Commercial Auditions and Meisner Preparation

By Maggie Flanigan


Because of how successful students of the program have been in commercial auditions, the Meisner acting technique has become a coveted learning regimen for individuals pursuing acting careers. This is particularly true of individuals who want to thoroughly learn commercial acting techniques. Students of the technique normally dedicate several hours per day to acting study as opposed to other programs that limit acting exposure to a couple of hours per week.

The goal of the Meisner technique is to teach students to be aware of and absorb their surroundings so as to become more adept at comprehending both daily as well as unique personalities and situations. It is only with thorough understanding of the world and persons around them that acting students are better able to interpret and create the characters required in commercial acting.

The world of acting is quick paced and commercials are no exception. In fact, they are much more so. Each commercial actor is required to adopt a persona and successfully portray said character in a short period of time. As such, attending a good commercial acting workshop with the Meisner technique is essential in achieving commercial success.

The Meisner technique schools students in the art of interacting with other characters and actors within a scene. Collaborating in a dynamic manner is absolutely integral to successful commercial acting techniques, regardless of whether the actor is working with another individual or is required to interact with the audience through the camera.

Improvisation or improv is another essential skill taught during commercial acting class. Although the scripts are previously determined, the actor has the ability to make that character their own. Using their imagination, the actor can create a personality that may even exceed the initial expectations of the agency. Because of this, attending a commercial acting workshop with an emphasis on improv is an excellent way to prepare for commercial auditions.

Character development for commercial work may seem like it should be easier. Not true. There is far less time, often fewer words at your disposal to connect with an audience. Time limits and limits of camera framing require that you be brilliant in a very short period of time and within limited visual parameters.

Commercial acting is it's own art form and is deceptively more complex than you might think at first. Human nature is at the heart of any acting endeavor, and the true, authentic emotion being presented must be spot on or the entire effort is wasted.

Through classes dedicated to teaching students the Meisner technique, individuals have been and continue to be better prepared for the fast- paced and lucrative art of commercial acting.




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