Well, yes and no is the answer to that question. Earlier today, someone sent me an email request asking “how much do you make shooting a commercial” and “Do I have to have alot of training and experience”. I thought about those questions for a minute and remembered a job that I booked a few months ago for Ford.
Keep in mind that I am a strong believer in constantly taking classes, workshops, watching and learning from others in you craft, etc. However, I also believe that ANYONE can become a successful actor and book work. Throughout this website, I will introduce and show you tons of ways and tips on how to get started, find an agent, headshots, resume, auditions, etc. SO, back to the reason for this quick post(yes I’m sitting at starbucks about to head to get a hair cut so I’m rushing a little-sorry).
I auditioned for a commercial for Ford a few months back. I had NO lines, no real character breakdown, and really no idea what the role would be doing except it said on the breakdown “Frat boy type”. So I moseyed into the audition with a polo and khakis on, did my slate in front of the camera, was asked to turn left then right(profile), and thats it. HUH, THATS IT!!!! I went thru school, and training, and have been studying everything about the audition process, and thats it.
Well, the truth to the matter is that sometimes, believe it or not, That is IT. A week later they called me and said I was booked, sent me my agreement, told me I would get paid a flat rate for limited run (which was $850.00) and sent me my calltime and location for shoot. When I got there, it was being shot in AuburnAlabama and me and one other actor were frat boys. In this town of Auburn University, if the team wins a football game, all the students run over and throw toilet paper all over this really big tree in center of town. (or thats what they explained to me). I then was giving a little direction from the director, had the lighting guys make sure everything was set, then was handed a shopping cart full of toilet paper. The action was quick. We had to run down the street chanting “we won” and “number one” with this toilet paper in the “buggy”. ha This took approx 30 min to shoot. Then they asked us to get in the back of a Ford pickup that was FULL to the rim with toilet paper. They pulled the truck up to the infamous tree, set up the camera, and yelled “GO”. We literally rolled the tree as “frat boys being crazy after a football game” for about an hour. (I think my arm is still sore. ha). After a while, the director yells, Cut and Thats a wrap. Yep, that was it. I got paid $850 to roll a tree.
Not only that, but they picked up the commercial again which in return renewed my contract. What does that mean you ask. Well basically, they call my agent and say “Can we pay your actor $850 again for running the commercial longer that expected? I had to do nothing else except check the mail for the payment. good times.
My reason for this post isnt for you to think that every job is like this or that the business of acting is easy etc. I just want to show you that I have worked hard at positioning myself with the right agent, casting agents, directors, producers, and preperation so that when these jobs come along like this, its a no brainer for me. I love my job, I love being an actor, and I hope you liked or learned a little from this story. See a pic below of the shoot.
Until next time, this is a wrap!
(p.s. click on the Highlighted words in my post to see videos or pics of what i’m speaking about. cool feature I just added)
Andy
www.andymeeks.com
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