So you're looking to create your own TV commercial. First, what is your goal with this commercial? Will it be for regular television or Internet TV? Who is it supposed to reach? How long will it be? What is your budget? All of the answers to these questions will be crucial as you go through the process of creating your TV advertisement.
Instructions
1. Develop a concept for your TV commercial. Will it be humorous or informative? Thrilling or muted? Will it sell the product or service through fear tactics (as is done with many "stop smoking" commercials) or will it present a feel-good message that will make your viewers want to run out and buy whatever it is you're selling as soon as possible? Regardless of how you plan to present your message, you have to communicate the utility of your product or service in your concept.
2. Write your script for the commercial. Be sure to keep the writing for your commercial in the interest of time (15, 20, 30, and 60 second commercials are common). See the "Resources" section below for more information on write a commercial script.
3. Hire a camera crew (including a camera operator, grip, and electrical team) or enlist students from an audio visual department of a school near you to shoot the commercial. Be sure that they use camera equipment to meet your shooting standards and ask for samples. The camera crew will also be able to guide you in the right direction as far as edit and produce your TV commercial to make it ready for television.
4. Hire actors and actresses to fit your script for the commercial. If you do not have the experience, hire a professional director to oversee the production and guide the actors. You can find all of these people on Craigslist or by placing an ad on Backstage.com. The director, actors, and the camera equipment used will be very important to the finished quality of your television spot.
5. Find a set for your TV commercial or get permits from your town to shoot outdoors. Choose a professional studio with plenty of space to house the crew and good lighting or a safe, large outside lot. Hire a crew that specializes in constructing sets (see the example under "Resources").
6. Schedule a date and shoot your commercial according to your script. You might want to schedule a short run-through beforehand with all of the actors and the director present (no cameras needed) to be sure that everyone is on the same page. If your commercial will be shot outdoors, be sure to pick a day that has clear weather. Choose a backup date or have a plan that you have already set with your cast and crew in case the weather does not permit the commercial to be completed as originally scheduled.
7. Work with the camera crew to edit the footage and prepare your TV commercial to be submitted to television stations to be broadcast or to be uploaded to Internet web sites.
