Monday, December 26, 2011

The Unexplained Mystery Of Commercial Acting Class Uncovered

2:31 PM
By Maggie Flanigan


All actors that have undergone Meisner training have already done a large part in preparing themselves for commercial acting. 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.

Actors who are trained in the Meisner technique acquire necessary commercial acting techniques including the ability to spontaneously "create" their character. These experiences allow the actor to create their character and give a completely genuine and realistic performance.

There are also other skills that must be acquired through a commercial acting class. One such skill is learning vital on-camera techniques. Because the commercial requires a character to come to life in a short period of time, learning how to work with the camera correctly is essential. The actor must also learn how to interact with "products".

Product placement is another essential skill that actors must acquire during a commercial acting workshop. Although these skills may seem unimportant, they are essential when it comes to setting you apart from other commercial actors.

Everyone, from agencies to producers, put a lot on the line when they choose a commercial actor. Producers, agency executives, as well as casting agents have a huge investment in choosing the right actor for their commercials. Being successful in the realm of commercials also requires expert interpersonal skills.

Being 100% ready to be in front of a camera at all times is another integral skill. As is the case with other types of acting, improvisation is key as well. 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.

Commercial actors must also be very much aware of the objective of the commercial. Naive actors all too often focus on convincing other people. If this is the case, the result will always be fake. Belief in the product is something that that actor must convey himself. The character must believe in the product so much that he or she wishes to invite others to enjoy the benefits themselves. In some cases, the commercial will call for a character who has not used the product and has suffered disadvantages because of it. Actors should be prepared for this type of commercial as well.

Other knowledge and skills that a commercial actor should have include: Learning how to interact with products as well as how to use stereotypes. Creating storyboards, framing, product placement and highlighting, scooping, triangular technique, and how to play different types of characters. Actors also need to learn to interact with the camera as they would another actor.

In order to succeed, great actors know that they must constantly work to improve their already strong foundation. Dedicated commercial actors are the ones that will ultimately be successful.




About the Author: