Acing Your Self-Tape

On May 19, the SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement hosted a Self-Tape Like a Pro livestream. Hosted by President Gabrielle Carteris, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and Secretary-Treasurer Camryn Manheim, the livestream featured leading commercials casting director Arlene Schuster, founder of ASG Casting, Inc.

As a member of the Commercials Casting Director Association, Schuster often casts for commercials and new media work. She discussed the benefits that come with recording a self-tape versus in-person auditions.

“You are, for the first time, getting to see in your self-tape what our clients see in the studio,” said Schuster, “and have the opportunity to do a better audition now than you do in the room, and as many times as you need to.”

Schuster not only covered the basics of lighting, sound and framing shots, she shared insider tips from her nearly 30 years as a casting director. Demonstrating the demand for this type of content, Schuster’s workshop was viewed live concurrently by 4,600 members.

Watch the webinar below to get helpful tips about choosing the right equipment, maintaining video quality, performing and submitting your audition.