Adam Savage's Favorite Tools: Backstage Handbook Illustrated Almanac!
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- As makers, knowing the common name of tools and processes can break its spell over you--just as in the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin. But uncovering those names isn't always easy without formal training or study in a trade. Adam recently learned about the Backstage Handbook, an incredibly powerful illustrated resource to the thousands of tools used in stage production, filmmaking, and making in general!
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I am a retired Union stagehand, and can vouch for the value of the Backstage Handbook. It is packed with useful knowledge. Get one if you don't already own one.
I had the privilege of working with Paul Carter early in our careers. He was a good friend, and shared with me his journey of putting together the book, a collection of his notes and journals from grad school. Required reference for my students of technical theatre for my 30+ years of teaching technical direction. Paul would be humbled and proud of your appreciation, Adam.
I also knew Paul and had a couple of conversations with him prior to publication. I'm a proud owner of signed 1st edition 1st printing. Made Scenic.
Adam, you are a mighty breath of fresh air. Bless you. I’m so grateful to be alive at the same time as you. Keep on. All respect ✊.
As a theatre major, I can verify that this was a textbook. The very first text book I bought, and one of the handful I still own 16 years later. I think Adam and others will appreciate the author's occasional sense of humor, like on p. 63 "washer types".
Hahahahaha, yes! That still makes me laugh, to this day.
As a current senior theatre tech major, I can also confirm that this was the very first theatre textbook I bought as well. Unfortunately, my copy was borrowed and then never returned because the pandemic hit, but even as a first year student with 5 years experience working on professional quality shows, this book was immensely helpful.
and pg 252 "furniture legs"
Page 127 - Wood Joints. Page 155 - Average Weight of beverages.
Page 63 is where it's at!
I've literally never ordered anything so fast in my life. Adam opened that book; let me tell you, the amount of joy and dread I felt simultaneously was staggering. I cannot believe this gem isn't a larger discussion in maker spaces. Thanks to the person that showed this to Adam and thanks to Adam for showing us.
You're going to wear that book out!
@@bopsa 😂
Same here. I just got three copies, one for me and each of my buddies. Because of this video the price of this book will be going up very soon.
@@milkandcookyz I was considering ordering a second and you just convinced me. lol
@@milkandcookyz nvm, it's already out of stock. lmao
When I eschewed my college courses to take a full time position as a theater tech many years ago, I expected my mother to disown me. Instead she handed me a dogeared copy of the first edition of this book. Her copy of this amazing book has been on or near my desk my entire career and has been joined by my own copy of the second edition. So wonderful to see it featured by you Adam.
The Stage Rigging handbook is the next level of math in pulleys and lifting that does a great job giving a working knowledge of stagecraft
I knew about something Adam didn't! I can now die happy. ;-) I have been using and giving copies of this to my students for at least 20 years! I'm so thrilled to see how excited Adam is about this fantastic tome!!
Can not be got in Ireland looks like a fantastic book to have
My favorite part is still the listing for types of washers. Big fan of the “front loading.”
There’s a few more Easter Eggs in there, too.
Excellent resource
I work in theatre lighting, every scene shop I've ever wandered through has had at least one copy of this book! I bought it and a Pocket Ref for college, they've both served me well! These books found their niche, and have continued to be the best in their fields!
If you can find a copy of Skip Mort's "Stage Lighting: A Technician's Guide" then absolutely add it to your library; it's a fantastic resource especially for newer techs you might have join your crew
@@DeadFishTheKing Thank you! I’ll pick up a copy, I work with a lot of newer electricians, it would be great to have something for them.
When I was in college (engineering school) I found "The Engineer's Handbook" -- a little gem that had a bunch of basic stuff from algebra/trig/calculus to material properties and mensuration and a lot more. It was a godsend. Much later I discovered the Pocket Ref and that's another book that will suck you in! Good stuff!
It's buried in my comment elsewhere, but my husband is a lighting tech & electrician, and he recommends "Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician and Technician" by Richard Cadena. During the brief time we were considering getting our CA state electrician's licenses, we took the Cadena book to the head of the department at the college we were attending and even they were impressed with the book.
I also work in stage lighting. There is ALWAYS a copy of this book AND a Photometrics Handbook (by Robert C. Mumm) kicking around in every shop.
Holy cats! A FERAL MAKER! That is a description about myself I never knew I needed. Bringing the real info makers need yet again Adam!
I guess that makes me a feral coder.
It's nice hearing good things about a product I had a hand in making. I have to admit that I'm geeked about knowing you like the book and hearing what you had to say made my day.
