Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Pay Rate for Commercials

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Expert: - 6/19/2007


Question
Hi Taylor,

I was wondering if you could give me a breakdown on pay rates for commercials?  I know that in the old days - ;) - national commercials paid pretty well.  However, with the fading of such ads and the great variation in the local industry, it's hard to gather even a ballpark for the field.  I would really appreciate any information you can afford me.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Farrah,

Yeah, it's all a new game!
Years ago, we would get "buyouts" here in Texas. Great upfront cash, but no residuals. :(

Now we get SAG scale (usually)...problem is, very few commercial run long, so residuals are a moot point, and the scale is pitiful compared to the buyout money of the day!

Check the tables at: http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/Content/Public/2006CommMOA.pdf
for nationals, and go to www.sag.org and look up regional offices (and info for your state/area).
Texas is a right to work state (read: union flexible) so we have a lot of jobs done cheaper than they could do them elsewhere. Still, the union does monitor signatory ad agencies for some protection for talent, even if you are not SAG, which is a smart idea when looking for potential members!
A lot of stuff the happens locally gets negotiated in relation to what SAG scale or SAG Regional rates should be.

Hope I have helped a bit...
Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Taylor Sheppard

Expertise

I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.

Experience

I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.

Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).

Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.

Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).

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