How to Book Television Commercials

Television commercials employ every type of person. Actors and non-actors are needed for all types of television ads. The business of booking commercials is as important as winning the audition.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take a class in on-camera television commercial acting. If you are theatrically trained, this will not help you land a television commercial because these two types of performance are vastly different.

2. Get great color headshots from a photographer who specializes in commercial acting shots. It should be friendly, energetic, and warm with a smile that can sell products.

3. Find a commercial agent to represent you. This means sending out your headshot to the agents in your area via either hard copy or on a CD.

4. If an agent calls you in to audition, enter with an upbeat, personable approach. Remember, you are there to be considered for television commercials, which are all about being positive and happy. You are not there to audition for anything serious or dramatic.

5. When your agent sends you out on commercial auditions, be professional, prepared and easy to work with. Charm and humor also go a long way with casting directors who work in television commercials. But most of all, be yourself and avoid pretense. Always bring an additional headshot with you in case it is requested.