🎙️017 | Todd & Jay: Selling Without Selling Out — How Actors Book Commercials

Have you ever watched a TV commercial and thought, "I could do that…" — but had absolutely no idea what actually goes into booking one? In this Todd & Jay bonusode, the boys turn the spotlight inward as Jay digs deep into Todd's commercial acting history to unpack what the world of television advertising really demands from actors. From auditions and callbacks to contracts, clients, and the realities of being on set, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood — and financially impactful — lanes in the acting industry. Todd shares first-hand experience from years of booking commercial work, breaking down what casting directors look for, how actors should think about usage and longevity, and why commercials can be both a blessing and a strategic minefield if you don't know what you're doing. If you've ever wondered whether commercials are "worth it," how to approach them professionally, or how not to lose your soul (or your future opportunities) chasing a payday — this episode is a must-listen. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening banter & setting the agenda 03:20 – Why commercials matter more than actors think 07:45 – Todd's early commercial experiences 12:10 – What commercial casting actually looks for 17:30 – Auditions, callbacks, and the pressure to be "sellable" 23:15 – Money talk: why commercials can change your year 28:40 – Usage, longevity, and the fine print actors ignore 34:20 – Union vs non-union commercial work 40:10 – The client factor: who's really in charge on set 46:00 – When a commercial job isn't worth taking 51:45 – Saying no, setting boundaries, and protecting your brand 57:30 – Horror stories, war stories, and lessons learned 01:04:10 – When commercials go right (and why it feels great) 01:10:30 – Commercials vs film & TV acting mindset 01:17:00 – Advice for actors starting out in commercials 01:23:30 – Final takeaways & bonusode wrap-up 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Podcast & more: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/offstageacting 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offstageacting 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum #️⃣ HASHTAGS #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #commercialacting #tvcommercials #advertising #auditions #workingactor #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit offstageacting.substack.com