[ebooks] Sonic Bodies: Reggae Sound Systems; Performance Techniques; and Ways of Knowing by Julian Henriques in Arts-Photography

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Star Trek; Sherlock Holmes; The Day After BeyondBy Matthew KresalAs the author himself notes at one point; ldquo;Everyone connected with Star Trek writes a memoir.rdquo; Some have been honest and candid; others perhaps more self-serving than others. The View From The Bridge by Nicholas Meyer; the man who brought us not only three of the better Trek films but the Sherlock Holmes meets Sigmund Freud novel The Seven Per-Cent-Solution and the classic 1983 TV movie The Day After; certainly falls into the former category rather than the latter and also presents the reader with an overview a career of which Trek is only a highlight.Meyer is perhaps best known for his work on three of the best Star Trek films (II; IV and VI respectively) so it is no surprise then that the bulk of the book is made up with his recollections regarding them. Those whove seen or heard Meyer in the extras on the DVD releases of those films will likely find some stories being retold (such as his directing Ricardo Montalbans first scenes as Khan and how one Paramount executive wanted subtitles translating what the mysterious alien probe in Star Trek IV was saying to name just two examples). In other cases there are interesting and candid thoughts being shared as well such as Meyers thoughts in retrospect about his dealings with Gene Roddenberry on Star Trek VI of which Meyer is understandably less than proud. Its also interesting reading his thoughts in hindsight on the two films he directed (II and VI) with a couple of decades worth of perspective; particularly in regards to the plot of Star Trek VI in relation to the world we live in today. For Trek fans (which I suspect makes up the majority of those reading this book); these chapters make the book well worth a read.While Meyers Star Trek work takes up the larger portion of the book; Meyer takes plenty of time to talk about the other projects hes worked on. The book covers everything from the author as struggling writer to his big break with the surprise bestseller The Seven Per-Cent-Solution to directing his first feature film (1979s Time After Time) and later films such as Volunteers with Tom Hanks and the Merchant Ivory period piece The Deceivers with Pierce Brosnan; Meyer covers the ups and downs of his career with a refreshing candidness that allows to him to both point out his own shortcomings as well as those of others (and how they helped and hindered various projects) without being self-serving. Good examples of that is the somewhat lengthy chapter on The Day After; the nuclear war centric TV movie that Meyer directed for the ABC network in 1983 that gained both large amounts of controversy and the highest viewing figure for any TV movie ever aired; where Meyer details the uphill fight to not only make it as he wanted but even to get it broadcast at all and a later chapter on the film Company Business where Meyers clashes with actor Gene Hackman undermined the film considerably.The View From The Bridge then is a look at the extraordinary career of a man who; while not a household name; has nevertheless created some of the best known tales in popular culture from the last couple of decades. From Star Trek to Sherlock Holmes and The Day After; Meyer shows us how his talent and determination allowed him to entertain millions with novels and films that were entertaining and at times thought provoking. The results; for fans of Trek and Meyers work at large; make for fascinating reading.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. thoughtful words from the man who made Trek greatBy ArnoldNicholas Meyer is the man behind three of the greatest Star Trek films: Wrath of Khan; Voyage Home; and Undiscovered Country. A View from the Bridge obviously spends a good deal of time on those films; but the book is a much more personal memoir; covering the entire span of his life. That makes it a much better than Irsquo;d expected.First; as Meyer states; hersquo;s already shared many of his experiences on the Trek films on the DVD extras. So there might not be much new material in this book for hardcore Trek fans. That said; Meyer is refreshingly upfront about his role in the films. There were even a few anecdotes I had not heard before (or had forgotten); such as the fact that Spock gave Kirk a copy of A Tale of Two Cities because that book happened to be on Meyerrsquo;s shelf when he wrote the script.I actually found myself more interested in Meyerrsquo;s account of his life before Trek. It was interesting to see what influenced the man who would eventually make the greatest Trek films. I also appreciated how refreshingly candid Meyer is about his early struggles. He comes across as very willing to not only discuss his darker emotional states; but also reflect seriously upon his mistakes.This frankness also comes across in Meyerrsquo;s assessment of others. Meyer is a gentleman and never engages in gossip. However; he also doesnrsquo;t shy away from assessing personal flaws. Importantly; Meyerrsquo;s approach is analytical; not personal. For example; when talking about William Shatner; Meyer makes a useful distinction between ego and vanity; noting that the actor has little of the former for himself but is quite vain when it comes to his work and acting.This is a memoir; not a guide to scriptwriting; but even so Meyer drops invaluable writing tips along the way. For example; just because something is funny doesnrsquo;t mean it belongs in a comedy. That strikes me as particularly insightful because it underscores the importance of self-restraint in good writing.Trek fans should find a lot to enjoy about this book; but overall I recommend it more to readers interested in good storytelling and movies more generally.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. This is an insiders look at the life of a novelist/ film-director/screenwriter and at Star TrekBy SolipsoThis is an intimate; easy-to-read look at the life of notable novelist; film director; and screenwriter Nicholas Meyer. It is also an inside; though not thorough; look at the making of three Star Trek movies; so far as Meyer participated in them. He was a screenwriter and director of STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN and STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY. He also contributed to the screenwriting of STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME. (Note: STAR TREK IIs credits show Jack B. Sowards as the screenwriter; but as Meyer explains; it was Meyers screenplay that produced the movie.)If you are a Star Trek fan who is worried about reading a book that is not entirely devoted to Star Trek; do not worry. Read this book. In 254 pages of narration; about 67 are devoted to the making of STAR TREK II; a 9-page chapter is devoted to STAR TREK IV; and about 33 pages go to STAR TREK VI. He talks about Star Trek outside of those pages; but those pages are sections of his book devoted exlusively to Star Trek. Nicholas Meyer is an important person in Star Trek history. Also; since Star Trek fans are likely to be interested in science fiction; they will probably be pleased with the 11-page chapter devoted to TIME AFTER TIME; a time-travel movie screenwritten and directed by Meyer and starring Malcolm McDowell--the villain in STAR TREK GENERATIONS--and Mary Steebergen.I rate Nicholas Meyer 3.5 stars; but I rate his book 5 stars. I disapproved of minor writing flaws; like his use of "comprise" instead of "compose;" and a couple of his allusions to film industry personalities left me uncertain. I had to look up Frank Capra and David Selznick to learn what they did (direct and produce). But the prose is light and quick; and though I disagree with a number of Meyers viewpoints; he makes clear that these are his viewpoints. For the most part. With maybe a couple of exceptions; he does not try to convert the reader.The 2009 Viking hardcover lacks a table of contents; but it has 28 photo plates; a page of acknowledgments; and an index.Of paramount importance is the horn of plenty of information that Meyer provides. For amateurs like me; he gives some A-B-Cs of book writing (he wrote the Sherlock Holmes novel THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION). And his information about the film industry in general; as well as Star Trek in particular; entices readers with controversy and is maybe even a little on the hush-hush; if not confidential.I do not know what you know; but I think Mr. Meyer has a fresh tidbit for just about anyone.