Self-Tape Anatomy

When it comes to auditions, self-taping can seem like a daunting process. But the practice has become an integral part of casting, particularly during the pandemic, and it’s a skill that working actors should master.

The change to the casting process provides new benefits for both performers and casting directors. For casting directors, there’s now a larger pool of applicants to choose from, and actors have the opportunity to submit themselves for a greater number of roles, while perfecting their auditions before submission.

“My casts wouldn’t be the same without it,” said Krista Husar, a casting director who worked on Twin Peaks: The Return, during a SAG-AFTRA Casting Directors Talk Self-Tape panel. “I think of [my work] on big studio films and TV shows, and there are four leads I wouldn’t have had without self-tapes.”

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges. After all, performers not only need to prepare for the audition, but also have to set up their space, make the recording and, in some cases, edit their work.

What do you need to know when self-taping? Here are some words of advice from SAG-AFTRA-sponsored self-taping workshops featuring casting directors from around the country, including Husar and casting directors Caroline Liem (Jimmy Kimmel Live!); Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd (Fruitvale Station); Jenny Jue (Snowpiercer); Arlene Schuster, a commercial casting director with more than 2,000 credits; and film, television and new media casting director Jason Kennedy (NCIS). Participants served on various SAG-AFTRA panels, including the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement’s Self-Tape Like a Pro webinar in May and the PTEOE’s Self-Tape for TV Basics livestream in July.

The Recording & the Performance

Although it may seem like there’s a lot of focus on your recording equipment, remember that the purpose of the tape is to showcase your skills to the casting directors.

“The priority is that you give us a great performance [and] preparation is half the battle,” said Kennedy.

For actors, this doesn’t just mean practicing your sides before you begin the recording, but learning what you can about a product or brand, the director’s or producers’ previous projects, and the tone and pace of a film or TV program.

Said Kennedy, “A lot of times, you have the ability to watch an episode, or if you are familiar with a show, you already know what we’re expecting and how to jump into the character,” said Kennedy.

When you feel you’re ready to record on your smartphone, digital camera or even your computer, do what you would do best as if you were auditioning in person: Make a connection. Look up and try to connect with your eyes, and be mindful of your movement, particularly when coming in and out of the frame.

“You don’t have to physically enter or exit,” noted Los Angeles member and self-taper Tim Powell. “Just pivot or turn in frame to give the same effect.”

And, this isn’t an Instagram video: Be sure to record in landscape mode (horizontally) unless otherwise instructed.

Lighting & Sound

Given that a self-made audition tape may be their only chance to see you, casting directors agree that proper lighting is one of the most important details to consider when recording. At the same time, they advise against an elaborate setup.

For illumination, casting directors advocate using a ring light. Ring lights are not only lightweight, but come in various sizes and provide lighting options that work with different skin complexions, noted Summer Selby, an experienced self-taper from the New Orleans Local.

“A ring light has the capability of being very bright or dimming or soft. It can also add or decrease warmth,” said Selby.

If you have already invested in an elaborate lighting setup, Powell, who has hosted the L.A. Conservatory series Self-Tape Solutions, suggests using what he calls “The 1-2-3-45 Method” for setup.

The method utilizes three types of lights — the key light, or main source of light; the fill light, which supplements the key light and lightens shadows; and the backlight, which illuminates the body from behind — all angled at 45 degrees.

Backdrops are also an important tool to utilize for lighting. Utilize a solid-color backdrop rather than one with a bold pattern or home wallpaper. Experts agree blue is the ideal color, although gray, green or eggshell white are also acceptable. Affordable pop-up backgrounds also make for a simple solution.

“It’s best if [the backdrop] is not stark white,” said Schuster. “You don’t want to blend in or, if you have a darker skin tone, be blown out.”

After lighting, audio quality is another element to consider. As the sound quality on smartphones and cameras has become more sophisticated, it’s easier to record without the use of microphones — although, there’s nothing wrong in purchasing one.

“The sound quality on a wired mic might be even better than what’s on your device, and it could really make a difference,” said Kennedy.

Regardless of your decision, make note of distracting noises that may be picked up: street noise, smoke alarms or appliances, ringtones, fans or air conditioners, and chatter from passersby.

The Reader

Casting directors and experienced self-tapers agree that actors make the best type of readers, but it’s paramount to make sure they aren’t a source of distraction in your audition tape, whether it be through their delivery or, more commonly, volume.

“If you have a reader that is louder than you, obviously that’s not ideal,” said Kennedy. “The priority is for [casting directors] to hear you; you want to be the focus of everyone’s attention.”

Make sure that you are positioned closest to the recording device and, if necessary, have your reader stand farther away to read.

