A major challenge for actors auditioning for commercials is working solo. Monologue and often scene copy is done straight into camera. Actors are primarily trained to work with people. They react to the dialogue and behavior of other actors. A camera gives nothing. Actors must rely only on their instincts to motivate the material. This is a big reason why commercial auditions are more difficult than theatrical ones.

My solution to motivate your read is:

• When preparing copy, choose a "who" (a specific person know) to address
• In the audition, know you are talking to this person when looking at the camera

Most actors never think about talking to a specific person for commercial auditions. They wouldn't dream of doing a theatrical monologue without it. It is easier to connect when you have a specific person in mind. When there is a connection, the read is humanized. You might think: "It's a camera, not a person. You can't connect with an inanimate objects." Yet, when you are on the phone, you don't see the person but you talk as if they were there. You are relating to them.

We speak and react differently with various people in our life. Think about all the ways you feel about and relate to your: spouse or significant other, best friend or casual acquaintances, boss, employee, mother or father, neighbor, relatives or people you don't like. Your interactions are distinct with each.

Test this technique. Place your video camera in front of your phone and tape snippets of conversations with various people. Notice the differences in behavior and tone with each relationship. You will see that working with a specific "who" will help you to be more of yourself?

SO WHO?

So, who should you choose to address? Each piece often dictates a "who". When you read the copy, the first person you think you would tell this information to is probably a good choice. If you want to find different interpretations or create other approaches, choose a second or third "who".

Sometimes, the tone of the commercial might determine your choice. Each commercial and the characters in them have a tone or feeling. The more popular are: fun/playful, serious, authoritative, vulnerable, earthy, edgy, upscale, over-the-top and under-stated. Choose the specific people in your life who can evoke each of these qualities. Then your read can embody the tone and is better motivated.

I suggest you select four primary "whos" that you can quickly connect with. Here are ones you will use most frequently:

• The friend who is the most fun
• The person you deeply love
• An individual for whom you are an authority figure
• Someone who is an authority figure to you

In auditions, if they direct you to "Have fun with the read" choose to talk to your fun friend. If they say, "Warm it up", -choose the person you love. If they ask for "More Authority" then the person who you are an authority figure to would work. And if they direct you to "Be more vulnerable or innocent" select your authority figure. This way of interpreting direction will help to keep your audition motivated and out of your head.

To practice, take some commercial copy or a short magazine ad. Think about someone and what they said or asked to motivate the copy and then speak to them. Do this with your primary choices and others. You will feel the difference. If you tape it, you will see it.

When auditioning, quickly think of your "who". Don't visualize them for the whole piece. Trust that when you have done your preparation, just knowing who you are talking to will give you your connection making it much easier to speak honestly into the camera.

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