The Commercial Audition: Have fun!
Acting tips to keep in mind for commercials
Most all commercial auditions are conducted virtually at this time. This allows the creative team to explore many more options than if they were only seeing a handful of people in a casting office. It levels the playing field. More people of various backgrounds are able to gain access to those decision-makers who may not have had the opportunity previously. This is great news!
So, you’ve just received sides for your commercial audition. It’s a short piece about .30 seconds long. Usually, commercial spots are divided into either .15 seconds or .30 seconds. Just like a longer, theatrical piece, you’ll want to read it and score it for beats or changes in intention. More on that later. Do not treat your commercial audition as a monologue but rather a conversation or a dialogue with someone who is represented by the camera. Nine times out of ten, unless instructed otherwise, you will want to speak directly into camera for commercials. That’s not to say you cannot change eye contact during parts of your piece. If you plan to look away during your audition, it’s a good idea to establish eye contact with the camera at the very beginning. Then, you may wish to reconnect with the camera a couple of more times throughout the piece and then again at the end. The end serves to put closure and a button on the piece to tie it together…even those commercials that end with a question to the viewer: “What’s in YOUR wallet?”
Do not rush your audition. Even .30 will give you plenty of time to establish changes in intention or beats within the piece. To do so, score it to determine where in the piece your “verbs” change. That is to say, you might change from I want to I need. How would this verb change affect your motivations and play with the other person your speaking with? Play on the words and do not use vocal fillers such as “um” or vocal aspirations that could be distracting to the viewer. Take the time to memorize your piece all or nearly all the way so as to appear natural as if you’re speaking these words for the first time.
Dress the part…or almost
If the character you are reading for in a commercial is a business man, doctor, lawyer, or other professional, dress in a blouse or dress shirt and jacket. If you have a doctor’s cloak, then it is okay to wear it. This does not mean you need to rush to the nearest medical supply store to purchase specialty items. We know you’re pretending that you are this person in the commercial. No need to spend money on the commercial to audition for it. Likewise, if the commercial calls for a disheveled individual, then perhaps your hair could be tossled to look unkept. Think something suggestive of the character.
The mechanics of self-taping your commercial audition
The camera should be at eye level the whole time. Do not experiment with bizarre angles such as looking down into the camera. This is not the convention for commercial auditions or auditions in general. Similarly, it is never a good look to film vertically in an audition; keep the camera horizontally for a better overall image.
Careful not to capture too much ambient noise. Tape in a quiet, distraction free area. Have a clean background, neutral color palette. If using a sheet for a backdrop, make sure it is ironed or mostly free of wrinkles. Wrinkles can be a distraction. Try to avoid taping in your car or a public restroom (we mention this because we’ve seen it!) However, if it’s the only place possible for you to tape, do explain the set-up in your slate. Don’t apologize just state it as fact.
Careful not to speak too loudly on film. If working with a reader, have them speak as softly as possible at a distance from the camera. Remember: Everything on camera reads larger. HOWEVER, if you are auditioning specifically for a theatre play or musical, it is okay to be larger as long as you don’t sacrifice authenticity and believability.
Edit the tapes so that we do not see you turning your camera on and off. At the beginning, do not start until you hold for a couple of seconds at the top so that you can edit the beginning out. For the end, hold a couple of seconds before moving toward the camera to shut it off. Then edit that out.
Final thoughts on auditioning for commercials
Commercials are often seen as an actor’s bread and butter. Commercials can pay very well. They provide a wonderful opportunity to supplement your income and do what you love…acting! Also, they can be another chance for you to meet others in this industry. So, next time you see a breakdown come through your email, submit your profile to it and have fun.
