How to Get a Job Doing Commercials

The more experience you have, the further you will go in your acting career.

Commercials are one of the most influential forms of advertising. Companies pay to place their commercials in prime television spots, such as during major sporting events. Viewers often remember catchy commercial jingles years after they have aired. Breaking into TV commercials can be a starting point for your entertainment career. A commercial gives you the opportunity to showcase your acting talent in under 5 minutes. That can lead to bigger and better projects. Being a successful television commercial actor takes hard work. From scouring local auditions to submitting your head shot and resume to national auditions, the work that goes into landing your first commercial takes dedication and determination.

Instructions

1. Get your resume and head shot together. Before looking for any auditions, you must have a resume and a head shot. Include any acting work you have done in the past, including local theater, school plays and church plays. Directors and agencies want experience that not everyone has. Any type of theater or acting classes that you have taken, as well as any school work that has involved you reading a scene from a play or story, shows the director that while you do not have extensive acting experience, you do have some experience. A head shot is a photo that gives the director or casting director an overall idea of what you look like. Any sort of audition requires a head shot. Head shots must meet a certain criteria and look professional. Poorly taken photos and amateur photos do not do well with professional directors. Find a photographer who knows what a professional head shot looks like. Often, independent photographers cost more money than photographers who work for large companies. However, the better your head shot looks, the more professional you appear.

2. Search for auditions. Start small in your search, especially if this is your first foray into the entertainment world. Local businesses often shoot low-budget commercials that are only aired in a particular area. Ask around at local businesses and people you know to see if any businesses are shooting local commercials. Go to the next biggest city if you live in a small town and look for auditions for local commercials. Leave your head shot and resume with potential clients.

3. Submit your head shot and resume to local talent agencies. You have a better shot of landing a commercial when you have someone working for you to set up auditions. Talent agents also have the ability to leverage your career to national status once you have a few local commercials out of the way.

4. Go to auditions. Be prepared for your audition by knowing the product or business that the commercial is for and by bringing along your head shot and resume. Be confident and memorable. Be someone who the director wants to work with. Showcase your acting abilities and do not show nerves.

Tips & Warnings

• You do not have to have a talent agent. Often, talent agents will not even look at you as a potential client unless you have past experience.

• Do not become discouraged if you do not land a part immediately. Acting is a very competitive industry. Keep trying until the right commercial comes your way.

References

• Theatr Group: Resume for Actors
• Theatr Group: Auditions for Actors
• Talent Agents: Managing the Stresses of Finding a Talent Agent

Resources

• Acting Biz: First Steps to Becoming an Actor