Television Commercial Auditions

I have worked in the Entertainment Industry as long as I can remember. I have been a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists since 1985. I decided to create and maintain this website in my spare time to help people who do not have an agent, who are interested in becoming a professional commercial actor. I hope the information on this page can help you achieve your dream of working as an actor or extra in TV Commercials!

Sincerely,

Alan Baltes

The 2012 Actors Resource Guide eBooks are now available. Comprehensive actors resource guides that include listings of talent agents and casting directors, sample actors resumes, acting classes, headshot photographers, extras casting agencies, work permits, child talent information, and many valuable tips and advice. Each eBook contains a minimum of the following:

• Casting Directors List
• Extras Casting Directors List
• Talent Agents List
• Acting Schools List
• Headshot Photographers List
• Actors Unions
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• General Talent Agent Information
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Child Work Permit Information
• Immigration Work Permit Information
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application
• Miscellaneous Resources
• PDF Users Guides

The 2012 Actors Resource Guide eBooks are now available for Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Michigan, Vancouver, New Zealand, Australia, and London.

More locations coming soon.

Western U.S. Actors eBooks

Los Angeles eBook $19.95 USD Austin eBook $19.95 USD San Francisco eBook $19.95 USD Seattle eBook $19.95 USD New Mexico eBook $19.95 USD

Eastern U.S. Actors eBooks

New York eBook $19.95 USD Boston eBook $19.95 USD Louisiana eBook $19.95 USD North Carolina eBook $19.95 USD Chicago eBook $19.95 USD Atlanta eBook $19.95 USD Orlando eBook $19.95 USD Miami eBook $19.95 USD Michigan eBook $19.95 USD

International Actors eBooks

New Zealand eBook $19.95 USD Australia eBook $19.95 USD London eBook $19.95 USD Vancouver eBook $19.95 USD

Your 2012 Actors Resource Guide eBook will be emailed to you in the form of a PDF Portfolio attachment upon receipt of payment, usually within 24 hours but commonly within several hours or sooner. Also included is a “Single File Format” PDF Actors Resource Guide eBook that can be viewed on any computer, tablet, or smart phone. If payment is made using an "eCheck", the payment must clear your bank before the eBook is sent, and that process usually takes 3-5 business days depending on your bank and country of payment. Please include a preferred email address in the payment form that you would like your eBook sent to, otherwise it will be sent to the email address used for PayPal or Google Checkout payment.

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I am happy to announce my partnership with Back Stage, the industry leading trade magazine in the United States. Back Stage is the top resource for audition information, casting calls/casting notices, training opportunities, and entertainment-industry jobs, news, and interviews.

Film and theatre are the main topics reviewed and reported upon, but the television, radio, dance, music, cabaret, voice-over, modeling, commercial advertising, and stand-up comedy industries are also included in Back Stage's coverage. Back Stage is closely tied to its primary sister publications, The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.

Readers of my blogs receive a special offer from Backstage.

Acting in show business as a young performer can be a great experience. It can give you a head start by helping you develop leadership skills, teamwork skills, self-confidence and the ability to earn some money for your future.

This industry is called show business for a very good reason - it is a business. It is also a lot of fun, and for a young performer it should always be fun. If for any reason it is not fun and educational for you, talk to your parent or guardian and let them know. You can always take a break from the business and decide later if you want to come back. You should only be in this business if you are dedicated to it and are passionate about acting.

It is just a matter of waiting. There are no time frames as to when they might get in touch. Sometimes they will keep a photo and resume for future consideration, sometimes they do not. It is all timing. You just hope that they are casting for a specific type when the photo and resume lands on their desk. Casting Directors do NOT contact you to let you know that they are not interested, they ONLY call if they want you to come in for an audition.

NO! Never ever pay someone to audition. If they ask you to pay, then it is surely a scam. Legit casting directors, agents, and managers never charge any up-front fees whatsoever.

You should never be asked or required to attend any specific classes, use any specific photographers, or pay ANY upfront fees.

Agents typically get 10% of your paycheck AFTER you work. Managers typically get 15%. Casting Directors get paid by the studio or production company.

The only fee you should ever pay for is legit extras casting agencies, such as Central Casting in Burbank, CA. They may charge a small photo imaging fee of around $20, this is because they must take a digital photo of all extras for consistency in their files, and to make sure that they know what the extra looked like when they registered.

So the answer is NO! It costs absolutely nothing to audition for television shows and films.

Commercials (much like extra work) can be an actor’s first opportunity for exposure in front of the cameras. Often enough, a “beautiful person” or some other unique type is needed in a film. A casting director or the film’s director will see an actor in a commercial and might trace him or her down to audition for the film.

As the first experience of acting on-camera, commercial work can help actors learn to take direction, deliver copy on time, follow blocking instructions, and exercise expressions and emotions on film. Needless to say, their is also the vital aspect of networking and meeting with people involved in the entertainment industry to exchange information with.

Unsolicited phone calls and personal visits to casting directors are prohibited in the entertainment industry. Not only does it display a huge level of non-professionalism, it is extremely inconsiderate of casting directors time. They receive hundreds, and even thousands of photos and resumes every week. They certainly can not accommodate being inundated with phone calls from actors, and aspiring actors.

Talent Agents who know casting directors can call them if it is for a very important reason such as rescheduling a client for an audition. But calling casting directors, production companies, producers, and studios is an agents job, NOT an actors.

The only exception to this extremely important rule is if you are RETURNING a phone call after they have contacted you first.

Do NOT send a home address when submitting. I always recommend using a PO BOX (or parents work address if you are a minor). This is another reason that getting an agent as soon as possible is of utmost importance. Then your agents contact information is all that is listed on the resume, cover letter, and envelope. There is an earlier post about how to get an agent in my blog archives (or table of contents).

Also, NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a studio or casting/agents office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at auditions or on set.