Howard Suber - The Power of Film

Howard Subers understanding of film storytelling fills the pages of this wise, liberating book. Much of it is surprisingly contrary to what everyone knows. A remarkable work.

Francis Ford Coppola

For years students in Howard Subers legendary classes at UCLA begged him to write a book. Now that he has delivered it, filmmakers, scholars and anyone else with a serious interest in film can rejoice. A fascinating and thought-provo king work.

Alexander Payne, Director/Screenwriter, Sideways, About Schmidt

What Aristotle did for drama, Howard Suber has now done for film. This is a profound and succinct book that is miraculously fun to read.

David Koepp, Screenwriter, War of the Worlds (2005), Spider-Man, Mission Impossible, Jurassic Park.

William Goldman, who said nobody knows anything about Hollywood films, probably never took a class from Howard Suber. Put this book on the shelf between Aristotles Poetics and your O.E.D.; Professor Suber knows more about whats important about film storytelling than anyone Ive ever encountered, and he presents it here in an incredibly clear, useful, and provocative way.

Dan Pyne, Screenwriter, The Manchurian Candidate (2004), The Sum of All Fears, Any Given Sunday.

The Power of Film is destined to become a classic. People will return to it again and again because it is useful -- not just for those learning their craft, but for seasoned veterans who face specific problems in developing stories and characters. Subers ability to distill his wisdom, insight, and experience with such succinctness and wit provides an added bonus -- this book is a joy to read.

Gil Cates, Director/Producer; former President, Directors Guild of America; Producer, Academy Awards

Suber understands the alchemy of movies. The Power of Film captures his unique ability to demystify the process of filmmaking, beginning with the epiphany of the artist to the eureka of the audience. Its not a how to book but a how come movies get made.

Peter Guber, former CEO, Sony Studios; CEO, Mandalay Pictures; Producer/Executive Producer, Midnight Express, Missing, The Color Purple, Batman, Rainman

Each of the nearly 300 entries in this book is an exquisitely written essay on a particular aspect of the film making art. Each is insightful, historical, helpful and delightful to read. This is a wonderful book for filmmakers and anyone else interested in the art of film.

Fred Roos, Producer, The Godfather: Part II, The Godfather: Part III, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The Black Stallion

Suber knows the industry, the creative process, and the audience. This book comprehensively analyzes the elements of film storytelling, and is especially useful for understanding the psychological processes at work in popular films.

Joe Roth, founder, Revolution Studios; former Chairman, Twentieth Century-Fox and Walt Disney Studios

In my thirty-five years in the motion picture industry I have met many people who know a great deal about the business. Others are steeped in the knowledge of film history, or the principles of storytelling. Rarely have I known someone who has the in-depth knowledge of both the creative and business workings of this tight-knit community and has such an in-depth knowledge of film history and film storytelling. Suber is that rare one, and this a rare and immensely valuable book.

Tom Sherak, Partner, Revolution Studios; former Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Domestic Film Group

When I was a student at UCLA, I wanted to know as much about film as Howard Suber did. When I got my first job in the industry, I still didnt know as much about film as Howard did. Now that Ive been working in the film business for over twenty years, I have reached the conclusion that I will never know as much about film as Howard Suber and should abandon all hope that I ever will. He is everything you wish for in a teacher and author. The Power of Film confirms his status as one of our most profound film chroniclers.

Terry Press Marx, Marketing Executive, Dreamworks SKG

Just because you can spell, doesnt mean you can write. Be thankful you have Howard Subers book from which to learn the principles of storytelling.

Stefani Relies, Vice President, Fox Broadcasting Company

When I first received Howard Subers book, I was in the middle of producing a movie but I thought I could speed-read the entries at random between takes. After reading the first one, I e-mailed it to a director I know who was struggling with a similar aspect of the creative process. After reading the second one, I scribbled a note to myself that I should rethink part of a screenplay Im developing. After reading the third one, I walked across the set and showed it to the cinematog-rapher to settle an argument wed been having about Russian cinema. This isnt good. I dont have time for this book. Its too interesting. I may have to give up producing.

Lindsay Doran, former President of United Artists; Producer of Dead Again, Sense and Sensibility, Nanny McPhee, and Stranger Than Fiction

Studying with the brilliant Howard Suber radically liberated the way I think about movies and gave me crucial tools for understanding how/why films work (or dont). How wonderful that his profound insights into patterns of storytelling, human psychology and the history of cinema are finally accessible to all! His contagious spirit of inquiry and elegant conclusions will provoke and inspire film artists, executives and cinphiles for generations to come.

Caroline Libresco, Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival; Independent Producer

Nothing left to say about film? Au contraire. Heres Howard Suber, exploding with originality. We dont know of another book like it. Demand for it will be permanent.

Arden Heide, Samuel French Theatre & Film Bookstores

The notes I took in Subers classes years ago have grown dog-eared over the years as Ive referred to them again and again in preparing to direct both independent and mainstream films. The distillation of his wisdom into concise and entertaining essays makes The Power of Film a book that will enlighten and liberate filmmaker/storytellers around the world. I will be keeping the volume on my desk where I know Ill be reaching for it daily.

Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, Director, Kissing Jessica Stein, Legally Blonde 2

I spent twenty years as a writer/producer in Hollywood, and yet Howard Suber was able to teach me more than a thing or two when I came back to sit in his class at UCLA. It would cost you a fortune to learn whats in this book the hard way, by trial and error. Sit back and enjoy learning it the pleasurable way. Professor Suber has for many years been a mentor to countless people who want to understand great films especially why, from the psychological standpoint, they are great.

Judy Burns, Television Writer/Producer, Star Trek

Evoking Roland Barthes playful A Lovers Discourse, Howard Subers The Power of Film is a rousingly profound and loving set of meditations on the movies. Indeed, its hard to stop reading: the entries are wise, witty, practical, illuminating, and often very, very funny! Whether one makes movies, studies them, or just loves to see them, this is a book for film lovers everywhere.

Vivian Sobchack, former President, Society for Cinema Studies; author of Carnal Thoughts: Embodiment and Moving Image Culture, The Address of the Eye: A Phenomenology of Film Experience, and Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film