Monday, December 26, 2011

The Secret To Commercial Acting Class

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.

Actors who are trained in the Meisner technique acquire necessary commercial acting techniques including the ability to spontaneously "create" their character. This allows the commercial actor to create a thoroughly realistic performance.

A commercial acting workshop must impart other necessary skills as well. On-camera skills is one such area of emphasis. 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. The actor must also learn how to interact with "products".

In order to successfully sell a product, actors must also learn how to effectively utilize product placement. Although subtle, these skills are essential when it comes to separating you from the other aspiring 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.

Actors must also always be ready for the camera as auditions and call backs can occur at any time. The ability to improvise can also come in handy. Although commercials do have scripts, actors are often given the opportunity to bring their own take on the role. Actors should be able to take the character and truly make it their own.

A genuine performance requires that the actor be familiar with and remain faithful to the commercial's objective. Amateur actors may be under the impression that the goal is to convince a third party to purchase a product or service. This "understanding" creates a fake performance. The character that the actor creates must genuinely believe in the product. The character must believe in the product so much that he or she wishes to invite others to enjoy the benefits themselves. Some commercials will call for the actor to portray a character who has lost out due to not using the product. Make sure that you are prepared for this as well.

Other skills that are required include: Using stereotypes and being knowledgeable about how to handle products. 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.

The best actors know that they have never learned all there is to know. Taking commercial acting seriously and staying dedicated can help actors advance their way up the ladder.




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