commercial class
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“Thank you so much for such wonderful insight. I felt like 20 thousand light bulbs went off in my head. You are a rock star.” - Joann K.
“I wanted to say thanks again for being an amazing teacher and sharing your vast knowledge of the commercial world. The way you broke it down makes it very approachable with the tools you gave us.” - Nancy D.
“What a great class! You inspire me and remind me I can have the life I want doing what I do.” - Judith S.
“Thank you for your upbeat and encouraging approach to this process. It is so nice to find a teacher who is really excited about what they are teaching.” - Syd S.
“I just wanted to tell you that this was the 3rd commercial intensive class I’ve taken and by far the best. I feel way more prepared now and know what my strengths and weaknesses are and how to work on them. I have a better sense of myself and am so excited to get back in the game. Thank you so much!!” - Judita W.
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NEW SESSIONS NOW ENROLLING!
* 2-week ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE
Thanks for your interest in my workshops! I just had a baby on March 1st so I am easing back into auditioning, teaching, and consulting.
I am putting one on-camera workshop on the books for this month as well as 2 sessions for May. I will be teaching at least one workshop a month through the summer, as well.
My classes fill up fast so I encourage you to sign up as soon as you know if any of the dates below work for you.
Click HERE to read Ann Hu’s wonderfully complementary write-up on my workshop in her Backstage blog:
2-week commercial intensive for all levels:
THURSDAYS, APRIL 19 & 26 – 2 SPOTS LEFT
6 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
MAX 8 STUDENTS
My Silver Lake Studio
$250
SUNDAYS, MAY 6 & 13 – ROSTER NOW OPEN
11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
MAX 8 STUDENTS
My Silver Lake Studio
$250
TUESDAYS, MAY 22 & 29 – ROSTER NOW OPEN
6 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
MAX 8 STUDENTS
My Silver Lake Studio
$250
This class is designed for all levels: those who are practiced in the commercial audition world as well as those of you who are new to the game. Trust me, you’ll learn the most from a class made-up of students with diverse backgrounds. I used to separate students by experience level, but I realized those with years in the commercial game do not consistently have better audition skills. Also, those who are green have the most to teach us about instinct and personality.
I started teaching this workshop at the urging of my agent, other actors at my agency, and other improvisers at IOWest. Through word-of-mouth my student base has grown far and wide. I really do love watching both old pros and new commercial actors transform so quickly into confident auditioners. I am not an acting teacher, but what my classes and private sessions offer are a chance to check your honesty, your technique, and your confidence.
There are no secret methods to booking commercials.
The people who are cast in commercials are aspirational. That is, we “aspire” to be them because they are happy, healthy, or funny.
My workshop focuses on identifying your most aspirational self and backing up each and every one of your auditions with likeable honesty and solid technique. All work is taped and played back in class so you can easily see where you are being successful and also where you need to improve.
I am a working actress who enjoys sharing my insight with others. I do not want to open an actor training center and I am not trying to sell you a motivational DVD. I just like teaching. I learn when you learn.
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CONTACT ME & SIGN UP
In order to reserve a spot in my workshops, I ask that a deposit of half the class fee be paid upfront. If you are interested in enrolling, please send me an e-mail to jill@jillforpromqueen.com including the following:
- how you found out about my class.
- who your commercial agent is (if you have one) - & what types of roles you audition for commercially.
- your phone number.
I will get back to you to confirm your spot, arrange payment for your deposit, and give you all the details.
* PRIVATE COACHING
I offer private sessions at a rate of $80/hour for new clients. I encourage everyone to do the group work, but sometimes a private is just what you need to prep for a big callback or remind yourself that you know what you’re doing! We can work on ANYTHING you want to work on. I have tons of material or you can bring your own. You can work cold or you can prepare ahead of time. We can work on theatrical sides or put you on tape for a submitted audition. Let me know what you need help with and I will be up front about where my expertise may be of value. E-mail me at jill@jillforpromqueen.com to schedule a session.
* AGENT HUNTER:
Looking for your first agent? Or need new commercial representation?
