👋 LA Musician Newsletter
Self-tapes are important when auditioning for acting roles. Casting directors and directors will see these tapes first, so it's important to make them look as professional as possible!
We'll cover everything from equipment to lighting and audio, so that you can stand out and have a better chance of landing the role!
1. Invest in Good Lighting
Lighting is crucial when it comes to creating high-quality self tapes. It ensures that your face is evenly lit, allowing your expressions and emotions to be clearly visible.
2. Pay Attention to Your Sound Quality
While visuals are important, sound quality should not be overlooked. To ensure clean and directional audio, make sure to turn off any noisy appliances or fans that could interfere with your self tape.
3. Neutralize Your Background
A distracting background can take the focus away from your performance. To keep your casting directors engaged and immersed in the scene, it's important to neutralize your background.
Remember, the spotlight should be on you, not on what's happening behind you.
4. Find a Great Reader
Acting is a collaborative art, even in the realm of self tapes.
A great reader can elevate your performance and help you deliver a more compelling audition.
5. Choose Specific Eye Lines
Eye lines play a crucial role in creating a natural flow on camera. When performing self tapes, it's important to choose specific eye lines for each character in the scene.
This helps to establish a connection with your virtual scene partner and makes your performance more authentic.
6. Be Off-Book
Unlike live auditions, self tapes allow you the advantage of selecting the perfect take. To fully engage with your performance, make sure to be off-book.
Being off-book not only boosts your confidence but also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the scene.
7. Finding the Perfect Setup
When setting up your self-tape area, it is important to consider various factors such as lighting and background noise. To create the ideal setup, a wall with good lighting and minimal background noise is recommended.
8. Choosing the Right Camera
While a high-quality smartphone is acceptable for self-tapes, using a DSLR or mirrorless camera offers certain advantages.
These cameras can provide background blur and reduced lens distortion, capturing accurate facial features and enhancing the overall quality of your self-tape.
9. Mastering the Three-Point Lighting Technique
Proper lighting can make or break your self-tape. The three-point lighting technique is highly recommended for achieving professional-looking results.
This technique involves using a key light, a fill light, and a hair/accent light to create depth and a natural look. Balancing the intensity and temperature of the lights is essential to create the desired effect.
10. Attention to Detail
Details matter in self-tapes. From using post-it notes to map out sight lines to choosing appropriate outfits that reflect the character, paying attention to detail can take your self-tapes to the next level.
While a full costume is usually unnecessary, simple makeup that aligns with the character is recommended.
11. Creating a Checklist and Being Well-Prepared
Regardless of the camera being used, check memory card storage, phone space, lighting setup, microphone functioning, autofocus, framing, and background distractions.
Don't forget to slate the audition scenes before recording to provide clear information to casting directors.
12. Editing and Delivering the Final Self-Tape
After recording, it's time to edit and deliver your self-tape. Review the requirements from the casting director and arrange the clips accordingly.
- Do you need to upload to Actors Access?
- Does your email need a headshot attached?
Consider adding a slate at the beginning or end of your self-tape.
Finally, export the final video, label it correctly, and deliver it using options like WeTransfer, Dropbox, or a private Vimeo link.