Commercials: Selling Out or Sailing In?

Jess Coulter is a commercial and short film director who has directed spots for IKEA, Dunkin', Progressive Insurance, Netflix, and more. Her AT&T commercial was featured during Super Bowl LVI. Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song dive into Jess' journey from NFL Cheerleader to NYC's improv scene to commercial director and how her past experiences have shaped her philosophy for on-set culture.    You can follow Jess on Instagram @CoulterGirl.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episodes on YouTube

Writer, producer, director, actor, and Groundlings Main Company member Annie Sertich joins Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song to discuss improvising for commercials. She's written for Disney, Paramount, MTV, and Nickelodeon and has been featured on The Office, Silicon Valley, 2 Broke Girls, Grey's Anatomy, and Station 19.   You can follow Annie on Instagram @AnnieSertich. Her one woman show "How To Not Kill Yourself For 30 Days… and the Next 330" will be featured at Groundlings on Oct. 13th and Dec. 15th. She'll be teaching an improv for commercials class in November. Follow her for the latest on how to sign up.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episodes on YouTube

LA's top commercial agent Jennifer York sits down with Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song to spill the sauce of what it's really like behind the scenes in LA's commercial acting scene. She discusses how her start on the casting side helped her build one of the most successful on-camera departments in the country as an agent.    You can follow Jennifer's work with DPN Talent on Instagram @DPNtallentllc.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episodes on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

Sarah May Bates sits down with Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song to discuss what the current and future ethical integration of AI looks like in the commercial production landscape. Sarah's currently the SVP Creative Director of AI and Innovation at RPA.   You can follow Sarah on Instagram @SarahMayB. Check out her podcast Help Me Be Me and her website YayWithMe.com.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episodes on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song speak to session director Henry Dittman about what goes on behind closed doors during a casting session. Henry gives all the do's and don't's of what session directors are looking for and how to best prepare yourself for success during a casting session, how to handle rejection, and what brands are seeking in actors.   You can follow Henry Dittman on his Instagram @HenryDittman and his Clippers Podcast ClipCast.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episode on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song sit down with Michael Strassner to discuss how commercial actors discover their personal brand in order to best present themselves for casting success. Michael dives into his own career as a commercial actor. Michael's credits include Parks and Recreation, Black-ish, Young Rock, Modern Family and he wrote and starred in The Baltimorons directed by Jay Duplass.   You can follow Michael Strassner on Instagram @Strasshola.   Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episode on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

So you've got your first audition, now what? Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song deep dive into audition etiquette "do's and don't's" when you're looking to book your first commercial.    Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episode on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

For actors serious about their craft, are commercials selling out or are they a way to sail into Hollywood? In this episode, Ryan Bernstein and Susan Song debunk the stigma that commercial acting is selling out. They take an in-depth look into how commercial acting is one of the best ways to break into Hollywood, get in front of directors, and build a solid reputation within casting circles.  Follow Inside Sauce on Instagram @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episode on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim

Inside Sauce is a podcast where casting director Ryan Bernstein and SAG-Aftra actor Susan Song pull back the curtain on the world of commercial acting. Together, they explore what it really takes to book commercials, from auditions and callbacks to agent relationships, casting decisions, and life on set. Drawing from both sides of the casting table, Ryan and Susan share insider stories, practical advice, and candid conversations that demystify the commercial acting business. Whether you're just getting started or already booking, they'll help you better understand the industry, sharpen your approach, and navigate your career with confidence. Since 2007, Ryan Bernstein has cast thousands of commercials for some of the world's most recognizable brands, including AT&T, Verizon, GEICO, State Farm, Apple, Nintendo, and many more. His work has appeared on some of the biggest stages in advertising, from the Super Bowl to the Olympics to primetime television and today's leading digital and social platforms. His ability to help curate casts that feel both aspirational and relatable has made him a trusted partner to agencies, brands, and production companies. Follow Ryan on Instagram @RMBCasting Susan Song is a Korean-American actor, writer, comedian from the San Francisco Bay Area, now based in Los Angeles. Over the past 10 years, Susan has appeared in more than 50 national commercials for brands including State Farm, Snickers, Apple, and AT&T. She's collaborated with acclaimed comedy commercial directors including David Shayne, Jim Jenkins, Jess Coulter, Tony Yacenda, Benji Weinstein, Martin Granger, and Tim & Eric. Follow her IG @Sujjang012   Follow Inside Sauce on IG @InsideSaucePodcast Watch full episode on YouTube   Produced by Stephen Loh Picture and Sound by Doug Brewer Edited by David Kim