Self taping has become one of the most common ways to audition, which means casting directors are watching a lot of them. The good news? You have full control over how yours looks and sounds! Here are a few tips that can help your self tape stand out:
Don’t Let Anyone Dim Your Light.
Casting directors need to clearly see your face and all the nuances in your awesome acting! That’s why adequate lighting is quite important. It is industry-standard to shoot self-tapes in medium close up-shot (from roughly the waist or chest up), and ideally you want your face evenly lit with no harsh shadows cutting across it. Natural daylight from a window in front of you is more than ideal. If you're shooting in the evening or in a darker space, a ring light or a desk lamp can help. At Self Centred Studio, we have a lighting set up with LED panels that come with in-built diffuser. This means your face will be illuminated in a natural way, and all the details of your performance will be captured with depth and dimension!
Hear Ye, Hear Ye.
Clear audio matters just as much as the picture, if not more. If your lines are hard to make out - whether because there’s construction noise nearby, a TV in the background, or a room that echoes - it becomes too hard or distracting to watch, which may make casting directors move on. Find a quiet, soft-furnished room if you can (think carpet, curtains, couch) as that can help absorb sound. When you book a self tape shooting session with Self Centred Studio, the nuances in your vocality will be clearly recorded with our professional shotgun video mic in our carpeted studio space.
No Plain, No Gain.
Perform in front of a plain wall, a neutral curtain, or a tidy corner of a room puts the focus where it belongs - on you! Avoid busy bookshelves, laundry in the background, or anything that might make casting directors divert their eyes to anything other than your performance. The high quality backdrop used at Self Centred Studio comes in a flattering shade of grey that is non-distracting and complimentary to all skin types!
Dress the Part!
Dressing for the role helps casting directors picture you in it. You don't need a full costume - a suggestion of the character is usually enough (if the character is a lawyer for example, reach for a blazer or button-up shirt). Consider your choices with hairstyles, accessories and makeup as well. One practical tip: avoid wearing patterns. Stripes, checks, and busy prints can look distracting on camera and pull focus away from your face and performance.
The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow.
If you've been given more than one scene to tape, treat it as an opportunity rather than extra work! Each scene is a chance to show a different side of the character - maybe one is headstrong and the next is vulnerable, or one is comedic and another carries more weight. Lean into those differences. Casting directors sent multiple scenes for a reason, and showing range within the one role is a very clever tactic to prove your ability! If you want help with workshopping multiple audition scenes, consider booking an Acting Coaching session with Self Centred Studio!
Can’t Spell Unique without ‘U’.
Remember, there's no single "correct" version of a character, and casting directors know that - they're looking for someone who brings something to the role. So trust your instincts, make a genuine choice, and focus on your unique interpretation of the character as opposed to trying to recreate what you think they are looking for. Authenticity is what makes you stand out and ultimately book the part!
Want to Film an Industrious Self Tape? Book a session with us for your next audition for a stress-free, all inclusive experience. We’ve got you!