motion picture producers and directors

"When John Waters delivered his gleefully subversive advice to the graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design in 2015, the speech went viral, in part because it was so brilliantly on point about making a living as a creative person. From an icon of popular culture, here is inspiring advice for artists, graduates, and anyone seeking happiness and success on their own terms. Now we all can enjoy his sly wisdom in a manifesto that reminds us, no matter what field we choose, to embrace chaos, be nosy, and defy outdated critics"--.

Profiles the life and career of director George Lucas, from his early days as a cinematography student to his Hollywood internship and eventual blockbuster success.

Highlights the struggles and achievements of Lana Wachowski, who was the first major Hollywood director to come out as transgender.

A biography of actor Charlie Chaplin.

A biography of actor Charlie Chaplin.

Elia Kazan first made a name for himself on the Broadway stage, directing productions of such classics as The Skin of Our Teeth, Death of Salesman, and A Streetcar Named Desire. His venture to Hollywood was no less successful. He won an Oscar for only his second film, Gentleman?s Agreement, and his screen version of Streetcar has been hailed as one of the great film adaptations of a staged work. But in 1952, Kazan?s stature was compromised when he was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Kazan?s decision to name names allowed him to continue his filmmaking career, but at what price to him and the Hollywood community?.

On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, the movie originally called The Star Wars quickly drew blocks-long lines, bursting box-office records and ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. It is now one of the most adored-and successful-movie franchises of all time.

Learn about the directors who have created such memorable films such as Star Wars, the Dark Knight, and Star Trek.