Flight of the Navigator. Image courtesy of Randal Kleiser | Film Director | Los Angeles

At the Movies with Drawing Directors: Volume I by Randall Kleiser By Cinematic Expert Stephanie Mardesich

This month is a departure from a specific theme or genre suggesting films to view with a review of new book for cinephiles (movie buffs) and culturally curious.

Acclaimed filmmaker Randal Kleiser (RK) reveals a talent beyond his adroit directing (Grease, White Fang,The Blue Lagoon to name a few of his “hit” movies) as a skillful artist of “blind contour drawings” in his latest book Drawing Directors: Volume I.

As he explains in the book’s preface, “You trace the lines of the subject with your eye and simultaneously draw with a pen on the paper without looking down. The difficulty I often encountered was that the subjects moved or changed positions in mid-sketch. I had to throw out many of the attempts.” One speculates it takes quick effort, if not “slight of hand”, to capture the image and they are good likenesses slightly reminiscent of famed sketch artist Al Hirschfeld.

Including 121 drawings “that worked ”created over past four decades, each director’s drawing has one page of text juxtaposed with Kleiser’s sketch, offering observations and personal anecdotes from himself or the director. With his astute POV it’s a unique perspective on Hollywood and international film directors.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, as a high school student Kleiser attended art classes at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art and the Bryn Mawr Art Center. He discovered his love for sketching and homed his talent for blind contour drawing technique.

The compilation is particularly appealing to those with cinematic interests, however there’s also broad appeal with the stories succinctly revealed with humor and some pathos. It’s been my privilege and pleasure to meet many included (at USC film school - RK and I are fellow alumni - and when working in the industry ergo I appreciate even more the impressions Kleiser shares.

Some renderings and stories that particularly gave me pause for thought are Buster Keaton, Jane Campion, James Bridges, John Milius, Agnes Varda, John Schlesinger, King Vidor. Three notables that were not included and missed are Kleiser’s good friend George Cukor, Peter Bogdanovich and William Friedkin. The latter two who I remember meeting in the late film critic, professor and raconteur Arthur’s Knght’s Theatrical Film Symposium aks “Thursday Night At the Movies” that was a popular class for film and non-film students.

While not a “page turner” per se, content is more contemplative, Drawing Directors: Volume I is enjoyable erudite read I can recommend that will inspire viewing films of the pantheon of directors included, and of course RK’s eclectic array of films. Looking forward to Volume II.

Drawing Directors – Volume I by Randal Kleiser

(2023; 255 pp; IBSN 979-8-0886005-0-3)

Foreword by Roger Corman

Order at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Directors-I-Randal-Kleiser/dp/B0C9S3HTFF

More about RK at his website: https://www.randalkleiser.com/

& IMDB filmography with links: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0459170/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Order Drawing Directors – Vol. I via Amazon:

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020