Title
Being Hal Ashby: Life Of A Hollywood Rebel (Screen Classics),Used
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Hal Ashby (19291988) was always an outsider, and as a director he brought an outsider's perspective to Hollywood cinema. After moving to California from a Mormon household in Utah, he created eccentric films that reflected the uncertain social climate of the 1970s. Whether it is his enduring cult classic Harold and Maude (1971) or the iconic Being There (1979), Ashby's artistry is unmistakable. His skill for blending intense drama with offkilter comedy attracted Alist actors and elicited powerful performances from Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail (1973), Warren Beatty and Julie Christie in Shampoo (1975), and Jon Voight and Jane Fonda in Coming Home (1979). Yet the man behind these films is still something of a mystery.In Being Hal Ashby: Life of a Hollywood Rebel, author Nick Dawson for the first time tells the story of a man whose thoughtful and challenging body of work continues to influence modern filmmakers and whose life was as dramatic and unconventional as his films. Ashby began his career as an editor, and it did not take long for his talents to be recognized. He won an Academy Award in 1967 for editing In the Heat of the Night and leveraged his success as an editor to pursue his true passion: directing. Crafting seminal films that steered clear of mainstream conventions yet attracted both popular and critical praise, Ashby became one of the quintessential directors of the 1970s New Hollywood movement.No matter how much success Ashby achieved, he was never able to escape the ghosts of his troubled childhood. The divorce of his parents, his father's suicide, and his own marriage and divorceall before the age of nineteenled to a lifelong struggle with drugs for which he became infamous in Hollywood. And yet, contrary to mythology, it was not Ashby's drug abuse that destroyed his career but a fundamental mismatch between the director and the stifling climate of 1980s studio filmmaking. Although his name may not be recognized by many of today's filmgoers, Hal Ashby is certainly familiar to filmmakers. Despite his untimely death in 1988, his legacy of innovation and individuality continues to influence a generation of independent directors, including Wes Anderson, Sean Penn, and the Coen brothers, who place substance and style above the pursuit of boxoffice success.In this groundbreaking and exhaustively researched biography, Nick Dawson draws on firsthand interviews and personal papers from Ashby's estate to offer an intimate look at the tumultuous life of an artist unwilling to conform or compromise.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'Being Hal Ashby: Life of a Hollywood Rebel'? A: The book primarily focuses on the life and career of Hal Ashby, a notable director in Hollywood known for his unique perspective and unconventional filmmaking style.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The biography is authored by Nick Dawson, who provides an in-depth look into Ashby's life and contributions to cinema.
- Q: What is the page count of the book? A: The book contains a total of 438 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was 'Being Hal Ashby' published? A: The book was published on December 1, 2011.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes such as artistry, individuality, struggles with personal issues, and the impact of Ashby's films on modern cinema.
- Q: Is the book suitable for someone unfamiliar with Hal Ashby's work? A: Yes, the book is well-researched and provides context about Ashby's films and his influence, making it accessible for readers new to his work.
- Q: Does the book include personal insights or interviews? A: Yes, Nick Dawson draws on firsthand interviews and personal papers from Ashby's estate to provide intimate insights into his life.
- Q: What genre does this book fall under? A: This book falls under the biography genre, specifically focusing on film and directors.
- Q: Can this book be a good resource for film students? A: Absolutely, it offers valuable insights into Ashby's filmmaking style and the New Hollywood movement, making it a great resource for film students.