More Audition Self Tape Tips!
When the self-tape request hits your inbox, are you prepared to make the most of them? Here’s some tips for maximizing your tape and putting your best foot forward in the few seconds you’ve got to make an impression.
- Be Professional
Poor lighting, poor video quality, and most importantly poor sound quality are sure-fire ways to make a casting director click on the next available tape and forget yours entirely. Making the investment and taking the time for a professional self-tape shows you’re professional, you respect the process, and you care enough to be seen and heard.
- Use a (strong) Reader
Having a reader who understands the scene you’re shooting matters a whole heck of a lot. Given that the vast majority of scenes are dialogue between characters, having a reader who understands the tone, the rhythm, and the energy of your scene can make a world of difference when it comes to giving you the right energy and tempo to feed off of, as you work your magic.
- Consider the moment before—and after.
Consider the few seconds prior to your scene? And maybe the few seconds at the end, as well?
Sure, with the magic of video editing, we can easily fade in directly before your first line. But before your character shouts “Howdy!” at their scene partner, ask yourself: where are they? What are they doing? Did they expect to see this person they’re greeting, or did they just notice them now? Are they happy? Sad? Angry?
Answering these questions can give you an extra 3-4 seconds prior to your opening line that can help to set the scene and tell the story—all before you say a word. And as casting digs through tape after tape after tape, a couple of seconds showcasing your energy prior to your ‘performance’ is another little way to stand out.
In your tape, every single second counts.
Callback Headshots is available for professional self-tapes in a full studio setting, complete with scene coaching and reader services by established Toronto actors.