I’ve had many actors ebook television and movie jobs off of self tapes. I’ve had much more actors ship in dozens of tapes (a whole bunch?), solely to by no means hear something. Within the casting world, it’s straightforward to ask anybody and everybody to “ship in a tape” from wherever they’re, and weed out those you wish to carry within the casting room for one among their valuable audition slots. Self taping is changing into extra of a “pre-pre-read,” and it permits casting administrators to open up a wider web, to scroll by means of the movies on their pc or cellphone each time they’ve time (typically the director is wanting too—wink wink), to resolve whether or not an actor is sweet/proper for the function after solely listening to just a few strains (versus a number of scenes within the room). Generally your slate is all they should hear to resolve “Nope.”
That is why it’s extra vital than ever so that you can be firing on all cylinders once you ship in a self tape, whether or not it’s by means of a self-submission, or by means of your agent and supervisor. I imply you want good lighting, sound, performing (duh), decisions, be “digicam prepared,” perceive tone, be ready and memorized, have a powerful standpoint, the entire deal. It must be as if you’re stepping on set. These little .mov recordsdata are all the things. Get. Good. At. It. Don’t put mediocre work out into the world. Deal with each tape prefer it’s being seen by Martin Scorsese. Critically. ESPECIALLY in case your brokers and managers are watching it. The way you do in your self tape exhibits them how good/dangerous you might be at auditioning, which straight leads to how exhausting they push you to get into the room. You are feeling me?
I’m on no account a casting director, however have been on the receiving finish of a whole bunch of self-tapes, each by means of directing just a few quick movies, asking actors to indicate me their self tapes, being a coach all these years, and asking brokers and managers their ideas. Let’s repair this, we could?
Prime causes your self tapes suck:
1. The Slate From Hell. You already know these “Actor Slate” issues on Actors Entry? You possibly can inform an terrible lot about somebody from simply having them look into digicam and say their identify. Don’t be loopy. First impressions are all the things. You both appear to be a pleasant, pleasant individual you wish to hang around with on set for just a few weeks, otherwise you seem like you strangle cats in your yard. For enjoyable. On Sundays. Simply be regular.
2. Lack of Prep. Deal with this like you might be strolling right into a display screen check. You know the way they are saying your eyes are the home windows to your soul? Nicely, your eyeLIDS are home windows to… properly, sucking (oh snap!). The extra you look down at your script, the extra you place up a wall, and the extra the viewer drops out. For those who aren’t linked, how are you going to anticipate the viewer to be? This is among the few stuff you CAN management. Don’t drop the ball. Don’t give them a cause to skip over your tape. Memorize your script, however have it in your hand. Be so aware of the scene which you could actually pay attention and hook up with the reader. Seize the viewer by the *&*% and maintain their consideration. It’s essential. An important elements of a scene are the little moments between the strains, the place the ideas type, the discoveries occur. That’s when most actors look all the way down to seize their strains. So.. no extra of that, cool?
3. Scorching Mess. Why you look so drained? Possibly comb your hair? It’s best to seem like you might be stepping onto set—hair, make-up, wardrobe, the entire deal. Not that you’re simply getting back from an all evening bender together with your 80 12 months outdated roommate. Get some relaxation, placed on some basis (you too, guys), put on garments that suit you and colours that flatter you. It issues. At all times keep in mind that another person might be placing in additional effort than you, might be hitting up Drybar the second it opens, and might be going to the Mac retailer to seek out some “male basis.” (simply me?)
4. Blair Witch Lighting. Chill with the overhead lighting, the iphone flashlight lighting, and all the things else that makes you seem like you murdered your finest good friend. A correctly lit tape makes the casting director WANT to look at you, as a result of it lights up your eyes, flatters you, provides you dimension, and takes out all of these loopy shadows. Search for 3 level lighting on Youtube. Mess around with it.
5. Your Reader is Loud and Sucks. Love you, imply it. You could have a lavalier microphone that sticks onto your shirt and plugs into your digicam. Please? Purchase a $25 greenback one on Amazon and plug it into your iphone. Good sound fixes lots of issues. Dangerous sound makes a pleasant wanting video unwatchable. I do know your mother/roommate/sister/finest good friend was an additional on All My Kids 10 years in the past, but when they’re standing proper subsequent to the digicam, they should chill with the shouting. The main focus must be YOU, your ACTING, your CONNECTION, your EYES, not the wild animal that you’re studying with.
6. Handmaid’s Story Framing. You know the way they shoot actors on Handmaid’s Story, and put their closeup within the decrease left nook of the display screen? Superior on that present. So good. So dangerous in your tape. So dangerous. Hold it easy. A pleasant medium shot, chest or shoulders up, with you within the middle, somewhat room above your head.
6. Low cost issues you have to have. Delicate field lighting, lavalier microphone, tripod, iphone tripod adaptor clip, grey or blue sheet for a backdrop, modifying software program (iMovie or Closing Minimize Professional), a good friend who by no means will get uninterested in studying with you, and a few good pomade.
Consider it this fashion: A breakdown goes out for a small scene in a giant movie. Each agent and supervisor on the town submits their shoppers for it. Let’s say they obtain 2,000 submissions. Of these they ask 100 actors to ship in a self tape. Now swap sides and picture you’re the casting director. Let’s say you might be watching 100 tapes of individuals saying the SAME LINES. 50 gained’t be memorized sufficient, 10 may have dangerous lighting, 20 dangerous sound, 15 will seem like they simply stepped out of a hurricane, and 5 may have it memorized, coached, professionally lit, have nice sound, BE RIGHT FOR IT,and provides the casting director/producer/administrators no selection however to rent you. The manufacturing worth might be terrific, and folks will all wish to watch your tape.
See what I’m saying? Now don’t go sending me emails saying how the “Stranger Issues” man despatched in a self tape whereas he was sick in mattress. Kay?
Love,
Matt
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