Seriously, it's such a gem to have a "what is" book of things. Half the problem I have in normal home improvement stuff is trying to figure what to call this thing I need to buy at the hardware store.
Thanks Adam - as a British and now Canadian based theatre and opera TD - I bought a copy at a USITT ( Theatre techs ) convention back in the mid1990's. Though I do less theatre stuff _ I still dive into the book from time to time. Cheers _ JS
I've had my copy since 1988. It's fun to see people discovering this book for the first time now. I never took a theater class (I was a physics major), but now I'm an IATSE stagehand working on movies.
Sold. I grew up in a theater family, and I was helping my dad make sets at the age of six. So, you'd think I should know about this book, but I didn't. So, thanks Adam -- you taught me something about the theater that my dad should have taught me, but didn't.
I'm one of those theatre geeks who had this in his library back in the early 90's when I was a theater major. It is still incredibly handy to me in my hobby woodworking.
That book has been a favorite of mine for a few decades now. I often browse it for no specific reason at all and usually find exactly what I wasn't looking for.
There's a near equally as old Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook that is this, but for audio. Insanely detailed, well thought out, covering the unchanging fundamentals of sound and sound systems. Highly recommended if you're into sound at all
Man oh man do i love when an artist believes in shared knowledge
Savage's is my favorite channel on RUclips by far. As one with a pretty long makers history I find this material (and his delivery) the most interesting and useful.
I just picked up a used copy of this book a few months ago. Having worked in the theater for years as an actor, and then, recently having to design and build my first set for a show I was directing, this book came in super handy. A must for anyone looking to be a builder/maker.
Just got home from my third week as a stage technician apprenticeship, even as an apprentice in an equipment rental warehouse so much of the training is about HOW to do something rather than WHAT something is and it's other uses.
I will buy this book immidiately.
Thank you for guiding me through my introduction into making Adam and the tested team, I am eternally grateful.
An absolute classic. To stagecraft what "The Machinery's Handbook" is to machine design and construction. Signed, a touring theatre tech turned systems engineer.
Got that one, never heard of this one.
Love Adam's enthusiasm for this book! Had to double check I still had my copy on my office shelf, yep, 2nd edition purchased in 1990 as a freshman technical theater major student, still there!
Theater is a great lead-in to general making because you are making things at all scales, from props to scenery, and they need to work, and they need to look right, but they are all by nature temporary objects. You don't need to worry about whether your objects are perfect, because they very likely won't survive past the end of the show, which is amazingly freeing to young makers. You're also in a great space surrounded by creative people... musicians, actors, painters, artists... even if you're "just" the person running the sound mixer, or the lighting board, or replacing gels in the spots (Aside: In my experience usually all the same person, sometimes me) you're part of a creative community and THAT is something that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
I should note that, despite props and scenery being "temporary" you also learn that they need to be "safe and sturdy for their intended purpose". The background mountain might be paper maché and just solid enough to move back and forth between scenes/performances, but the table that someone needs to dramatically leap onto needs to be a bit more overengineered.
I just ordered my copy from Amazon…this is what I really need 38 years ago when I became an apprentice. Thanks Adam!
OMG There should be a live stream with an over the shoulder view of Adam thumbing through this book!
I learned a ton about woodworking just from thumbing through the Lee Valley catalogue when I was young.
And recognize more the older I get that knowing something's name does give you some measure of power or influence over it.
As a person with both BA and MFA in Theater I can tell you that is one of the greatest references books. I have moved on and now manage Facilities Engineering. I still have the book at my desk and use it to references various things or to teach my staff.
Let's hear it for the autograph seeking fan, that through Adam, turned us all onto this handbook!
Thanks fan.
One of my great treasures is a Gerstner tool chest that my Mom bought me on my 30th birthday. It had an odd, deep drawer, which I discovered was for the storage of Machinery's Handbook, a book stuffed with so much information (nearly 3000 pages!) on all aspects of mechanical information, threading, boilers, you name it. Since the information doesn't change all that much, you can buy a good used copy of an older edition for less than 20 bucks online - just make sure that you get Machinery's Handbook, and not Machinery's Handbook Guide, which is a supplemental work about formulas.
I went to Amazon to purchase the Backstage Handbook, and to my surprise, the Savage Effect had not yet sold out the book! Mine should be here by the end of the week. Thanks!
I was 10 or 12 years old when I found dad's copy of Machinery's Handbook, the tables telling exactly how much water fit in a pipe of x diameter and y length blew my mind! I now have 2 copies.
