Monday, January 30, 2012

Choosing Commercial Acting Classes in New York City

By Maggie Flanigan


When it comes to acting, there are some skills that are needed across the board regardless of the type of acting required. Meisner training has proven itself to be one of the most successful at preparing professional actors. Here is why.

These actors practice their art all the time. They do not attend classes for a mere few hours each week but instead practice their art on a daily basis. Through studying both the people and circumstance around them, these students are able to record these memories for future acting use. This information can then be used to more realistically portray both characters as well as scenarios.

Because commercials are so short and casting occurs so quickly, actors have to deal with added challenges. The short length of commercials makes it critical for the actor to be able to get "in-character" spontaneously.

Students trained in this method are also highly skilled in interacting with other actors and characters. This is essential in commercials. Even if they are the only other actual person on screen, commercial actors must still interact with the camera.

Attending a commercial acting workshop can be extremely helpful. Improv is critical to commercial work. Although commercials are scripted, the actor is responsible for creating the character. Because of this, choosing an acting class that focuses on improv can be irreplaceable.

Actors must also learn professional "on-camera" techniques. Commercial actors have the added challenge of highlighting a product within an already small frame.

Being able to highlight a product within a commercial is another critical skill that must be learned. Appearing genuine while holding the required product is essential to obtaining the role.

Some actors believe that commercial character development is easier. This is not the case. The actor must connect with the audience within a short period of time. The actor must also successfully work within a limited visual area as well.

Casting agents see thousands of actors for roles. It takes an astounding actor to make it past their judgement as well as that of the director, agency executives, and producer. Forming interpersonal skills is another critical talent for a commercial actor.

Always have the commercial's objective in mind. The focus of the producer and others in the room with be successfully selling a service or product. An actor who is himself convinced of the product's worth will create a more genuine performance.

Some commercials require the actor to portray an individual who did not use the product and lost out but, despite this, the objective is the same. The actor must empathize with the viewer and show a genuine interest in helping them. Depending upon the commercial, entertaining may be a necessary component.

Acting for commercials is far more challenging than it initially appears. As is the case with other acting forms, genuine human emotion is a must.

Improving on your commercial acting techniques can prepare you not only for commercials but for other acting arenas as well.




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