Saturday, December 24, 2011

Commercial Acting Class Tips & Guide

4:53 PM
By Maggie Flanigan


The Meisner technique has proven itself to be highly effective in preparing actors for commercials. Due to the fact that the commercial industry is incredibly quick paced, actors have to be able to immediately adopt the required persona during an audition in order to land the role.

Meisner classes prepare students for the world of commercials through providing them with a vast array of imagined experiences from which they can draw their character and the required scenario. This allows the commercial actor to create a thoroughly realistic performance.

There are also other skills that must be acquired through a commercial acting class. The actor's on-camera skills must also be improved. This skill is especially vital due to the fact that the actor only has a very limited amount of time to bring a character to life during a commercial. In addition, the actor must also interact with a third party or the "product" that they are selling.

In order to successfully sell a product, actors must also learn how to effectively utilize product placement. Although these skills may seem unimportant, they are essential when it comes to setting you apart from other commercial actors.

Selecting the right actor for a commercial is absolutely essential to all involved including agency executives, casting agents, and producers. Being successful in the realm of commercials also requires expert interpersonal skills.

Another essential part of being a commercial actor is always being ready for the camera. The ability to improvise can also come in handy. Despite the fact that commercials are scripted, the roles typically call for more on-the-spot actor improvisation. An excellent commercial actor can take a role and make it come to life in a way that even the producer did not expect.

Being aware of the commercial's objective is essential to a genuine performance. Amateur actors may be under the impression that the goal is to convince a third party to purchase a product or service. If this is the case, the result will always be fake. The character that the actor creates must genuinely believe in the product. Only when the character believes in the product can they attempt to convince others to reap the benefits as well. Depending on the commercial, the actor may need to portray someone who has neglected to use the product and has consequently lost out. Being prepared for both types of characters is essential.

Other skills that are required include: Learning how to interact with products as well as how to use stereotypes. Storyboards, framing, product placement, triangular technique, scooping, and specific character formation. Being a commercial actor also requires that the camera be treated and interacted with as another character.

Expert actors know that building a strong foundation and constantly working to improve are both essential to success. Dedicated commercial actors are the ones that will ultimately be successful.




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