Of course, there may be times when an extenuating circumstance may leave you without a colleague. Casting directors stress that not having another actor around should not stop you from recording an audition. Ask a friend or roommate, family member or your significant other.

“As long as you have somebody you can connect with, it’s okay if they sound stiff or are not a pro,” said Husar.

Slating

This might seem like the most straightforward aspect of your tape, but in actuality, there is no one-size-fits-all format for your slate. While it’s true that all slates require at least your name and a full body shot, Liem points out that every slate, like every role, also calls for you to present yourself in a different way.

“Let’s say you audition for a commercial … and then you audition for a wartime drama. You are not going to have the same slate,” said Liem. “What I love is when the slate gives me a flavor, a vibe, of what I’m about to see.”

It’s also helpful to make your slate a separate recording from your audition, and when submitting for a role, be sure to include both the slate and audition videos. This is an especially good practice, as some casting directors, like Byrd, may use your slate for other purposes.

Wardrobe & Props

It may be tempting to dress in costume or use props to stand out from other submissions, however, the consensus among the casting directors is that your outfit should not distract from your audition. Wearing an elaborate costume does not improve your chances of being chosen, but if you decide to embody a character through your outfit, try to be subtle.

“You can suggest the character [through clothes], shoes or a piece of jewelry,” said Husar.

For commercial auditions, using a stand-in prop can help display the specific gestures a role calls for. Schuster recommends that performers who often do commercials create a prop box for their items.

“Remember, commercial advertising is about [viewers] quickly engaging with the actor on screen, and that’s often with [the product on hand],” said Schuster.

Just make sure to keep props nearby but out of frame when not in use.

“If my director needs to see a little more, like the actor’s personality, and there’s not enough time [to have them come back in], I use their slate [as additional audition material],” she said.

The best way to ensure your slate has what the casting director is looking for is to read the submission instructions carefully, and if there are any details that need clarification, have your representative reach out on your behalf.

Sides

One of the biggest differences between recorded and in-person auditions is the easy accessibility to sides or cue cards. Recording a self-tape audition allows time to practice lines, but you can record as many takes as necessary. If you are more comfortable having your sides near as reference, be mindful of not having them in hand during recording.

“Seeing sides in-frame is more distracting if [casting] never gets the advantage of seeing you in person,” said experienced self-taper Aubrey Mozino, SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles NextGen Performer Committee vice chair. “The good news is, you can try taping the sides or a few key moments [near you] to steal a glance without making it obvious.”

Editing & Submitting

It’s ideal to submit your audition along with your slate as quickly as you can. A quick turnaround not only showcases professionalism, it places you within the timeframe that casting directors are most actively looking for performers.

Powell encourages performers to send a submission within the first two or three days an audition is advertised — if not sooner. “Say the audition comes in on a Sunday and it’s due by Friday. If you can turn it around that day, that’s perfect [because] that means it’ll be one of the first seen,” said Powell. “But if you don’t get it in until Thursday or Friday? That role has already been cast.”

Both Schuster and Kennedy advised actors to take advantage of the simple editing features that come on your phone. You can also download an app like Magisto or InShot to make trimming a video easier. However, if you’re editing on your tablet or computer, iMovie or QuickTime Player are fairly easy video editing programs to use, and there are dozens of video tutorials that teach you how to use them. But remember, the point of editing is simply to remove unwanted or awkward parts of your performance. Adding things like on-screen titles and text or creating transitions can be distracting, and it’s best to leave them out.

A common obstacle actors face when sending a self-tape audition is file size. Even after editing, a file can simply be too large to send via email. In those circumstances, Kennedy recommends uploading your audition to a video-sharing site such as Vimeo or Google Drive, a file-sharing site like Dropbox, or a casting site like Eco Cast and Breakdown Services. This not only makes sending a file less frustrating, but can ensure that casting directors can play the file and keep production details from leaking. Still, every casting director has their upload preferences, and the best way to make sure that you are following their guidelines for sending your audition is to reference their instructions. Also, make sure that your agent or manager is informed when your audition has been sent.

SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS are being used more frequently, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that casting directors are looking for your best performance. As you learn to be more comfortable making a self-tape, do not be discouraged if they don’t land you the perfect role right away.

“There are a thousand reasons why you didn’t get a role, and 999 of them have nothing to do with you being a ‘lesser actor’ or less experienced actor than the person who did book the role,” said Jue.

“You’ve already made it. You are uniquely yourself and no one else can be you. And that’s an awesome thing: It fits somewhere,” said Byrd.

This information is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual, product or company by SAG-AFTRA. It is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided here.