AGENT HUNTER helps you get signed with the right commercial agent.
Out of the 96 clients have who completed their mailings as advised, 94 have signed with representation that they are psyched about. Combined together, those 96 clients garnered a more than 400 agency meetings. Several have also signed with theatrical representation as a result of this mailing.
Simply put: the method works. I get consistent feedback from agents that when an actor has worked with me they come in prepared, organized, and always armed with great headshots.
It is my belief that a targeted mass mailing with a clean and concise submission package is the BEST way to get the commercial agent that is right for you. If you are relying on referrals or recommendations, you’re limiting the scope of your search. Every agency is different; the one you want to be with is the one that “gets” you. You want to be the first person that pops into your agent’s head when a breakdown comes out for your type.
By casting a wide net with the right package, you know exactly which agencies are excited to meet you.
AGENT HUNTER helps you brand your submission to stand out from the rest. You’ll walk away armed with everything you need to make the most out of your commercial rep mass mailing:
- Wardrobe styling session (for headshots and auditions)
- Branded cover letter
- Resume review and reformat
- Headshot selection from your new or old film
- Up-to-date and targeted mailing labels for my list of the most active & best commercial agencies
- Website & reel review
- Step by step guidance and feedback through the entire process
My current rate for Agent Hunter is $250/session for workshop alumni, $275/session for new clients. This rate covers 2 to 2.5 hours in person plus additional follow ups via e-mail/phone up to 90 days after your appointment. I am usually scheduling these appointments about a month out.
If you’re interested in hunting for theatrical representation, yes, I can help you. The process is slightly adapted from a commercial agent hunt and is most effective when you have both a reel and resume that shows you’ve been honing your craft. Please contact me if you have questions regarding this specific aspect of my consulting work.
“THANK YOU! You are the BEST money I have ever spent in L.A. for my career!!!” – Jenn W.
“I cannot thank you enough for a all your help. I literally could not have done it without you!” – Scott P.
“You’re incredible to work with. You go above and beyond your fee for consulting” – Sona S.
“I’m so thankful for all the agency meetings. I couldn’t have done it without you!” – Gina B.
“This has been so great. I know it sounds cheesy but you’re very empowering and this whole process has given me so much, aside from the awesome representation. Thanks!” - Rachel S.
“So, what commercials have you been in?”
Here’s some of my recent work in just over 60 seconds:
NICE STUFF PEOPLE HAVE SAID:
” I told some actress friends about it right away. It’s a great opportunity and a rarity to have a WORKING actor give a workshop like this (as opposed to a “has been” actor with lots of time on their hands!)
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-Jane Sobo, Casting Director/Owner – Sobo Casting
“You can’t get anything better than a class from The Queen of Commercials!”
-Dawn Goodson, Head Commercial Agent – The House of Representatives
“Jill is the BEST!!!”
-Doug Mangskau, Casting Director, Owner – Eastside Studios Casting
“I endorse this; Can’t turn on the telly without seeing her pop up in an ad”
-Catherine Eng, Casting Director, Owner – Catherine Eng Casting
“I endorse this class 100%. Jill has been a client of mine for many years and I have booked her on countless commercials, what she can teach others is worth millions
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-Chaim Magnum, Agent/Vice-President – LemonLime Agency
“Thanks for sharing and helping our actors get those bookings!”
-Mimi Mayer, Head Agent – Angel City Talent
“How great that you are doing this. I can imagine why actors want to workshop with you.”
-Cathi Carlton, Casting Director/Owner – Cathi Carlton Casting
“Every time I go to pick up a check, I have to wade through all of Jill’s. I hate her. Don’t you want to be hated for having more checks than you can bother to pick up???”
-Joel Huggins, Actor/Design-Guru/LemonLime Client
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EVEN MORE NICE STUFF. ALL OF IT UNSOLICITED:
“Jill, you are a fantastic coach! I booked just days after our one-on-one! I am feeling really comfy and confident, thanks to you…I want to continue the work. You are amazing.”
