American Masters

History Series / 14 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Watch Latest: S39 E1

1h 23m / TV-14

Problems with Columns

1m 6s

In an outtake from Bill T. Jones: A Good Man, the crew experiences an unexpected problem when the columns, required to move about the stage during the piece, are unable to move smoothly across the stage. Bill T. Jones: A Good Man premieres nationally Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) as part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Blowing in the Wind

55s

In this outtake from Bill T. Jones: A Good Man,the crew discovers that the curtains used for projections in Fondly Do We Hope... Fervently Do We Pray are subject to large movements from wind gusts in the open-air venue and finds a solution. Bill T. Jones: A Good Man premieres nationally Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) as part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Interview with Bill T. Jones

1m 30s / TV-PG

Bill T. Jones discusses his creative process, the origins of the documentary Bill T. Jones: A Good Man, and how President Abraham Lincoln and related subject matter has inspired his work for Fondly Do We Hope... Fervently Do We Pray. Bill T. Jones: A Good Man, premieres nationally Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Jamyl's Jump

2m 29s

Jamyl Dobson, the actor in the production, describes how he adapted to Jones's physically-demanding staging, as well as how his experience with voice helped the dancers approach their speaking roles. Bill T. Jones: A Good Man premieres nationally Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) as part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Bill T. Jones: Interview with the Filmmakers

10m 42s

Co-directors Bob Hercules of Media Process Group and Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films discuss their verite approach, how they learned to shoot dance-theater, and their favorite moments from the documentary. Bill T. Jones: A Good Man premieres nationally Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) as part of the first PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Pearl Jam Twenty

3m

Director and music journalist Cameron Crowe creates a definitive portrait of the seminal band carved from never-before-seen footage, recent band interviews, and concert footage. The two-hour documentary gives an intimate glimpse into Pearl Jam's journey in honor of the band's 20th anniversary. Pearl Jam Twenty premieres nationally Friday, October 21 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on PBS (check local listings).

A Letter to Elia - Preview

30s

Director Martin Scorsese reveals Elia Kazan's life, his sense of himself as an immigrant and as an outsider. Scorsese also recounts his early experiences seeing Kazan's films for the first time - and being forever influenced. 7/12/13

Levine on his Childhood

2m 35s

In this outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro, James Levine remembers growing up with a father who led a dance band that broadcast from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and recalls his first piano lessons.

James Levine Conducts The Bartered Bride

4m 52s / TV-G

Watch Layla Claire and Paul Appleby perform in the Lindemann Young Artists production of The Bartered Bride, conducted by James Levine, and talk about the experience working with Maestro. This clip is an outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro.

James Levine Conducts Simon Boccanegra

5m 19s / TV-G

In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, hear a story from David Langlitz, the Principal Trombone for the Met Orchestra, that illuminates Levine's unique sensitivity to sound and watch Levine conduct a dress rehearsal of Simon Boccanegra with Placido Domingo. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday June 1st, 2011 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

James Levine Conducts Beethoven's Symphony No. 5

3m 55s / TV-G

In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, Levine conducts the Met Opera Orchestra in their first rehearsal of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 at Carnegie Hall and engages the orchestra with his unique style of direction. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday, June 1 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

Layla Claire Rehearses with James Levine

2m 33s / TV-G

In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, watch Maestro Levine rehearse with and give advice to the young artist Layla Claire in List Hall. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday June 1st, 2011 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

John Muir in the New World

2m 53s

This documentary delves into John Muir's life with reenactments throughout the majestic landscapes he visited: Wisconsin, Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra Valley of California, and the glaciers of Alaska. This Scottish American is remembered as the father of the environmental movement. John Muir in the New World airs nationally Monday, April 18 at 9 p.m. (check local listings).

John Muir Outtakes: The Alaskan Expedition

4m 8s / TV-G

Hear stories from one of John Muir's expeditions in Alaska with his colleage and companion S. Hall Young, including a tale of Muir's rescue of Young during a very near brush with death in these outtakes from the documentary John Muir in the New World. John Muir in the New World airs April 18 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Interview with John Muir Filmmaker Catherine Tatge

5m 43s

Catherine Tatge, the Director/Producer/Writer of American Masters John Muir in the New World, discusses how she uses reenactments to provide the visual elements needed to communicate the power of Muir's story, how she cast the part of Muir, and why Muir is an American Master. John Muir in the New World airs nationally Monday, April 18, 2011 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Steve Martin on the Trains of Santa Monica

1m 3s

Steve Martin discusses the trains that used to run down Santa Monica Boulevard and how he worked them into his act in this outtake from Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & The Rise of the Singer-Songwriter, airing nationally Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

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