About the Course
Commercials are often denigrated by actors. Over the years I have heard actors, both young and old, say the same old things...
"I would never do a commercial!"
Commercials pay well. Sorry to be vulgar about it, but they do.
A standard Equity-contracted commercial filmed in one day can pay the same as what most people earn in four months of work. This is not to be sniffed at. For those of us who are working without the safety net of familial wealth, this can be the difference between you surviving as an actor or not.
"Doing a commercial will harm your career."
Many of the world's greatest filmmakers began their careers shooting commercials and the industry is filled with extraordinary directors refining their technical ability to tell stories in a concise and innovative way.
It's a similar story with actors: Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway, David Tennant, Paul Rudd, Jennifer Lawrence, Bryan Cranston, Dev Patel, pretty much every cast member of Friends; commercials allowed them a foot in the door both financially and creatively.
"I never manage to book commercials - it's all down to luck"
I have secured over 50 commercials and balk slightly when I hear people say that it is down to luck. Commercials are a technical exercise that require acting with precision, condensing all storytelling action into a thirty-second period. Using classic clowning exercises that have their roots in commedia d'ell arte, I will help explain some of the mysteries behind that word 'luck'
Who is this for?
Drama students who are looking to add to their skillset
Experienced actors who want to start booking commercial jobs