It's fair to say that nearly half the commercials you'll audition for will invariably require improvisation in one form or another. Consequently, you'll enjoy an enormous advantage by developing strong improvisation skills. As a past casting director, I've been appalled at the high number of actors who sadly neglect this essential skill.


One reason may be that this kind of acting is often misunderstood or taken for granted as just a spur-of-the-moment routine of "winging it" -- that is, spontaneously saying whatever comes up within the context of your character. While that may be the fundamental premise, it's far from being the whole ball game.

Successful improvisation depends primarily upon the nonstop, unbroken flow of discussion or activity that constantly takes place between the performers. An improvised scene will collapse drastically if stalled by hesitance or unmotivated silence.

Also, when you do or say anything during an improv, it mustn't be self-centered, but rather something that acknowledges the other actor's last line. That keeps the flow of performance energy moving and "alive." And don't worry about being clever. It's a needless fear that will only bog you down. An instantaneous and almost mindless response often turns out to be so creative, it beats clever by miles.

It only takes a few basic rules to keep an improvised scene streaming along nicely. Have a look at these 3:

First: Never ask questions. You can cause the delay of another performer by asking something they have to think about for a couple seconds in order to respond.

Secondly: Never deny. If someone in your scene declares something absurd like, they've just landed on earth from another planet, never say, "No, you didn't. I can tell you're a human." That can break the rapid flow between the two of you by making the other actor mentally regroup in awkward silence in order to try another angle.

Lastly: Always build. This is the logical extension of the other two rules. For instance, if your partner declares he or she just landed from another planet, you can build upon it by adding something like, "Yes, I can tell. You have that fresh, just-landed look."

Remember these three vital rules. They're life savers! And better still, take one or two improvisation workshops to really get the knack. The next time you're in a commercial audition requiring something improvised, you'll be thankful you did.

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The preceding was an excerpt from the best selling acting book, WINNING AUDITIONS - 101 Strategies for Actors (Limelight Editions, NY) written by Mark Brandon. Mark is a native Californian who now makes his home in Vancouver, BC. He has appeared in over 100 commercials, films and TV series.

Copyright © Mark Brandon. Used with permission of the author. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

For more audition strategies and career building advice, visit: www.WinningAuditions.com

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