Shaan Sharma

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

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Shaan Sharma
  • Meet Shaan Sharma: Actor, Educator, Casting Professional & Union Leader

    With Shaan Sharma, Storytellers Conservatory, Working Actor, Educator, Casting Pro, & Union Leader
    www.StoryTellersConservatory.com

    Who 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.com

    What 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.com

    Why 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.com

    Should 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.com

    What 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.com

    Can 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.com

    How 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.com

    Am 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.com

    Are 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.com

    Can 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.com

    Who 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.com

    Should 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.com

    Is 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.com

    Do 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.com

    How 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.com

    If 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.com

    Should 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.com

    Why 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.com

    Can 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.com

    Is 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.com

    My 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.com

    Why 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.com

    Can 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.com

    Should 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?
    ...