Commercial Mommy

WE HAVE MOVED!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:42:00 +0000

HEY FRIENDS! WE HAVE MOVED TO WORDPRESS.

JOIN US AT WWW.COMMERCIALMOMMY.COM

THANKS,

KERI

Give them something to Talk about!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:52:00 +0000

Every child walks into a TV or theatrical audition with a head shot, looking for an "edge" in the room. Well, last year I took a tip I learned from a fellow actor and applied it to my children's resume. I "zhooshed" it! How? I specifically took the "other experiences" section on their resumes and made it conversational. I wrote it in a way so that their "potential" was evident.

Started with: Basketball, soccer, video gamer, southern accent.....

Ended with: A basketball prodigy & Angry Birds expert who can tell you off with the sweetest of southern accents.....

It has become a conversation piece in the room EVERY TIME.
Think about it, producers and directors are so used to the standard listing of skills and experiences.

Why not give them something to talk about!

Skip a good head shot..Get a GREAT head shot!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:24:00 +0000

I have had all sorts of head shots during my 17 years in the business (Yikes!). Sexy (so it thought) looking, sultry, conservative looking, mommy...You name it! All of them were good pictures of me, but only a few were GREAT.

What makes a Great head shot?

Let me Count the Ways

The picture actually looks like you!

This may sound silly, but you would be surprised at how many people have their features “erased magically”, taking away that which is uniquely theirs. No I don’t like having crow’s feet around my eyes, but they are mine! Matter of fact, I was hired for a beauty product that netted me six figures for an 8 hour day of work. I LOVE MY CROW’S FEET.

Your eyes tell a story

Have you ever seen someone staring off into space? Their eyes have a vacant look. Since the camera captures everything, it will also capture the fact that you are not thinking of “your story”. What's my story? I generally book work as a mom or someone of authority ( trust me people, I know a lot about lactose Basilius), so when I have my head shots taken, I am ALWAYS thinking about how I look at my children. Soft, smiley, warm and inviting.

An agent once told me that the reason Theatrical head shots are without smiles, is because they do not want the casting director, director or producers to have a preconceived notion about an actor. An uber-bubbly child can still handle playing a character that is scared, but if the picture shows lil’ Mister Bubbly..... You get my drift.

Shoot head shots with the intention of capturing ONE great image NOT six good images!

It took me a long time to realize, like children, we adults fatigue quickly in front of the camera. All of the pent up emotional energy we're holding onto during the shoot is down right tiring. Parents standing behind the photographer yelling, “Smile Johnny”. Adults feeling insecure about not being able to see our images while we are shooting. It’s enough to throw anyone off their game.

TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF and go for ONE GREAT SHOT.

Shoot one or two looks per photo shoot, not 5 +!

Photographers make their money by offering their skills and abilities. Many of them will offer 3,4 or 5 or more looks for a steal of a price because they are reserving their time for you, and once you are shooting and in a “groove”, a couple more looks doesn’t take very long. When you order medium french fries, aren’t you always tempted to super size them? The same psychology holds true for head shots.

I tested my theory at the beginning of the year. I shot with a photographer that offered my SIX looks for $500 + $175 for make up. Way out of my price comfort zone ( remember, I am married to a photographer!) and my ability to stay focused. But I took one for the Commercial Mommy Team and shot with her. End result? I spent a total of $800 (proof book, 4x6 prints) and did not use ONE of the images! To add insult to injury, the photographer dropped her price in half 2 weeks later!

For the past few years I've only done one look photo shoots to give my agent a new shot or two every few months.

It has worked like a charm!

TO BE CONTINUED!

PHOTO SHOOT WINNER! COLIE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:52:00 +0000

After assigning everyone a number and pulling from a hat.....WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

COLIE is the commercialmommy.com WINNER! I will have another drawing soon, giving away my *soon not to be so secret* audition tips! Stay tuned, everyone will have another chance to win!

2011 Set Lesson # 1...CHILL OUT!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0000

a few weeks ago, one of my children had a multi-day booking. Yay was my first reaction. She was hired by a cool new director who is represented by a huge production company. Why is that important? Because producers remember good talent, and will invariably bring you back for other directors.

