Screen Acting Trade Secrets: How to Succeed in Hollywood Without Really Acting

by Peter Skagen

Screen Acting Trade Secrets is the definitive guide for the screen actor in the 21st century. From your first awakening as an actor, to the end of your first day on a movie set, Screen Acting Trade Secrets walks you through it all with humour, priceless information, eye-opening revelations, helpful exercises, real-world examples, tales from the trenches, insider secrets and a boat load of genuine inspiration. You won't be able to put it down; then you'll start again with a highlighter.

"Bravo!"
Jane Jenkins, Casting Society of America
Da Vinci Code, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride

"A game-changer."
Paul Weber CSA, Casting Director, Producer, former head of casting of MGM Television Casting

"How things really are. It's brilliant."
Deb Green, CSA, CDC

Brokeback Mountain

"After reading this book, you can walk onto your first set like you were born to be there."
Dori Zuckerman, CSA

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

About the author

Peter Skagen – the un-acting coach -- is a working film and theater actor, screenwriter, playwright, producer, director and coach with an MA in screenwriting from California State, Northridge. Through his wildly successful in-person courses, he has helped countless actors achieve their dream of becoming not just screen actors, but working screen actors. He focuses on story, craft, business, and real-world technique -- the 90% of the business that doesn't take talent.

Reviews

[Will Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned A TON!!!!! Super super useful!

[Dax Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that reminds me how hard it is to simply exist and participate in society as a woman. Here I am enjoying this book and learning from it but every other chapter (literally) he complains about women who show too much cleavage. He brought it up at least 4 separate times. Completely unnecessary. Completely offensive and misogynistic. Would have been 5 stars if he could have help back showing his apparently internalized misogyny… *large sigh*

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a genuinely helpful beginner guide for actors wanting to break into film. There were some bits that got a little repetitive, but I guess you could say he was trying to drill those ideas into your head lol.

[Mija · Rating 5 out of 5]

No this was really good in terms of balancing detail and entertainment, really enjoyed this in audiobook form. Need to go email Peter skagen and compliment his voice.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will tell you all you need to know to find success as a screen actor. It is also well-written and witty so was a joy to read. I also took Skagen's "Audition Hell" workshop which was fantastic. Every aspiring actor needs to read the book and take the class.