Adam as a former scenic carpenter I can so relate to you geeking out over tremal points!! Love it!! P.S. Shop Math is my most used chapter!
I have loved this book for 25 years
I have several copies of this amazing reference. As a theater teacher, shop teacher, maker, and fanatic, it is a magnificent tome!!!
I love seeing your joy in discovering this. It reminds me of the first time I bought a copy when I was 17 to help me build a set for the high school musical of Peter Pan. I eventually went on to work in theater/entertainment for over 25 years. I even taught high school theater tech for a few years where this book was always used
I've been lucky enough to work in film and television as a grip for 5 years. The backstage handbook has been my go to read between gigs and never fails to feed my curiosity.
I absolutely love these types of book and their ultra distilled presentation of knowledge. They are highly practical in use, easy(er) for the layman to understand, and provide the rudimentary knowledge and vocabulary for those without. I got a similar feeling when I first read The Elements of Style and what it did for my writing. I need more of these books in my life.
Just bought one! It was sold out on Amazon except one that was $85. Ended up ordering it from Pioneer Drama, they had it for $24.75!
Absolutely agree on the point of theater as a gateway. I started my journey seriously through theater. In school theater my sewing skill turned out to be golden, but it turns out a steady hand will make most people eager to put you to work. In college I found out that if you show an experienced person a bit of talent and an eagerness to learn, you'll pick up all sorts of skills. Suddenly I knew bits of sound design, running lights, prop and costuming. While I'm not in that area anymore, you never know when those tidbits will help you in life. It's always valuable to understand the people you're working with on at least a basic level, it avoids misunderstandings.
In The Netherlands, we use the Poly-Technisch Zakboekje, or Poly Technical Pocketbook. The “-je” at the end meaning Little btw.
The first print dates January 6th 1928 and the current 52th print covers 2000 pages in 27 chapters of definitions, tables, drawings and formulas.
I’m just a tech guy that grew up watching Adam Savage and I just bought the book. Hats off my friend. Nice show and tell.
Love the fact that Adam is Nerding and Geeking out about this book.
It is SUCH an amazing (and amazingly useful) book for any maker. I was given a copy in the mid to late 90s, when I got a job at a PBS affiliate, and had it handy whenever I was in the studio. Sadly, it was lost in a house fire we suffered in March of 2023...
My favorite person talking about my favorite book.
I love, LOVE that book!!!!! I am so happy you’ve found it!!!!
Oh my god!!! I have been looking for EXACTLY THIS for a while now. Went to college and realized a profound lack of practical skills. As a new homeowner I’ve caught the tinkering bug which I’m a certain will evolve into making- THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Hi, Adam,
My wife and I have been close friends of Paul Carter's wife for more than fifteen years. She keeps several editions in several language in her apartment. I sent her this video. She'll be delighted that you found her husband's book.
This book was a required book when I went through a theater conservatory for sound design! Still on my shelf to this day.
Imagine the joy of sharing this with Adam in person this is awesome
Flabbergasted. I started this vid thinking - oh yeah, he's sharing something he's been using for 25 years to let the wider world know. (FYI the first printing was red; my original was the red followed by "Yale" blue which came out about 25 years ago). Fast fact: number of years it took to become required texts for incoming freshman in a drama TD program?
It's true!
Hell yes!!! That book has a priority spot on my shelf and sometimes in my Theatre Tech go-kit.
Could you do a video on your reference library? I'd love to see your other books. As a professional horticulturalist, I would recommend the 'Sunset Western Garden Guide' as the best gardeners reference.
Reminds me of the ABOK, the Ashley Book Of Knots, which holds a similar treasure trove of wisdom in terms of one of theater's origins, marlinspike seamanship... one wouldn't believe how many specific knots there are, much less how many stories are tied up around them. And Clifford Ashley was wise enough to include knots of crafts and occupations that were disappearing or already past in his days, figuring that a knot is what Bucky Fuller would call a pattern integrity, a generalized principle that might be useful sometime for something completely different or unheard of. It's a magnificent resource for applied synergetics
How To Weld by Todd Bridigum is FANTASTIC… I took the 6 month course at Hobart Welding School in Troy, OH back in 1997 and can weld in all processes in all positions… and I am here to tell you that this book is filled with some solid gems and serves as a great reminder when you’re out of practice, whether it’s from Oxyacetylene all the way through MiG (and perhaps even flux core)… cannot recommend it enough.
