Your first ever self-tape audition! How exciting. As an aspiring actor, this is a big milestone on your acting journey. Everyone starts somewhere, and this is your beginning.
However, your first ever self tape audition might also feel a bit nerve wracking. But you don’t need years of experience, fancy equipment, or to be ‘perfect’. You just need to show up with courage. So have no fear. Today, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to ace your first self-tape audition!
What is a Self-Tape Audition?
Let’s start at the very beginning. You’ve got that self tape audition request, but you might still be wondering: What exactly is a self tape audition?
The answer is simple. A self tape is just an audition that you do at home. The actor will film their own audition tape and send it directly to the casting team, rather than needing to travel for the audition. Self tapes are now standard practice for all kinds of acting jobs, including film, television, commercials and even theatre productions.
The self tape audition usually has two parts:
- The slate.
- The scene (or multiple scenes) you are expected to audition with.
Below we’ll break down what you need before you start filming your first self tape, alongside step-by-step instructions for your slate and audition scene.
Example Self Tape Auditions
Before we get into the detailed guide, it’s helpful to get an idea of what your self tape audition should look like when it’s done. Here’s a great example from my fellow StageMilk coach, Pat.
Below is a second awesome example from Indiana, another staff writer here at StageMilk.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you start to film, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need! To film your first self tape, all you need is a basic self tape set up.
If you haven’t got a bunch of filming gear, don’t worry. You want casting to see and hear your performance clearly, but it doesn’t have to be high tech. You will need:
- Camera or smartphone.
- Someone to read the other character’s lines.
- A blank wall.
- Tripod (or a stack of books).
That’s all! You likely already have everything that you need.
At this stage you don’t worry about an expensive DSLR camera or lighting kit. Sure, as you continue your acting journey and start self taping more regularly, you might upgrade your kit and level-up your setup. But for now, keep it simple!
Next, we cover how to prepare your first self-tape audition.
How to Prepare Your First Self Tape Audition
Before you start actually filming your first self tape audition, you’ll want to work on the performance. If you want a little help, check out our guide on how to prepare for your first ever audition!
It’s important that your actor preparation is done before it comes time to film. Think of the self tape audition as the performance, not the rehearsal. This will help you stay focused while filming, and avoid recording thirty different versions. Finally, remember that the self tape audition may be the only time you get to play the character, so make sure you enjoy it!
How to Film a Self-Tape Audition
Now that you’ve done your preparation, and got all the equipment you need, it’s time to start filming. Here’s what to do, step-by-step.
Step 1: Read the Casting Instructions
Read over the instructions sent by casting and make note of any specific instructions. If they’ve include special instructions, be sure to follow them when filming.
Step 2: Choose Your Filming Space
When deciding where you’re going to film, consider the following:
- Choose good lighting.
- Use a plain background.
- Aim for a quiet space.
Good Lighting: Natural light from a window is your best friend. Here’s how to position yourself to get the best lighting:
- Face the window.
- Position yourself so your shoulders are parallel with the wall the window is on.
- Try to avoid having the window to your left or right side, as this cast shadows on the far side of your face.
- Never film with the window behind you.
Following the above steps will result in an even, flattering light over your whole face.
Plain Background: A plain wall works well. Keep it distraction-free. Try to avoid having cupboards, wardrobes, or other cluttter in shot.
Clear Audio: Is the room quiet? If possible, close windows to reduce background noise and turn off any loud fans or A/C units while filming. Background noise can be very distracting in a self-tape.
Step 3: Set Up Your Camera
Now you know where you’re going to film, it’s time to set up your camera. If you have a tripod, use it! If you don’t have a tripod, don’t worry. Find a sturdy place to keep your camera till, like a shelf or a stack of books.
To position your camera properly:
Pro tip: Ironing boards can be a great portable ‘shelf’ to stack books on top of!
Step 4: Get Your Eyeline Right
Where should you look in your self tape? Where you look is called your ‘eyeline’. While filming the self tape audition, never look down the barrel of the camera. Instead, your eyeline should be close to the camera, but slightly off to the side.
For scenes, position the other actor as close to the camera as possible. For monologues, place your eyeline just to the left or right of the lens. It might help to pop a post-it note on the wall to keep the eyeline consistent. For more information check out our in-depth guide to eyelines.
