Acting Out: Your Personal Coach to a Money-Making Career in Television Commercials

by Dennis Bailey and Stuart Stone

A career plan for successful commercial actors Aspirants learn the elements, techniques, approaches, insider information and choices that raise them above others in the field. Today's widely-varied commercial spots--dramatic, dialogue-driven, beauty, comedy, niche, children, sports--offer myriad opportunities. Readers learn about: auditions, valuable trade secrets, how to get the perfect headshots, and much much more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097230195X
• ISBN13: 9780972301954
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Cricket Feet Publishing
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

One of the best of it's kind

This book is short and to the point. Sometimes when people write these kind of books, they elabroate forever. Not this one. There's not a lot of wordy explanations. I appreciate that. Info very precise with good advice and techniques pertaining specifically to commercials. Stone not only deals with the audition process, he helps you avoid making mistakes and falling for scams as well as showing how to market yourself. I have not seen a more detailed or informative book on the subject.

ActorNation Feb. 2006 [...]

Industry Insight - "Acting Out" By Holdon Log, LLC If you are looking to work as a successful actor in commercials, or perhaps you already are and are in need of a brush up, we'd like to point you in the direction of Acting Out written by Stuart Stone, CCDA (Commercial Casting Directors Association) and Clio Award winner and Dennis Bailey. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Stuart at an audition or in a class, reading the book he co-authored, Acting Out, will offer you guidance and give you insight on what is expected before, during and after a successful audition. More importantly, as mentioned on Stuart's Web site (www.CommercialActing.Info) is how to "turn callbacks into bookings." Several of us at Holdon Log (from all different backgrounds and at various stages in our commercial acting pursuits) recently read Acting Out and we agree that more Industry mysteries had been revealed, explained better and reinforced while turning the pages of this easy-to-read guide book complete with cleverly depicted moments that happen in real commercial casting sessions. SOME HIGHLIGHTS Before Meeting A Prospective Commercial Agent: "When you get an appointment with an agent you should call and confirm the night before, for a morning appointment, and the morning of, for an afternoon appointment. This effort will show them you are responsible. Many actors forget the business part of the equation; your professionalism will set you apart from the actor wannabees. Dress like you would on a general commercial call-with a leaning towards upscale casual. Avoid perfumes or colognes. Bring an up-to-date picture and resume with you. If you have a demo reel of your commercials, bring that as well. Arrive twenty minutes early to secure a parking space and find the office. Do not be late. And call if you have any problem keeping your appointment. The agent is taking time from his or her busy schedule to meet with you. DO NOT keep them waiting." While Preparing For Your Photo Shoot & What To Look For While Selecting Your Headshots: "The most important thing to remember is this: You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition. We can't stress that enough, so we're going to repeat it. You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition at any time. Not how you'd like to look after a visit to the plastic surgeon, not how your mother tells you how you look when she pinches your cheek, but how you really look." During The Commercial Audition: "It is imperative that you establish a beginning, middle and an end to your actions. This is a hard and fast rule in approaching any type of audition. You are, in a sense, performing a complete, short scene for the camera." "While working, whether alone or with a partner, do not memorize the lines. Fully familiarize yourself, stick an operative phrase or two in your head, but do not commit the pages to memory. Unlike a theatrical audition where you h

Stuart is a wiz when it comes to casting!

This is a must read for anyone trying to break in. Stuart has had years of experience and it shows. With starting out as an actor and now in charge of casting, he knows the ins and outs. Definitely recommend!

The Best

Stuart Stone is by far the foremost authority on all things commercial. From all vantage points, this man sees it all. This book is essential for any new actor. It should be prescribed to anyone thinking of playing the commercial game.

An Actors Dream

Stuart Stone and Dennis Bailey have it down! I use "ACTING OUT" as a handbook for reminders right before auditioning. It keeps the callbacks and bookings coming.