05 Dec How to Perform Commercials like a Professional Actor!
Of course you want to perform commercials professional actor!
Let’s say you just got cast in a commercial. Congratulations! Wonderful. And let’s say it’s one of the first ones you have booked. You feel good. You feel pretty confident. After all, your audition went great!
Just in case you are a bit nervous, when the shoot day arrives, here are 8 tips to help you successfully perform like a seasoned professional actor:
Personality
Bring it. They liked you the way you were at the audition. You are lucky that you can just be yourself. No heavy acting skills are usually required. Therefore, let your wonderful personality shine. Show it. Also, remember to be extra courteous and cooperative. This will win you points and add to your glowing personality. Practice professional manners.
Energy
This goes along with your personality. For commercials (in particular) clients and directors love energetic actors. Actors who can impart a believable “love” of the product being advertised. So, get enough sleep the night before, be well fed. Bring your favorite nutritional “energy” foods.
Concentration/Focus
Even though you show your outgoing personality, the work demands extreme concentration. You can laugh and have fun, but when it comes time to perform, focus is key.
Talent
Trust your acting choices. Go with your instincts. They got you hired in the first place. You know you are talented. Oh yeah!
Good Voice
Here is where your vocal technique comes into play. Use deep breathes to support your voice. Watch your enunciation and diction. Close your consonants . Really pronounce the “t” at the end of a words, like great, it, right etc. Say the products name with clarity. I pause and take a slight breath before I say the name of the product.
Be Natural
Unless the role to play is for loud broad comedy, assume the director wants you to be natural. The trend is for a less theatrical performance. You will be more believable. In turn, this is what sells the product.
Creativity/Spontaneity
Be open and willing to go with the flow. I tell my students at my Los Angeles acting school for kids, teens and young adults to “expect the unexpected.” With requires you to be spontaneous. Of course you use all your creativity and imagination when the director asks you to Improv!
Take Direction/Communicate
Listen closely to what your director says. If you don’t really understand, ASK! Best to ask questions then to act like you “got it” and then make a mistake. I tell the students in my Showcase and Acting Career Program class to say, ” Am I to understand you (director) want me to do this?” Then do it. The director saw in your audition you could take direction. So keep up the good work and you will be hired again!
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Mae Ross
Founder/Creative Director
Call/Text/WhatsApp +1 (818) 275-2740
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