Advanced On-Camera Commercial Audition class 4

Class #4 (Batt Johnson)

New Habits -- do these everyday:

In public, if I see ad copy on a sign or building, read it out loud -- it's New York City, no one will blink an eye.
Study real people doing everyday things -- just pay close attention and note, my brain will store it away for future use.
Listen to read everyday dialogue. Again, just pay close attention and note it.
Read big scary technical-scientific terminology out loud; get used to easily/effortlessly saying these words.

(Review) What to do when I get the copy at an audition:

Read and understand the ad copy.
Read it out loud.
When I'm ready to audition, hit my mark. Tell the casting director I'm just going to practice the ad copy once, and then -- rehearse it. Work at breathing to the camera and going back and forth between the camera and the cue card or copy (i.e., the eyes tell the story).

Worlds greatest prop: the mighty pen (or pencil):

If I'm a businessman, a great physical action is to have a piece of paper, and pen (hold it near the top of the paper so it can be seen on camera) and write while I start talking . . .