one-star reviews of this book. Stossel answers most of their "objections" in the book, and one of the reasons he wrote this book was to refute a lot of those types of claims.
This book is a must-read for those who are concerned about the expansion of the state. Then again, if you're not concerned, you should definitely read this book, because this book shows that you should be. This book shows how government regulation hurts consumers by raising prices, stifling innovation, and much more. Gives plenty of examples of government stupidity. This book is great reading and provides an excellent introduction to many of the key ideas of the libertarian philosophy of government. This book is very well written and highly entertaining; there's not a dull moment to be found. Highly recommended.
Worthwhile Read.......2007-09-07
As someone who has been in the media for more than 20 years, and has developed a niche in debunking the horribly inaccurate, irresponsible and downright sloppy use of statistics in the media and beyond, this book was a refreshing piece of common-sense journalism. I highly recommend it especially to anyone considering a career, or already embarked on a career, in journalism or any communications endeavor.
Quick and Easy Read, But Arguments are Weak.......2007-03-30
When I first began reading this book, I thought I might enjoy it. After all, John Stossel is (or was) a leading consumer reporter with some excellent credentials to his name. However, by the end of the first third of the book I was already lowering the number of stars I planned to give it.
The first problem I encountered was writing that was simplistic. For someone who is a journalist and who graduated from Princeton, I expected the writing to be more professional. I can't tell whether he "dumbed" the book down or if this is the way he usually writes. Either way, it is a simplistic (and very quick) read.
The second, and by far larger problem, is the argument he puts forth in the book. He claims to be a "free market" advocate, yet throughout the book he stumbles on his own argument. His argument is that in a free market, industry will always do things for the best, since it is in their best interest to increase profits.
Because of that argument, he strikes out against government intervention. One example he gives is OSHA. While OSHA is not a well loved agency, the reason for their existence is exactly to opposite of what Stossel claims. Worker's compensation laws were passed in the early part of the 20th century to get business to stop injuring workers. Industry, however, continued to allow unsafe work conditions and worker injury rates continued to climb. OSHA was the result of the inaction of industry. They didn't do what was right...they did what was cheap.
In another example, he rants about mandatory airbags in cars. He is against the notion of paying for them when you don't want one, and claims that over a roughly 10 year time frame air bags have killed over 200 people. He leaves out how many (thousands?) were saved that would have died had air bags not been present in the vehicles. A short while later, he stumbles on his own argument again when he discusses vaccine manufacturers. He claims that they are going out of business because of lawsuits brought due to injury to children from the vaccines. He then makes the point that, because a few children got sick the number of manufacturers is falling, which jeopardizes the many. The question becomes, which is it? Do you want to save the many at the sacrifice of the few or vice versa?
I could go on for pages, but that isn't really the point to a review.
There are places in the book where I agree with his arguments and they make sense. There are government agencies that are redundant and ineffective.
Overall, I don't think the book is worth the purchase price. I would recommend getting it from the library or a yard sale if you are inclined to read it.
The bravest journalist in the mainstream today.......2007-03-29
You may recall I mentioned that John Stossel addressed our NH Liberty Forum in February (2007) as the banquet keynote speaker. I lamented then that I had not been properly appreciative of the courageous work of this noble contrarian knight of the mainstream media (M2).
He is after all an explicit libertarian (possibly even a Randian). In Give Me a Break, Stossel writes that his liberal peers and audience regard him as "that [damnable] conservative on ABC." To which he counters:
"I'm hardly what I would call a conservative. I happen to think consenting adults should be able to do just about anything they want. I think prostitution should be permitted. I believe homosexuality is perfectly natural, that the drug war should be ended, that flag burning and foul language should be tolerated, and most abortion should be legal."
He continues, asserting that M2 is tilted so far to the left, they still call him a conservative:
"Libertarian is a better term for my beliefs. But the term [is misinterpreted.] Maybe 'classical liberal' is a better term for what I am. Liberals were originally the ones who advocated freedom and tolerance. Not lately."
He also opposes pseudo-conservativism, skillfully dissecting our current Republican/Neocon brand of crony capitalism and its imperial-fascist excesses with his intellectual scalpel.
Stossel is the real deal, a popular media personality-the weekly viewership of 20/20 is somewhere around 20 million-who lays it on the line for rational liberty. And he gets his facts straight. He has to because when he doesn't all the poseurs he has pissed off form a lynch mob calling for his head.
Some of the sacred cows he slays:
. Business regulation by government-e.g. OSHA, the
FDA, the FTC, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
child labor laws, and so on, all radically harmful.
