But what I really want to do is direct : lessons from a life behind the camera / Ken Kwapis.

Includes index.

Beyond success and failure in Hollywood -- Cruising for epiphanies -- How to take a meeting -- Memories of Bird -- Breaking it down : a director's checklist -- Hal's ready for his close-up -- He directed, she directed -- Being proactive on your own set -- Garry Shandling's house of mirrors -- The shot list challenge -- Been there, dreamt that -- What makes Sammy climb? -- Playable notes -- Walking with Bernie -- The objective correlative, or what would Lubitsch do? -- Opening the office -- Escape from video village -- Who are you? -- The note behind the note -- Trapped at work -- Designing a fluid master -- Recognizing yourself -- Totally unreleasable -- Too clever by half -- Fear of music -- They need your blood -- Tenacity -- Humans were involved.

"Celebrated and award-winning film and TV director Ken Kwapis's Hollywood memoir dives into what it takes to be successful in today's fast-changing and wildly chaotic entertainment world Ken Kwapis has worked for more than thirty years in Hollywood. With time has come experience, and with experience he has charted a career full of hits, from The Office to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and become one of the most reliable and sought after directors in show business. He didn't start there. He struggled just like everyone else. Using his experience and inside knowledge of the business, But What I Really Want to Do is Direct is Ken Kwapis's take on William Goldman's classic Adventures in the Screen Trade, but from the Director's point of view. The book tackles common Hollywood myths through Ken's lively and highly entertaining experiences. It's a rollercoaster ride through the entertainment business fueled by battles over budgets, temperamental actors, and the passion that makes it all worthwhile. This humorous and poignant memoir is filled with positive instruction, hilarious outtakes, tutelage, and joy. It's also a celebration of movies and TV, and what it takes to succeed in show business on your own terms. "Good luck finding a more kind, passionate, and talented director alive than Ken. Seriously, good luck." -Tig Notaro "Ken Kwapis knows just how to reach people. In the years that I was fortunate to work with him on Malcolm in the Middle, he had an uncanny ability to guide actors right to the heart of a scene and reveal its truths... This book is a 'must read' for anyone seriously considering a career as a director in film and television." -Bryan Cranston"-- Provided by publisher.