Tips for Self Tapes

Written By Kim Chase

Yay! You’ve been asked to submit a self  tape. That means the creative team have reviewed your materials and they want to see more! Our self-tape setup, just like our technique, is constantly evolving. Keep learning and tweaking. You are showcasing your product. Here are some basics.

Cheap things you need to have:

Soft box lighting, lavalier microphone, tripod, iPhone tripod adaptor clip, gray, black, backdrop or blank wall ( as neutral and undistracting as possible), editing software (iMovie or Final Cut Pro), a friend/partner who never gets tired of reading with you, and a… sense of humor.

Slate:

Your slate should feel inviting, not stray too far from the mood of the scene but still show your dynamic personality. It’s not one slate fits all, so a slate for a medical drama should be different from the slate for a comedic commercial. The key is to show your personal style and be yourself in your slate. Imagine when you slate that you’re speaking to a close friend, keep it natural.

Additional directions will be given along with the request for the audition, so read them carefully. Depending on what has been requested from the creative team, your slate should show your full body, a profile and a close-up. The close-up should be from the chest up. If you have questions, ask your agent or manager to reach out to casting to clarify.

Lighting:

Look like you are stepping on set!

2 Light Setup

  • Place 1 soft box on either side of the camera.

  • Point the soft boxes at 45 degree angles, lighting your face evenly

  • Leave 2-3 feet of space between the back wall and you

3 Light Setup

  • 3 lights you can add a really nice dynamic by adding something called a "hair light." 

  • Follow the same guidelines for the 2 Light Setup.

  • The 3rd light, the hair light, should be behind you, angled to shine on the back of your head and the top of your shoulders.

  • The hair light should not be full intensity. If it’s too bright, back it down.

3 Light + Ring Light Setup

  • Follow guidelines for 3 Light Setup

  • Attach Ring Light above your iphone or camera.

  • It adds a glow to the front of your face and helps dispel any shadows cast by the soft boxes next to the camera.

Preparation:

Be off book! Be set ready. Work with a coach. Know the tone of the show. Research the director and producers. Know their past work.

The Reader: 

(NOT LOUD-you are the focus!) That’s why a lavalier mic is so important. The reader should not be louder than you. Also make sure the reader isn’t ‘acting’. Just have them read the lines in a neutral way. The creative team want to see and hear you!

Frame the Shot: 

Nice medium closeup: Chest up — you’re the center. Don’t look directly at the camera, look to your reader who should be just slightly off camera to either side. 

Here are some more TIPS from the team at MKM Management, NY and LA. Debra Baron and Maggie Maes.

Just the words SELF TAPE may strike fear in your heart.

But it has become the trend in the business, so it’s time to hunker down and make this your best audition yet.  It’s asking you for all the same nuances and preparation as before.  

Offer a slate that truly says friendly and happy to be here and a tape that brings your range and talents to the audition, wardrobe and makeup that is appropriate for the role and  says  “Yes! I am the best choice for this role" . 

So let’s get it right both technically and artistically:

To facilitate that, send your self-tape in a downloadable, accessible file that is 500 M.B. or smaller. We recommend sending a viewable link through Google Drive or Dropbox unless casting is requesting a different platform.

Assume nothing:

It is clear to us that there is not a set pattern for what will be requested other than shoot horizontally head to chest for scenes and vertically for full body.

We suggest our clients read the instructions as soon as they get the audition notification, that way there are no surprises when you go to tape. Not a bad idea to have a cheat sheet so you don’t miss anything casting requests in your slate (the instructions vary and can have quite a few elements requested). And then look things over before you submit to make sure you have done everything they ask.  If a written note is asked for be sure to type that in BEFORE you hit submit.

Wrap up/ Be Smart: 

DON’T PROCRASTINATE- read, prepare and shoot your audition as soon as possible.  Avoid surprises, have time to reshoot if needed, time for technical glitches and all manner of unforeseen snafus.

Don’t wait until the casting directors' deadline- taping sooner is always better!


OK!  Have fun! Do what you do best!!

Kim Chase