Shaan Sharma
Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2007, Shaan Sharma has quickly grown into one of the most respected and sought-after educators for on-camera acting craft, acting business knowledge, and career strategy.
www.StoryTellersConservatory.com
Shaan is a working Commercial and Theatrical SAG-AFTRA Actor, booking over 40 top network TV shows and films, and 30 national commercials in the last 5 years. He is a top Casting Session Director for 45 L.A. Casting Directors over 10 years, casting 400+ projects.
He is a Backstage Expert Contributing Writer with 50+ published advice articles for actors and author of acclaimed book, “Commercial Acting in L.A.: A Session Director’s Guide.” Available at Samuel French and everywhere online including:
Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2yz7jGH
He is also an On-Camera Acting Teacher, Private Coach, and Founder of the The Storytellers Conservatory.
He serves as a SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Board of Directors Member, National Board Replacement, and is Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory Subcommittees on Curriculum and Faculty, Commercial & Theatrical.
He is also a University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts, Guest Lecturer for Kevin McCorkle.
www.StoryTellersConservatory.com
www.Instagram.com/shaan_sharma
www.twitter.com/shaansharma
Facebook: Shaan Sharma
^^ PLEASE USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION ABOVE! ^^
Type any question you have about acting, and you'll find the answer you need provided by experts, educators, working actors, and/or SAG-AFTRA board members working in the industry today.
Please email [email protected] with any question that has not been answered and we will add the answer ASAP.
-
Meet Shaan Sharma: Actor, Educator, Casting Professional & Union Leader
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWho is Shaan Sharma?
What is the storytellers conservatory?
What does Shaan Sharma do for a living?
Where can I learn about commercial acting?
how can I be better p... -
How Are Commercial Auditions Different To Theatrical?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWhat can I expect from a commercial audition?
I'm going to my first commercial audition, what should I prepare?
Who is casting commercials?
What kind of direction s... -
Why Are There More Non Union Commercial Auditions Than There Used To Be?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWhy isn't SAG stopping all these non-union actors taking our jobs?
Why is SAG not helping its union actors again the rise of non-union jobs?
Why are non-union ads t... -
What Is The SAG Conservatory Summer Intensive?
with Shaan Sharma, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comShould I go to the SAG Conservatory summer intensive?
Is the SAG Conservatory summer intensive for me?
Who teaches at the SAG Conservatory summer intensive?
Can I go to the SAG Conservatory s... -
How Can I Get A Commercial Agent?
with Shaan Sharma, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWhat is the process of getting a commercial agent?
What is personalized outreach?
How can I get a commercial agent?
Why can't I get a commercial agent?
What are some steps to getting a commer... -
Casting Is Seeing So Many People, Should I Just Sneak Into Friends?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comCan I get away with just rocking up to commercial auditions?
Will casting be mad if I ask if I rock up and ask to audition?
Can I hover round the session and ask if... -
What Are Some Tips For Doing Direct To Camera Commercial Auditions?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comHow can I get better at direct to camera auditions?
Are direct to camera auditions common?
Who should I pretend the camera is at direct to camera auditions?
How can... -
How Many Commercials Auditions Should I Expect A Month?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comAm I going out for commercial casting enough?
Is my agent getting my out enough commercially?
How many times do other actors go out commercially?
How many auditions... -
What Are The Downfalls Of Doing Non-Union Commercials?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comAre non-union commercials dangerous?
Will I be looked after on non-union commercials?
Will I be safe on non-union commercial?
Why am I being paid so little on a non... -
Will The CD Or Commercial Agent Notice If I Skip This Casting Today?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comCan I get away with flaking on a commercial audition today?
Will the CD even care if I don't go to this commercial audition?
Will I get black listed if I miss a com... -
How Can I Get My Agent To Put Me Up For More Comedic Commercials?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWho tends to get seen for comedy castings in the commercial work?
What training attracts a commercial casting director?
How can I convince my agent I'm funny for co... -
How Important Is Improvisation In Commercial Castings?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comShould I improve my improv skills for commercial castings?
Why is improv helpful in commercial castings?
Why does casting look for improvisation experience for comm... -
Why Doesn't The Commercial Casting Director Remember Me?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comIs it bad the commercial CD doesn't remember me?
How can I build a rapport with a commercial casting director?
Why does the commercial casting director not know my ... -
What Is Required At A Print Campaign Audition?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comDo I do direct to camera chats for print auditions?
Is it a photoshoot for print campaign auditions?
Do I slate at a print campaign audition?
What should I expect a... -
How Many People Are Seen For A Typical SAG-AFTRA Commercial?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comHow many people am I competing against in order to book this commercial?
What is the range of people being seen for each role on an ad?
How many are calling in for ... -
I Am Running Late For My Commercial Auditon... Who Do I Call?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comIf I'm running late, do I call casting?
Do I call my agent if I'm running late?
I'm running late, is there any point going to the commercial casting now?
Will I be ... -
The CD Has Asked If I've Done Fast Food Commercials Before, Should I Lie?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comShould I avoid telling casting about conflicts?
Should I offer up conflicts to casting?
How can I avoid telling a CD that I have done similar ads in the past?
How c... -
The Wait Time For This Commercial Audition Is An Hour, Is This Normal?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWhy do I have to wait so long at a commercial audition?
Why are commercial casting offices always such a long wait?
What is the maximum time I should wait at a comm... -
Can I Say No To A Commercial Audition?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comCan I say no to commercials I don't like?
Can I turn down brands I disagree with?
I don't feel like going to a commercial audition, is that OK?
I hate commercial au... -
My Agent Has Sent Me In For A Brand I've Already Done A Commercial for...?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comIs it good or bad if I've worked for this brand before?
Do I disclose that I've done this series of spots before?
Is it in my favor if I've worked for this brand pr... -
What Do I Do If I'm Partnered With A Bad Scene Partner In A Commercial Auditon?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comMy scene partner is ruining my commercial audition - help!
Can I ask to do my commercial audition with a different scene partner?
How do I get out of working with a... -
What Is A Third Call Commercial Audition?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comWhy would I need to go back in for a casting after a commercial call back?
Are there chemistry reads in commercials?
Do I get paid for third call commercial auditio... -
I Am Going For A Very American Brand - Should I Conceal My Foreign Accent?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comCan I be honest about my accent in commercial castings?
Should I reveal my true accent in commercial castings?
Is being foreign not good for all american brands?
Ca... -
Should I Touch The Other Actor In My Commercial Audition?
With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
www.StoryTellersConservatory.comShould I ask the other performer if I can touch them in a commercial audition?
How do I know how far to go with touching my scene partner in a commercial audition?
...
