For actors all over the world, self-tape auditions are the new norm. The trend started during the pandemic, and producers never looked back. So here we are. Here’s a little guide to help you do it right.
A Self-Tape? What is it?
If you’re already a professional actor in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal, you know what a self-tape is. Still, you may be struggling with your self-tape kit. And you may not be sure about what equipment is best for your space.
If you’re not a professional actor, a self-tape set up reproduces the environment found at casting offices where actors are “put on tape” (i.e. where they’re filmed) for auditions.
In the old days, filming was done on actual film tape. The expression stuck even though we’re now in the digital age. A self-tape is essentially an audition that’s filmed at the actor’s home instead of at a casting office.
Here are the 4 most important elements you should consider when setting up a self-tape kit:
1. Filming your Self-Tape Audition
While you can use a fancy camera, using your smartphone is absolutely fine. In fact, it’s become the norm for self-tapes. Just make sure you’re filming horizontally and that you’re framed from the mid-chest area up to the top of your head. with a bit of space above your head.
Your slate can be filmed vertically to make sure your entire body is filmed.
If you’re unfamiliar with slating, it’s when you say your name, height, city you reside in, and agency representative at the start of an audition. It identifies you to casting.
2. Your Backdrop
Never have anything distracting behind you as you film yourself. It will 100% take the audience’s attention away from your performance. You want them to be glued to you. Not your books, your plants, or your posters.
The industry standard is to use a light grey or light blue background. Darker background colors can be distracting. If you don’t have a plain surface to film in front of, you can pin a sheet to the wall behind you to cover distractions.
To take it up a notch, use a self-tape backdrop.
3. Lighting your Self-Tape Audition
Since we usually connect with people through our eyes, casting needs to see them clearly. That means having great lighting!
If you don’t have natural light coming into the room you want to film in, or to have more flexibility, use a softbox lighting kit. Using two boxes in front of you (on the left and right, angled towards you) is best to avoid distracting shadows on your face or in the background.
If you want a kit that includes a background photography stand, you can get something like this (umbrellas are not needed).
4. Hearing your Audition
You’d be surprised at how difficult it can be to hear self-tape auditions. Aside from lighting, bad audio is the number one element of self-taping casting directors complain about.
To get it right, make sure your reader keeps their voice low, especially since they’ll usually be standing closer to the camera than you (readers usually stand right next to the camera to give the auditioner a good eye line). It may feel odd to the reader, but keep a low voice near the camera is incredibly helpful.
These days however, you’re more likely to rely on a fellow actor who won’t come to you in person. In this case, you reader can read the scene on the phone with you, or on Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp, etc. This can work well from an acting standpoint, but your reader’s dialog may sound distorted.
If your reader’s lines aren’t clear, some of your reactions to them may seem strange or out of context. To fix this, get your reader to record their audio on their end (their phone is fine) while you’re filming your self-tape. When you’re done filming, get them to send you the audio so you can marry it to your video.
This will require more advanced video editing skills but it can be worth the extra trouble. Though not necessary, VO editing skills wouldn’t hurt you either!
An Audition Worth Watching
If you get these 4 elements right, your audition will look and sound professional, and you’ll stand out for all the right reasons. Since self-tapes are the new norm, they’re likely here to stay, so they’re worth getting right.
On that note, you may want to consider Voice Acting during the pandemic as going to set is a bit more complicated these days. Why not earn money with your acting talent AND be safe working from home?
My name is Lili Wexu. I’m an actress, a voice talent and an author. For more tips about acting professionally, read my e-book about Acting in Hollywood.