Anyway, I learned something profound about myself during these shoot days. I realized that when I arrive to set, I have a mindset that all things will go according to “plan”. Hmm, what plan? Whose plan? From the moment of the wardrobe fitting, I felt uncomfortable. My child was not given one of the “main”costumes to try on, rather,they gave the all black outfit for the “behind the scenes action”. I could feel myself winding up, feeling neurotic. Is it possible that my child had an audition, callback and a fitting, all to be downgraded to an extra?!?!? My emotions were all over the place. If that were to happen, my child would only earn about $600/day! That, in my mind, was not enough to occupy 3 of her days AND 3 of mine!

Fast forward to the end of day 1. I had worked myself into a tizzy, looking at the shot list to see where my child landed. I even saw that mine was slated to wear the outfit where the face was hidden!

I couldn’t get any more wound up when I realized three things:

1. We are where we are supposed to be
2. It’s not that deep
3. I am surrounded by wonderful people that I could get to know
So, at that moment, I shifted my paradigm, grabbed a popsicle and relaxed. I visibly eased up and began to have a great time. On my way to craft services, (yes...I snacked my way thru the day) I bumped into the director and had a chance to chat with him about his work. VERY COOL. And when it was all said and done, I met some very cool parents, my child made new friends, AND ended up wearing a cool costume to shoot the closing scene of the commercial!

Funny how the universe works! After feeling all of those emotions, I realized that I needed to reconfigure the “plan”, flip what I expect.

The next shoot, which was right around the corner gave me an opportunity to do differently...And I did!

I decided to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.......

and I was pleasantly surprised!

How much can you make from a national commercial?

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:32:00 +0000

It’s common knowledge that my children and I make our living as commercial actors (my children also like to remind me that they have evolved me by moving into television and film), so it makes sense that I receive emails...daily, from current and former clients asking me: “How much will my son make on the commercial he booked today?”. Let me give you the short answer: As little as $0 as much as six figures.

I swear I am not trying to be a smart Alec!

The truth is that the industry has changed...in a major way!

“Back in the day” (even 3 years ago), you could easily count on a commercial running on cable and having a healthy national network run (NBC, CBS, ABC). Cable runs pay about $3,000 for a 13 week cycle (unlimited use), and National network pays every time the commercial airs...the first 20 runs could easily add up to $1,500-$2,000.

Fast forward to 2011. Booking a commercial means just that...

you have booked a commercial. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I am trying to say is that we can no longer count our eggs before they hatch. Of course, there are a few trade secrets that help increase your chance of getting your face on film, but the biggest take away is to recognize the lottery and hope to be on the winning side. If you land in a spot that you get cut out of or downgraded (flat one-time fee),

remember that no one can take the experience away!

Here I am! Tired but Happy~

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 04:44:00 +0000

My Open Letter to Casting Directors

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:27:00 +0000

I am writing to you all today, on behalf of myself and my fellow actors, to say first and foremost: Thank you for the opportunities you send our way. We actors understand that we are selected from large groups of submitted actors. Often thousands. We do not take that lightly. In fact, we strive to respect that by confirming our auditions immediately, purchasing new wardrobe, if necessary and learning the lines and the nuances of the lines before the audition. We even google the product to understand the client's perspective and shoot to arrive early to our given audition times, so as not to throw off your schedule. With all that being said, we are beyond excited when we are placed on Avail for a commercial! Our hard work may just pay off!

Enter confusion and an all too common scenario: The avail comes in mid-week and the fitting is scheduled for the beginning of the next week. We are told that the booking will happen over the weekend. We wait. We change plans. We cancel plans. We spend money to fly home early to honor the avail. We wait. Monday morning comes and there has been no booking OR release. Confusion! We have turned down auditions that are in the same category, out of respect. We are still waiting. Eventually, after calling our agents time and time again, and hearing them tell us, "We have emailed, called and left messages, but the casting director hasn't returned any of our calls", frustration sets in.

We are just wondering, is it too much to ask of you to email "release all holds", or return a call left by our agents? I did ask a casting associate of a well know Casting facility regarding the never-released avails, and he said, "Keri, I beg her to let actors know they have been released", and her response was, "They will figure it out".

We don't figure it out. We hope that the dates have shifted, that the clients have your dialing finger pinned down in a supreme thumb wrestling move. SOMETHING.

