Acting

Acting

Whether you’re an actor, voice actor, casting director or anyone else related to the profession of acting, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on technique, audition strategies, headshots and all other topics related to the sweet science of acting

Commercial Audition Advice for Actors

Looking to break in? Casting directors Ellen Jacoby of Miami and Los Angeles–based Stuart Stone, author of the book “The Keys to Commercial Acting,” can help. They know a thing or two about what works—and what doesn’t—in the commercial casting room.

- Put the pro...

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Commercial Audition Advice for Actors

- Put the product first. “When you’re casting a commercial, you become a part of the product, so you’re not just selling yourself,” says Jacoby. “The product is No. 1, we have to believe you like the product.”

- Get comfortable with the fourth wall. “A lot of times, you’re talking right to the camera. You have to be able to create that space.”

- Practice on products you love. “To be believable in a commercial, actors should take a product they use every day that they know and love and do a commercial for their product. That’s when you’re being real, because you use it! Then transpose that into the product that you’re doing.”

- Dress appropriately. “You should never wear black or white in front of the camera. It’s not great for your face. No geometric prints. Dress according to what you’re going out for. An upscale dinner guest at an upscale restaurant, we don’t expect you to be in jeans. Directors and producers recognize that. We show them a whole lot of people, and they’re looking first at all the stills, and then they click on the video. If you don’t look right, they won’t even click to see your video.”

- When you get the job, know your place on set. “You don’t want to go and get behind the [directors, writers and producers] that are there and get in their way and try to chum up to them,” Stone warns. “You become an annoyance. They’ve got work to do. If they’re in their own little area with their monitor watching what’s going on and you’re over there trying to schmooze them, it’s a hindrance. The ideal way is to always stay in camera view of the director, just off to the side, because then they can call you at the last minute. Always make sure that you check with a second A.D. before you leave the set, because he’s responsible for you as an actor. First and foremost, your second A.D. needs to be your contact throughout the whole job.”

#commercial #audition

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Maurice Vaughan

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3 people like this
3 months ago

Great advice about actors checking out local industrial, corporate, and educational film jobs, Aaron Marcus!

Aaron Marcus

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4 people like this
3 months ago

Thanks Maurice.

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- Suzanne Bronson
- Benjamin Elliott
3 months ago

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

View all All comments

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- Suzanne Bronson
3 months ago

Yeah, Suzanne Bronson! Irish Coffee too! I haven't had Irish Coffee. Does it taste good?

Suzanne Bronson

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

so good Maurice Vaughan Irish cream liquer + irish whiskey + coffee

I don't drink, Suzanne Bronson, but I wonder what coffee and Irish cream would taste like.

Rebecca James

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2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Yes, Maurice Vaughan.... Kathy was a stand-out in this role!

You're right, Rebecca James. She has one of the best Horror performances! She's happy and caring, but she's also scary and dangerous.

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2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Tammy Hunt
3 months ago

I thought auditioning for commercials was the same as auditioning for movies and shows, Tammy Hunt. Excellent advice! Thanks for sharing it!

Oh yes Maurice commercials are a whole different animal. There's workshops just on commercial audition.

Ashley Renee Smith

Mark Hamill is my Joker. His voice is what I hear in my head when I read any comics with the Joker. But I also like Michael Emerson's version.

Heath Ledger is still number one for me, though I have not seen Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.

Brian Mortensen

Jack Nicholson will get my vote.

I love practical effects transformations, Amanda Toney. I had no idea Colin Farrell was the Penguin until the other week! The Penguin doesn't look like Colin Farrell at all!

It is a fun read Amanda. Some I knew of, some I didn't.

Sam Sokolow

This is an awesome read, Amanda Toney. And totally agree, Maurice Vaughan - when I watch The Penguin I keep saying to myself that it's Collin Farrell and I still can't convince myself. I appreciate th...

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All of the VFX makeup in the Pirates franchise, but especially all of the characters on Davey Jones' ship was incredible!

Eon C. Rambally

Aaron Marcus, this is so true, as I learnt some time ago involved in marketing and always endeavoring for betterment, getting into studying the psychological aspects and eventually research into Anthr...

3 months ago

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. Taking a step back to think before responding can really help creatives in different areas of the industry (networking, pitching, working on set, etc.)....

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2 people like this
- Eon C. Rambally
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Glad you will watch the video. You will want to subscribe and click the notification bell so you always know when a new video has been uploaded. Thank you again for your helpful comment.

Brigitte Millar

Love it, Aaron you're so on point.

Thank you so much, Brigette. So glad you enjoyed it. I am always trying to think of topics that will help others. So glad you liked this video.

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2 people like this
- Rick McNeil
- Maurice Vaughan
3 months ago

Totally. I have been in the position of needing a reading partner.

This is a great idea, Rick McNeil!

Rick McNeil

There have been multiple times where I have gotten a "call back audition request" that was asked for asap, and I had difficulty finding a reading partner with short notice. It is always better to pres...

Michele Lastella

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Thank you so much Maurice for your kind support. As this is very innovative project where for first time we guarantee 100% participation in a international film at the end, before posting we wanted to...

4 months ago

You're welcome, Michele Lastella. There's a short description under the title in each Lounge that'll tell you what you can post in the Lounges. Basically, the Your Stage Lounge is for promotion, the A...

Got it Maurice. Thank you again for your kind and great work support here.

1
1 person likes this
- Michele Lastella
4 months ago

You're welcome, Michele Lastella. See you around Stage 32.

Rob Evan

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1 person likes this
- Michele Lastella
3 months ago

This is an AMAZING workshop that culminates in an actual FILM! No other platform offers this experience. I am in the shooting phase of Michele's project, which is very exciting! His techniques are spo...

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