Much of the time while I was reading I’ll Be in My Trailer, I heard questions shouted at me from another room. “What are you laughing at now?” my husband yelled almost every few minutes from his hallowed place in front of the television set. So I would take the book into the living room and read aloud one of John Badham’s amusing experiences directing movie stars like John Travolta, Richard Pryor, Emilio Estevez and Johnny Depp.

When Badham, who has been a director for 30 years and helmed such films as Saturday Night Fever, Nick of Time and Stakeout, decided to pass on a lot of practical knowledge about how to work with actors, he called on his journalist friend, Craig Modderno for help. The result? A book that, although aimed primarily at aspiring directors, is fun and worthwhile for movie fans as well.

I’ll Be in My Trailer: Creative Wars between Directors and Actors includes more than just Badham’s experience and advice. Numerous directors and actors were also interviewed and responded to such questions as:

What does an actor want to hear from a director as he is rehearsing for performing his role?

What do directors do that alienates actors?

What does an actor never want to hear from a director?

Badham’s book includes responses and contributions from such luminaries as Roger Corman, Richard Donner, Anne Bancroft, Arthur Hiller, Mel Gibson, Brad Silberling, Jenna Elfman, Michael Mann, Sidney Pollack, Steven Soderberg, Oliver Stone, Betty Thomas, John Travolta and James Woods.

Written with a breezy -- almost mocking -- style, I’ll Be in My Trailer contains delicious items of insider gossip as well as an impressive amount of valuable information about moviemaking, and each chapter ends with a helpful summary of its most important points. Although Badham is candid about some of the mistakes he’s made while working with actors, he obviously respects and admires the acting profession -- and even recommends that anyone interested in becoming a director should try a bit of acting themselves.

At the end of his Preface, Badham writes, “Finally, lest anyone take offense at the tone of the book, much of it is written with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. My love for actors is deep and sincere. Though I may write about them as though I were one of those cynics who mistrust and mock the acting profession, it does not reflect my personal admiration for what actors are capable of and their dedication to a difficult craft. Regarding any actor with less than an honest respect would be a serious flaw for any director.”

Hooray for John Badham and Craig Modderno! With I'll Be in My Trailer, they have put together an extremely enlightening and entertaining book concerning the creative relationship between directors and actors. After reading it, I'm thinking about finding an actor to direct so I can try out Badham's wonderful suggestions.       

(I’ll Be in My Trailer: Creative Wars between Directors and Actors is published by Michael Wiese Productions. For more information, go to www.mwp.com.)