While the fundamentals of Acting in the Million Dollar Minute haven't substantially changes, all the information is completely updated and revised for today's commercial actor. This includes updates on the current industry, training, photos, the resume, unions, actor-agency contracts, the interview, the screen test, callbacks, pay and working conditions, and a complete list of SAG and AFTRA offices. Acting in the Million Dollar Minute deals exclusively with the art and business of acting in commercials. Here the "art" is narrow: script terminology and procedure, commercial dialogue, camera staging, working the product, sample commercial scripts, and detailed analysis of how a commercial is actually shot, are all updated for this new edition. You'll also find direction on how to: decipher the meaning behind the commercial script; begin and end every commercial performance; get the auditioners' attention immediately when the camera begins; compel the auditioners, with the sheer force of your performance; how to actually watch your playback with tips on what to look for; take the camera from another actor (i.e. upstaging); give the director a performance that makes his or her job easier in the editing room. An important update to what's considered by all as an essential book on this topic!
Well-known as an actor's director, Tom Logan has successfully written, produced, and directed for many TV shows and feature films, both for the big screen and television. He has directed hundreds of national and international TV commercials and continues to write, produce, and direct in all of these mediums. He headed the TV/film & commercial acting departments in Los Angeles at two of the most prestigious acting schools worldwide-the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (1981-89), and the American Film Institute (1980-89). He is also the author of How to Act & Eat at the Same Time: The Sequel: The Do's and Don'ts of Landing a Professional Acting Job. Tom has two sons and resides in Newport Beach, California.
Chapter 1: The Importance of Commercials Chapter 2: The Slate Chapter 3: The Top Four Complaints about Your Performance Chapter 4: Commercial Dialogue Chapter 5: Basic Commercial Acting Principles Chapter 6: The Hero Chapter 7: Why Most Multi-Person Auditions Don't Work Chapter 8: Multi-Person Commercials Chapter 9: Openings and Closings Chapter 10: Playing the Visual Environment Chapter 11: Basic Camera Staging Chapter 12: Script Terminology Chapter 13: How Commercials Are Shot Chapter 14: That's a Wrap
A veritable treasure house of valuable information for aspiring performers--a no-nonsense, practical book spiced with Mr. Logan's delightful wit! Every would-be commercial artist should keep it on hand!--Virginia Christine, "Mrs. Olson," Folgers coffee commercials I read Tom's book How to Act and Eat at the Same Time--a great title, a great book. Now this, his new one. Acting in the Million Dollar Minute. This book probes the tough field of commercials. He takes you from the interview right through to those ear-caressing words 'cut--print that's a wrap, folks.' Tom's approach focuses directly on your problems and shows you the way out of trouble. He makes the whole thing easier. I wish this book had been around when I started doing commercials. I wouldn't have made all those mistakes. You owe yourself a bonus. This is it! I keep mine as a reference book.--Dick Wilson, "Mr. Whipple," Charmin bathroom tissue commercials
