Gabriella Maselli McGrail

Actors need ads! But how do you get your foot in that studio for a casting, let alone be confirmed for the job by the director, advertising agency and client? There are only a handful of accomplished actors that book ads time and time again in such a competitive industry. Transform Your Ad Audition! offers actors a unique approach to preparing and auditioning for commercials to maximize their chances of success. It includes a first-hand account of the casting process, transformative audition methods, and advantageous studio technique. Any beginner or seasoned actor looking to land a TV Commercial will find this practical insight career changing. There is an art to commercial acting, it is not based on looks and luck! The reality is that most ad directors want naturalistic and emotionally connected performances. The way you look – your age, gender and, to a certain degree, type – might get you in for the audition. But to be recalled and land the role depends on your creativity and intelligence. You’re more likely to get that ad if you pitch your performance correctly, imbue it with interesting choices and relevant character presentation, and use confident, skilful acting and camera technique. This comprehensive guide navigates you through the casting process and acting applications to open your mind to so many more possibilities for your commercial acting. The first part details the casting director’s objectives and methods to casting actors, as well as how to optimize your audition experience and work with directors and recalls. The spotlight is on the actor as the product, and the importance of appeal. The second part shows you how to pull apart the ad brief, character breakdowns and scripts in order to understand the advertising strategy and how to pitch your performance and character. The third part presents an easy-to-follow and practical interpretation of the fundamental acting tools necessary for commercial acting. It shows you how to best prepare for the audition by applying acting technique to make your work truthful, original and detailed. The fourth part is about walking into that casting studio, and knowing how to use the space and camera to your advantage. I work through considerations like compressing movement, playing the scene forward and plotting effective eyelines with the assistance of diagrams and examples. The idea of recreating the ad scenario through blocking, props, and any imaginary interaction is given much attention. My 10-point sure-fire strategy for successful commercial acting: 1. Consider … the advertising strategy. 2. Understand … the style of ad, the director’s vision and how to pitch your performance. 3. Pick up on … the character’s energy, and the appropriate relationships to people and product. 4. Determine … the script’s journey and key moments. 5. Connect … emotionally and drive the spot forward with purpose. 6. Draw on … acting tools to play the ad scenario truthfully. 7. Work from … an internal thought process without setting results. 8. Block … surrounds and use props in the studio space. 9. Plot … eyelines and the camera advantageously. 10. Rehearse … the scene creatively to uncover possibilities other than the obvious, but keeping the ideas fluid and interchangeable; layering the work, embellishing the scene with more than is on the page without changing what is on the page! … give them what they are looking for and more! By following every step in this book, actors transform their ad auditions into a positive experience with a competitive edge to win the contract. Understand the script, make original choices in sync with the director's vision, walk into that casting studio with confidence and practiced technique, knowing that you are worthy of being cast, that you can get the job, that they would be lucky to have you, but that if you are overlooked for this one, there are plenty more with your name on the pay check!