What Casting Directors look for in a Actors Self Tape and how to avoid Audition Common Mistakes
Aw yes, it's time to submit for an audition that requires a self tape or you couldn't make it to the in person audition. You go through all the hard work of recording yourself and you are ready to hit that submit button. Then you kick back, and think about getting that email that said you have a callback or got the part. But before you do, make sure you avoid some common mistakes that happen with self tapes. Avoiding these common self tape mistakes will go a long way in your acting career and avoid you missing out on the role due to a technical error.
1. Make sure your background is a wall/solid color.
When we are watching your self tape, we want our attention to be on you and your performance. You don't want to go record your self tape in the kitchen where we can see a bunch of snacks behind you and start to wonder what your diet is like. If the background is distracting then that is not good for you and your performance. A weird background is also a novice give away so use a backdrop or just find a well lit wall you can use. As long as the focus is on you, that's what matters most.
SImple and clean is the way to go. No distractions.
Here I am to busy trying to read that poster in the background instead of focusing on the performance. And what’s that on his kitchen counter?
2. Have a reader...
Having someone to read lines with you will greatly help bring the scene and your performance to life. This way you are not having to try and do both parts or have a weird awkward pause between your lines. Another important reason to have a reader is that we'll be able to pay attention to how you react to the other person's lines. This is sometimes more important than reading the dialog itself.
3. but avoid the goofy computer voices.
I can't tell how much of a comedic and distracting element is added when someone uses a Siri sounding or robotic voice to add the other person's lines. PLEASE AVOID THIS. Also do not record yourself and pitch change yourself to sound like the other characters. You'll be better served going without a reader then using goofy voices. Unless you're aiming to create a weird hilarious self tape that casting directors will laugh at for years to come, stick to using an actual human reader.
From the goofy voices, to the vertical video and the kicthen background, there are a number of issues with this self tape.
4. Your lines should be memorized, most of the time.
Having your lines memorized allows your performance to be alive and be confident. You'll be in the moment more and be able to incorporate your body movement into your performance which will add to performance and be more believable. You'll also show the casting director that you can offbook which looks good for being on set. This obviously takes more time than cold reading, but the benefits are worth it. Granted, some days you won't have time to allow for a fully off-book performance and you have to meet an submissions deadline.
5. Practice your cold reading skills for those instances.
You got six auditions that need to be turned in by the end of the week and it's time to go below zero with your scripts. Cold reading can work, but you can’t have your attention and eye contact so stuck in the pages that you’re not able to create a suspension of disbelief. Having your face buried in the page is a major turn off. Be sure to practice cold reading and soon when you look down at the page or off to the side, it will hardly be noticed.
6. Know your video basics!
So the first important thing is to shoot horizontally, not vertically. Vertical videos might be great for Instagram and Tiktok, but you're auditioning for a movie, not a Tiktok meme. (If you are auditioning for Tiktok memes, it might time to ask some life questions). You'll also want to stay in frame (unless otherwise directed by the script action or audition notes), and make sure the lighting is even. Avoid crazy shadows or filming in the dark. We need to see what you look like. Since you are an actor, we assume you at least know the very basics of the craft.
This guy gets some points for least shooting his self tape horizontally. But see how the goofy voices distract you from his performance.
7. The Fashion and wardrobe is important.
This area is a bit more in the gray area, but you'll want to dress for success. There are two routes you can go down here, you can either try to go for a look that matches the character you are auditioning for, or just look nice and fancy. You shouldn't be wearing a bathrobe or PJ's unless that actually fits in with the character or scene. (Trust me, I've seen some weird bathrobe self tapes). Now, don't go all out and dress in a full crazy costume. If you are auditioning for a werewolf character, putting body hair all over you is going to be overboard and too distracting. Instead go with something that is stylistically appropriate for the character. Remember, The focus of the tape should always be on you and your performance, the outfit should enhance you but not distract from the performance.
Here this actress is self taping for a character who is a manga artist, notice the attention to the wardrobe shirt.
8. Make sure the technical video specs are good.
This is usually a test to see if you can follow instructions. So be sure to read over the submissions guidelines to ensure your video is the right format and gets sent to the right place. If the casting director wants you to growl your name and height as you headbang, then you better do it. Unless otherwise directed, you should stitch your slate and all scenes together so the clips play back-to-back in a single, seamless video. Getting three different videos for three different scenes makes things a bit harder for the casting director to manage.
9. If you mess up, cut it and edit it.
It's not a secret that we know you have the power to do another take. If you miss up on your self tape, it's always better to record or edit your scene to aim for a smooth performance. (Unless you absolutely nailed the rest of your scene).
If you avoid these common mistakes, you'll be on your way to mastering the art, that is the self tape. Of course, the more you do it, the better you'll become. You'll get to the point where if you didn't get the role, it was just because you weren't the right fit, and not because you had goofy pitch shifted voices haunting you in your kitchen while you were wearing a bathrobe in a vertical video.
This what we are looking for. I’m able to focus on the performance, the reader is not a goofy voice, the background is clean, all is excellent. Cool beans!
