Product Description
The Conversations is a treasure, essential for any lover or student of film, and a rare, intimate glimpse into the worlds of two accomplished artists who share a great passion for film and storytelling, and whose knowledge and love of the crafts of writing and film shine through.It was on the set of the movie adaptation of his Booker Prize-winning novel, The English Patient, that Michael Ondaatje met the master film and sound editor Walter Murch, and the two began a… More >>
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film
#1 by N. DeWood on May 8, 2010 - 2:30 pm
This book is terrible; nothing but a transcript of the personl opinions of various editors. If you want a good transcript of meetings with accomplished editors go ahead buy it. If you want to read to learn how an edit is accomplished, and when and how to cut a scene, please don’t waste your time. There isn’t a single page that provides instruction on how to perform an edit, or how these editors ever accomplished their work. I wish Amazon would have 0 stars as a choice.
Be very sketpical of all the 4-5 star ratings given to most books on Amazon’s website. I truly believe they’re given by writers or publishers of these books.
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by straub on May 8, 2010 - 3:32 pm
i think walter murch books are overrated. who cares about what michael ondaatje thinks. he sure does.
Rating: 2 / 5
#3 by S. Dave on May 8, 2010 - 4:37 pm
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good movies. If you actually make/edit/shoot/write movies then, this book is an essential. I was really astounded at how deep the art of editing goes. Murch explains in depth how sound (and the absence of a sound track) can change the viewers reactions to key scenes, and how create the right mood. He also explains ‘natural’ edits when the audience ‘blinks’ along with the actor or actress – sorry you have to read it to get it. He’s worked on some really big movies and his knowledge is incredible on and off topic. But it’s not a how-to-book, it really flows like a conversation between friends. An easy read.
Michael Ondaatje asks smart questions to Murch and offers interesting comparisons between literature and film. Yet I found him continually plugging and referring to his own work over and over – c’mon man we KNOW you wrote the English patient – I couldn’t care less – it’s no Godfather…
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by M. PICKARD-FISHMAN on May 8, 2010 - 7:23 pm
Look at the 4 or 5 star reviews, which seem about right. Not a technical book about editing–there are tons of books on that–but a few gems do stand out, like Coppola’s occasional use of same costume for actors, which can help the editing process. Quite insightful, by a master editor and writer, on some of the best US films.
Rating: 4 / 5
#5 by Smokey Cormier on May 8, 2010 - 9:06 pm
This is a book that gets you deep into the filmmaking process — and actually, the making of any art. Murch reveals a lot about what it’s like to edit film. The more I learn about film editors, the more respect I have for them. Plus, Ondaatje makes very fine contributions to this book. He has the role of interviewer and he asks really good questions … and he talks about writing which was also very interesting. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book. Highly. It’s THE best book I’ve ever read about making art. [But I haven't read Maya Lin's Boundaries yet.]
Rating: 5 / 5