With a foreword by Hugh Laurie (Dr. House).
Dr. Gregory House is one of the most fascinating television. Full of himself, cantankerous, obnoxious as well with his colleagues with his patients, this doctor of engineering excels yet to solve the most complex medical cases. In the manner of an investigator and supported by a handpicked team, he assembled one by one the clues that allow him to support his diagnosis.
This first book Official offers fans exclusive access to the underside of the show and its secrets. It contains pictures taken ever published on the various locations. Discover the exclusive amazing stories of the genesis of House told by David Shore, creator of the series and the confidences of the actors about their characters, the writers' reflections on ethical issues, and also making- of the most popular episodes! (4th cover)
Title VO: House, MD: The Official Guide to the Hit Medical Drama (2010)
Thanks to Editions Michel Lafon for sending me this wonderful book that impassioned high sériephile I am!
From the first pages, I was already conquered by foreword by Hugh Laurie , very well written, full of poetry and anecdotes, comparisons and even on his acting and what led a British actor has come to the States to take an American accent and become, through hearings, a (false) doctors recognized (the book gives to evidence a 2009 survey which, by combining the audiences of all TVs in the world, says House is the most watched TV show in the world ).
Then comes a dozen chapters soaked anecdotes about 2 axes :
1 - to discover the scenes of the series , casting to achieve through writing, special effects, costumes ...
2 - through interviews key players, detail every character in the series.
are alternated so traveling both outside and inside the series!
* * *
By cons, for those who do not want to be spoiler, this book is for those who have seen the end of season 6! Indeed, this book has clearly been written during the filming of this season, there are many elements that continue the evolution of House after the cliffhanger season finale 5. In the final minute, the conclusion of the book also talks about the cliffhanger end of season 6.
But I promise, I do not storyline spoil this! ;)
But I promise, I do not storyline spoil this! ;)
* * *
Returning on two axes. First, interviews. So you can read the impressions of the following actors who discuss the series, their respective characters but also their acting profession:
- Jennifer Morrison (Dr. Allison Cameron)
- Peter Jacobson (Dr. Chris Taub)
- Jesse Spencer (Dr. Robert Chase)
- Omar Epps (Dr. Eric Foreman)
- Olivia Wilde (Thirteen, No. 13 or Dr. Hadley)
- Lisa Edelstein (Dr. Lisa Cuddy)
- Robert Sean Leonard (Dr. James Wilson)
- Hugh Laurie (Dr. Gregory House)
There's a passage with Robert Sean Leonard that made me laugh too! This guy is really unheard of. Hugh Laurie as much emerges as a workaholic , as studios 6h to 20h, as RSL, it is a big lazy ! He says himself:
He thinks only one thing: "go home with his children and his wife at 18:30. For him, the series is just his job, it pleases but his main motivation, initially was that "it was better paid than the theater" (His true passion). I admit that her interview put me on the ass! So in step with the other actors!
"I am the most lazy on the board, maybe even all of Los Angeles. I do not work. When I had my first audition for this series, j 'also had an audition for Numb3rs . I had to choose between the two, and Numb3rs there were too many scenes. Too much dialogue to learn. I thought, ah, it's so tiring "I agree be the Schneider House MD [Dwayne Schneider, the handyman in the days "]. You arrive in a scene in eight, and you say" And the pipes are ...". I ' likes that role. I like being the one who has 2 or 3 scenes per episode. "
He thinks only one thing: "go home with his children and his wife at 18:30. For him, the series is just his job, it pleases but his main motivation, initially was that "it was better paid than the theater" (His true passion). I admit that her interview put me on the ass! So in step with the other actors!
For backstage is a real hyper detailed dive which was right. After reading this book, you can imagine how easily happens every day in the studio and feel the working environment that prevails there. Each chapter is interspersed with dialogues by Ian Jackman (the author of this book Official) with different members of the production (as creator David Shore, producers, directors, screenwriters ...)
The chapters cover (in order):
- the creation of the series (we discover how the idea germinated, how the pilot was produced, what are the requirements for renewing the chain ... )
- writing (A mammoth organization. David Shore gives the direction of the series and each writer writes his party. They are few but effective.)
