Secrets of Screen Acting is now in its second, and soon, third edition, is available here.

In this new edition, Patrick Tucker retains the engaging style and useful structure of the first edition while addressing significant changes in current technology, ensuring that this volume will remain an indispensable resource for contemporary students of screen acting.

Updated for a new decade of screen performance possibilities, Secrets of Screen Acting is a magician’s box of acting tricks for today’s performer and makes the distinction between acting for the stage and for the screen. He explains that the actor, instead of starting with what is real and trying to portray that on screen, should work with the realities of the shoot itself, and then work out how to make it all appear realistic.

Tucker has created and developed several screen acting of a courses, and this book is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field. Containing over fifty acting exercises, this book leads the reader step-by-step through the elements of effective screen acting.

After reading Secrets of Screen Acting, Los Angeles-based actor David H. Lawrence XVII had the temerity to call the book’s author, Patrick Tucker, at his home in London. Lawrence was fascinated with the book, but felt the constraints of the printed page left so much more to be said, and proposed a series of 5 minute audio interviews with Tucker, in the form of a podcast.

“Beautiful. What’s a podcast?” queried Tucker.

Lawrence explained, and Tucker said “Marvelous. Let’s do it.”

And so, one of the most fascinating global audio connections was made, between a US actor, and a British director, who provide a daily 5-minute devotional to the actor’s career and skill set. Work, auditions, on-set behavior, headshots, The Method, direction, editing, technical operation on set and more. Secrets of Screen Acting goes far beyond sense memory, prior moments and avoiding indication: it fundamentally changes the way a working actor approaches their career and executes their tasks.

Want better audition results? Want to get called back to shows and work with directors repeatedly? Get Secrets of Screen Acting – the book and the episodes.

Listen to some sample episodes, then get the whole set of nearly 300 episodes. Listen to a single episode once a day, let it sink in, and watch as your acting career blossoms.

OK. You’re an actor, and everyone’s trying to sell you something. We get that.

So, listen to a few episodes before diving in and getting the whole archive? Have at it:

Episode 82: The Secret of the Eye Flash

Episode 147: The Secret of Directors Affecting Casting

Episode 250: The Secret of Saving Your Reaction

Right? Huh? Now, visit the complete archives and get them all.

You can get Secrets of Screen Acting: The Podcast in the complete episode archive below, or you can get any of the ten-episode archives.

I want them all, thank you very much. And I want them NOW. ($239)

Click the Add to Cart button to instantly download this pack of all 27 10-episode archives, all of 271 episodes, over 22 hours of commercial free acting wisdom and training, delivered to you over the Internet in pristine high-bitrate MP3 files, for just $239 (a savings of 30% over buying each individual archive, and only the complete pack includes Archive 27, the special 11-episodes archive of never-before heard Secrets!):

You can get Secrets of Screen Acting: The Podcast in ten-episode archives below, or you can get the complete episode archive.

Archive 1: Episodes 1 – 10 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On talking fast and moving slow · On what is good acting and whatever works · On a few things Patrick hates when actors shoot · On the production glossary: A/B through AFM · On a few things Patrick loves when actors shoot · On a few more things Patrick loves when actors shoot · On the different planes of body movement · On eye-to-eye contact · On etiquette · On additional etiquette

Archive 2: Episodes 11 – 20 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On speaking louder than the star · On asking the director the size of the shot · On the production glossary: anamorphic lens through aperature · On reactions and swallowing · On things to remember with headshot photographers · On the golden rule · On running lines and props-to-camera · On on-off eyes and transparent heads · On acting onscreen for good interviews · On changing your performance with the size of the shot

Archive 3: Episodes 21 – 30 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On The Method · On rehearsals for single-camera television · On the lens and its magnetism · On casting through serendipity · On typecasting and little old men · On a few more things Patrick hates when actors shoot · On the silent movie exercise · On the production glossary: aspect ratio through atmosphere · On why videotaped theatre performances don’t work · On cheating and sipping tea