So, as a novice maker, I was not only unaware of this book but also unaware of how much I need it. Even just to have for fixing stuff around the house, this book will be invaluable. I immediately found the cheapest used copy online that I could and placed an order for it- it seems like there aren't all that many in circulation! Thank you, Adam, for making this video!
That book is GOLD for us theatre techs. I am glad to see you having discovered that book. I literally have it in my desk at work, not even kidding.
Also, that quote "in theatre you never have enough time, and you never have enough money" hahaha, sooooo soooo true.
I've been using and loving mine for the last 24 years. Great book/tool!
I got this book in college for my stage craft class and it's been useful my entire adult life. I wanted to point out a deep cut of the book. There are also puns spread throughout the text as a treat.
When I studied theater we didn't call it the Back Stage Handbook so much as the Back Stage Bible. Seriously essential reading if you want to do any type of fabrication work. I'm surprised Adam didn't have a copy sooner, but I'm glad he got a copy cause I can see how much he enjoys it.
I am a tech theater major in my second year and when I told my aunt about it who is in show business instantly asked if I had a copy of this book and order it for me that day really one of my favorite books and so happy Adam found it too
Bought my first copy in 2002 when I started my BA. it's followed me all the way through to a career in educational theatre and I love it. Thrilled that you got to be the 1 in 10,000 on that day Adam.
Edit: My favorite entries are weights of beverages and the picture of a front loading washer. There's fun jokes sprinkled throughout.
The jokes are the best
@@Reforged_Crayon They are subtle and spaced out. Don't forget the beer to Lighting Gel Tables.
Love it! I'm the kind of person who bought a Pocket Ref book for my first job. This video prompted me to check my bookshelf, and sure enough, I still have it!
Adam, i want to say. I am from germany, startet watching mythbusters as a child, discoverd your channel 2 years ago, and i love every viedeo. mostly because of you. its allways funny to watch, had a lot laughing. keep up wat you are doing. for me, a no nativ english speaking person, it is very easy to understand. thanks
Any time I ever work with someone who doesn't quite get or understand what I'm talking about... I pull this book out and let them borrow it.
9/10 times they end up buying their own.
It's helpful for not just those of us in theater, but engineering, design, layout, carpentry, and even web development (yes, that is helpful there too).
Cheers and thank you for bringing this up and the review!
I love this book. I was a production design student and this was a lifesaver. I still have it and I still use it as reference.
I had a copy of this as a reference when I took a stagecraft course 15 years ago, such a great compendium.
I've had mine since 1994. It was a gift from my first technical director when I started in theater. Such a great resource.
95... and it was a second edition then
Not really a reference, not current and not even easy to find used, but absolutely the best book ever for flipping to a random page and learning about some perfect-for-its-purpose tool or an entire craft you've never heard of: _The_ _Last_ _Whole_ _Earth_ _Catalog_. It's fifty years old now, and I still find something fascinating every time I open it. Watching over Adam's shoulder as he flipped through the _Backstage_ _Handbook_ transported me back to my ten-year-old self sitting on the floor of the local bookstore next to a stack of enormous black paperbacks taller than I was, paging through it with rapturous attention.
I work in the film industry as well as in theater. I’m very lucky that my copy of the backstage handbook was given to me by the head of my electric department at my first job in theater. It was his copy and he had already absorbed all he could from it over the previous 20 years. It’s been very helpful and really is a prolific book in our trade. I see it on every 5 ton truck basically.
I’ve had a copy of this book since 2008, thanks to a stagecraft course I took during college. I’ve kept it ever since, and even though I’ve moved several times and changed careers several times more, I still know exactly where it is and use it frequently in my day to day making. I’m gonna have to send this with my friend to con and get Adam to sign it.
I was introduced to this book 15+ years ago. I gift one to all my tech theatre major students. A must have as a theatre technician.
Every machinist in the US knows (or should know) about "Machinery's Handbook", which is just absolutely stuffed with esoteric and weirdly specific information on machining and manufacturing. Cutting speeds, thread information, material selection and information on various metals, etc. That's a great, but somewhat specialized reference book
I have had this book with me since I first started in theatre. It was a required book for my intro to theatre book. I still have table in it and it has helped me through out the years in so many ways. I still recommend it to students and fellow stagehands/theatre artists to this day. it was sitting in my office with in arms reach of me when I found your video
I was a theatre major, and that was in fact one of my textbooks. I still have it and reference it occasionally!
Still have mine from college. Love it.
An absolute classic and such a useful tool!
I have yet another degree of this problem because I also need to know what something is called in my native language not just English to talk to and buy stuff locally, and most dictionaries don't have most of these items listed at all.