Step 5: Record Your Slate
You’ve done a lot of hard work setting up your tape, but before you get to perform, there’s one last step: the slate. This is the actor’s introduction to the casting team.
Our advice is to film the slate before you film the scene. If you wait until after, you’re likely to forget. We have an in depth guide to the slate below, so if you need tips just scroll down!
Step 6: Film Your Acting
Now, finally, the fun part! Filming is the most straightforward part of the whole process, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Don’t feel like you have to rush into the scene.
- Hit ‘record’, breathe and have a moment before.
- Start the scene.
- Don’t stop if you stumble, just keep going!
- When the scene is over, hold for a beat before you stop filming.
Then, do a few takes of the scene. You might want to try it a few different ways to give yourself options. For your first self tape audition, try to limit yourself to between 3 to 7 takes maximum.
Finally, don’t aim for perfection! Trying to be perfect will introduce tension and anxiety. Instead, trust yourself and have fun. It always produces a better result than pushing to try and ‘get it right’.
Pro tip: After the first take, watch it back for a few seconds and make sure it looks right and the sound is clear. Adjust if needed.
Step 6: Choose Your Best Take
To choose the best take to submit to casting, you’ll need to review your work. Choose the performance that feels the most honest, even if it has a mistake or two. Remember: casting want to believe that you’re the character, living their normal life. If it feels true, it’s the one!
Step 7: Edit Your Self Tape
Editing a self tape is really simple. Basically, you’re just trying to get rid of ‘dead air’ before and after the performance. When casting click play, you want them to be right in the action!
If you filmed on your smart phone, you can trim right in the photos app. Or, if you prefer to edit on your computer, you can use any basic editing software like iMovie to trim the clip. Export the file and save it with a name that makes sense, like FirstNameLastName_Scene1 or FirstnameLastname_Slate.
Step 10: Submit Before the Deadline
Phew, we’re almost done! The last step is simply to send your self tape audition to casting before the due-date. Usually casting will let you know exactly how they want to receive the tape.
Casting Website: If you’re submitting through a casting service like Showcast, Spotlight, Casting Networks, or Backstage, jsut upload the tapes directly to the audition request.
Direct Submission: For other auditions, there may be a direct submission process via online form or email. You can either transfer the file directly using a service like WeTransfer, or upload the footage to Vimeo or Youtube and send the link via email. Make sure to test the link before you send!
How to Film an Audition Slate
Slates are fairly straightforward. The best advice for your first slate is keep it simple and be yourself. However, if you’ve never done one before, you might have questions. We cover off everything you need to know below.
What is a slate?
As part of your audition, you’ll likely need to include a slate. ‘The Slate’ is just what the industry calls a short video where an actor introduces themselves.
What am I supposed to say in my audition slate?
For every project, the casting team will want to know a bit about the actors who audition. The specific details requested by casting will differ slightly with each audition. If casting provide any specific directions, make sure you follow them! For a typical slate, an actor will provide the following information:
- Full name
- Location
- Height
- Agency representation (if applicable)
Where should I look in my audition slate?
When you film your slate, your eyeline should be directly down the barrel of the camera. It can feel a little unnatural to introduce yourself in this way, especially when you’re just starting out. That’s normal. Don’t worry, it will get easier with practice.
If it feels a little uncomfortable, it might help to imagine just one person who you’re speaking directly to. Imagine someone you’d be pleased to introduce yourself to, who you would feel comfortable being yourself around.
How long should my slate be?
How long your slate will betdepends entirely on the information casting ask you for. For example, if they ask you to ‘tell us a bit about yourself’ the video will be longer than if you’re just stating your name and height!
Typically, a normal slate runs around 15 to 30 seconds. If you’re going over ~2 minutes, it’s probably too long.
How to Record a Great Audition Slate
Now, let’s look at how to film a great audition slate!
The most important thing in a slate is to be confident, and keep it nice and natural. Try not to overthink it!
Finishing Your First Self Tape Audition
After reading this article, I hope feel prepared (and excited) to go and conquer that first self tape audition. Remember that every actor you admire started somewhere. So, before you go, do me a favour and take a moment to be proud of yourself.
Your first self tape audition is just one step on your long and exciting acting journey. By having the courage to put yourself out there, you’re sharing your gifts with the world. Keep learning, keep performing, and go break a leg!
