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3rd national commercial audition: Any Avice?

Question:

Shurtleff’s advice is appropriate for a character in a play or film. However, for a commercial, it ain’t the CD or probably not even the director you have to impress: it’s the suits. And THEY don’t want to have to visualize. They want to see it, and they want to see it Thursday. There’s the difference. Carl * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Respectfully disagree, Carl.  Maybe in New York they want that, but not out here in L.A.  Unless they tell you to wear something specific, don’t try to dress the part!

Ryan, the last time someone told me to trust them, I ended up out fifteen hundred bucks. :) You and I see differently on this, naturally, but the logic in my position is if they can see you as the character when you first walk in the door, then half the battle is over. You only have to work half as hard during the read to convince them that you can create the character. That seems to be logic that transcends geography, and in fact, Squire Fridell (who is a huge LA commercial talent) in his book mentions "dressing the part". Carl * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Shurtleff’s advice is appropriate for a character in a play or film. However, for a commercial, it ain’t the CD or probably not even the director you have to impress: it’s the suits. And THEY don’t want to have to visualize. They want to see it, and they want to see it Thursday. There’s the difference. Carl

Here’s a suggestion.  Ask your agent!  A lot of times they will have definite opinions on the subject.  Of course if you’re auditioning for theatre it’s a little ridiculous to go dressed for the part sometimes, but in commercial auditions I think it’s a very good idea, even if it’s just a little to suggest it. I really think it depends on the role.  If you’re a character actor it can’t hurt to have a good supply of prop glasses either. Before you buy.

Response:

I don’t know how timely this is at this point, but the best word of advice is DRESS THE PART!

Respectfully disagree, Carl.  Maybe in New York they want that, but not out here in L.A.  Unless they tell you to wear something specific, don’t try to dress the part!  As one CD told me…we’re not looking for a costume, we’re looking for an actor.  Trust me on this one… Ryan

Response:

 The title is "Acting In Commercials", and relies heavily on Shurtleff’s audition guidelines, but applies them specifically to analyzing and auditioning for commercials.

I find that fascinating, since Shurtleff vehemently advocates that you NOT dress the part.  I read this just yesterday again.  If you’re auditioning for West Side Story, then don’t go in with a tux, but don’t go in with a full gang costume either. Some of the auditions I’ve done here are similar; CD’s tell the agent to send talent in costume.  If it’s a ridiculously comic role, then sure, I’ll go for it.  But other than that, no.  It’s just something you allude to, without giving away, so to speak. — Opus (: "Joe Hackett at a Pearl Jam concert??  Pearl Bailey maybe…"– Lowell Mather on aging. http://www.carla.coble.com -Acting site http://members.home.net/coble/OpusGraphics -Original graphics

Response:

You sound like you’re on your way to becoming a producer.

Now THAT is an insult. By the way, the checks in the mail. Ryan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for your input on the "3rd audition" post. I pretty much knew most of what you had said already, but it’s good to have ideas reinforced. I’m sure the expectation angle is something one has to learn. I know "intellectually" I need to just let it go as soon as I say the last word of copy. But emotionally it’s hard not to fantasize just a little bit. But I know this will lead to nerosisville paved with a yellow brick road. Thanks. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s

Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Mal, I don’t know how timely this is at this point, but the best word of advice is DRESS THE PART! Absolutely embrace the stereotype. Truck driver, huh? So, let’s see…we’re talking flannel shirt, for sure, work boots, chinos (don’t do the jeans thing unless you’re in your twenties and look about as thin as Kate Moss), maybe a bandana tucked into your back pocket, baseball cap (but with the brim pulled up so they can see your face on camera)…that sort of thing. I’ve got a friend has made his life out of playing truck drivers. He auditions wearing suspenders over a T-shirt, but he’s just falt out huge and this accentuates his character aspect. That’s where you need to go. The best book speciically written about booking commercials is one by Joan See, who is also artistic director of The School Of Film And Television in NYC. The title is "Acting In Commercials", and relies heavily on Shurtleff’s audition guidelines, but applies them specifically to analyzing and auditioning for commercials. Fascinating read. Also, the SFTV was created by three major New York casting agencies (collectively, Three Of Us Studios) because many of the agents they dealt with complained that their actors had no clue about how to get paying work once they were submitted. Carl * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Michael Shurtleff, a casting director/director in LA has a book called AUDITION, it’s probably the most widely used audition book in NA.  It should be available at any theatre book store.  If not go to http://www.theatebooks.com  They take phone orders.

