Dos and Don’ts in shooting a self-taped audition.
We have provided simple guidelines below to help you produce great self-tapes.
DO
- Be professional and prepared when you tape yourself. Treat this audition the same as you would if you were physically in the room with the casting director.
- Record your audition in front of a solid coloured curtain or a blank wall. Too much clutter in the background can distract from your performance. Also, be aware your outfit should not blend or contrast with the colour of your backdrop.
- Find a quality reader. Make sure your reader stands behind the camera, to ensure your focus and positioning is towards the camera. Your reader should not be seen on camera unless requested.
DON’T
- Don’t use a webcam, we recommend using a digital camcorder that fits your budget and have a peer operate the camera for you.
- Overhead fluorescent lights create deep shadows on your face which can make you look aged or change your appearance completely. Ideally, use two incandescent lights (bulbs with filaments). One as a key light, set to the opposite side of the camera a little farther away and pointed at your face. If you are filming in a bigger space and need more lighting, set a second light opposite side of the camera, pointed at your side.
- Castings has requested a certain number of takes and/or scenes. Doing more than is asked could be considered presumptuous by the casting director. Don’t do more than the castings has asked for.
Equipment recommendations for recording your self tape.
Digital Camcorder, Full HD 270° Rotation 1080P 16X High Definition Digital Camcorder Video DV Camera (US Plug Black)
Emart 60 LED Continuous Portable Photography Lighting Kit for Table Top Photo Video Studio Light Lamp with Color Filters
Basic three-point studio lighting
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