. Scaring ourselves with false threats-Brain cancer from
cellphones, exploding Bic pens, toxic waste cause minimal
damage compared to smoking, obesity, and poverty.
. Expensive government bureaucracies-e.g. the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that wastes
billions. TSA stands for "thousands standing around."
. The organic food hoax-Food from regular farms treated
with artificial pesticides is generally as good or better for you
than 100% organic food.
. Welfare for the rich--Millionaire sports franchise owners
receive $700 million stadiums. Federal flood insurance bails
out rich people, including Stossel, who build on the ocean.
"Law grinds the poor, and rich men rule the law."-Oliver Goldsmith
...
For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]
Brian Wright
Copyright 2007
Very enjoyable.......2007-02-27
If you like John Stossel's journalism, you'll like this book. If you don't like his journalism, then you won't like this book. The same goes for his other book. I too am glad that Stossel narrated the audiobook himself.
I have been very disappointed with the subtitle of the book, which calls him "the Scourge of the Liberal Media", because it implies that Stossel is conservative, which he is not. It also implies that he is not liberal, which he is... in the original sense of the word (i.e. one who believes in liberty).
Average customer rating:
- A Solid Book
- I scanned it straight to the money
- Inspiring to all students of writing.
- Sitcoms from the ground up
- A must-read for would-be sitcom writers
|
Writing TV Sitcoms
Evan S. Smith
Manufacturer: Perigee Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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ASIN: 0399525335 |
Book Description
With guidance from top sitcom producers and examples straight from the screen, this book can help anyone write, revise--and sell--a script.
With twenty years in the business--as a writer, programming executive, and university instructor--Evan Smith knows what it takes to get from spec script to sitcom success. Here he offers the first published description of Premise-Driven Comedy, the writing method he has developed and popularized; tips from writer-producers who have worked on series from "Frasier" to "The Cosby Show" to "Roseanne;" a complete story outline from the series "Home Improvement;" explicit advice on how the business works and how to get an agent; and script layout guidelines for all three sitcom formats.
Clear, comprehensive, and cutting-edge, this is the true insider's guide to becoming a sitcom writer. Who knows--it might just be the book that inspires the world's next Seinfeld!
* Includes examples from classic and contemporary sitcoms, tips from successful writer-producers, and a complete "Home Improvement" story outline
* An author with twenty years of experience in the business
* Advice on both the business and creative aspects of a sitcom-writing career, including a discussion of Premise-Driven Comedy, Smith's innovative new writing technique
Customer Reviews:
A Solid Book.......2005-10-02
Although it has an unfortunate title (who the hell wants to write sitcoms? - aren't they supposed to be dead?), this book is one of the better resources on the subject of television writing in general. It paints a very realistic picture of the business and acknowledges some of the changes that are taking place within the industry. This is a good book for someone who already knows how to write a solid script, but who'd like to learn more about the TV biz.
I scanned it straight to the money.......2001-04-13
I scanned right throught the pages like I needed the cool breeze and stopped on the "how much will I make" page and well, it looks good to me. I also looked in other areas of the book and before I even read it I know it's exactly what I was looking for. A must for even a dream sitcom writer like me. This is a real shortcut, it covers all the information you will ever need.
Inspiring to all students of writing........2001-01-13
Evan Smith introduces Writing Television Sitcoms as the all-in-one writer's guide to sitcoms. It sounds heavy, but honestly true. There is no aspect of TV sitcom writing a student, or otherwise, could dream up a question for which Smith doesn't have an answer. He covers how to create a sitcom, write it, and sell it. And in the first chapters he even details how anyone can make a career in writing. You will find yourself beaming with childlike enthusiasm as your eyes run through Writing Television Sitcoms.
Sitcoms from the ground up.......2000-09-24
Smith goes right to the foundations of sitcom writing, and leads his reader through all the steps to a funny, saleable product. He explains his 'premise-driven comedy' in terms a beginner can comprehend and put to immediate use; a pro will find suggestions for boosting his batting average, and will recognize the voice of someone who's been there, and done that. Kudos to Smith
A must-read for would-be sitcom writers.......2000-09-21
This book is very well-organized, well-written and very informative. I have found that I refer to it often. It is worth the investment if you are serious about sitcom writing.
Book Description
The up-to-date, acclaimed guide to writing and selling screenplays to today's film and TV markets. This is the new screenwriter's bible.
Customer Reviews:
Still Unbeatable.......2007-04-27
I'll go straight to the point: the part on character creation and development is worth all the books published about the subject in the last twenty years. The simple-straightforward-logical method displayed here is simply unbeatable.
