When I booked my first big commercial spot, I thought it was like any other acting gig I’d ever done. I’d go in and be myself, present the product like I’d learned in those commercial classes and everything would be great. Right? Nope. One of the things I failed to realize was that it really wasn’t about ME. I mean sure, you know how you hear that commercials are about the product first and foremost…BELIEVE IT! It’s ALL about the product. And why wouldn’t it be. You are there to SELL. Acting brilliant is just an added bonus that the agency and client get once they book you.

What I’ll say to my fellow actors reading this blog is this; be ready to be as flexible as possible when doing commercials. Bring a lot of tricks in your bag and be ready to use them all. Or none at all. You & the director might think you nailed a take and then the agency/client come back and say you changed an “a” into a “the” and they need another take. Just put your professional hat on and do it again, brilliantly. There’s a lot of things at play that we actors don’t need to worry ourselves with. Legal stuff being one of them; Their legal team has approved a way of saying the script. And sure you can go off script sometime and they love it, but just for a safety, they will need the script version too. Do it. And do it with a smile. A fellow actors on set with me told me once, don’t worry about all the other stuff going on on set. Simply trust that they will NEVER move on until they’ve gotten the correct shot they need. It was so calming to hear that. There was no need to be a needy actor thinking, “did i do that right? Do they like me?” If the moved on, the answer is yes! Because it’s not about you…it’s about selling that product. Sure takes the pressure off, eh?

I’ve been on commercial sets where actors have been fired and replaced by background actors. Which sucks the big one, but we are truly there to make the product look good, not to cause any problems. I guess that can be said for our theatrical jobs too. Now, this isn’t to say that you can’t speak you mind or ask any questions. On the contrary, be yourself. Just remember what your job is – SELLER. Have I said that enough?

Also, there’s this stigma going around that if you’re not the main guy in the commercial or you don’t have a spot were you say a lot of lines it’s not a big deal. WRONG! At this level, as long as your are recognizable in the spot, you get paid the same amount as the person speaking. (unless their a spokesman or celebrity, but that a whole other thing) In fact, the commercials where I’ve done absolutely nothing in them, but look around have paid me more than the ones where I’ve had actual lines. Also, a good thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t say any lines in them and the spot is not specific to any season or special event – they can reuse it. And reuse it they will.

Finally, for all my guys out there doing commercials. I know we are MEN (grunt, grunt) and don’t think of doing certain things before going to set, but consider yourself warned. If you are the main guy in the spot and you think for a spilt second you might be handling the product – GO get a manicure! I know, I know – a manicure?! Here’s why. I was on set and I had to handle the product in a few shots. They have to get close ups of you doing that and the camera sees all the crap under your nails. I was very embarrassed when we had to stop a take and the director asked the makeup people to clean my nails. Ouch. That sucked. And I think I’m a pretty clean guy (grunt?grunt?). Well, the camera saw something else. I hate to say as hard headed as I am, I did it for a second time on my next shoot. Just do it.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences on set. Hit me up.