Sunday, December 25, 2011

Commercial Acting Class Tips & Guide

By Maggie Flanigan


Through intense Meisner training, many student actors find themselves well equipped for commercial acting. Because commercials are cast so quickly, it is necessary for actors to be able to adopt the appropriate persona spontaneously.

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. One such skill is learning vital on-camera techniques. 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. Commercial actors must also learn how to interact with a third party, the "product".

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. Not only do actors need to develop professional skills but they also must be experts at interacting with others as well.

Another essential part of being a commercial actor is always being ready for the camera. Actors should also be experts at improvisation as commercial acting largely relies on this. Although commercials do have scripts, actors are often given the opportunity to bring their own take on the role. 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.

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.




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