The saying goes like this: the audition begins once you enter the room and ends once you depart the room.
Self-tapes, nevertheless, have modified that.
Right now, the audition begins once you enter the body and once you depart the body.
Self-tapes really current an enormous alternative for actors and actresses. Free from the stress of audition rooms, you’ve got further time to organize for auditions. If one take doesn’t work, shoot it once more. You’re additionally in a position to tweak issues in your recording area, that’s the great thing about self-tapes.
The benefits don’t cease there. On this put up, I’ll dive into the positives of self-tapes and share recommendations on methods to make the perfect ones potential.
The business has modified lots over the previous few years, however the takeaway is that self-taping is right here to remain. Self-tape auditions grew to become common due to Covid. Casting found that they’ll save 1000’s in {dollars} by not having in-person casting periods.
That being stated, in-person casting isn’t a factor of the previous. There are nonetheless essential steps casting administrators need to observe. As an illustration, they’ll nonetheless wish to meet you, to regulate you, earlier than exhibiting you or your audition to the producers.
Reside auditions require three nice scenes in a single or two takes. Casting and producers will solely see what you produce. In individual, you solely have the time allotted, however with self-tapes you’ve got the benefit of delivering your greatest take.
If you’re a longtime actor, ask in case you can have at the least per week to organize and file. If mandatory, give you an excuse; you’ve got one other performing function, you’ve got scheduling conflicts, and many others. No matter you possibly can as a result of the extra time it’s a must to work on the audition, the higher your shot at touchdown the function.
Reminder: Ensure you exhibit your belongings all through your audition. Many actors overlook to incorporate the factor that sells them, whether or not it is their smile or physique. Present your self off in your slate and in your audition. Promote your self.
“You possibly can shoot as many takes as you need. You possibly can experiment together with your room format till every thing appears proper.”
One in every of, if not the BIGGEST, benefit that you just as an actor can have in the case of self-taping is time. I can’t stress sufficient how essential that’s. Other than last-minute auditions, there isn’t a motive to hurry a self-tape audition.
You possibly can strive as many takes as you need till you nail it. In case you don’t just like the framing, angle, or aspect that you’re studying your traces on, all might be reviewed and tried once more. That is one thing that may’t be carried out in a reside audition so benefit from what number of occasions you possibly can carry out.
Emotional scenes ought to both go first or final. Remember the fact that emotional scenes ought to be carried out in just one or two takes. The rationale for it is because if you’re crying, it is troublesome to recreate the extent of emotion you had beforehand.
I counsel that you just solely try the scene TWO occasions. Something extra and it’ll change into tougher to set off your crying. One more reason why just one or two? In case you’ve ever checked out somebody who simply completed crying, their eyes are tousled. There’s nothing extra thrilling to observe than the natural transition of 1 emotion to a different.
One space it is best to put money into, to enhance your self-tapes, is to get your individual gear.
I say this as a result of filming gear is really a long-term funding that may prevent not solely cash in the long term, however effort and time. If you’re paying for a studio, you’re on a clock. If you’re renting a digital camera and lighting gear, you’re on a clock. That’s time, power, and cash that each one may very well be utilized in different areas.
You as an actor ought to be solely centered on one factor for self-tapes, the craft.
“Chi do I actually need to spend cash on a digital camera or is an iPhone okay”
The most effective factor you are able to do is to have a pleasant high quality image and nice sounding audio. From my expertise, something higher than iPhone 8 or Samsung Galaxy S9 is greater than sufficient to get the bottom degree of high quality with out having to spend 1000’s on a pleasant digital camera.
Additionally one thing that’s actually essential, MAKE SURE WE CAN HEAR THE READER! With out with the ability to hear the reader, there is not a scene. So be sure whomever is studying traces with you, enunciates and reads clearly.
“Chi what if I’m not tech savvy?”
The most effective factor you are able to do is to search out a number of individuals which you could depend on that will help you, particularly somebody that may have one thing to realize out of it.
For instance, if there’s a youthful, much less skilled actor you recognize, ask them if they’re good with self-tapes. If they’re, commerce your expertise for his or her expertise. Not solely will you construct an ideal working relationship, additionally, you will drastically enhance your self-tapes.
(Gear is one thing I cowl in additional depth in Episode 5 of Mastering the Enterprise of Appearing)
“Filming gear is really a long-term funding that may prevent not solely cash in the long term, however effort and time.”
One other nice benefit of self-tapes is the extra time for preparation. By the point you’re able to shoot, you ought to be off-book and have your traces memorized. Nonetheless, if you’re nonetheless struggling, otherwise you’re nonetheless in a time crunch (which might occur!), create cue playing cards for your self.
Cue playing cards is usually a massive assist for remembering advanced traces and even assist sound out the pronunciation of phrases. Having somebody behind the digital camera with cue playing cards can solely profit you. Since casting received’t see what occurs outdoors of the body, why not use all of the potential instruments that you’ve at your disposal?
More often than not, it’s good so as to add your character into your slate. However don’t go overboard!
The overall rule of thumb is that this: if the character is an asshole, don’t be an asshole to casting—reserve it to your efficiency. But when the character has an accent or has some type of tick, convey these into your slate.
Your slate can also be an ideal alternative to indicate off any bodily traits that align with the function. If you’re buff or have a profitable smile, present it off—no matter helps promote you to casting and show you’re the perfect individual for the function.
Talking of proving your match for the function…
Because you’re not in an audition room, in the case of age, weight, and top. Inform them what they wish to hear.
There is no such thing as a motive that it is best to lose a task over one thing as trivial as being too quick or too tall. If the function wants a heavyset man, take into consideration renting a fats swimsuit. If you’re just a little below the peak requirement, take into consideration platform footwear. Simply look your greatest for the function and inform them what the casting needs to listen to.
However that being stated, if the function isn’t for you, don’t take it! There are a whole bunch of performing roles which might be being casted always. No motive to take the time, cash, and energy to work on one thing that you’re not proper for. The target is to get the job or to be at the least seen in a optimistic gentle. Your profession is a marathon, not a dash!
I do know self-taping is usually a ache within the ass. However as a longtime actor, you’ve got a greater shot at getting the job in case you ship them the perfect model. You possibly can shoot as many takes as you need. You possibly can experiment together with your room format till every thing appears proper.
Self-tapes shift the facility and management of auditions to you, the actors and actresses. Profit from them, and your probabilities of boosting your profession will solely improve.
