Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
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Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
US $5.90
ApproximatelyC $8.15
Condition:
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A book that has been read but is in good condition. Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears. The dust jacket for hard covers may not be included. Binding has minimal wear. The majority of pages are undamaged with minimal creasing or tearing, minimal pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, no writing in margins. No missing pages. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
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Located in: North Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States
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eBay item number:146724325750
Item specifics
- Condition
- Release Year
- 1983
- Book Title
- Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
- ISBN
- 9780809311101
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Southern Illinois University Press
ISBN-10
0809311100
ISBN-13
9780809311101
eBay Product ID (ePID)
827671
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
112 Pages
Publication Name
Backwards & Forwards : a Technical Manual for Reading Plays
Language
English
Subject
Theater / General, Theater / Playwriting, Acting & Auditioning, Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities
Publication Year
1983
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Performing Arts, Education
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.4 in
Item Weight
5.5 Oz
Item Length
8.5 in
Item Width
5.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Scholarly & Professional
LCCN
82-019333
Reviews
"Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."- Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions, "Ball wrote [Backwards and Forwards]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."- Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing—because it is writing meant to be staged, not read— and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."— Dramatics, "In fewer than one hundred pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing....Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this ninety-six-page book than he has in his twenty years of theater experience." - Stage Directions, In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."— Stage Directions
Table Of Content
Contents Foreword to the 2017 Edition Foreword to the 1983 Edition Introduction Part One: Shape 7 1. What Happens That Makes Something Else Happen? 2. And What Happens Next? 3. But Do It Backwards 4. Stasis and Intrusion 5. Obstacle, Conflict 6. Ignorance Is Bliss 7. Things Theatrical Part Two: Methods 8. Exposition 9. Forwards: Hungry for Next 10. Missing Persons (Character) 11. Image 12. Theme Part Three: Tricks of the Trade 13. Background Information 14. Trusting the Playwright 15. Families 16. Generalities: Mood, Atmosphere 17. The Unique Factor 18. Changing Eras 19. Climax 20. Beginnings/Endings 21. Rereading 22. What Next?
Synopsis
The best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play's most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright., Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theatre and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts., The best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play' s most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright.
LC Classification Number
PN1661.B34 1983
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- o***x (161)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseGood condition and looks close to new. Well packaged and on time. A great experience.
- n***f (393)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI got 4 books from this seller. One was wrong book (same writer,simular covers) which,when you order used books several at a time from big used book warehouses, this happens every now and then. Seller contacted me and refunded within a couple hours on the same business day. These people do business right.The 3 others were just as described, packed perfect. Shipping was on time. Good books at good price and a seller who does business right. I highly recommend this seller and the items I ordered.
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!
- e***n (2252)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseExcellent seller📡, great communication📞, fast delivery 🚚 , extra care in packing for shipment 📦, great price 💰, Came as shown in photo📸, I would do repeat buys in 1 sec with this seller. AAAA ++++. 5 st🌟rs. <(•🪖•)>
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Seller feedback (47,818)
This item (1)
All items (47,818)
- o***x (161)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseGood condition and looks close to new. Well packaged and on time. A great experience.
- n***f (393)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI got 4 books from this seller. One was wrong book (same writer,simular covers) which,when you order used books several at a time from big used book warehouses, this happens every now and then. Seller contacted me and refunded within a couple hours on the same business day. These people do business right.The 3 others were just as described, packed perfect. Shipping was on time. Good books at good price and a seller who does business right. I highly recommend this seller and the items I ordered.
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!
- e***n (2252)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseExcellent seller📡, great communication📞, fast delivery 🚚 , extra care in packing for shipment 📦, great price 💰, Came as shown in photo📸, I would do repeat buys in 1 sec with this seller. AAAA ++++. 5 st🌟rs. <(•🪖•)>