Biz Books Film & Theatre Store
Categories: Shopping Computers Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Computers, Bookstores [Edit]
Vancouver, BC V6B 1E8(604) 669-6431
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
5 reviews for Biz Books Film & Theatre Store
5 reviews in English
-
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2009
I'm surprised there aren't more five star reviews here. Biz Books is frankly THE place to find all the best books and supplies for the film and theatre industry. You want some obscure Canadian produced indie play? It's here. You want those brads to bind your script that are rounded on both side? Kabam - look no further.
I guess I'm a bit marred by the fact that working partially in film I need to come here a lot, and indeed they do service all my needs. To a casual observer it's a pretty solid bookshop, not too huge, broken down by discipline and subsection.
They have the usual gifts around too if you're looking for something for the finicky film or theatre snob. Also, for a casual person, they have a wicked magazine selection going everywhere from the seemly to the sublime and you can surely find something to pique your general interest.
So yes, definite five star if you're looking for their wares. You can't find a better selection in the city. -
Review from Monica M.
1/30/2011
Biz Books doesn't have a bricks and mortar location in Gastown anymore --- it's online only.
But when they were there, their stock and selection was fantastic. I loved browsing all the stationary and book-related goodies that anyone/everyone would like. I bought many cards and hastily-remembered presents there! -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
12/15/2008 1 photo
I'm a little embarrassed to say that I didn't know about Biz Books until I wandered by it during a Gastown jaunt. I'm embarrassed because I am in the film industry and I still didn't know about it...! Yes, yes sacrilege! You will shout, but I'm going to cut myself some slack and let you know that I am only recently involved in the industry and everything I learned, didn't come from a book.
That being said, should you or I, need to find anything about film making, television and theatre, Biz Books is the definitive source for such materials. They also carry software, Cd's, DVDs, tapes and videos for instructional purposes, as well as a variety of coffee table and pure pleasure reading literature about the entertainment industry. If you aren't in the "biz" as they call it (terrible, right?) do not hesitate to come into Biz Books, there is much to be learned and if you aren't aware already, the entertainment industry can be pretty fascinating (and no, I'm not referring to what Britney Spears did on the cover of US Weekly). There are endless things to be learned, studied and enjoyed, and Biz Books and the very knowledgeable staff will keep you informed and satiated! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/25/2008
Biz Books specializes in books and magazines for the movie and theatre crowd - everyone from extras to film students to visiting staaarrrsss will find something to increase the knowledge of their craft here.
I can't get enough of their extensive selection of general movie books, from DVD guides to Hollywood biographies to a quirky field guide to character actors I found here that resides permanently on my coffee table. For you pros, they carry a vast array of plays and screenplays, audition piece guides, books on every aspect of filmmaking, scriptwriting, and production, and directories. Not to mention such things as accent-training kits and scriptwriting software.
I also love the cards and postcards, always fun to put in with a gift for the film fan. -
Review from Mike O.
Port Moody, BC
8/28/2008
"I have a dream!" sang Marcus as we turned the corner of Cambie Street onto Cordova. "A dream where little white kids can write movies about little black kids..."
I chuckled and held open the door to Biz Books for my friend "Marcus Luther King Jr". He'd expressed to me days earlier about his desire to write a script about his life. Seeing how he was only thirty years old, I guessed that it was going to be a short film, but knowing him the way I did, it would turn out to be more like a commercial.
The quaint book store could almost be missed if you weren't looking for it. Situated right on the corner of Cambie and Cordova, it looks more like a rustic antique store than the best source of movie and theatre books in the city. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by one of the many young women who work there. They all have great smiles and welcome you with great attitudes. I followed Marcus to the back of the store.
"This is the beginning of the rest of my life," said Marcus. He traced a finger along the spines of the books as he walked down the aisle of "How to's". "I fee greatness when I'm in this store."
"How many times have you been here?" I asked him.
"First time," he said stoically. "But my soul has traveled this aisle for a hundred years."
I groaned and went along with his demented rouse. It was the first time I'd seen him so passionate about anything since he first discovered the pointless activity of playing record LP's backwards in search of hidden messages. One of the clerks approached us from the counter.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
I cut in. "All the doctors have tried, but he's a hard nut to crack."
Marcus shot me a snarl. "Excuse my friend. He doesn't understand the plight of a renaissance artist. I'm looking for some books on how to write a script."
"Sure," said the patient woman. "What's the script about?"
"My life," said Marcus. "It's a drama."
I chuckled and walked away from the two to explore the store. I was instantly impressed by the layout. They had books from all walks of the art. From theatre scripts to song writing books - they even had famous Hollywood scripts for sale. They had How To books that taught you to write novels, manuscripts and letters. Their collection so immense, there was no excuse for not getting a life of writing started.
They had computer programs that simplified script writing and novel writing - so they weren't just a book store forcing you to commit to just paper product. What I loved most of all was their huge collection of the most unique postcards I've ever seen. They had postcards of celebrities in some of their most famous roles and other hilarious pictures that I haven't seen in other stores. They sold for a dollar each. I chose ten from the rack.
When I walked back to Marcus, I found him thumbing through a thick manual.
"So, it's gonna be a drama, huh?" I remarked. "I thought maybe a comedy of errors myself."
He snapped the book shut and showed me the cover.
"Musical," he said with a grin. "What better way to express my life than in song."
