READING the COMMERCIAL SCRIPT

The commercial script is a tricky beast. It's so damn short... sometimes there are no lines, just reactions. As an actor you are presented with the challenge of making something out of very little. Where do you start? What do you do?

Step One... read the script. I'm sure many of you will say "Thanks a lot genius!", but I want to talk about HOW you read the script. First of all , take a second to appreciate the fact that this commercial script (despite being only 1 page) represents a lot of work. The advertising agency pitched and re-pitched... wrote and re-wrote for who knows how long. Certainly there are projects that get slammed together, but usually many hours have been spent creating the campaign you have in front of you. It represents a lot of commerce, and thousands... if not millions of dollars are invested in bringing this script to life.

Because there is so little information, you need to read EVERYTHING at least 3 times. Don't judge it, or make decisions about your acting yet, just read. The titles, the voice over, everything. If you read it once and miss something, (it could be only one word), it may effect how you understand the story and what your plan of attack will be. This happens more then you think, as a matter of fact, I used to fall into this trap as well. As a director, when I first got a script I would fly through it, and instantly start thinking about how to shoot it. Then at some point, I would realize I misread something that was critical to really understanding the full story or purpose. So, giving it a careful read, MULTIPLE times is critical.

Now, try to picture what the commercial will look like. Is it part of a campaign you're familiar with? What is the message... what is the tone? What is the product? Try to SEE it put together in your mind.

At this point, you are ready to start playing with the copy and your character. Sounds pretty basic, I know, but taking a little time with the script, showing it "more respect" if you will, can make all the difference in your audition. I'll just leave it at that... much more about auditions in past posts, and posts to come.

- Scott Young

Commercial Success/ Shoot a Scene. Edit Your Reel