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Commercial Acting in L.A.: A Session Director's Guide
Learn how to become a successful working actor in TV commercials in Los Angeles in this fun, step-by-step guide by top Casting Session Director and commercial actor Shaan Sharma. It covers everything you need to know about the business including how to get started, how to get the right training, and how to get an agent and a manager. The book walks you through the entire process of auditioning, booking and shooting projects; all from an insider's point of view. Not just for beginners. Even veterans will learn useful tips to help convert more auditions into bookings.
212 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 7, 2022
I picked this up as a listen for a road trip. I knew it was for a more mature audience but we enjoyed it either way (he's 13). His opinion: it's like a plug for his acting studio but I still learned a lot.
May 15, 2017
Must read for anyone in LA aspiring to be an actor and asking themselves what they need to do to make that aspiration a reality. Jam-packed with helpful and immediately useful information.
October 23, 2014
Commercial Acting in L.A: A Session Director’s Guide is a step-by-step guide to successfully equip actors for commercial acting jobs. Addressing the “behind the scenes” as well as the do’s and the don’ts of the commercial acting industry, Sharma states that “the information in this book is going to be immensely valuable for a newbie, but even experienced actors will find useful tips and advice.”
Drawing from his seven-year directing experience and his personal acting blunders, Shaan Sharma has produced an atypical instructional manual. Unlike the highly structured and professional prose of basic acting textbooks, Sharma’s writing style is a mix of vulgarity and sarcasm – all within a tutorial format. Aside of his candid approach, there is no doubt that Sharma’s undercurrent message is an impassioned plea for actors to be prepared in everyway possible for the commercial acting world.
While actors may find getting ready for auditions nerve-racking, Sharma makes it clear that there is a big difference between commercial and theatrical casting. Since “the commercial world serves corporate America,” actors are often cast because corporations are trying to capture a certain look over acting skills. Actors, therefore, are told what to do, whereas theatrical casting gives actors an opportunity to participate in the creative process. This distinction is a perfect springboard from which Sharma lays out the pertinent thespian tools needed to succeed in the commercial arena.
Over a course of nineteen chapters, Sharma complements his engaging narrative with Paul Loudon’s clever graphic illustrations. Each chapter opens with a comical depiction that captures the material Sharma intends to cover. Contrary to his easy-going narrative, Sharma diligently addresses a plethora of critical topics that comprise of appearance (headshots, dress, and so forth), the importance of setting up with an agent, what to expect during interviews and callbacks, understanding the actor’s union, to name a few. Sharma also stresses the importance of acting training in the “different games that require different applications of the acting craft.” Those games, which include drama, comedy, dramedy, procedural, single-camera, multi-camera, feature, short-form, one hour, half hour, and especially improvisation, are available through audits and workshops.
Although the tools he shares are great preparation for actors no matter where they may go for commercial auditions, Sharma specially caters to actors in the Los Angeles area, where Sharma not only has his studio, but also his own workshop that he teaches from his home. In fact, he dedicates one chapter on workshops, spending much of it on comparisons between his workshop and others in the immediate area. Sharma includes all his contact information for those who are interested in signing up.
Sharma’s final chapter offers helpful tips for parents who are interested in getting their children involved in commercials. He closes with a sample resume and social media links. While Commercial Acting in L.A. may zero in on actors in the Los Angeles area, there is no doubt that Sharma’s fine-tuned guidelines are incredibly useful for actors everywhere.
Anita Lock, Pacific Book Review
Drawing from his seven-year directing experience and his personal acting blunders, Shaan Sharma has produced an atypical instructional manual. Unlike the highly structured and professional prose of basic acting textbooks, Sharma’s writing style is a mix of vulgarity and sarcasm – all within a tutorial format. Aside of his candid approach, there is no doubt that Sharma’s undercurrent message is an impassioned plea for actors to be prepared in everyway possible for the commercial acting world.
While actors may find getting ready for auditions nerve-racking, Sharma makes it clear that there is a big difference between commercial and theatrical casting. Since “the commercial world serves corporate America,” actors are often cast because corporations are trying to capture a certain look over acting skills. Actors, therefore, are told what to do, whereas theatrical casting gives actors an opportunity to participate in the creative process. This distinction is a perfect springboard from which Sharma lays out the pertinent thespian tools needed to succeed in the commercial arena.
Over a course of nineteen chapters, Sharma complements his engaging narrative with Paul Loudon’s clever graphic illustrations. Each chapter opens with a comical depiction that captures the material Sharma intends to cover. Contrary to his easy-going narrative, Sharma diligently addresses a plethora of critical topics that comprise of appearance (headshots, dress, and so forth), the importance of setting up with an agent, what to expect during interviews and callbacks, understanding the actor’s union, to name a few. Sharma also stresses the importance of acting training in the “different games that require different applications of the acting craft.” Those games, which include drama, comedy, dramedy, procedural, single-camera, multi-camera, feature, short-form, one hour, half hour, and especially improvisation, are available through audits and workshops.
Although the tools he shares are great preparation for actors no matter where they may go for commercial auditions, Sharma specially caters to actors in the Los Angeles area, where Sharma not only has his studio, but also his own workshop that he teaches from his home. In fact, he dedicates one chapter on workshops, spending much of it on comparisons between his workshop and others in the immediate area. Sharma includes all his contact information for those who are interested in signing up.
Sharma’s final chapter offers helpful tips for parents who are interested in getting their children involved in commercials. He closes with a sample resume and social media links. While Commercial Acting in L.A. may zero in on actors in the Los Angeles area, there is no doubt that Sharma’s fine-tuned guidelines are incredibly useful for actors everywhere.
Anita Lock, Pacific Book Review
July 27, 2016
This book is fantastic! It is a COMPLETE guide to commercial auditions in Los Angeles, from the point of view of a session director, AND a working actor. Shaan has not only been in pretty much every commercial casting office in Los Angeles working behind the camera, and helping actors to deliver their best work, but he has also seen his own success in front of the camera as well. He walks you through the process step-by-step, sharing tips and strategies of the best ways to land representation, expand your network of creative individuals, and how to behave professionally and deliver your best work in front of the camera when called in for those much sought after commercial auditions. Shaan's delightful blend of humor, sarcasm, and invaluable information makes for an enjoyable read, bound to put a smile on your face. Some of the information was not new to me, as I've been in Los Angeles for awhile at this point. However, I'm not seeing the results I want, and this book lit a fire under my ass to get moving. I'm not getting any younger. The last few years I have almost given up on signing with an agent, and felt that I have done enough "mass mailings" already. His chapter on representation made me realize that no, I have not in fact done enough, and there is so much more I could be doing to help further my career. I also greatly enjoyed the chapter that serves as a directory of every commercial casting office in Los Angeles. Which casting directors use each space, how to find your way to the sign-in desks, the bathrooms, and incredibly useful, the parking situation at each office! I know I will be using this chapter for reference each time I'm headed to an office I have not visited before. I recently met Shaan at a Casting Networks Q&A, and saw him again a few weeks later at SAG Conservatory. He may be the friendliest guy in Hollywood! Thank you, Shaan for sharing your knowledge with us, and I hope every actor will read this awesome guide!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews