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But What I Really Want to Do Is Direct: Lessons from a Life Behind the Camera Paperback – October 6, 2020

by Ken Kwapis (Author)

4.7 116 ratings

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For over three decades, director Ken Kwapis has charted a career full of exceptional movies and television, from seminal shows like The Office to beloved films like He’s Just Not That Into You.

He is among the most respected directors in show business, but getting there wasn’t easy. He struggled just like everyone else. With each triumph came the occasional faceplant. Using his background and inside knowledge, But What I Really Want To Do is Direct tackles Hollywood myths through Ken’s highly entertaining experiences. It’s a rollercoaster ride fueled by brawls with the top brass, clashes over budgets, and the passion that makes it all worthwhile.

This humorous and refreshingly personal memoir is filled with inspiring instruction, behind-the-scenes hilarity, and unabashed joy. It’s a celebration of the director’s craft, and what it takes to succeed in show business on your own terms.

"Ken Kwapis always brought out the best in the actors on The Office. Whenever Ken was directing, I always felt safe to go out on a limb and take chances, knowing he had my back. Every aspiring director should read this book. (I can think of several 'professional' directors that should read it too!)" -Jenna Fischer

"A vital, magnificent manifesto on the art and craft of directing, written with emotional, instinctual and intellectual depth by one of America's most beloved film and television directors" -Amber Tamblyn

"In the years that I was fortunate to work with Ken on Malcolm in the Middle, he had an uncanny ability to guide actors right to the heart of a scene and reveal its truths. He admits that he doesn’t have all the answers, he’ll make mistakes, and at times he’ll struggle, but as he says in the book, 'It’s the struggle to get it right that makes us human.'" -Bryan Cranston

"Good luck finding a more kind, passionate, and talented director alive than Ken. Seriously, good luck." -Tig Notaro

“'Action!' is what most directors bark out to begin a scene. But Ken Kwapis starts by gently intoning the words 'Go ahead…' That simple suggestion assures everyone they’re in smart, capable, humble hands. That’s how you’ll feel reading this book. And so, if you’re anxious to discover how a top director always brings humor, honesty, and humanity to his work, all I can tell you is…Go ahead." -Larry Wilmore

Print length

368 pages
Language

English
Publisher

St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date

October 6, 2020
Dimensions

5.48 x 0.97 x 8.23 inches
ISBN-10

1250260124
ISBN-13

978-1250260123
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ken Kwapis always brought out the best in the actors on The Office. Whenever Ken was directing, I always felt safe to go out on a limb and take chances, knowing he had my back. Every aspiring director should read this book. (I can think of several “professional” directors that should read it too!)" -Jenna Fischer

"A vital, magnificent manifesto on the art and craft of directing, written with emotional, instinctual and intellectual depth by one of America's most beloved film and television directors" -Amber Tamblyn

"In the years that I was fortunate to work with Ken on Malcolm in the Middle, he had an uncanny ability to guide actors right to the heart of a scene and reveal its truths. He admits that he doesn’t have all the answers, he’ll make mistakes, and at times he’ll struggle, but as he says in the book, 'It’s the struggle to get it right that makes us human.'" -Bryan Cranston

"Good luck finding a more kind, passionate, and talented director alive than Ken. Seriously, good luck." -Tig Notaro

“'Action!' is what most directors bark out to begin a scene. But Ken Kwapis starts by gently intoning the words 'Go ahead…' That simple suggestion assures everyone they’re in smart, capable, humble hands. That’s how you’ll feel reading this book. And so, if you’re anxious to discover how a top director always brings humor, honesty, and humanity to his work, all I can tell you is…Go ahead." -Larry Wilmore

"An entertaining and informative guide for film buffs and filmmakers." -Kirkus

"An enjoyable memoir that offers lessons of filmmaking, what counts as success in Hollywood, and the magic of film." -Library Journal

"[Kwapis'] illuminating memoir will appeal to both film and TV buffs and aspiring directors." -Booklist

"Ken Kwapis’ But What I Really Want To Do Is Direct is a must read... If you want to be a director, read this book." -James Gardner, Chapman University

"(Kwapis) effortlessly balances theory, empathy, intuition, and pragmatism as pillars of his directorial work and interactions with students and faculty. His perspective is an elixir to anyone struggling with stress, doubt, or anxiety over ongoing projects." -Norbert Herber, The Media School at Indiana University, Bloomington

