The 10 Commandments of a Great Self Tape Audition
Self-taping is a must-know skill for any actor serious about working in film or television. There’s no way around it. Self tape auditions are the first round for 90% of casting calls, so if you want to work in this industry, you might as well get good at it.
For this guide, I’m focusing on how to film self tapes using a smartphone. This is by far the easiest and cheapest setup, not to mention the most portable. Smartphones today are equipped with fantastic cameras and microphones, making them a great option for actor self tapes. Some even let you switch between lenses, which is great for getting a close-up without losing quality. Add a few key pieces of self taping equipment, and you’ll have a professional-looking self tape setup without breaking the bank.
The other piece of equipment that you’ll need is some kind of a tripod with a clamping device to hold your phone. The tripod with the most flexibility — literally — and figuratively, is the Gorillapod Stand Pro. You can wrap it around just about anything so that it’s positioned where you need it. My setup at home is fairly elaborate but the Gorillapod is still an essential part of my traveling self-tape studio. I’ve wrapped mine around a coat hanger and hung it off a lampshade. Honestly, they’re great.
Before you start, make sure that you are in a place where you won’t be interrupted by other people in your home. Also make sure that there aren’t loud noises, like lawnmowers or barking dogs, that could distract from your audition.
The 10 Commandments of Selftaping
USE LANDSCAPE MODE: Always film in landscape (horizontal) mode. It mimics how we watch movies and TV. Many casting directors even request that your phone’s camera lens be on the left side. And please—never use the selfie camera. The rear camera is far better for self tape auditions.
USE PROPER FRAMING: The ideal framing, unless otherwise requested, is from just below your armpits to just over the top of your head. Why? Because the casting director, director, or producer wants to be able to see your face, most especially, your eyes. If they also request a full body shot, they want to see your ENTIRE BODY in the frame. What they don’t want to see is a slow pan from your feet up to the top of your head. Feet. Knees. Hip. Chest… you get the idea (I hope).
USE GOOD LIGHTING: Natural light is ideal. Position yourself facing a window so the light hits your face (not your back). If you’re taping at night or in a dark room, invest in a ring light or softbox. Both are must-haves for your self taping equipment.
USE A NEUTRAL BACKGROUND: A blank wall in a neutral color works great. Ideally, nothing other than the wall is behind you. We should not be able to tell which room you’re in or what you had for breakfast. If you want to up your game you could use a backdrop in grey or blue, though grey is the preferred color of most casting directors. They’re the preferred colors for actor self tapes and make your audition look clean and polished. I use a popup backdrop like the one in the photo above. The velcro makes it really easy to hang off a curtain rod but you could also just prop it up on a table.
FIND A GOOD READER: A reader is someone who reads the scene with you. Ideally, this is someone who will read the other part(s) in a way that helps you react and connect emotionally to your part. Pick a good actor with great diction and you can’t go wrong. You don’t want their bad acting skills or lazy pronunciation to be a distraction. The reader should stand to the immediate left or right of your camera but they should not be visible in the frame. This will put your eyeline close to the camera lens without looking directly into it. NEVER, unless requested, look directly into the camera. Your reader should also try not to be too loud. You don’t want your reader to be louder than you are. If you don’t know anyone who can help you then try out WeAudition. They have a ton of actors who are willing to help with your audition for a nominal fee or sometimes even for free.
DRESS FOR THE ROLE: The clothes you choose should suggest the character you are portraying. There’s no need to wear a lab coat and stethoscope if you’re auditioning to be a doctor but you shouldn’t wear a tank top and flip-flops either. Avoid white (too reflective), patterns, or skin tones. Solid, bold colors work best for self tape auditions. Avoid gimmicky items like hats or flashy jewelry. If you are going to wear glasses make sure they are non-glare.
ENSURE YOUR EYES ARE ALWAYS VISIBLE: We need to see your eyes and how they express emotion. It’s okay to look away, or down, or even close them for a beat to convey emotion but make sure you don’t do this for too long or too often.
BE OFF BOOK: Learn your lines. Nothing ruins a self tape audition faster than fumbling with a script. Plus, we want to see your eyes, not your sides.
MAKE STRONG CHOICES: Break down your script so that you are confident in the choices you make. Every line (from all the characters, not just your lines) should have meaning for you. If something doesn’t make sense, call the casting director and ask questions. Though be sure not to waste their time with lazy questions that you could have answered yourself if you had done your homework. Know where you’re coming from and where you’re going. Know what you want. Take us on a journey from beginning to end with your emotions. If you make the choice to start the scene angry you might want to end with forgiveness, sad to happy, or confused to clear. These are obviously just examples. The main thing is to show a full range of emotions. End on a strong note and DO NOT BREAK CHARACTER.
EDIT YOUR SELFTAPE: Make sure to edit out the beginning before the scene starts and the end after you have finished your scene. Almost all computers these days have some sort of editing program but even your cell phone will let you cut the front and back of a video clip.
Final Tips for Self-Taping
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to self taping for auditions, these self tape tips will help you create a professional, memorable audition. With the right self tape setup equipment and attention to detail, you can showcase your talent in a way that gets you noticed.
Now go crush it—and break a leg!
And by the way, if you’re a trained actor, serious about your career but struggling to get to the next level, then book an appointment with me. It’s free, and together we can figure out if you’re a good fit for my program, and if you’re not, we’ll figure out the next best steps for your journey together.
Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.
Anne
