Dirty Facts About Commercial Acting Classes in New York City Revealed
Maggie Flanigan | February 1, 2012When it comes to acting, there are some skills that are needed across the board regardless of the type of acting required. Actors who receive Meisner training are perhaps the most prepared actors to enter the business. This is why.
These actors practice their art all the time. Classes take place almost every day of the week, often for many hours at a time. Actors of the Meisner technique are required to study both people as well as circumstances in order to build up a vast knowledge of events and personalities to use in their acting careers. They can use the information they collect to create more genuine scenes and characters.
Because commercials are so short and casting occurs so quickly, actors have to deal with added challenges. Commercials are very short in length and are typically cast quite quickly making it necessary for actors to be able to portray the appropriate character immediately.
Students trained in this method are also highly skilled in interacting with other actors and characters. Commercials require this skill to a great extent. Depending upon the commercial, the camera may be the only “person” that can be interacted with.
Through a commercial acting class, actors can acquire additional necessary skills. Improvisation is a large part of commercial work. Although commercials have scripts, the actor can often take that script and create a character that was previously unimagined by the producer. Attending a commercial acting class that teaches improv is an excellent way to prepare for auditions.
Actors need to also develop their “on-camera” acting skills. It can be quite a challenge to work within a small acting frame, particularly when a product needs to be highlighted as well.
Being able to highlight a product within a commercial is another critical skill that must be learned. It is all too easy to hold a product in an unnatural way that looks false to an audience.
Developing characters for commercials may seem easier. This is not the case. The actor must connect with the audience within a short period of time. Not only this, but actors have a limited visual space as well.
Casting agents see thousands of actors for roles. It takes an astounding actor to make it past their judgement as well as that of the director, agency executives, and producer. Forming interpersonal skills is another critical talent for a commercial actor.
Know the commercial’s objective. Successfully convincing the audience that a product or service is worth buying is the primary goal of the production team. An actor who is himself convinced of the product’s worth will create a more genuine performance.
Some commercials require the actor to portray an individual who did not use the product and lost out but, despite this, the objective is the same. Connecting with the audience and showing a real interest in helping them meet their needs is the true goal. Some commercials will also require the actor to entertain the viewer.
Acting for commercials is far more challenging than it initially appears. Acting always requires that the actor delve into the root of human nature and present the audience with genuine emotion.
Through a commercial acting class, you can not only improve your acting talent in this area but broaden your horizons for other acting jobs as well.
The Maggie Flanigan Studio is a acting conservatory in New York City. The studio offers commercial acting classes. Visit the studio website where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.