Archive 4: Episodes 31 – 40 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On cheating the frame and Gone With The Wind · On the secret of the crew · On camera movements · On being a better reactor · On accurate vocal levels · On a framing exercise · On the production glossary: autocue to backlight · On constant motion of the camera · On the power of the camera operator · On real and unreal reactions

Archive 5: Episodes 41 – 50 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the shot’s procedure · On the “fake eyes” exercise · On a few more camera movements · On being a better reactor · On the boom operator · On the photograph exercise · On the production glossary: background action to barndoors · On the art museum · On auditions and casting directors · On the shooting script and camera cards

Archive 6: Episodes 51 – 60 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On different takes and who to ask · On separation of dialogue · On different emotional levels · On projecting for the boom · On what directors are secretly thinking · On watching an editing session · On the production glossary: BCU to BG · On what the frame does · On the way actors are lit · On basic sound

Archive 7: Episodes 61 – 70 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On typecasting · On block shots and shoots · On taking physical notes · On watching blockbusters · More on the secret of typecasting · On how to best work with writers · On blocking the scene and more · On improv on the working set · On looking like your headshot · On your first day on a multicamera set

Archive 8: Episodes 71 – 80 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On booms and breaks · On the rules of silence · On commercial auditions · On 5 things not to do on the set · On changing the written line · On the glossary: buzz tracks and more · On reality shows · On the value of 10 seconds · On working the red light · On digital versus Moviola editing

Archive 9: Episodes 81 – 90 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the glossary: camera angles etc. · On eye flashes · On the nurse, the hoist and the budget · On getting no notes at all · On the store window test · On the glossary: camera operator etc. · On not blinking ever · On munching sandwiches · On cutting the crew some slack · On casting (and acting) by instinct

Archive 10: Episodes 91 – 100 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the glossary: canting and so on · On making editors fall in love with actors · On two more editor-fall-in-love-with-you secrets · On whispering into your mobile · On expecting and dealing with problems · On the glossary: clapper board etc · On hitting your mark in a deep three · On new books and new glossary terms · On putting thoughts on your face · On the glossary – corpsing

Archive 11: Episodes 101 – 110 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On closed sets · On the mirror shot · On the speed at which series regulars work · On the intimate speaking exercise · On a few differences in for stage versus film versus TV · On the danger of the soft-spoken director · On being drop dead gorgeous · On batting and balling · On watching and acting as a good listener · On putting your best shoulder forward

Archive 12: Episodes 111 – 120 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On being camera right plus framing practice · On shifting your weight to ease into your mark · On an acting process and sneezing · On the five secrets of the camera · On how acting should be taught · More on how acting should be taught · On the inequality of speaking and acting · On knowing your lines (or not) · On knowing your place on the set · On the pressures of the small and big screen

Archive 13: Episodes 121 – 130 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the famous actor’s checklist – the frame · On color temperature · On what to do during a strike · On what the continuity person does · On why directors aren’t fair · On the power of contrast ratio · On how coverage works · On why every scene is significant · On shenanigans on stage versus on set · On why forgetting your lines is great

Archive 14: Episodes 131 – 140 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On crash zooms and crawls · On the cyclorama · On the construction of lenses · On crossing the 180 line · On positioning with our shoulders · On what CU and Q means · On yelling out “Cut!” · On passing the acting baton · On cutting away · On the sacrosanct script

Archive 15: Episodes 141 – 150 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On damsels in distress · On day-for-night shooting · On living room furniture · On your childhood photos · On Joachin Phoenix’ testiness · On through-the-door casting · On directing work: meeting the producer · On directing work: analyzing the script · On directing work: observing the drama · On directing work: beginning the casting

Archive 16: Episodes 151 – 160 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On directing work: continuing the casting · On directing work: attend the callbacks · On directing work: working with regulars · On directing work: blocking with Legos · On directing work: avoiding the bish-bosh · On directing work: scouting the locations · On directing work: helping yourself · On directing work: the table read · On directing work: making queries · On directing work: the first day