What can we do as a community to make this flow better? Suggestions are needed!

signed,

A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS....

Balancing Life and Auditions

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:04:00 +0000

By the time I am closing my eyes to rest at night, I already feel as if tomorrow has begun.

Why? Because it is now standard practice to have very *short* notice before auditions and callbacks. In my 30's....no problem....but now, fully entrenched with three children (all in the biz) and a L-I-F-E, I find myself having to consistently recommit to my commitment to this business. Why don't I throw my hands up and walk away? Why don't I choose a lifestyle that would allow me to plan my own afternoons for me?

ONE WORD: CHALLENGE

I love the challenge. I love that I may have an opportunity to work with one of my children. I love the disproportionate amount of income bestowed upon actors.

I dislike the "wasted" time in waiting rooms. I dislike the negative energy from some casting associates. I dislike changing my schedule around for a potential booking and then not being released from that booking.

ONE THOUGHT: ENJOY MY SITUATION

I understand that I am lucky enough to make my living in this business. I am even luckier that my children are earning income for their future. But it is a lottery, and I have to be OK with it. We all do.

Expect just a session fee and hope to be pleasantly surprised!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:57:00 +0000

My 11 year old had a multi day booking last week! At first blush, it was great...but as a seasoned commercial actress, I see just how the market has changed over the past few years. I remember when a booking meant you would make money AND show up on the airwaves. Now a days, a booking, fitting and days on set assure one thing: A session fee ($600 per day).

I realized that I was still showing up to set believing that the clients, agency folks and director all had the same goal I had: Create a great project that will make the everyone $$$. I am NOT saying that this goal has gone away. I AM saying that commercial folks are now more savvy. They know how to utilize our voice, our body (sans head) and our abilities, all while keeping costs down....They know how to cut us out of commercials!

While sitting on set with 10 other parents, I also realized that I was the only one on set worried about her being cut from the spot because I had already counted on her having more income for herself (tax year 2010 was painful for her bank account).

What I remembered by day two was that the experience of just sitting back, enjoying the camaraderie of the other parents and seeing the kids having such a great time together was worth more than the outcome of the commercial.

Suffice it to say, every one of the children ended up working AND having a great time.

LESSON: I cannot predict the outcome, so I might as well have fun and be in the moment.

When do you Need a Manager....?

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 12 May 2011 04:03:00 +0000

As a mommy/actor/parent of actors, the topic of hiring managers kept popping up over the years. I have a couple of simple guidelines that have always helped me answer the question...IS IT TIME FOR A MANAGER?

1. Am I having a hard time getting in touch/communicating with the agent?
2. Do I feel that I am not being submitted/sent out on enough castings?
3. Am I new to this business and feel totally and utterly lost?
4. Can I afford to give up 5-15% of income above the 10-20% agency fee for manager representation?
5. Am I in a new niche of auditions, where a manager's connections would be invaluable (film and TV, for example)?

I ask myself these questions, and if I ever am able to answer yes to one of them, I do my best to resolve my concerns.....and if that doesn't work....I would consider interviewing managers.....

Just my humble opinion.

Staying Focused before Entering the Audition Room

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:33:00 +0000

Sooo important to get to your audition and do what you came to do...ROCK IT! Now, as a parent, you witness all sorts of shenanigans in the waiting room: Stressed out children, mini-reunions, long waits, parents talking LOUDLY of their children's success...It can be a bit much.

As a parent of children who have put time into preparing for an audition, it's important to help keep their personal space calm. How did I do that today?

1. I signed her in and immediately stepped out into the hallway with her.

2. Sang a few bars of Black Eyed Peas new cut Just can't get enough with my daughter....The goal is always to stay loose.

3. I asked her if she wanted to look over her "story" and we talked about the relationships...THEN she ran the lines once.....

4. We stepped back into the room when she was on deck......and off into the room she went.

5. Most Importantly...WE SENT GOOD VIBES to the other girls and moms in the room. We moms had a good chat, and the three girls in the lobby all realized that they each speak two languages! Very cool new experience!

Once she came out of the room, I always greet her with a big juicy smile and let her tell me about her experience in the room. We laugh together at the blunders and high five over a new experience under out belt.

.....ON TO THE NEXT ONE......

Casting doesn't really hate us actors, but......

