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Notes from the Set of Saturday Night Fever, War Games and More
Although he’s directed 39 feature-length productions and won numerous awards, John Badham is not among the household names of Hollywood movie directors. Badham’s latest book, however, may change that.
John Badham on Directing: Notes from the Set of Saturday Night Fever, War Games and More is a book with a lot of built-in buzz — both a tell-all from the trenches of his days as a director, and an extremely practical, how-to guide for budding filmmakers.
Born in England, Badham was raised in the U.S. and trained at Yale. He apprenticed in television before his breakthrough hit Saturday Night Fever (1977), which made John Travolta a star.
In 1983 War Games, starring Matthew Broderick, captured the essence of Cold War paranoia through the eyes of teenagers. Blue Thunder, in the same year, starring Roy Schneider, set the bar for white knuckle action in the skies. Other films included comedies and dramas. In essence Badham worked in so many styles of film that he didn’t carve out a distinct niche, he just worked steadily and made a lot of good films.
Known as an “actor’s director,” Badham was an expert in bringing out memorable performances from his actors, especially from those actors known by other directors to be difficult. Unlike many directors, especially film school graduates who have no theatre or acting background, Badham actually likes actors. Perhaps his fondness for actors was in his blood — he was the son of an English actress and his little sister, 13 years younger, is Mary Badham, chosen from thousands of girls to play the part of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Badham’s first book, I’ll Be in My Trailer: The Creative Wars between Directors and Actors (2006), is a popular textbook in film schools and acting classes. In his latest book, John Badham: On Directing, with the help of 33 contributors, he makes the case that trust is the most significant leadership quality for a director — or the leader of any creative team.
An actor’s lot is not an easy one. You’re a sensitive creature to begin with, but any day of your career you can be caught in a creative crossfire — insulted, demeaned, laughed at or downright dismissed. And that’s just on Day One of the shoot!
It’s amazing actually that so many good performances occur in films these days, considering the resentment that runs between actors and directors. Actors don’t want to be a problem, Badham insists. “Actors want to be directed… but by people who help them do their best work.”
To prove his point, Badham and his contributors relate tales from their own films, such as the time Badham had to talk Goldie Hawn into taking a roller coast ride that terrified her. Actors have different styles — Val Kilmer is an actor who reacts, compared to Matthew McConaughy who is outright gung-go. Each type of actor requires a different response from the director.
It might be obvious, but many leaders in business, politics and education often forget a basic ground rule that Badham emphasizes. “People tend to reject the influence of someone they don’t like.”
John Badham on Directing: Notes from the Set of Saturday Night Fever, War Games and More is a fun read, full of meaty advice and fascinating insights. Whether you are planning to make a film, or just want leadership tips to apply at work, this book is an excellent choice.
John Badham on Directing: Notes from the Set of Saturday Night Live, War Games and More, written by John Badham. Michael Weise Productions, 2013, 240 pp.