Because commercial acting requires a very specific set of skills, many students find it exceedingly beneficial to seek out a commercial acting workshop as opposed to a more generic program. In order to succeed, a student is required to learn a whole host of commercial acting techniques including cold reading, improvisation, use of props, and working with cue cards. These as well as other skills are integrated into the learning regimen of the commercial acting class.
An essential aspect of commercial acting is learning how to act in an "on camera" fashion. Because commercials are generally quite short in length, the actor is required to convey a character and situation within a short period of time. These "on-camera" techniques can be very difficult to master and so must be thoroughly studied by anyone wishing to pursue a commercial acting career. Unlike theater roles, commercials require that the actor be able to interact with the camera instead of with a live audience which can be quite challenging.
Two integral skills to any form of acting are vocal resonance and enunciation. However, an added challenge with commercial acting is learning how to regulate the volume of one's voice so as to work best with the camera. Perhaps one of the most important commercial acting techniques is imagination. Because so little time is allotted for the actor to study the script, the individual must learn to be able to quickly embody a role and make it their own. A commercial acting class is designed to impart these skills and to teach students how to apply them to the realm of commercials.
Perhaps one of the simplest skills, yet certainly one of the most important, is slating. This provides the director with an initial impression of your professionalism and knowing the correct procedure is essential in securing a role. Not only is it a technical necessity, slating is also a wonderful opportunity to distinguish yourself from the other auditioning actors.
Commercial actors regularly find it helpful to consider "archetypes" of different people. Using these archetypes, the actor is able to create their own character in a way that the audience will understand and appreciate. It is, however, essential that the actor goes beyond the archetype. To rely on them alone will create a drab and stereotypical personality. The trick is to learn to go beyond the basic character structure so as to make the personality of the character dynamic and relatable.
A commercial character is having a bad day. Mere body language intended to communicate frustration might involve textbook behaviors that we all expect. If that's all we see however, we tune out quickly because it appears to us to be a false "characterization. Imagine now, the character having a bad day while doing something joyful or fun but, with an undercurrent of rage or frustration. Done well, this kind of work will be far more authentic.
There are many other skills that can be learned through a commercial acting workshop. These include techniques such as product placement, slice of life, and spokesperson study. Each commercial will be very specific and is largely determined by the corporate executives, the director, and the advertising agency. Despite this, your job is to take that script and person and make them come alive to the audience.
An essential aspect of commercial acting is learning how to act in an "on camera" fashion. Because commercials are generally quite short in length, the actor is required to convey a character and situation within a short period of time. These "on-camera" techniques can be very difficult to master and so must be thoroughly studied by anyone wishing to pursue a commercial acting career. Unlike theater roles, commercials require that the actor be able to interact with the camera instead of with a live audience which can be quite challenging.
Two integral skills to any form of acting are vocal resonance and enunciation. However, an added challenge with commercial acting is learning how to regulate the volume of one's voice so as to work best with the camera. Perhaps one of the most important commercial acting techniques is imagination. Because so little time is allotted for the actor to study the script, the individual must learn to be able to quickly embody a role and make it their own. A commercial acting class is designed to impart these skills and to teach students how to apply them to the realm of commercials.
Perhaps one of the simplest skills, yet certainly one of the most important, is slating. This provides the director with an initial impression of your professionalism and knowing the correct procedure is essential in securing a role. Not only is it a technical necessity, slating is also a wonderful opportunity to distinguish yourself from the other auditioning actors.
Commercial actors regularly find it helpful to consider "archetypes" of different people. Using these archetypes, the actor is able to create their own character in a way that the audience will understand and appreciate. It is, however, essential that the actor goes beyond the archetype. To rely on them alone will create a drab and stereotypical personality. The trick is to learn to go beyond the basic character structure so as to make the personality of the character dynamic and relatable.
A commercial character is having a bad day. Mere body language intended to communicate frustration might involve textbook behaviors that we all expect. If that's all we see however, we tune out quickly because it appears to us to be a false "characterization. Imagine now, the character having a bad day while doing something joyful or fun but, with an undercurrent of rage or frustration. Done well, this kind of work will be far more authentic.
There are many other skills that can be learned through a commercial acting workshop. These include techniques such as product placement, slice of life, and spokesperson study. Each commercial will be very specific and is largely determined by the corporate executives, the director, and the advertising agency. Despite this, your job is to take that script and person and make them come alive to the audience.
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To learn more about commercial acting classes, you can visit the Maggie Flanigan Studio website here: or watch this video about commercial acting techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sXTQC7lzRE
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