Breaking into Commercials

Breaking into Commercials by Terry Berland, Deborah Ouellette, Deborah Oullette, Jason Alexander

From Booklist
The wisdom of a veteran casting director and the viewpoint of a photographer-writer mix well to give newcomers to commercial acting all the how-tos, tips, and references to break in. After all, the reasoning goes, more than 60,000 commercial roles are cast each year, so why not get in on it? On the basis of their collective experience and interviews with more than 75 industry pros, Berland and Ouellette completely debunk some of the myths surrounding success: that talent is the only quality that matters; that you can pay to get on camera; and that all you need for voice-overs is a great demo tape. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Here, aspiring actors are walked through every stage of the process, from resume preparation and getting head shots to residual and contract explanations. Summaries at the end of chapters help focus on what has been learned, and straight text is interspersed with question-and-answer interviews. A good reality check about acting for both kids and adults.

Synopsis
Opportunities are expanding for work in commercials, while the competition is tightening. Breaking into Commercials educates readers on how to find those opportunities, fine-tune their skills, and attain the competitive edge needed to succeed. With hundreds of tips, the book features interviews with prominent professionals who book, represent, and cast talent in every state in the U.S.

Card catalog description
Working in commercials is one of the most exciting careers in showbiz, and the hunt for performers with special magic never ends. The market for talent is huge, and so are the rewards - and now two of the top names in the business have written the most complete and practical guide to breaking into commercials and making the most of the many professional opportunities it provides.

The author, Deborah Ouellette
By collaborating with some of the most respected names in the industry, we have been able to create a complete framework for making a serious move into commercial work. Breaking Into Commercials takes you step-by-step through the entire process of becoming a commercial actor. We'll take you into the audition room, teach you how to read a commercial script, and show you what to expect on the set after you book a job. Special summary pages and commercial exercises will help keep you on track and focused on your goals. Our best wishes go with you as you make your way through what we hope will be an exciting, fulfilling, lucrative career. Deborah Ouellette: Award-winning photographer, writer, and invited judge/guest speaker for international modeling/talent events.

The author, Terry Berland
This book has been the result of years of teaching commercial workshops around the country, in addition to over 20 years commercial casting experience. This book comes out of the Ivory Tower and meets the needs of ANYONE who wants to pursue commercial acting, either nationally or in regional markets. A casting director and/or talent agent from every state was interviewed for this book, resulting in a commonality of important information needed to be successful in this business. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

A Reader from Los Angeles, California Excellent Book. Informative and Useful. If you are an actor or actress trying to break into the business this book will give you all the information you could possibly want. It is an accurate step-by-step guide which you will find helpful and useful in pursuing your career. Thanks, Terry and Deborah.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
By Jason Alexander
Introduction
I. Putting Together a Winning Promotional
Package
1. Getting Head Shots
2. Resumes and Cover Letters
3. Other Tools You'll Want to Consider
4. Training
5. Scams
6. Networking and Goal Setting
II. Taking Your Act on the Road
7. The Key Players in the Industry
8. What You Need to Know About Agents,
Managers, and Unions
9. The Auditioning Process
10. The Technique
11. The Selection Process
12. The Callback, the Booking, the Shoot
13. How Much Can I Make?
14. Working in Regional Areas
15. Voice-Overs
16. Models Crossing Over Into Commercials
17. Kids in the Business
III. Wrapping It All Up
18. What It Takes to Make It in Commercials
Glossary
Appendix
Index

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