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:34:00 +0000

It's hard not to think it sometimes! I Had an audition earlier this week where I was paired with a gentleman. We needed to be conversational, so it was imperative that we "vibed" outside of the audition room. I approached him and said Hi....He grunted and looked the other way! Yikes...was he mad about being matched up with me?? My hair was combed, my wardrobe was clean, nice and understated and my breath was fresh...so what was it? Well, he finally said in between fumes, "I got here earlier than my call time and they let other people go ahead of me, even though they arrived after me, because their call time was BEFORE mine." He went on to say..."They treat me like poop at this casting House!" Worried that my audition was about to go in the toilet because of his bad mood, I regaled him with stories of how the Casting associate is ALWAYS mean to me..and I keep smiling. I even told him of the time where they split my son and I up and had him go in with another mom!?!? By now, my partner saw that it was not personal AND that it is important to stick to our given call times. We had a great audition, and the vibe was fantastic between us!

Moral: DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF SO SERIOUSLY....

Have compassion and do the job you came to do!

*my grumpy face*

What happens when you turn your head away from the camera?

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Well....you get downgraded. That is, you will only receive your session fee (for showing up and working) and a flat rate of about $450+ dollars to run the commercial unlimited times.
Just a little info for those who are interested.

And if you remain principal talent, you will receive residuals($$) based on the number of times it runs on TV nationwide, etc. For the exact rule, check out www.sag.org

It pays to never look away!!!

Another family spot

KFC Mother's day spot....with all three of my kids!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Thu, 05 May 2011 07:08:00 +0000

So this is the second KFC spot that is airing. I remember the director, Ray D., saying to me, "Keri, let the kid's do whatever they want to."...I promptly protested by saying, "WHY would you say that, out LOUD, in front of my crazies...I mean kids?!?!" Because it was time for me to learn a lesson in letting go. It's hard enough being mommy...but being mommy, at work with your kids...at work?!?! Always nerve racking! I knew that I would do my best to make sure my mug showed up in the commercial (the only way we get paid is to be featured prominently in the spot), and my two older ones are such professionals that I wasn't worried about them. But remember, one head turn away from camera and that could mean a loss of a lot of potential $$$.

Anyway, I looked up toward the sky and asked the universe for patience and a spirit of fun to be present. THE UNIVERSE DELIVERED!! My littlest guy,didn't want to eat the chicken, he wanted to cut it with a knife and fork, AFTER he finished his scavenger hunt... UNDER the table... I laughed, and let go.....45 minutes later, we were done, happy and headed home.

Enjoy this sweet commercial (even if you are a vegetarian...there is always a "spit" bucket on set)!

Sayeed on THE EVENT!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Middle child just shot the last episode of the season for the NBC drama, The Event last week .....ooooooh I know what happens.........!!!! Dear Universe....could Mr. Underwood play my dad too? Hee hee hee :-)

When an Audition or Callback doesn't go my Way.....

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:20:00 +0000

So I have been asked many times, "How do you deal with the ups and downs of this business?" I take all of the information I have received before the audition and before the callback. We actors scan the audition lobby to see if our peers have figured something out that we haven't. We listen to the feedback other actors give as they walk out of the room. In the perfect world, it is a very community based experience, where we are all trying to help one another do our very best in the audition room.

When a project doesn't go my way....I analyze it. I think about what I may have done that could have changed the outcome...and then I realize...IT'S NOT PERSONAL!! Sometimes that takes me a "minute" to get to, since I do put 150% into each audition. Hair, wardrobe, copy, etc. But at the end of the day, I do my best to leave the audition behind and take the experience with me.

When a job goes to someone I know....I smile, send a "woohoo!" and know that the universe will provide another opportunity.

Commercial Auditions and Callbacks and Avails...Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:57:00 +0000

Theoretically, auditions can and should be fun. But we know the truth..... Auditions can be vexing, stressful, exhausting and confusing. The reward for staying present and not taking the process to seriously is being invited back to a callback. A casting director (Killian McHugh) reminded me to stop and give myself a pat on the back for every callback (2nd audition), because being called back means that the clients, agency, and or director feel that you can do the job. It's the details at the very end that make the difference. Is Keri tall enough to be paired with the husband? Is she old enough (looking) to play the mom of the teenagers we have chosen, etc.

