THE FOURTH WALL EDIT

Reading guides, book recommendations and stories exploring screenplays, plays, musicals and the craft behind film and theatre.

From Rehearsal Room to Opening Night: Directing an Amateur Musical

From Rehearsal Room to Opening Night: Directing an Amateur Musical

A thoughtful guide to choosing a show, casting, rehearsals and backstage collaboration when directing an amateur musical.
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How to Choose a Musical Theatre Audition Song That Tells a Story

How to Choose a Musical Theatre Audition Song That Tells a Story

Choose a musical theatre audition song that suits the brief, fits your voice and gives you a character to play. A practical guide to cuts and accompaniment.
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How Movie Monsters Become Real: Inside Practical Creature Effects

How Movie Monsters Become Real: Inside Practical Creature Effects

How do practical creature effects make a monster feel real? Explore the design, make-up, puppetry and performance behind memorable movie creatures.
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Learning to See the Light in a Film

Learning to See the Light in a Film

Film lighting can tell us what to notice, what remains hidden and whose story we are sharing. Explore the craft through 12 Angry Men, Skyfall and three books on cinematography.
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Theatre Set Design: 5 Decisions That Shape the Story on Stage

Theatre Set Design: 5 Decisions That Shape the Story on Stage

Theatre set design turns a script into a place where a story can happen. Explore five choices about space, scene changes and imagination, with real examples and books to take...
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Black and white image of conductor conducting a recording session for a film

How Does a Film Score Tell a Story? 5 Things to Listen For

How do film scores tell stories beyond the image? Explore five revealing choices in Jaws, Vertigo, E.T. and more, with books for a deeper listen.
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How to Read a Play: 5 Ways to Find the Stage in the Script

How to Read a Play: 5 Ways to Find the Stage in the Script

Five inviting ways to read a play script, from the room and the dialogue to pauses, possible productions and the pleasures of reading again.
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What Is a Libretto? A Guide to Reading Musicals

What Is a Libretto? A Guide to Reading Musicals

A libretto is the written text of a musical: the dialogue, song lyrics and stage directions that carry the story. It lets you follow the whole show on the page,...
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10 Behind-the-Scenes Film Books Every Film Lover Should Read

10 Behind-the-Scenes Film Books Every Film Lover Should Read

From Alien and Jaws to Oppenheimer, Dune and Star Wars, these ten books reveal the ideas, craftspeople and creative decisions behind some of cinema’s most memorable films.
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