Karen-Eileen Gordon

Put a Few (Dozen) Gems in Your Acting Toolkit!

Revisado: 10-07-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to every actor on the planet who has not already heard it. Even if you've read the book (which I had), hearing it spoken was like having a private Master Class in the highest level of screen technique. Some of the techniques I was (thankfully) intuitively using, and there were several others I simply cannot wait to actively add to my performances.

What other book might you compare Secrets of Screen Acting to and why?

There are enough books on screen acting already in world libraries to circle the globe multiple times (not verified--and, my strong intuition :). Many of them are quite good. As a working on-camera film and television actor, I have read hundreds of them. Not one of them, however, gets into the nuts-and-bolts of what an actor must do, at each possible point of the screen adventure, to the extent that SOSA does. The practical detail is mind-blowing. This audiobook really stands alone, because it gives translatable steps for the actor to both maximize their own storytelling abilities and to service the overall story beautifully.

What about David H. Lawrence XVII’s performance did you like?

David's tone was both soothing and commanding, very easy to listen to and understand. I found his pacing excellent--just enough time to absorb complex points before moving on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did have an extreme reaction! It was along the lines of "So THAT'S what they're doing!", as literal secrets were revealed: things that made so much sense after they were explained it seemed impossible to not have known about them previously...I actually laughed out loud several times in "Eureka!" moments. AND, Mr. Tucker has a delightful sense of humor, which Mr. Lawrence brings deftly into his vocal performance.

Any additional comments?

I happened to know a little about the "back story" of this book before I heard it...David had shared the story of his very first episodic television job (HEROES), and how he completely credited the tools in THIS book with having his character go from a death scene in his first episode...to a rewrite that had him alive and kicking for three full seasons. It's what actors dream about. And not only did he give credit to Patrick and this book and these tools...his HEROES director called him out on-set for "fibbing" about this being his first television job, because he "knew too much" and was acting in a way that only very seasoned film and television actors behaved. He showed that director THIS book, which was well-worn and in his backpack. The "Glossary" of film/television terms towards the end of the book is a treasure, and ought to be required listening for acting students anywhere. I wish I had discovered this book (in ANY format!) at the START of my acting career! If you are an actor, or KNOW one--give yourself/them a HUGE gift and listen!!!

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