Actually Anthony that http://www.theatrebooks.com. Be sure to look for the 1-800# on there web page. Another good audition book is "Callback" by Ginger Howard-Friedman, protege of Michael Shurtleff also available through Theatre Books. Drama Queen — No other country is in a better position than Canada to go ahead with the evolution of a national purpose devoted to all that is good and noble and excellent in the human spirit.                                                         – Lester Pearson

Response:

Thanks for your input on the "3rd audition" post. I pretty much knew most of what you had said already, but it’s good to have ideas reinforced. I’m sure the expectation angle is something one has to learn. I know "intellectually" I need to just let it go as soon as I say the last word of copy. But emotionally it’s hard not to fantasize just a little bit. But I know this will lead to nerosisville paved with a yellow brick road. Thanks. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I have my third national commercial audition on Monday. It’s for SkyTel. I know I’ll be a "delivery truck driver". as my agent put it. Any advice on what to do in preparation? Go in with my Pizza Hut uniform? Finding out about the Casting Director? Yea, that sounds like a good idea to me. I’ll throw that out to you guys as well. What can you tell me about auditioning with McBride Casting in the Westside Casting building at 2050 Bundy in L.A. Also, Any advice on mistakes new people tend to make, specifically in commercial auditions.

The biggest mistake people make in commercial auditions is getting all worked up about it.  It’s no big deal, and if you go in all wound up and worried then you will surely kill it for yourself.  I’ve been to Westside Casting on Bundy so many times I should have a room over there.  You’ll notice several, or more, commmercials being cast and dozens, or more, of people hanging out scrambling to read the poorly posted copy and pacing back and forth as they await their turn.  There’s always a little spring in their step when their name is called, hoping this is the one as they dash into the room.  A few minutes later they come back out, either knowing they blew it or smiling thinking they got it. There is often no rhyme or reason as to why someone is cast other than a "look."  I can’t tell you how many times I thought I "nailed it" only to find out later that they went with someone else.  Talk to anyboyd who auditions a lot and you’ll hear the same scenario.  It’s not impossible, I did two nationals last year and one so far this year. Best advice: Don’t dress up in a costume unless they request it, and they seldom do. Don’t appear to eager, be a professional, be pleasant, but leave your lap-dog-just-glad-to-be-there attitude in your car. Don’t expect anything. Just relax, try to have fun, and forget about it as soon as you leave.  Chances are you won’t get it. Don’t blame yourself if you don’t book the job.  It rarely has anything to do with talent. Ryan

Response:

Any good books or websites on How to audition for commercials specifically but also for movies and theatre generally as well. Thanks for the input.

I hear Ed Hooks has an audition book.  8^) Drama Queen — No other country is in a better position than Canada to go ahead with the evolution of a national purpose devoted to all that is good and noble and excellent in the human spirit.                                                         – Lester Pearson

Response:

Any good books or websites on How to audition for commercials specifically but also for movies and theatre generally as well. Thanks for the input.

Michael Shurtleff, a casting director/director in LA has a book called AUDITION, it’s probably the most widely used audition book in NA.  It should be available at any theatre book store.  If not go to http://www.theatebooks.com  They take phone orders.

Response:

Hi! It’s me, the newbie again. Sorry, this is just a selfish how can YOU help ME question but here it goes. Maybe next time I’ll come up with something more enervating. Anyway, my question is: I have my third national commercial audition on Monday. It’s for SkyTel. I know I’ll be a "delivery truck driver". as my agent put it. Any advice on what to do in preparation? Go in with my Pizza Hut uniform? Finding out about the Casting Director? Yea, that sounds like a good idea to me. I’ll throw that out to you guys as well. What can you tell me about auditioning with McBride Casting in the Westside Casting building at 2050 Bundy in L.A. Also, Any advice on mistakes new people tend to make, specifically in commercial auditions. Going one step farther… Any good books or websites on How to audition for commercials specifically but also for movies and theatre generally as well. Thanks for the input. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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