"...Ken has just written an essential book about the craft of directing." -Jack Lecher, Columbia University

“But What I Really Want to Do is Direct offers thoughtful and thought-provoking meditations on directing for film and television. Kwapis's insights were born from his influential work in the media industry, but they apply to many other fields of endeavor.” -University of Alabama Professor Emeritus Dr. Jeremy Butler

About the Author

KEN KWAPIS is an award-winning director who has moved easily between the worlds of feature filmmaking and television directing. He has directed more than ten feature films and helped launch seven television series, including NBC's The Office.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (October 6, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250260124
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250260123
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.48 x 0.97 x 8.23 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #224,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #165 in Video Direction & Production (Books)
- #237 in Movie Direction & Production
- #2,278 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.7 116 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

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Tom C.

Great insight for actors and writers

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023

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Ken directed me in both my first tv and my first movie appearance. As a director he’s obviously amazing but learning his insights into creating and especially his insight about using dreams to help him in his process has helped me in my creative pursuits.

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Santa Monica Reader

Entertaining and Educational

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020

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I bought this book after hearing Ken Kwapis on THE OFFICE LADIES, Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey's podcast about the making of THE OFFICE. I knew he'd directed many episodes, but didn't realize he'd also directed the pilot, and thought it would be fun to hear more about his experience there. It's really a wonderful book, full of interesting stories about the various projects he's been a part of (many listed here in other reviews), and also the challenges he's faced and things he's learned about telling stories. As a screenwriter myself, I found so many of insights he shared to be really useful reminders. Just one example is the "objective correlative" -- using physical objects in a symbolic way to underscore the theme or character arc of a story. Highly recommended, especially for anyone interested in directing, or simply storytelling in general.

One person found this helpful

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Paul Brenner

Life in the directorial swamp advice and stoic life lessons

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2020

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Ken Kwapis’s BUT WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT: LESSONS FROM A LIFE BEHIND THE CAMERA is a funny, witty and insightful handbook on the art, technique and aesthetic underpinning of directing for film and television. Plus the book offers real life in-the-swamp advice and anecdotes from a master director with a unique directorial perspective. Easily the best book on directing since Sidney Lumet’s MAKING MOVIES and Jerry Lewis’s THE TOTAL FILMMAKER. But more than that, it is a book of valuable stoic life lessons that can be applied to life way beyond the director’s chair. It is a book that is hard to put down.

Plus it features a chapter entitled “Memories of Bird” and he ain’t talking about Charlie Parker!

One person found this helpful

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Kat

An inspiring work for leaders in any profession!

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

If you manage people or work with a team, Ken Kwapis' "But What I Really Want to Do is Direct" offers personal insight into what it takes to breathe life into your vision by way of talented individuals. His humble yet intentional approach to verbal, written, & physical communication (admittedly derived from his own past mistakes) is something all business leaders should take to heart. Even if the parallel to interpersonal relations doesn't land, reading this is sure to expand one's vernacular as Kwapis eloquently laces his personal experiences with an elevated vocabulary. It's intriguing, inspiring, and should be on every leader's list of books to read this year.

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

I bought this book because being trapped indoors I've been reading more. Jenna Fishcher recommended it on her "Office Ladies" podcast so I decided to buy it. (Like everyone, I've always wanted to direct.) I was pleasantly surprised because the book showed me that the job of a director is really not what I thought it was, at all. It's really an excellent introduction to that subject and if you are interested in directing TV or movies (or just curious about it), you will probably learn more than you expected to from this book.

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Colman deKay

A master class of goodness

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020

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Film directing is much more than camera pointing. There’s a whole lot of empathy involved — towards the actors, towards the crew, towards the whole room. Ken is one of the masters of his craft and in this book he shows how being a good guy wins.

One person found this helpful

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Laser

Brilliant read for industry insiders or just those interested!

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2020

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Ken knows what’s up!!

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Jessica

Book came a little damaged

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I'm happy about the book, but it did come with the spine a bit smashed in on the top corner/cover. It was shipped in just a yellow bubbler mailer.... kinda thought since it was a book, it should be shipped in cardboard.

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