Best In Show

by Muir, John Kenneth

• ISBN13: 9781557836090
• ISBN10: 1557836094
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-31
• Publisher: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

Summary

Best in Show is the first in-depth look at the method behind film director and actor Christopher Guest's madness - and genius. John Kenneth Muir focuses his attention on the acclaimed Guest-directed trilogy of what some call "mockumentaries": Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. In these films Guest has escorted rapt audiences into the purportedly real worlds of a small-town theatrical company, dog show competition, and folk music festival. Muir also details the events that lead to Rob Reiner's influential and legendary This Is Spinal Tap, which Rolling Stone called the best rock and roll movie of all time, and in which Guest played the part of guitarist Nigel Tufnel. Much of Best in Show exemplifies the unique process by which Guest directs films. He employs a common repertory company, improvises scenes often without any rehearsal, and does not use any screenplay with dialogue, instead following a detailed outline often co-authored with his ace actor/writer Eugene Levy. Company members that have been interviewed for this book include Fred Willard, Harry Shearer, Bob Balaban and Michael Hitchcock. Guest's influences - Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon - as well as his more conventional comedies, such as The Big Picture and Almost Heroes, are studied. Best in Show is general enough to bring new fans to the table, yet detailed enough to satisfy the most in-the-know Guest fan and film student. A complete filmography with Guest's directing, acting and writing credits is included, as is the appendix, "You Know You're in a Christopher Guest Film When ..." Guest once commented, "I am drawn to people who have dreams that are slightly out of reach." Now, thanks to John Kenneth Muir, the fascinating world of Christopher Guest and company is substantially more within reach.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
One Step Further
An Introduction to the Films of Christopher Guest and Company	1	(12)
Part One: Base of Knowledge
A Man of Character(s): This Is Spinal Tap; The Big Picture; Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman; Almost Heroes	13	(40)
The Arcane Art of Improvisation: Or a Step-by-Step Guide to Making an Improvised Movie	53	(34)
Part Two: The Documentary-Style Comedies
The Elements Are Coming Together, Sir: Waiting for Guffman	87	(38)
Doin' It Doggy Style: Best in Show	125	(28)
A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow: A Mighty Wind	153	(56)
Six Months Later
A Conclusion to The Films of Christopher Guest and Company	187	(8)
Appendices
You Know You're in a Christopher Guest Film When...	195	(4)
The Christopher Guest Filmography	199	(6)
Full Movie Credits for Other Christopher Guest Films	205	(4)
Notes	209	(12)
Selected Bibliography	221	(12)
Index	233