Release Date

02 Sep, 1985

Total Episode/Season

65/1

Synopsis

Learn to draw with Commander Mark.

The Secret City was a television program designed to teach children how to draw, starring Mark Kistler as as the fictional ‘Commander Mark’ who led viewers and in-studio club members through various drawing exercises in a sci-fi clubhouse setting full of fun, fantasy, and adventure. While the show’s format essentially prioritizes instruction over narrative, ongoing ‘drama’ is created by the frequent addition of new key features to the emerging scenery of the giant Secret City mural. Often Special Guests would appear on the show to demonstrate other art forms or practical applications for drawing skills. The show was created by John Price & Mark Kistler, based on Bruce McIntyre's AVDP. Much of the series was edited live in-camera and was shot in a somewhat semi-scripted format. It was produced at Maryland Public Television through private funding by Children's Video Associates, and intended for broadcast via national PBS syndication. It also aired on TVOntario.

Original Title

The Secret City

Photos

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Season 1

02 Sep, 1985

Mark Kistler starring as 'Commander Mark' Teaches children perspective drawing using the '7 Magic Words of Drawing' techniques pioneered by Bruce McIntyre in his long-standing classroom curriculum, the Audio-Visual Drawing Program (AVDP).

Actors

Crew