In his books, The Film That Changed My Life and The Best Film You’ve Never Seen, American journalist and teacher, Robert K Elder offers some suggestions.

The Film That Changed My Life provides 30 directors sharing thoughts on their first encounter with the film that inspired them to direct movies. Spanning several generations – from relative newcomers to Oscar Award-winning veterans – these are inspired and inspiring discussions of classic films that shaped the careers of today’s directors and, in turn, cinema history.

The Best Film You’ve Never Seen is not only a guide to some overlooked movies but a bold attempt to rewrite film history by 35 directors who recommend what they consider to be underappreciated films. They each champion their favourite overlooked or critically savaged hidden gem.

Both these books offer some perspectives on what makes a “classic” film beyond the regular “Best of” lists with thoughtful, personal reflections. 

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1. Many banks offer a free savings account when you open a business account. If you collect GST (the Goods and Services Tax for our non-Canadian actor friends) Jennifer suggests moving the GST portion of your income received until you have filed your GST return.
2. If you are invoicing clients for your services, always send your invoice as a PDF so that it can’t be tampered with and can be read on any computer system.
3. Sorting your receipts into an accordion file as they come in based on the category of deduction they (examples: “Office Expenses” or “Transportation & Vehicle Expenses”)will help keep you organized and will make preparing your (or taking your records to your accountant) that much easier when the time comes

For more great tips from Jennifer, check out her book HERE!

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While we are no longer a physical space (though we do “pop-up” from time to time) we remain dedicated to our mission of supporting artists in their creative goals. And, WE like to keep busy and creative ourselves, hence the new look for our website!

While we still have some additional changes to make and tweaking to do (perfection is never possible) we are hoping our fresh new look makes it easier for you to see and discover the titles that will help bring both inspiration, information, and entertainment your way!

Enjoy!

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Join author Deborah S. Patz at the Biz Books Pop-Up Shop to celebrate the book launch and sign copies of:

Film Production Management 101: 3rd edition

Happening Wednesday, February 5, 2025 – 5pm – 7pm (Pacific)

at the Roundhouse Community Centre Boardroom

Pacific Blvd & Davie St, Vancouver, BC

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Biz Books and The Drama Class are pleased to present: Confidence with Your Lines – An Introduction to Streamlining.

Click the link above and join us for this FREE online seminar that will provide participants with a rare introduction to the principles and practice of the Streamlining Line Learning Technique.

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Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks, whose title is based on the typical number of weeks in a lifetime, is a book about embracing your limitations, and finally getting round to what counts. Drawing on the insights of both ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers, Oliver Burkeman delivers an entertaining, humorous, practical, and ultimately profound guide to time and time management.

Available for $37.95 here!

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The Art of War meets The Artist’s Way in this no-nonsense, profoundly inspiring guide to overcoming creative blocks of every kind. Exactly what the title says. Think of The War of Art as tough love … for yourself. It tells you how to define, understand, and defeat your own resistance to being a creative professional.

Available for $18.95 here!

F*ck Your Comfort Zone: Take a Risk & Become the Lead in Your Own Life by Margie Haber

Celebrated acting and audition coach Margie Haber has spent over 40 years teaching celebrities and top actors from around the world. She will gently and compassionately guide you out of your comfort zone and into a life of bravery, risk-taking, and being the best version of yourself. With Margie’s help, you will learn how to transform your fear into personal power and approach life with empathy, humour, and curiosity. It will change everything.

Available for $31.95 here!

The Artist’s Compass: The Complete Guide to Building a Life and a Living in the Performing Arts by Rachel S. Moore

While performing artists have many educational opportunities to perfect their craft, they are often on their own when it comes to learning the business skills necessary to launch their careers. At the end of the day, show business is, well, a business. In The Artist’s Compass, Rachel Moore (who rose from a dancer in the American Ballet Theater’s corps de ballet to become the CEO of that organization – and is today the head of The Music Center in LA) shares how to make life as a performer more successful, secure, and sustainable by approaching a career in the arts like an entrepreneur.