Archive 17: Episodes 161 – 170 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On directing work: making suggestions · On directing work: a typical shoot · On directing work: shooting fast · On directing work: making do · On directing work: Patrick in post · On directing work: actors in post · On working with deaf actors · On acting for YouTube · On going deeper and deeper · On the mise-en-scene

Archive 18: Episodes 171 – 180 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On why digital editing rocks · On fights on the set · On your very first day · On film versus digital · On your personal hot zone · On the sacred script (not) · On the worst part of production · On the director’s least favorite task · On dissolving and the dolly · On Tom Wilkinson

Archive 19: Episodes 181 – 190 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the hard wired script editor · On crossing the 180 · On Gordon Ramsay · On more real than real · On actors as machines · On working with actors twice · On doubles and downstage · On old adages · On Jack Nicholson · On preparing for A Few Good Men

Archive 20: Episodes 191 – 200 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On drop outs, dry and dry runs · On Gregory Peck · On script editors · On the show bible · On Meryl Streep · On dubbing and more · On always answering yes · On the danger of enrichment · On the five basic myths – the first three · On the five basic myths – the last two

Archive 21: Episodes 201 – 210 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On Julia Roberts · On the DVD and the ECU · On hours spent watching · On size perception – the LS · On size perception – the MS · On size perception – the MCU · On size perception – the BCU · On adjusting the beer bottle · On Scarlett Johansson · On the editor and the ELS

Archive 22: Episodes 211 – 220 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On guilds versus unions · On why directors should take acting lessons · On memorization through speech · On establishing shots and eyelines · On credit where credit’s due · On preparatory differences · On Tom Cruise · On being disliked · On f stops and fill lights · On fine cuts and Scacchi

Archive 23: Episodes 221 – 230 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On cheating to camera, or not · On developing a role for TV vs. film · On shooting in NYC, part 1 · On shooting in NYC, part 2 · On using the words · On working from the outside in · On the Oscars and now the Tonys · On how Heroes happened · On consistent vocals · On not so expert advice

Archive 24: Episodes 231 – 240 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On playing the expert game · More on correct levels · On mumbling, not speaking · On making a mistake, or not · On how to relax · On Glenn Close · On the two sides of your face · On little smiles · On messy teaching · On relishing the job of acting

Archive 25: Episodes 241 – 250 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On the limits of improv · On what Einstein had to do with improv · On panic and casting · On anger in closeup · On profile versus full face · On working with children · On voicework technique · On demo reels · On turning in the cut · On saving your reactions for the shot

Archive 26: Episodes 251 – 260 ($12.95)

Secrets included:On how non-intuitive is best · On how to prepare a script · On first steps to auditions · On first steps after booking work · On rejected ideas · On directors and/or actors · On why most directors first films are too loud · On working with student directors · On dated work versus timeless work · On getting more from an older actor

Archive 27: Episodes 261 – 271 (only available by purchasing complete set)

Secrets included:On no whispering · On the new brit invasion · On why some actors work faster · On how to avoid getting fired · On the actor’s emergency card · On realistic accents · On having too many actors · On staying ready · On what to do during downtime · On choosing monologues · On how to be a YouTube star ·

(Cannot add to cart – only available in complete set, available here)

What you need to listen (you don’t need an iPod!)

Once you receive your archive, double click on it’s icon to unzip the file. You can listen to these premium podcasts on your personal computer (Mac, PC or any computer with MP3 playing software installed), or any portable music device like an Apple iPod – but you don’t need an iPod.

Looking for the Secrets of Screen Acting Podcast?

Due to the sunsetting of some of the technology we used to get the podcasts to you, the podcast subscription has been gently retired.

But fear not. Neither David nor Patrick are easily silenced.

New episodes are in production, and will be available in the form of individual ten-episode archives and in the complete episode archive.

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