Painting Secrets: Tips & Tricks from the Nation's Favorite Painting Expert [Paperback]

Brian Santos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

Drama school hopefuls who use this book to supplement their training will find themselves on an inside track previously available only to students of the very best professional drama coaches. The author, a retired successful actor on the London stage and currently a renowned drama teacher, presents a variety of effective tutorials that focus on voice, movement, text, and the understanding of character. His instruction relies extensively on the time-proven Alexander technique, an exercise regimen for ridding oneself of detrimental bodily tensions and developing a sense of physical grace and balance. Followed precisely, his tutorials will equip acting students with the wide array of skills they need to pass that elusive audition that gets their career off to a successful start. They focus on preparing monologues, understanding the differences between comic and tragic acting, researching character, working with accents, and much more. In addition, author Jona Howl advises on maintaining health and vitality through exercise and diet, and gives tips on developing positive mental attitudes. The text is supplemented with more than 350 instructive illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
After a career in London’s West End, Jona Howl became an international award-winning teacher, leading the acting department of The Art’s Educational Schools, a top drama school in London.

Get the inside track to a career in acting for theater, film, and television—previously only available from dedicated coaches.

The author’s clear, professional advice teaches you how to improve your acting skills through a variety of effective workouts. They bring together voice, movement, text, and character with a single aim: to pass that elusive audition and get your career off the ground.

Pre-audition practice programs train you to think like an actor, make those all-important first impressions, and get noticed in the industry.

About the Author

Jona Howl is an award-winning teacher in the acting department of The Art’s Educational School, a leading London drama school. He is also a playwright and stage director. Previously, he enjoyed a successful acting career in London’s West End.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0696217597
• ISBN-13: 978-0696217593
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #881,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Painting & Wallpapering

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He knows his stuff!, March 14, 2004

By 

Hisham Zahran "hishamz" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painting Secrets: Tips & Tricks from the Nation's Favorite Painting Expert (Paperback)

My wife & I just attended a seminar yesterday at a Home Expo show, and he really knew his stuff! He had so many incredible tips & tricks on how to paint smarter, and, as a result - faster, that we just HAD to get this book! It reinforces all that he covered, but 1 hour was not enough to cover it all. He had 2 other seminars on faux finishes & wallpapering that we had no time to attend. but, this book covers all of it. Not only has he been working in this industry with his dad & grandad for many years, but he also received a degree in Chemistry to learn the "why", behind the "how" to paint & decorate. Highly Recommended! This book is a keeper!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYTHING Worked!!!!, April 8, 2004

By 

R Farr (Tampa Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painting Secrets: Tips & Tricks from the Nation's Favorite Painting Expert (Paperback)

I've used his "secrets" to improve my home and for a charitable organization building. EVERYTHING worked!! The simple things Brian lays out save time, money and greatly decrease frustration. I've worked with wall paper before and it took days for just one room. With his guidance it took just a few hours. THANKS BRIAN!!!!!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Easy Painting Tips, January 2, 2006

By 

Sonya "readaholic" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painting Secrets: Tips & Tricks from the Nation's Favorite Painting Expert (Paperback)

This book is just a wealth of information about the proper way to prepare and paint. I knew this book was above many of the rest because the chapter on Ready the Room shows how to turn off the power and has photos of turning off power to the circuit box, removing the fixtures and masking over the outlets! Great details and he explains why!

I am envious of another reviewer who actually attended a seminar by the author. I am going to see if he is going to be in our area! LOL. The book is colorful, clear and very easy to read. It even includes how to repair drywall, concrete, brick and working with woodwork and patching. There are even Wizard Warnings that explain some things to watch out for or debunks tips you might have heard, i.e. using toothpaste to fill holes (don't use and he tells why).

There are sections on smoothing out a textured wall and even applying new drywall. I highly recommend this book because it covers everything you ever wanted to know about painting everything (concrete, brick, floors, walls, and countertops. The best part is that it is full of tips to save time, money and to create a perfect finish.