I am wondering the main reason that a lot of actors focus on the Commercial aspect of acting. I am well aware that commercials can land you a MAJOR pay day if you get a big one, but is success commercially a sure fire way to get film/tv work as well, or do the two totally non coincide? I mean if the only reason to do commercials then is to score the big bucks or possibly become SAG-E is it really worse all the effort instead of focusing on your theatrical side? Im sure its nice to tell someone you were in a commercial and all, but if the main purpose is for the pay day, couldn't you go into another (far less competitive) field? Or is commercial acting, albeit pretty short in duration, still great experience for the eventual real thing on tv or on the stage? Ok thats enough questions for two minutes, .

Aside from the money, commericals are one of the best ways to become SAG-E. Also, many famous actors started out doing commercials first and some actors who are on commericals are sought after by CD's for theatrical projects. Commercials can lead to other lucrative, fulfilling things.

All in all, they are a good thing for an actor.

Also, many actors with few theatrical credits start with a commerical agent, as commercial agents are more willing to take you on with a limited resume and experience if you have a great headshot and good training. Sometimes you can get in with a commerical agent at a great agency,and then you might be able to branch out into the theatrical dept. at the same agency once you establish yourself with said agency commercially.

For beginning actors, commercials can be beneficial.

AMO37 nailed it!

Commercials are the best way to build your acting career foundation. Use the money earned to pay for those expensive scene study classes so you can be good theatrically.

Just because an actor initially pursues commercials does not mean that he or she is not focusing on theatrical work. While a beginning actor is pursuing commercials, he or she is doing student/indie films to build his or her resume and reel, and taking on-going classes for theatrical work. With the exception of maybe improv, no one does on-going training for commercials.

Far less competitive fields? Like? How many jobs can pay at least $30k for one or two days of work with residuals?

Great points everyone, I can definetley see good reasons to puruse it. Truthteller, what I was trying to say was less competitive ways in the sense that I imagine any one given commercial has hundreds or even thousands of people interested, thus your odds woudlnt be great of getting any one. But i guess if you try hard enough, landing even one big pay day makes it all worth it.

All acting gigs, whether commerical or theatrical are hard to get. I don't believe any paid gig is easy to get, if you add up all the hours of training, mailings, networking and sweat. Some people work more in commercials than others. There is no formula. But commerical agents are easier to get than a theatrical agent, and that is where most actors start.

More than money, it's about getting experience, time on set, making connections, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by VirtuousExplorer:
I actually started off doing commercial work. Granted I haven't really done much, but it's always fun and it pays well. I didn't even intend on pursuing a career in acting when I moved to California, but I got roped in nonetheless...

PISS OFF! Stop trying to plug your sorry casting site. 3 sites (LACasting, ActorsAccess, and NowCasting) are ENOUGH!

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by VirtuousExplorer:
I actually started off doing commercial work. Granted I haven't really done much, but it's always fun and it pays well. I didn't even intend on pursuing a career in acting when I moved to California, but I got roped in nonetheless...

PISS OFF! Stop trying to plug your sorry casting site. 3 sites (LACasting, ActorsAccess, and NowCasting) are ENOUGH!

And Backstage too.

It's not even the plugging that bugs me as much as it's the fact that Explore is SUCH a scam!!!

And yeah, it is disrespectful to plug a casting site on another casting site's board too. Shame on you.