I recently had a friend asking me about the importance of Commercial Classes.

I feed back was, don't take any commercial classes unless you are interested in doing commercial works.(And of course, get a Commercial Agent, and attend Commerical Casting Calls)

But of course, for all the full-time working Actors, it is important to land a Commercial Agent before landing a Legit Agent - mainly because booking a Commercial can really help you pay the bills. Plus for both LA & NY, Commercial Agents are more likely to freelance (specially they need new faces and different types to cover all areas of Comemrcial Casting). And if you are a full time actor, I don't see why you shouldn't cover all grounds of show business: Theatre, TV, Film, Commercial, Industrial, Print, and Live Promotion, etc.

What are some commercial types?

Spokeperson
Interview / Testimonial
Solo Scene
2+ People Scene

Of all the above, the actor may be required to memorize lines for a scene, improv a scene based on a given situation, reading from cue cards or teleprompter, or series of reactions.

An Actor who is booked on a commercial, probably has one, or all the following qualities:

Approachable - Personality shines in this department. For majority of commercials, they are looking for real people with real personalities.

Believable - Whatever production/brand you are selling. For a testimonial scene, you gotta believe-in and be honest with words that comes out of your mouth.

Relatable - This probably falls under what "Types" of actor you are. And how your "type" related to the product and the targeted audience.

Watchable - The look. I know, this is a 'visual' business after all. The camera must love you.

So yeah, whenever you go to ANY commercial audition, make sure you are fully aware of what product/brand the commercial is for. Tt doesn't hurt to dress the part - and make sure you are camera ready.

New York Commercial Class Breakdowns (listing by price):

Weist-Barron Commercial Class

5 or 6 classes for about $58 per class.
Taught by either experienced Actor, Director, or Independent Casting Director (Shirley Sender). Weist Barron is considered one of the old school Acting Studios in New York. Their classes are affortable compairing to other Acting Studios - And they specializes in Soap (3 Camera setting) and Commercial Classes.

Angela Mickey Commercial Class @ Actors Technique

5 Classes for about $60 per class.
This is probably the best deal in NY. Not only the student get to work with Angela Mickey (Senior casting Director at Liz Lewis Casting) for 5 weeks, The class covers all aspects of commercial audition, as well as the business side of acting. The last class will be a showcase to two New York Commercial Agents. So, not only you get to establish a working-relationship with a commercial casting director, you will get to show your work to agents, who you can follow-up with postcards (or they might start sending you out on auditions).

Barry Shapiro Commercial Class @ Actors Connection

5 Classes for about $67 per class.
Barry Shapiro is the Casting Director (and business partner) of Herman & Lipson Casting. Peole who have taken his class told me the course was a lot of fun, where actors get to do a lot of improv.

Tisha Ioli, Casting Director at Don Case Casting also teaches at Actors Connection. 4 classes for about $63 per class.

David Cady Commercial Workshop

6 Classes for about $75 per class.
David Cady is a Casting Director at Donna DeSeta Casting. Not only David Cady has been teaching for years... Donna DeSeta Casting covers all types of casting from Webseries, Industrial, Voice Over/Radio, On Cameral, Print, and recently, Major Feature Film.
The class covers all aspects of commercial audition, as well as the business side of acting. The last class will be a showcase to one New York Commercial Agents.

Erica Palgon Commercial Workshop

4 Classes for about $75 per class.
Erica Palgon used to be a Casting Director at Liz Lewis Casting. Now she has her own company "Erica Palgon Casting & Beyond." People who have taken her class had many great things about her approach. Erica is straight forward, to the point, and result oriented. The classes focus more on Cold-reading skills.

Downstairs/Hungry Man Commercial Workshop

4 Classes for about $80 per class.
Taught by both Fay Shumsey and Stephanie Dalle Molle, the Commercial Casting Directors for Hungry Man Inc.
Downstairs Casting do both Union and Non-Union projects. I haven't met anyone who have taken their classes (since they are very low-profile)... But I assuming the structre of the class is very similiar to Brooke & Mary.

On Camera Commercial Class at Scott Powers Studio.

6 Classes for about $88 per class.
Unlike other classes taught by Commercial Casting Directors, the Commercial Class at Scott Powers are taught by Commercial Agent Stephanie Artuso (of TalentWorks) and Commercial Director Jeremy Russell.
While some Actors take Commercial Classes with Casting Directors, learning and understand what the CDs are expecting at an audition room, and hopefully, will land a gig and eventually get signed by an Agent; this works the other way around.
At the last class, it will be a showcase to a Commercial Casting Director.

Brooke & Mary Commercial Workshops

3 Classes for about $141 per class.
Taught by both Brooke Thomas and Mary Egan Callahan, the Casting Directors at House Production. It is probably one of the biggest casting/production company in New York. As they cover everything - commercials, TV promo, Industrial, Fashion, Print, Reality Show and Films...etc. Very expensive, but very effective. Brooke and Mary will really work you until you nail the techniques. Many commercial agents have mentioned their class at seminars... Since House Production does many Non-Union projects, if you are not currently in SAG/AFTRA, and looking to get do more Non-Union Commercial work, this may be a great wait to build a working relationship with the ladies from house Production.

SAENG-IL (Birthday)
NYU Graduate Short Film
Accepting SAG and Non-SAG Submission.
Production/Filming Dates: November 16-23
Casting dates: TBD
Location: New York City
Non-Pay but will provide transportation, meal, credit, and copy of the final film.

SAENG-IL (Birthday), an NYU Graduate short film, centers on a Korean American teenage boy named Jae Lee living in New York City and working at his father's small deli. The story takes place entirely in one day, Jae's 18th birthday, on which he must work at his dad's store making deliveries on his trusty bicycle. When he disobeys his father in order to see the girl he likes, he will finally understand a little bit more about the man with whom he's never seen eye to eye.

Send headshot/resume to: wccasting@gmail.com

Breakdowns:

JAE LEE
Lead, Male, Korean /Asian American, 16-24
Jae is introspective, sensitive, frustrated. Having been raised by his strict and uncommunicative father, he feels like he has yet to really experience life. He sees his 18th birthday as marking the day when his life will change. (Korean knowledge a plus)

HANEUL LEE
Lead, Male, Korean (must speak Korean fluently), late 40s to 50s
Jae’s father, Haneul, is not one to express his emotions. Although he cares deeply for his son, he has a hard time communicating with him. He believes discipline and hard work will prepare him for the future.

I just say, I have been very lucky over this Summer. Not only I booked a Dunkin Donuts TV Promo (Which, I haven't seen it myself. It's off the air now...), I also get to work on a Pilot produced by ****. (I know. I have to keep it low profile)

These are the projects that I self-submitted and booked the roles.

In addition, I got sent out and auditioned for a co-star role for a major feature film, and a TV series.

I have never gotten this many "Actions" within 2 months. In New York, there arn't as many shows compare to Hollywood - so, I consider myself very, very lucky.

The problem is...

I thought I did great with the feature film audition.

It has been 3 weeks. Nope. No Call Back.

I thought I did great with the TV series audition.

It has been a week - And Nope. No Call Back.

This frustrates me - because I have never booked anything (legit) gig that were sent by my Manager.

Recently, I met an other Talent Manager through one of those Workshops. Originally, I took the workshop mainly to get feedbacks on my cold reading skills. (Plus the studio was having a discount, so I get to take 2 workshops for the price of one. I have problem saying "No" to good deals.)

But who knew, during our second meeting, the Talent Manager expressed interests in representing me. Of all these workshops that I have gone to, this was the first time that I got a direct positive feedback. (Based on the two under-prepared readings I did during week one. I mean, what? Someone liked my horrible readings?)

The problem is...

I'm already working with the same Talent Manager (on a free-lancing basis) for the past 6 years. I have never really worked closely with anyone else. (I have free lanced with other talent agents and managers in the past, but it was more like thr "1 or 2 casting call email and never heard from them again" deal. Plus, I had bad experience when I was contact by three agents regarding the same gig, I had to reject two of them... Let's say that didn't improve my relationship with the agents at all.)

Even though there are no exclusive contracts involved, I (and any other Talent Mangers) would perfer to work exclusively to avoid any conflicts. (It is okay to work with a Talent Agent while having a Talent Manager.)

I'm a One-Person kinda guy.

That's why I'm a bit concern at the moment. This New Manager had been keeping their company very low-profile, therefore, I wasn't able to find any information on them... I don't know anyone who have worked with them. (If they were as high profile as Authentic Talent Management, then that have helped with my decision.)

Similiar to my current Manager - Pretty much only the Asian (Actor) Communtiy knows about her.

My Acting Career has been pretty much the same until I started with all the Audition Technique classes and Casting Director workshops, that's whenI started to get legit auditions.

Was it because my Manager had been pushing me to the Casting Directors?

Or was it that I spent time and money, networking and learning from the Industry Professioanls?

It's really hard to say. And I don't really know how I feel about my manager right now. Other than being send out to auditions, there weren't any 'career consultation' or suggestions on how I can advance my acting careers.

So, right now I'm torn between a Manager who I have known for 6 years, but feeling neutral about our relationship, versus a New Manager who is very business oriented, but I know nothing about.

I'd hate to make the wrong decision and burn both bridges.

My plan is to reach a decision by the end of this week. *sigh*

Send Love to Taiwan Charity Concerts

Date: Thursday, August 27th, 2009 @ 5:30pm

Location:
Taipei Economic and Culture Office (TECO)
1 East 42nd Street (Corner of 5th Avenue)
New York, NY

On August 8th, 2009 - Typhoon Murakot caused incalculable losses of lives and damage in Taiwan, epsecially in the southern parts of the island.

NY Taiwanese Students Associaton, together with NYTFA and many other NY Asian American organizations have joined hands to sponsor a concert of music and love to raise funds for the victims and survivors of Murakot.

We would like to ask you for your your help for the concert, so we can contribute strong financial supports to our families, friends, neighbors, or just ordinary citizens in Taiwan.

Every small contribution can make a great difference.

Please come to the concert, or otherwise, contribute to our cause, and send our love to Taiwan.

For more information, please visit: http://sites.google.com/site/taiwancharity/

In case you guys didn't know - but FOX Network is currently accepting submission for it's Diversity Audition/Casting Project. The goal of the this project is very similar to that of The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts. It's to give, promote, and provide opportunties to those who are usually over-seen by the Media. The deadline is the end of June, 2009. So, if you are in the US area, and if you are considered a "minority" (Ethnic or Disability), then you should submit. (Hey, why not. You got nothing to loose)

Bascially, you need to create a video that is about 2 minutes long. Within the video, you will be performing a 1.5 minutes Monologue piece.

Please visit: http://www.fox.com/diversity/audition/ for details.

Below is a "blooper" from my video - I TRIED really hard to keep myself focused...



Good Luck, Ya'll!!