Keri Salter- Shahidi
“Jill, I have to say that I do what you taught me in class and guess what… IT WORKED OUT!!! I have booked 3 nationals back to back! Sending some love right NOW!!!!!!!”
- Germann Legarreta
“Thanks for your workshop! I just booked my first commercial.
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- Julisa Smith
“Hey…I just wanted to thank you for a great class. I will highly recommend it to anyone I can. You are genuinely interested in helping people tap into their strengths and find success. Which is awesome.”
- Brandon Sornberger
“I just booked a national commercial because of you!!! Thanks for helping me get the confidence to COMPLETELY be me in the room!!!!!!”
- Cory Jacob
“Your class really did help me. Seriously. I booked the first audition I had after finishing your workshop. Not much else needs to be said. You are a world champion.”
-Graham Douglas
“Just booked another job… I would jump off a cliff if you told me to.”
- Graham Douglas
“What had been unnerving about auditioning was trying to fit the mold of whatever role I was called in for, and so was constantly trying to reshape myself depending on the role at hand. Your workshop taught me to not worry about that so much, and to just relax and be myself, which is exactly how I booked the AmEx spot!”
- Ryder Palmere
“Since the workshop, I’ve booked a commercial for Samsung, I was on hold for Payless and my callback rate has gone way up. Your workshops were SUPER helpful! I’ve been recommending them to everyone.”
- Colleen Lovejoy
“Booked a national commercial for vtech phones!!!!!!! Thank you for everything!!! Seriously, I couldn’t have done it without your amazing coaching!”
- Erin Stegeman
“Just wanted to let you know I booked 2 of my 3 auditions last week, including my first SAG spot through Francene Selkirk’s office. I’ve definitely been taking what you say with me everywhere I go! Thanks, Jill!”
- Judalina Neira
“Because of the feedback I got from watching myself on camera, and the permission from you to bring myself 100% to the session each time, I feel a new freedom in my auditions and am having a hell of a lot more fun! (In my career and my life–yes, I said it.) Thank you for breathing new life into what I have to give as an actor and as a human being.”
- B. Love Orr
“I wanted to let you know that I have signed commercially with the Daniel Hoff Agency! I feel so fortunate! Thanks so much for sharing your time and talent. I also feel fortunate to have met you!”
- Doreen Westfall
“More good news! I just booked a national!!! It was a big opportunity to use the skills from your class – I just used my personality. At the callback, I kept telling myself ‘they already want to work with you, they just want to make sure you’re directable, affable and not problematic.’ It really helped me stay calm so I could be directed. But I think the biggest thing is that I never ‘asked for the job.; I just went in and behaved as if we were shooting the spot right then! For some reason, it totally took the pressure off, and I was able to be creative and funny! Again, big thanks to you and your class!”
- Malcolm Devine
“Jill, I booked a BIG O TIRES commercial thanks again to the confidence I got from your workshop!”
- Keong Sim
“Hey Jill, I just wanted to drop you an e-mail and let you know how much I am enjoying and learning from your class. I feel like I should have taken your class 2 years ago. It is so great to hear aboutnot just auditioning for the main role, but all the roles that take place in commercials. Along with learning so much, I feel like you have resparked my fire for auditioning. Thanks for all the feed back and knowledge.”
- Matt Brown
“Hi Jill, I’ve been eagerly reading all of your student’s success stories from your commercial workshop eager to add my own and now I can…I booked my first real commercial! Your workshop helped me gain the confidence to go in and simply be myself. I was called back for a different role that I had read for so I went in ready to read for a new character and all your work on showing your personality in the room helped me nail the role for the first time in the callback. Thank you much!”
- Matt Sheelen
“I just booked a national Dodge! I know it had a lot to do with your class, reminding me of the simple stuff you so often forget, and the all around confidence boost….so, thank you Miss Jill Alexander!”
- Sunah Bilsted
“Thank you for such an amazing couple weeks of class! I learned a ton about commercial auditions, but also a ton about myself. That’s how I know it was a great class! I feel much more confident & calm about auditions knowing I can just be ME, and I feel much less confused about how to market myself. I really appreciate it, Jilll!”
- Sarah McDermott
