SELF TAPE edition of #98GRADVICE

Smart phones are perfectly fine!
But they must be LANDSCAPE
PLAIN background (consider getting a blue or grey backdrop...white can wash you out. Bedsheets do fine! But be careful of creases)
Know your lines. Well! (If/When possible)

Tripod: Consider buying one, even for your phone - they’re worth it in the long run and much more hassle free. Never have someone holding the camera, it must be level at all times! Even if your phone is taped to a wooden spoon in a wine bottle on top of a pile of books!!

Audio: This is important. You can even plug in your phone headphones and rest the mic part down in front of your phone
Readers: An actor as your reader is less distracting than non-actors, some say it’s not essential but with zoom/facetime/ @WeAudition you can use anyone!

Lighting: Be aware of shadows! Use natural light if poss if you don’t have good at-home lights. Have natural light coming from behind the camera. Consider buying a ring light. To avoid rings in your pupils with a ring light you can put a plastic bag over the light!

Eyeline: Slightly off camera at camera height (which should be in line with your face)
Framing: Head and shoulders or closer! It’s all about the eyes..listening, reacting and subtlety. This is seen best in a close frame!
WATCH your take back before going for another one!

Scene: Have fun with the scene! Do YOU. Don’t try and “be what they want” you won’t get the results you hope for. Ask to see friends self tapes! See what works! (Or what doesn’t!) Watch self tapes online of well known actors and see the risks they take - you can take them too!

Leave a couple beats at the end and stay in character. Don’t just cut as soon as the last line is said. What else lives in that moment? Directors don’t cut after the last word is uttered and neither should you!

Slates Part 1: Requests for slates can differ and sometimes aren’t asked for at all but show some personality and follow instructions carefully for what is asked for. (Usually it’s name and height. Sometimes full body shot, sometimes some chat about you.)

Slates Part 2: This is sometimes stipulated in the instructions OR ask your agent what they prefer but I personally like putting my slate at the END of the tape. That way they see me as the character first!

Don’t do too many takes, it can become stale. Rehearse the scene and its beats beforehand so your actual takes are alive/fresh!
Files: Label them correctly. Follow instructions. As a base line YourName_CharacterName_ProjectName. Keep the files small! I keep mine UNDER 100mbs

Remember these are all general guidelines but sometimes self tape requests can be specific. READ ALL THE INFO GIVEN TO YOU very carefully and follow instructions exactly! Don’t be afraid to ask your agent/the casting director questions, they want you to nail it!!

Learn to love self tapes, they aren’t going anywhere! I’ve certainly been on a journey in my feelings
If they make you nervous, practice! Find the fun in them!
Our self tape episode with CD Manuel Puro is here https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oqWJbnIN1JcluDvfe551l?si=k98q_2HiQ766KV0W2lQieg
Hope this is helpful!
- @alexamorden