This is really an old book, but don't make the mistake to think of it as outdated. Sure, it's kind of weird read things as "recent films like Rambo" but all the eighties movies that he mentions and uses as practical examples are totally time tested.
Also, I would pay its full price for the single analysis of The Karate Kid included. Laugh if you want. I'm sure you will learn a lot.
A final thought: There are two kinds of "how-to" books. The ones that should be called "how-should" (yeah, that ones that tell you how a good script should look judging by the subsequent movie, i can do that too) and real "how-to's", that guide you step by step with a logical process so you can learn.
Obviously, Hauge's book stands proud among the last ones. Thank you, Mike, wherever you are.
I love this book.......2007-04-17
I just finished taking a continuing education course on script writing at my local college and this book has been very helpful with supplimenting what I learned. It is packed with all kinds of info and is very easy to read. There are several good books out there and this is one of them.
AWESOME Book for anyone who wants to learn or improve your Screen writing.......2007-03-31
I purchased this book and Mike's Hero's Journey DVD and he has a great way to explain the magic of screen writing, his advices and examples are clear and helps you apply right away to your screen writing. I enjoyed very much reading his book and seeing his DVD. I highly recommend any book or materials from Mike to anyone that might be aspiring to become a screen writer or wants to improve your screen writing techniques.
The best first book on screenwriting without a doubt.......2006-12-24
First of all, I feel I have to say that English is not my mother language, but never mind; I have read this book easily. To be honest, I've just read only a first half of the book; the second part - An Analysis of The Karate Kid - I was not interested in.
However, the first half (which is about 160 to 170 pages) gave me the full insight of the ingredients of a good screenplay and how to obtain them. Although the book is not perfect, I think that after reading it you can easily write your first screenplay with the confidence.
These days I am reading Ray Frensham's Teach Yourself Screenwriting which (in my opinion) has more extensive approach to screenwriting, although it is more concise written. However, the knowledge gained from the Writing Screenplays that sell helps me great to absorb the material from that book very easy.
So, if you want to start learning how to write screenplay from the beginning, first read Writing Screenplays That Sell, and you will not regret. On the contrary, you will be very satisfied with that decision. After that, you can read any book you like or immediately start writing you first screenplay, whatever you wish.
How great is this book? I've bought five copies!.......2006-11-02
If my house were burning, and I could only rescue ONE screenwriting book of the 60 that I own and (yes) have read, it would be Michael Hauge's "Writing Screenplays That Sell."
While it is terrific for the beginner, I had already written three scripts before reading this book, but the advice and guidance in this book focused me so well that I now judge my writing experience as "pre-Hauge," and "post-Hauge." Post-Hauge, I have had five scripts reach Semi-Final stage in the Nicholl Fellowship, and three have been optioned.
I have also bought this book as gifts for five friends, including my son, who said that they wanted to learn how to write a feature script.
You won't go wrong following the advice in this book.
Customer Reviews:
Note from the Publisher.......2006-06-30
We're extremely happy that the book has been found to be an excellent resource.
We wanted to clarify why there are two books available on Amazon with two prices. Allyn & Bacon, a Pearson Education Company, is an educational publisher, and as such we publish books with pedagogical tools to be used in college courses. The edition with the sample log line and treatment and sample step outline appendices is for the education market. When we decided to publish an edition for the broader consumer market, titled The Complete Screenwriter's Manual: A Comprehensive Reference of Format and Style, the pedagogical tools were no longer necessary, and thus we could remove them and set the trade edition at a lower price.
excellent resource (but buy the other cheaper copy).......2006-03-28
Every page of this book -- except two appendices (16 pgs: Sample Log Line and Treatment, and Sample Step Outline) -- is identical to what is found in "the Complete Screenwriter's Manual, another version of this book at $12.32 Amazon ($18.95 retail). That being said, the content that is identical is absolutely excellent. Both works outline in extreme detail how to format all the elements of a screenplay: dialogue, slug lines (scene designations), instructions or action description, parentheticals, and transitions. Copious examples of how to write into a screenplay the following: sound effects, flashbacks, phone conversations, car scenes, foreign languages, dreams, time-shifts, voiceovers, and much more. Also shows common MISTAKES in formatting that mark a script as the work of an amateur.
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Workbook/Study Guide I (Lessons 1-26) to accompany Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish
Workbook/Study Guide II (Lessons 27-52) to accompany Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish
Workbook/Studyguide Vol. 1 fuw Destinos
Destinos: Workbook/Study Guide 1
Destinos, Part A: Lessons 1-26, Student Audio CD Program
