Upcoming Commercial Agent Interview

A lot of working actors make the majority of their income by performing in television commercials. Most commercials are shot in a single day, but if an actor negotiates their contract well they are paid royalties based on where and how long a given commercial runs. A national commercial that runs on network television can bring in tens of thousands of dollars for an actor.

Getting a commercial agent is a very common first step towards a career in film and television. One of my goals for this year is to secure commercial representation. SAGE has been submitting me to various agents, and I just got a call today from a great agency that wants to interview me for placement in their commercial department. I'm excited about the interview, and am currently trying to work out how to best present myself.

I attended another Q&A at The Actor's Network tonight and I was able to glean the following list of agent-meeting turn-ons and turn-offs from the agent's perspective.

• Turn Ons
  
  • When an actor says "Let me show you what I can do," and then he/she performs a scene, monologue, or cold-reading.
    
  • When an actor is well-groomed.
    
  • When an actor is on-time and prepared.
    
• Turn Offs
  
  • When an actor says "I got the goods, I'm a killer actor."
    
  • Over-selling themselves.
    
  • Showing up late, unprepared, or looking nothing like your headshot.