SC Agricultural Commercial — 2026

Overview

Out of 1,800 submissions, one audition stood out

I submitted for this project myself through Actors Access. The role: adult sister in a character-based agricultural commercial. I ended up getting auditions for both spots, watermelon and peaches (one for the sister and one for the mother, respectively), produced for a state agricultural agency. I looped in my Southeast agency contact once I received notice of the booking.

The client received over 1,800 submissions with headshots for the whole project. Only 9 talent booked it. On set, the client mentioned that my audition stood out because it was fun and realistic — not actor-y.

To be completely honest, I submitted for this job knowing that it wasn't going to pay well after travel expenses (session rate only). But this particular project was close to home for me, growing up on a rural farm in southeast Alabama that grew peaches, watermelon, peanuts, and even cotton. It was more like a legacy project for me.

How the Scope Grew

The pitch-up moment

The on-camera booking was the work. The day was basically only b-roll — no dialogue from on-camera talent. I was playing the role of the adult sister, on a farm, having a family picnic. And while I was on set, I thought: this kind of footage almost always gets a voiceover laid over it.

So the morning after wrap, I sent a direct email to the director and 1st AD: were they adding VO to either of these spots? I mentioned my own studio, Source Connect availability, and offered to share my demo. The 1st AD replied that he'd forward the inquiry to the director.

I don't know yet if that loop will close. To be fair, in my experience this is where the trail goes quiet. But hey — can't say no if you don't even ask. I showed up, did the work, and made the offer, regardless of the outcome.

Sometimes it's what you do on a farm in the middle of nowhere at 4pm, drive all night to get home at 1:00am, and then act on the next morning with a direct email.

The Process

What the collaboration actually looked like

I submitted through Actors Access, got two auditions, submitted both, and confirmed my availability directly. The 1st AD handled paperwork — a Deal Memo, Talent Release Form, and W9. They were all signed and returned before the shoot. Wardrobe sizes went to the stylist. (That part had a four-day communication gap that required a follow-up, but it was resolved.)

I arrived early on shoot day. I'd had a tire pressure warning the day before (drove five hours to Augusta) and checked it that morning leaving the hotel — it looked fine — but I wasn't taking chances on a long drive to a property I'd never been to, so I left with ample time. Which meant I could settle in once I arrived.

The property was beautiful. When I got there, one home was being used for the peaches spot, another set up as holding and green room for talent, with wardrobe and HMU stationed there. The wardrobe stylist had clearly done her homework — she had everything you could ever need.

My call time was noon. I didn't start filming until around 4:30pm. Lunch was great — due to the rural location, they had catering available on set. There were roughly seven kids on set ranging from about 4 to 11 years old. They'd been there longer than I had and had a lot of energy to get out of their system. I used my spare time to get to know people and figure out how on-schedule the shots were running.

When it was my turn, we managed to work around some afternoon showers, fruit flies, and enjoyed a good amount of watermelon. Upon wrap, they let us take home baskets of peaches, watermelon, and even corn.

Client Feedback

"Your auditions really set you apart"

What I'd Do Differently

One process change, moving forward

Wardrobe sizing. I submitted sizes that were a bit generous — some of what the stylist pulled didn't fit as well as it should have, including the dress that ended up being selected for the shoot. She was able to tape the sleeves, which helped a lot. And she made sure I knew before I left: "In the future: You're a size small."

She was right. Going forward, I'll submit specific measurements alongside size ranges, with notes on where I actually run small versus where I tend toward medium. It's a small fix on my end that removes a friction point on theirs — and avoids a few headaches and wasted time on set.

The Takeaway