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 additional time to arrange for auditions. If one take doesn’t work, shoot it once more. You’re additionally in a position to tweak issues in your recording house, 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 tips about the way to make one of the best ones attainable.
The trade has modified rather a lot over the previous few years, however the takeaway is that self-taping is right here to remain. Self-tape auditions grew to become in style due to Covid. Casting found that they’ll save hundreds in {dollars} by not having in-person casting periods.
That being mentioned, in-person casting isn’t a factor of the previous. There are nonetheless necessary steps casting administrators need to observe. As an illustration, they are going to nonetheless wish to meet you, to regulate you, earlier than displaying 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 particular person, you solely have the time allotted, however with self-tapes you’ve the benefit of delivering your finest take.
In case you are a longtime actor, ask when you can have no less than every week to arrange and report. If essential, give you an excuse; you’ve one other performing position, you’ve scheduling conflicts, and many others. No matter you’ll be able to as a result of the extra time you need to work on the audition, the higher your shot at touchdown the position.
Reminder: Be sure to exhibit your property 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 may shoot as many takes as you need. You may experiment along with your room format till every thing appears to be like proper.”
One in every of, if not the BIGGEST, benefit that you simply as an actor can have in relation to self-taping is time. I can’t stress sufficient how necessary that’s. Other than last-minute auditions, there is no such thing as a purpose to hurry a self-tape audition.
You may attempt as many takes as you need till you nail it. If you happen to don’t just like the framing, angle, or aspect that you’re studying your strains on, all could be reviewed and tried once more. That is one thing that may’t be completed in a stay audition so reap the benefits of what number of occasions you’ll be able to carry out.
Emotional scenes ought to both go first or final. Needless to say emotional scenes must be completed in just one or two takes. The rationale for it is because in case you are crying, it is troublesome to recreate the extent of emotion you had beforehand.
I counsel that you simply solely try the scene TWO occasions. Something extra and it’ll develop into harder to set off your crying. One more reason why just one or two? If you happen to’ve ever checked out somebody who simply completed crying, their eyes are tousled. There’s nothing extra thrilling to look at than the natural transition of 1 emotion to a different.
One space it is best to spend money on, to enhance your self-tapes, is to get your personal tools.
I say this as a result of filming tools is really a long-term funding that can prevent not solely cash in the long term, however effort and time. In case you are paying for a studio, you might be on a clock. In case you are renting a digicam and lighting tools, you might be on a clock. That’s time, power, and cash that every one might be utilized in different areas.
You as an actor must be solely centered on one factor for self-tapes, the craft.
“Chi do I actually need to spend cash on a digicam 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 hundreds on a pleasant digicam.
Additionally one thing that’s actually necessary, MAKE SURE WE CAN HEAR THE READER! With out with the ability to hear the reader, there is not a scene. So ensure whomever is studying strains 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 you could rely on that can assist you, particularly somebody that can have one thing to realize out of it.
For instance, if there’s a youthful, much less skilled actor you understand, 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 Performing)
“Filming tools is really a long-term funding that can 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 need to be off-book and have your strains memorized. Nevertheless, in case you are nonetheless struggling, otherwise you’re nonetheless in a time crunch (which may occur!), create cue playing cards for your self.
Cue playing cards could be a large assist for remembering complicated strains and even assist sound out the pronunciation of phrases. Having somebody behind the digicam with cue playing cards can solely profit you. Since casting received’t see what occurs exterior of the body, why not use all of the attainable instruments that you’ve got 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 on your efficiency. But when the character has an accent or has some type of tick, carry these into your slate.
Your slate can also be an ideal alternative to indicate off any bodily traits that align with the position. In case you are buff or have a successful smile, present it off—no matter helps promote you to casting and show you’re one of the best particular person for the position.
Talking of proving your match for the position…
Because you’re not in an audition room, in relation to age, weight, and peak. Inform them what they wish to hear.
There is no such thing as a purpose that it is best to lose a task over one thing as trivial as being too quick or too tall. If the position wants a heavyset man, take into consideration renting a fats swimsuit. In case you are a bit beneath the peak requirement, take into consideration platform sneakers. Simply look your finest for the position and inform them what the casting desires to listen to.
However that being mentioned, if the position just isn’t for you, don’t take it! There are a whole lot of performing roles which are being casted continuously. No purpose 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 no less than seen in a constructive mild. Your profession is a marathon, not a dash!
I do know self-taping could be a ache within the ass. However as a longtime actor, you’ve a greater shot at getting the job when you ship them one of the best model. You may shoot as many takes as you need. You may experiment along with your room format till every thing appears to be like proper.
Self-tapes shift the ability and management of auditions to you, the actors and actresses. Take advantage of them, and your probabilities of boosting your profession will solely improve.
