Hey again! Welcome back for Part Three of Auditioning for Commercials. Today we’re going to get a little perspective from the decision maker’s side.
A commercial callback is very different from your first audition. One of the biggest differences, is that there will be many more people in the room with you. These people will usually include a casting director or assistant, the director, representatives from the ad agency, and the representatives for the clients. Make sure to acknowledge them. A simple “hello” and nice, warm eye contact with each will do. Don’t be thrown if they don’t reciprocate, or even look away from their Macbook, this is fairly normal. At least you tried.
Now, let’s look at your audition from their point of view. Everyone that is involved with the making of this commercial feels as if their reputation is on the line. Just like actors, the casting director, agency, and director all want to get hired again. The client making the commercial wants to promote their product in a way that will gain customers, not lose them. Everybody’s butt is on the line. And here they are, relying on you to deliver the goods. They’re also spending a ton of cash to make this commercial. What they’re hoping for is that it all goes smoothly.
Here’s the harsh reality for you. (Sit down, because this one is gonna sting.) The one thing they do not care about is making your dreams come true. OUCH! Hey, they aren’t monsters, it’s just the furthest thing from their mind. To us, being in a commercial means we get to act, be on TV, have our mom and dad get excited seeing us, tell our ex’s “told you so” and make a few bucks in the process. To them, this is just advertising. At the end of the day they just need someone that will do their job.
How can knowing all of this help you? Well, when you think of it this way, a lot of the pressure comes off, right? You can’t control exactly what they are looking for, you can only control how you handle yourself in the room. I think there are three key things that the people in the room don’t even realize they’re looking for. If you can show them these three qualities, your chances of booking skyrocket. They are: Confidence, Professionalism, and Flexibility.
Confidence
When you walk into the room with confidence, it gives the impression that you’re a seasoned actor. You’re someone that understands how this all works and knows how to get the job done. Most importantly, you won’t need to be babied on set and the director won’t need to constantly feed your ego by telling you how great you are.
Many actors need to be babied. Heck, I needed to be babied on my first commercial shoot. I think I hid it pretty well, but inside I was secretly wondering why the director wasn’t telling me how fantastic I was. I soon realized that, if they aren’t telling you that you’re bad, you’re doing alright.
Professionalism
This goes hand in hand with Confidence. Take a deep breath and just relax in the room. Remember that everybody in the room is actually rooting for you! When they give you feedback on a take, it means one of two things: You’re really close and they want to see more, or you’re way off the mark. Just listen and trust them, they are trying to help. And please, wait for them to finish their thought before you cut them off with a “yup” or an “I get it”. Maybe you don’t get it, then you have egg all over your face. I see this one so often in the room and I just want to shake the person and say “Let the man talk!” The impression you want to leave them with is that you are someone who will show up on time, know their lines, and listen when they give direction.
Flexibility
There are so many cooks in the kitchen on commercial shoots. The director, ad agency, and clients all have their own individual ideas and they all want to see you do all of them. They want you to talk slower, faster, friendlier, less “smiley,” funnier, standing on one leg, and every other which way. In the audition, show them that you are flexible and let them see you play. If the director gives you a note that you don’t understand, just do something different. Anything really. Who knows, you might get closer to what they want.
If you can master these three things, I think you’ll see more of your callbacks turn into bookings. If you were them, wouldn’t you hire this type of actor? Doesn’t it seem like your money would be best invested in a confident, professional performer, who listens to feedback and knows how to “play”? Always remember that time is money, and the most important thing you can convey in a callback room is that you will be professional and get the job done right in the shortest time possible. They like that.
That’s it for this time. Still have questions? In Part Four, I’ll answer ‘em! So, make sure to leave them in the comment section below.