Available for $22.00 here!

The Collaborative Habit: Life Lessons for Working Together by Twyla Tharp with Jesse Kornbluth

In this practical sequel to her national bestseller The Creative Habit, choreographer Twyla Tharp explains why collaboration is important to her – and can be for you. She shows how to recognize good candidates for partnership and how to build one successfully, and analyzes dysfunctional collaborations. And although this isn’t a book that promises to help you deepen your romantic life, she suggest that the lessons you learn by working together professionally can help you in your personal relationships.

Available for $19.95 here!

Comment below with your pick!

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Inspecting Carol by Daniel Sullivan

Get your holiday cheer on with this hilarious, madcap comedy! It’s a farcical behind-the-scenes look when all goes wrong in a small theatre company’s attempt to mount its annual production of A Christmas Carol. Complicating the effort are prima donna performers, cast love affairs and a surprise visit by an inspector from the funding arts foundation.

Available for $17.95 here!

The Patron Saint of Stanley Park by Hiro Kanagawa

On Christmas Eve, the one-year-anniversary of their father’s disappearance, Josh and Jennifer go to Stanley Park to honour his memory instead of catching a bus to their uncle’s place. When a mysterious homeless man leads them to a fantastical bunker beneath the park, they experience wondrous visions that help them understand the truth about their father.

Available for $17.95 here!

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon

In this winning and witty sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the bookish middle child of the Bennet family finally has her day. Constantly overshadowed by her four sisters, Mary Bennet finds hope for a new life beyond her family from an unexpected holiday romance.

Available for $17.95 here!

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, adapted by Anne Coulter Martens

The Gift of the Magi is a one-act drama by Anne Coulter Martens, based on the classic O. Henry short story of the same name. Della and Jim, the main characters, are a young married couple who are very much in love, but have very little money, certainly not enough to give each other the “perfect gift” for their first Christmas together. Nevertheless, they find a way to surprise each other with a gift that expresses how truly deep their love is.

Available for $14.95 here!

The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel

Two parents take their three young children on a road trip to visit their grandparents for the Christmas holiday. A breathtaking work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of How I Learned to Drive and Indecent, in which a single, sudden act of violence shatters the lives of three siblings – and also unites them.

Available for $17.95 here!

Comment below with your pick!

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Fine On Acting is a “class in a book” that provides a solid foundation in the useful and exciting acting technique taught at the renowned Howard Fine Acting Studio, located in the heart of Hollywood and its sister-Studio in Melbourne, Australia. In this revised edition, Howard Fine expands on his technique to meet the needs of today’s working actor.

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Vanity Fair: An (Im-)Morality Play

Based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. Ambitious Becky Sharp, poor, plain, and devilishly clever, may not have been born with wealth or status, but she’s determined to attain both-at any cost. Armed with fierce wit and calculating charm, Becky forges her own path through London’s high society, dealing herself into a game she was never invited to play.

Available for $17.95 here!

Little Women

Based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – they are America’s favourite sisters, beloved from the moment they appeared on the pages of Louisa May Alcott‘s novel Little Women. In this fresh take on a classic coming of age story, the beloved March sisters grow up against the backdrop of the Civil War.

Available for $17.95 here!

Pride and Prejudice

Based on the beloved novel by Jane Austen. This playful adaptation gives the story we know and love an unconventional updating. In Regency England, love is a serious game, and the Bennet sisters are playing for keeps. But when marriage is a must for women, how will they be able to tell if they’ve won? This clever comedy offers a decidedly progressive take on the trials of Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, and the whole Bennet clan, with a few dance breaks thrown in for good measure.

Available for $17.95 here!

Sense and Sensibility

Based on the beloved novel by Jane Austen. This refreshing, light-hearted romp through the English countryside tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they cope with changing social circumstances and wistful longings for love. Told with quick, tight structuring and a chorus of gossips, Sense and Sensibility is inventive and full of comic vitality.

Available for $17.95 here!

Comment below with your pick!

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