Self-Taping Auditions - Some How-Tos

It seems more and more casting is being done by self-taping.  One example of this is how James Badge Dale got the role of "Cancer Guy" in Flight. 

This innovation is great for actors since CDs have the opportunity to see many more actors for each role.  It's especially good if you are proactive with your career because if you can find out what roles are currently casting that you are perfect for.  It is easy to get a hold of the sides and have your agent pass along a self-tape to a CD.

The trick with self-tapes is that there is no room for any mistakes.  If you want it to be seen and for the tape to actually help you book a role it has to be perfect.  When you are in the audition room, flubs can be overlooked - but when it is on tape mistakes sort of glare at you.

You don't need a fancy camera to do a self-tape.  All you need is a camera phone or any digital camera.  One thing is that you want it to be well-lit.  They need to be able to see you but, that doesn't require special lights.  I like to use a china ball, which you can get for less than $10 at Ikea.  As far as the background, I do it in front of my cream colored walls.  Some people hang a curtain or sheet.  You just want to make sure that whatever behind you is not distracting.  Avoid cluttered spaces - a blank wall is best.

Here are a couple technical notes about the actual filming.  Unless they specifically ask for it, you don't need to slate - just label your video with your name and the character you are auditioning for.  Nearly all the casting offices I have worked at don't have actors slate, the only film I worked on that required slates was one that needed every actor's exact height.  A close-up shot is best - about an inch above the head to just below the shoulders.  If the character is supposed to be a sexy female, I'd wear a low cut shirt and make sure some cleavage is in the shot.

When I self-tape, I make sure to do enough takes that I will have at least one that is perfect.  All my lines are memorized, I never look down at the sides, and every moment is clear.  Once I get the perfect shot I use iMovie or Final Cut to cut any extra footage off the beginning and end and send it off to my agent.

There are studios that offer space and equipment to self-tape at a cost, but I don't think it's necessary.  Really just grab a friend to be your reader and do it at your place.  That gives you the opportunity to control everything and do as many takes as you want.