- production (long week for everyone! 2 chapters address all the technical aspect of the series)
- casting (where how each actor / actress was chosen and in what circumstances. An anecdote for example: during the pilot, the Director Bryan Singer ( X-Men, Superman Returns ) did not want an Englishman, he thought it would be a waste time to teach her American accent while filming had to be done quickly. But Hugh Laurie, while on a shoot in Syria, sent a video by accident while returning from a tough session in the desert. He is unshaven and filthy. It is pleasing to one of the producers said that "we have our man." Singer retorted "why not, but we continue to look." 4 months later, Laurie recalled. It does not even remember the video of this series or that his agent had spoken to him briefly. He made the trip from London to Los Angeles on his own. He arrived at the hearing, he has not even started, everyone knows it will be taken. He is Dr. House.)
- special effects medical (some on various accessories ... how to have realistic fake blood, needles, surgical ...)
- Construction of House (including the apartment of season 6. it also addresses the provision of 3 studios in Hollywood (one of the only series to have as many apparently), the fixed plates, decorations temporary trouble that they have had for destroying a setting that could have been used then ...)
- the look of House (some dedicated the costume, where they find the clothes, how they rank and class. For example, we learn that they keep all the clothes of the main actors in a large hangar.)
- props and special effects (every little accessory is meticulously followed. chosen anecdote: when they buy an accessory, like a lighter, they're buying 7 or 8, because if a lighter is lost, should not that production is stopped because of that ... hence the increased costs while at the screen, a lighter one will be published)
- visual effects and final assembly (the final rush for editors! While directors must always take 6-7 weeks ahead of schedule broadcast of the channel, post-production ( Adding effects, sound, cutting and editing images) takes time and each time, the episode always comes to the last minute in the broadcast studios!).
- the themes of the series ("everybody lies" ... Through numerous examples, we rediscover some episodes of the series, explained by their writers and the author)
The chapters cover (in order):
- the creation of the series (we discover how the idea germinated, how the pilot was produced, what are the requirements for renewing the chain ... )
- writing (A mammoth organization. David Shore gives the direction of the series and each writer writes his party. They are few but effective.)
- production (long week for everyone! 2 chapters address all the technical aspect of the series)
- casting (where how each actor / actress was chosen and in what circumstances. An anecdote for example: during the pilot, the Director Bryan Singer ( X-Men, Superman Returns ) did not want an Englishman, he thought it would be a waste time to teach her American accent while filming had to be done quickly. But Hugh Laurie, while on a shoot in Syria, sent a video by accident while returning from a tough session in the desert. He is unshaven and filthy. It is pleasing to one of the producers said that "we have our man." Singer retorted "why not, but we continue to look." 4 months later, Laurie recalled. It does not even remember the video of this series or that his agent had spoken to him briefly. He made the trip from London to Los Angeles on his own. He arrived at the hearing, he has not even started, everyone knows it will be taken. He is Dr. House.)
- special effects medical (some on various accessories ... how to have realistic fake blood, needles, surgical ...)
- Construction of House (including the apartment of season 6. it also addresses the provision of 3 studios in Hollywood (one of the only series to have as many apparently), the fixed plates, decorations temporary trouble that they have had for destroying a setting that could have been used then ...)
- the look of House (some dedicated the costume, where they find the clothes, how they rank and class. For example, we learn that they keep all the clothes of the main actors in a large hangar.)
- props and special effects (every little accessory is meticulously followed. chosen anecdote: when they buy an accessory, like a lighter, they're buying 7 or 8, because if a lighter is lost, should not that production is stopped because of that ... hence the increased costs while at the screen, a lighter one will be published)
- visual effects and final assembly (the final rush for editors! While directors must always take 6-7 weeks ahead of schedule broadcast of the channel, post-production ( Adding effects, sound, cutting and editing images) takes time and each time, the episode always comes to the last minute in the broadcast studios!).
- the themes of the series ("everybody lies" ... Through numerous examples, we rediscover some episodes of the series, explained by their writers and the author)
's a lot of things, is not it! And yet, is that the resume! Anecdotes, there is a shovel! In addition, it is very fun to read. It is well written, condensed and it alternates between interviews with the blocks of information. In terms of layout, there is nothing wrong!
Moreover, in the middle of the book, you'll also find exclusive photos in color (on glossy paper) the filming. There are also some pictures in the chapters.
Finally, you'll understand ... you like the series? especially Dr. House? While this book is for you! It is well worth a prominent place near your DVD boxes:)
Overall rating: 9 / 10