I’m not a maker, but, I love useful reference books because you never know when, where or how it is going to need such books.
Thanks for the suggestion. I just ordered this cool "what-is" book and can't wait to take a look at it!
I assign it as a text book in my classes. Still have the first one I bought over 30 years ago.
I also assign Every Tool's A Hammer to my advanced stagecraft class. Great maker's manifesto. Thanks, Adam!
This book would have been instrumental in MANY area of my life, not least of which was my camper build. Thank you for discussing this, Adam!!
In my free-time from my professional work in theatre, I had worked with a high school tech crew as a technical adviser for a few years. This book I had gotten in College and felt it was important for them to have access to using it. Therefore, it was one of the books I donated to create a mini tech library in their front of house booth. Other books were specific to audio, stage management and lighting. Now to convince them to check out the Backstage Handbook, I offered a small prize to the person who found 3 jokes within its pages. 😉 With all those books for graded classes, I needed to find an in for them to pick up a technical book for the fun of theater. I greatly appreciate your comments on Theater. I know few of kids if any will pursue the arts after High School, but the skill theater can bring to life & work in general are so great!
My theatre teacher in high school handed me this book and said “this is your bible, don’t go anywhere without it.” Sure enough, the ‘Makers Bible’ as I call it, has been one of the few possessions I have that has made every move with me.
I ordered this book the moment I watched this video! Awesome!
What a great gift that would be!
Looks like a great item! This '80's stage crew geek didn't know it existed either. There's something to be said for the personal sharing of techniques like how we used to do it, but that was usually piecemeal, limited by what mentors had learned. A manual like this will be awesome at filling in gaps and ramping up tech education. Thanks for sharing!
But it ruins sending them out for "Sky Hook", a box of 'F stops", *sigh* you can't even make them wash the Gels anymore for fun at their expense. At lest Up is out and down is In , A strike is work, actually a whole lot of work, but a running crew never goes anywhere. Thank god when my C-wrench fell on its safety tether the cove had no water in it . That Grid Iron has nothing to do with foot ball and Block& Fall should do nether. Along Props don't prop anything and trip line hopefully doesn't trip someone.
"Do you want cheese, Bro?"
Yeah! Always, and the clamp too, please.
That was my textbook in college and I still use it to this day!!
i absolutely love how incredibly passionate and enthusiastic he is lol.
^_^
For those of us IN theater, we refer to this all the time. Enjoy page 63 with the front loading washer.
I've had this book for my entire theatre lighting career. Amazing book!!!
the Pocket Ref is my favourite book of this category
One of the many reasons I love this channel. Just bought myself a copy at builders books. Amazon was sold out!
The Backstage Handbook is one of the greatest reference books ever published; it is absolutely indispensable for any stagehand.
I’ve been working in the theater stage craft from the beginning of 1990 and this book was on my nightstand for at least a year or two. Still checking it for the correct therms when I travel from the Netherlands to an English speaking country for work. It’s every time in my case next to gear like a letterman and a mag light flashlight. Have a great reading experience and love to see your videos.
Backstage Handbook's Publisher: www.broadwaypress.com/index.html
The Backstage Handbook: amzn.to/3RbOZZX
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As a young theater tech, my favorite part of that book was the knot tying section! It's such a useful tool.
Literally just sold out on Amazon! As I was trying to order it. :( I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a copy.
... and they're gone.
@@purplemur This book costs only $24.75 at Pioneer Drama Service! 3rd Edition! www.pioneerdrama.com/SearchDetail.asp?pc=BACKHANDBO&id=1 There may be a slight wait if they are out of stock. But they'll get it for you..... at a better price.
Hay, Adam, I was wondering if you could reach out to the author of that book and see about some kind of print deal, make a series of books like it available to new/old makers. With you backing it I'm sure it would sell off the shelf like this one just did on Amazon.
I’m super happy I stopped by here this morning !
Theatre major here. Totally got one of these. Best book ever.
This is our theatre department gift to our majors upon graduation- it’s great!
This is literally the oldest reference book in my collection. Bought it as a Freshman in College over a decade ago. One of the best purchases I've ever made
I've had two copies of this book since i started my theatre major back in the early 2000s. It's so integrated into my work and life I forget that other people haven't heard of it. Enjoy!
Definitely buying a copy. So many hours wasted in big box hardware stores trying to convey what I was looking for to someone who didn’t know what they had. I had better luck at mom and pop shops, but that was too reliant on a particular employee being there. Thanks for the recommendation!