So, every time I have the opportunity to audition....I try my best...and most importantly, I "Shine my light" in the audition room, I let them know who they are messing with (HA!!). I HAVE FUN!! And when I do book a commercial..... it is just the whip cream on top.....and dollar bills in the bank!

Kiddos and Television

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:46:00 +0000

You all know that my family is knee deep in this business.... So, how is it that in our house, TV is only allowed on Friday night and Sat/Sun Morning for no more than an Hour? Well....it's simple: Since we have always worked for the fun of it, once the job is done, we are off looking for more work..I mean Fun! Never once have the kids asked when an episode of a show they worked on will air. In fact, I usually have to tell them, "Hey, I saw you on Desperate Housewives, etc". The typical response? COOL....then out the door they go to play!

By making fun the focus, the kids are not attached to the outcome. Trust me, we have been in commercials that never air, but it doesn't matter, because the experience was had.

The experience is the Golden Ticket.....seeing a playback of it is just icing on top!

My ultimate Mommy Mantra....

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:34:00 +0000

As I sit at my desk, looking at my online calendar, I know that I am forgetting something. A lot of things...but I DO know where my kids are...EXHALE. Did I run payroll? Did I send the permission slips back to each of their schools? Am I ready for my callback..wait! What did I wear to the first call (reference Iphoto pic of self taken immediately after audition). What do the kids to wear to their three auditions?!?!

At this moment in my day...I tell myself to ease up (on myself) and I repeat my Mommy Mantra...

I KNOW WHERE MY KIDS ARE

and that's really all that matters

Taxes, opportunities, disappointments...OH MY!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:52:00 +0000

Sometimes I think about the fact that one great paying commercial...like a medicine spot...would alleviate all of our tax woes for the year! And then I remember what I overheard a casting director say:
"The camera smells desperation a mile away!"

This is a funny business, commercials. They want us to give 150% every time we audition in the hopes of winning the commercial lottery. The most ironic part is that if we stay the course, we will win!

So, while I am thanking the universe for enough abundance to pay our taxes and still have savings, I am also thanking the universe for allowing me to give 150% every time I audition...in between school pick ups, kid's producer's sessions, field trips, pediatrician appointments and work days. It has ALWAYS paid off.

Remember...."down time" is really "up time"

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:36:00 +0000

I, like many of my commercial acting peers, have had a bit of time on my hands....leading in to the spring holidays, things quiet down on the audition front. Typically, a drastic slowdown would make me feel stir crazy, and I would call my agent to see if it was time to totally change up my game!

Silly me.... I have changed my tune....I have shifted my paradigm and can now (clearly) see that the down time was sent from above...just for me! I have had the best time moving my consulting business forward and beginning a new venture with a terrific friend. I try to remember that what ever is happening..or NOT happening... is SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING!!

Back to what I know so well....

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:08:00 +0000

It's a beautiful day to bring back the curls! Again....love having a photographer as a mate! two minute photo shoot...... Just remember that when it's time for new pics, don't over think it. If you can find someone really reasonable, you can budget to shoot a few times per year!

Pull out that laminated list of Goals you Keep in Your Back Pocket Y'all!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 14:33:00 +0000

Wait?!? What do you mean you can't find that piece of paper that you held in your hands, like a newborn, at the beginning of the year. That paper that held all of your hopes and dreams for 2011! That paper that with specific action steps, line items....

Well, you get my point....It's time to dig those goals out of the random notebook and PLACE THEM IN YOUR WALLET!

I'll post a little later.....once I locate my list :-)

Too Much work for a mama of three!

noreply@blogger.com (The Commercial Mommy) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:15:00 +0000

WWW.ONE17PHOTO.COM

I went to an audition yesterday that required very small acting....not much dialogue and nothing special with regard to wardrobe. I walked in and realized....all of us with straight hair just kind of blended together?!?! I couldn't tell us apart! At that moment...I WISHED FOR MY CURLS BACK...IMMEDIATELY! My goal was to keep my hair straight until my next booking, but every time the wind blows, or the rain comes, I find myself running for cover!!! No time for that. How can I chase abundance while I'm running from the wind?!?! Curls are back by Monday. At least I know that I am a blow dry/flat Iron away from straight.