Self Tapes: How to Stand Out from the Rest!
Today, we are going to talk about another staple of virtual casting: the self-tape.
Self-Tapes have been around for a while, and are frequently used in the film and television industries. This year, we have seen a significant increase in the amount of THEATER projects utilizing self-tapes. No matter what kind of actor you are, which coast you call home, or what kind of projects you work on, it is clear that self-tapes are here to stay. So, what can you do to make your self-tape stand out and get the callback? Let’s review them here:
1. Treat a self-tape like a regular audition
This is a basic but important tip. You should put the same amount of preparation into your self-tape as you would for a live and in person audition. This means making sure you are off book with the material and being dressed in an appropriate and professional manner. Read the self-tape instructions carefully to make sure you don’t miss any detail of what casting is asking from you.
2. Find the right space
Ideally, your self-tape should be against a plain background in a well lit area of your home - white is great, blue is ever better! If this isn’t possible, find the blankest possible backdrop and be sure you are in a quiet area with little to no background noise. You want the casting director to focus on you as much as possible, so try to eliminate anything that might be distracting.
3. Have the right equipment
This is where you can really make your self-tape stand out. Making sure you have quality lighting, video, and audio will go a long way. Most smartphones these days have excellent quality, but if you don’t have one consider purchasing a camera and microphone. You don’t need to bankrupt yourself, but investing in a decent quality camera for your self-tapes can definitely pay off in the long run. You should also have a tripod that fits whatever camera you have. A simple and affordable trick that will elevate your self-tape game is to purchase an inexpensive ring light and a solid blue background. There are many options at a variety of price points. Get your self tape setup ready for prime time and give casting a professional feel without spending a fortune.
4. Read the instructions … twice!
We mentioned this before, and it may seem obvious but be sure to read every detail of the instructions provided to you by casting, and pay attention to the context of the scene or sides you are reading. In fact, read them twice to be 150% sure!
Instructions from casting often ask you to slate in specific ways, set up the shots at certain angles and name your file in a particular way. Read the scene for information on how to set up the tape as well. If the character is sitting, you should be sitting. If the character is writing, you should have a pen and paper. Occasionally, you’ll have to edit a file, or compress it to meet a size standard, be sure you do that as instructed! Follow the instructions and you’ll send a strong positive message that you can follow directions.
We hope these tips are helpful to you, and that you can use them to elevate your self-tape game for your next submission! As always, if you want to know more or have any questions, click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation!
Stay tuned to the Stage Door Designs blog, next week we launch our “Back to School” series! We’ll be taking 4 weeks to cover all the basics EVERY actor needs to know. We’ll see you then!
