Advanced On-Camera Commercial Audition class 6

Feedback from my practice audition

• Look for the character in the ad. I may not be able to simply be "myself" or do what comes easy or natural, but that's OK -- identify the likely character, give it my best shot, and that's how I'll grow.
• The first priority is reacting to my partner. The words, the cue card is of secondary importance. Eventually, I'll get so polished that I'll be able to react and act and read all at the same time, but in the beginning, make sure I'm maintaining a relationship with my partner.
• When I'm doing a lot, reacting and acting and reading, handling real or imaginary props, first -- BREATHE! and don't go any faster than what my breathe and attention can support.
• When reacting favorably to the product, i.e., tasting/eating it, react to it in real time. DON'T look like I'm thinking about whether or not I like it. Today, I overly dramatized eating the cookie, and it took too much time, as I didn't know right away if I liked it.
• Take care of myself. Be careful to match the energy of my partner in case theirs is too low (my partner will be some randomly chosen audition partner, but we'll be evaluated separately, so maintain my own energy and agenda, and fight for my lines. Today my partner jump ahead in the copy and I let it go -- DON'T. It's not a big deal (for me) if it happens, but if I notice and don't immediately say my line, then I'll look bad. Fight for my lines.

Final thoughts:

There's so MUCH work out there -- and it's increasing. From the explosion in cable, print, the internet with online actors, there's more opportunity today then ever, and it's only going to increase.