Acting in the Million Dollar Minute: The Art and Business of Performing in TV Commercials

(Paperback, 3rd Revised edition)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

While the fundamentals of Acting in the Million Dollar Minute havent substantially changes, all the information is completely updated and revised for todays 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.

Youll 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 whats considered by all as an essential book on this topic!

Reviews

"Acting in the Million Dollar Minute is a valuable guide, written by someone who obviously has been there." --Variety

"A no-nonsense, practical guide by a director utterly familiar with the medium." --Backstage

"Director Logan covers his subject broadly and realistically with his feet on the chalk marks." --Los Angeles Times

"Another catchy title from the prolific Tom Logan, author of How to Act & Eat at the Same Time. This time out, Logan is concentrating on the lucrative field of TV commercials, which he approaches with both realism and humor. ... A no-nonsense look at the commercial business, but [Logan] lightens the mix with a great deal of personal insight and wit." --Screen Actors News

"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

"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

Author Bio

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 worldwidethe 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.