Secrets of Screen Acting

by Patrick Tucker, John Stamp (Illustrator)

When it was first published in 1993, Secrets of Screen Acting broke new ground in explaining how acting for the camera is different from acting on stage. Reaction time is altered, physical timing and placement are reconceived, and the proportions of the digital frame itself become the measure of all things, so the director must conceptualize each image in terms of this new rectangle and actors must 'fit' into the frame. Based on a revolutionary non-Method approach to acting, this book shows what actually how an actor, an announcer--anyone working in front of the cameras--gives excellent performances on screen.

Instead of starting with what is real and trying to wrestle that onto the screen, Patrick Tucker explains how to work with the realities of a shoot and work from there towards the real. His step-by-step guide to the elements of effective screen acting is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field, containing over 50 acting exercises and the tried-and-tested Screen Acting Checklist. As well as being completely updated to cover new techniques, film references and insights, this third edition now includes a set of Film Clip Time Codes for each film. These not only itemise the films discussed in each chapter, but also pinpoint the precise moments where each example can be found so that students, teachers, and professional actors can refer to them quickly and easily.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Art

254 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 1993

Reviews

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The category of screen-craft is saturated with titles all clamouring to be 'the true way' to authentic and believable performance. So a book, like Tucker's, that states straight up to 'use whatever works' will always have my attention. Jack Nicholson himself wrote in his introduction to Morris' 'No Acting Please' this:

'The "Method" is what WORKS." If it's good enough Jacky Boy, it's good enough for me. He nearly has an Oscar for every decade of his life. I don't. Simple math really.

For this edition, Tucker has by way of a foreword an INCREDIBLE letter from David H. Lawrence XVII (of 'Heroes' fame and an absolute yowser of a moniker). Not only is it a real gift to Tucker as an extended soundbite for marketing purposes, it's an inspiring example of what good screen technique can mean even to the most inexperienced actor. I'd be giving this 4.5 stars if the system allowed me to. My weekend generosities tend to have linear a relationship to the amount of caffeine I've ingested.

The Good:
- Solid, practical material. Examples of good applications always provided.
- No fluffy wording and well-structured chapters.
- Entertaining anecdotes highlighting important points
- Extremely thorough examination of ALL facets of film making to show how small a cog the actor is in terms of the whole, crazy machine. (Eg: Editing, sound, directors, DOPs and camera operators, etc...)
- Interesting lesson in the acting chapter on the history of acting and 'the frame' in which the audience saw them work.
- Time-Code sections in each chapter are mind-blowing. Must have taken ages to compile these references and I'm surprised Tucker even bothered.
- 3rd Edition remains as current as ever with good references to current show and technology
- Wonderfully technical. However...

The Bad:
- Books is near-exclusively technical and probably should have been called 'The Secrets of Good Screen Technique'. Very director-centric and the chapters that deal with acting specifically don't delve much into the artistry of the craft much. He makes it very plain though that he doesn't intend to do this at various points in the book, but I still think the title is a tad misleading.
- Though Tucker says he doesn't want to be 'reductionist' in his approach to screen acting, he tends to do this quite a bit (see previous point r.e. director-centric material) Interestingly enough, Tucker was an actor, has extensive theater experience (he's written books on the subject) and trained in a 'Method-heavy' institute. It almost makes you wonder if any disillusionment with his artistic roots has seeped into the pages here. OR, maybe he's just really p*ssed off with actors who've been trained with a theatre-heavy syllabus coming to set with their own perception of what looks 'real' on camera? Who knows...

TL;DR Version: My go-to reference book for quality screen-technique. You'll love it if you're a technical actor. It'll drive you insane if you're not.

[Meghan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have some acting experience and are looking to do some camera-work, this book should be your bible.

[Shannon Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great introductory book about acting for the camera. The language is very accessible and it includes pictures to further illustrate the given information. The focus is on debunking the myths about screen acting and comparing screen acting to stage acting and highlighting their differences.

[Faythstorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'll likely never be in front of the camera, I've always enjoyed the behind-the-scenes specials and the audio commentary on DVDs and such. This book was a fascinating look at what's going on behind and around the camera.

Helpful examples, the glossary, the fair examination of other schools of thought - all this and more are included in a well-organized and interesting format. I can't imagine any actor picking up Tucker's book and not at least be refreshed on a strong point if not outright learning something new. Listening to this book has changed the way I'll be watching TV for a while.

David Lawrence did a fine job reading this book. Also, if you're getting the audio version of Secrets of Screen Acting, be sure to download the included PDF for visual references!

--I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.--

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a essential book for any screen actor, as it gives many useful tips of the trade. It also defines terminology regularly used on sets. Tucker makes dozens of references to scenes and moments within movies, which shows he has done research on star actors, though it gets tedious if you are not familiar with said performances. Overall it is a great book to jump ahead and will give you some confidence to be your best.

[Laurie Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Philosophical. Funny. Practical. Tactical. Secrets of Screen Acting has been - and continues to be - a terrific resource for me as I work with characters who inhabit the world of screen acting.

[Colton Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better film acting books I’ve read. There’s a lot of practical advice and advise about what goes on around a set other than your acting. It claims to give you a nice toolbox to help when you get started in the craft and I think it supplies that toolbox pretty well.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not an actor although I have to be on camera for my job and I've studied filmmaking quite a bit. This book was great. Really well done. I can't imagine a better book on acting being available. It really tells you what's needed and doesn't blur the lines and make acting into some thought process. I didn't watch the suggested clips, but having them was also impressive. I hope to explore those someday and I think I will read this book again if I ever need to do any work as an actor.

[Livie Dalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a dyslexic actor, I found this so easy to read. The layout is great and the illustrations are really helpful. I recommend this to any actor who wants tips for screen. I have the 1994 edition so not sure what this version is like, I’m guessing it’s better due to it being updated. There’s a few things that are outdated in this one due to how film has developed over the years, but I’ve still found it really beneficial and it was cheap on eBay lol x

[Stella Grimaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Now I just need a partner to do all the exercises with!

[Sarah Alma Angelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, particularly for theatre actors looking to do more film work.

[coolwind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite many techniques are very useful, even just for casual video maker.

[Sophia Davis]

not as good as the other one maybe is good for very intro level screen actors who know nothing about making film idk not as interesting and the drawings were strange

[Rachel Fales · Rating 3 out of 5]

should read repeats a lot

[Kate Ly Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best acting book I've read, honestly. Super funny, super informative. A must-read for actors.

[Vernon Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good. A detailed straightforward outline for the business. Great job, a plus for any library. And I think any level. It's great for beginners but can always be used as a refresher with more experienced actors.