Routledge Secrets of Screen Acting

This book is okay which is why I gave it 3 stars. What's good about it? It is good if you know nothing of film making, have never made a film, worked on a TV set in any capacity etc. It is really a book for directors who direct by numbers. It was a real bore to read. It was more like reading a book on accountancy. The author seems to have no respect for actors whatsoever. I wondered why acting had got so bad in the last 20 years and I think this book is part of the answer - it trains you how to be a TV presenter not an actor. I am not convinced the author really knows what good acting is. He certainly provides no proof he knows how to elicit it. He taste in 'good actors' is often appalling. Which is always a warning sign. Undoubtedly some of the gimmicks are interesting but you won't be able to create a performance from them. That requires talent. The book has that great flaw of the British - it extols the amateur Corinthian spirit of the second rater. The reader will find alas no 'secrets'; the secret is without talent you're screwed.

This seems on the surface to be a slimmish volume for the money but it's densely packed with really practical, hands-on tips, advice and insights. Each chapter ends with a huge variety of filmed examples from classic and modern movies to illustrate what's been covered in the text, along with time-codes for quick access. And it's been recently updated too. Wish I'd read this years ago.

If you are serious about a career in film either in front of or behind the lens; this is essential reading.In 2016, I spent 2 weekends at a live 'Hands on Directing' training with Patrick and learnt so much, that I had forgotten half of it by the time I got home. Thankfully this book fills in the gaps of my memory.There's stuff in here you just don't hear anywhere else & I've just spent 2 years doing a Masters Degree, focusing on Directing, so as you can imagine, I've had to read a lot of book in that time.Really nice & entertaining chap, highly recommend his workshops too.

A very nice book. Pictures are in the book. Great read for actors

Here is a ‘Method’ for screen acting that shows you how to technically be a ‘Mirror Up To Nature’ avoiding endless time in search of a screen performance from navel-gazing.