simple steps to follow for exceptional self tapes
With the boom in the film & television industry in the MidAtlantic and Southeast regions, we at arvold casting rely more and more heavily on self tape submissions. They’re great; they allow us to see actors from all over the country efficiently & cost effectively. We know they’re very useful to actors in this region, with its far-flung opportunities. But how can you make sure that your self-tape is of the quality to compete with actors from New York, LA, and Atlanta? You want your self-tapes to shine – and so do we!
While character creation and authenticity are, of course, the most important parts of any audition (in-person or via self tape), there are a couple of crucial things you should do to highlight your performance, make your tape stand out for the right reasons, and prevent our lovely casting assistants from pulling out their hair. You’ve put all that time into an amazing interpretation of the role – you definitely don’t want to let any technical issues distract from your craft!
So, without further ado:
Our Handy Checklist For Exceptional Self Tapes
1. Make sure we can see & hear you.
Your tape is going to be considered alongside tapes that were filmed in professional studios, and keep in mind that it may be seen by not just the casting associate, but the CD, the producer and the director. We don’t expect 4K quality video, but we need to be able to see and hear you clearly. If you’re in a pinch or on location for a shoot and away from your camera, smart phones can churn out some pretty high quality stuff these days, so long as you know how to light yourself properly (here’s a video from Erica covering that). Landscape mode, always! If you’re unsure about the quality of your tape, rewatch it and assess as if you were a casting director:
-Does the tape show what you really look like?
-Can we see your eyes and the details in your face?
-Can we clearly hear you deliver your lines?
If so, then you’re on the right track!
2. Keep it simple.
We want to be drawn into your performance, without distraction. Busy backgrounds, over the top costumes, and dogs barking off-camera all distract from the most important part of your tape – YOU! So keep it simple! Stand in front of a plain wall, ditch the gimmicks and help us connect with you.
3. Use a reader, a good one.
If another character has dialogue in the scene you are performing, use a reader! Listening and reacting are incredibly important in auditions, so if you skip over your scene partner’s lines, you’re neglecting half of your performance. The quality of your reader makes a difference too! A good reader:
-Stands off-camera, giving the actor an eyeline
-Speaks more quietly than the actor (especially when using in-camera sound instead of a lavalier mic)
-Facilitates the actor’s performance without distracting from the main event.
4. Follow the slating instructions.
We know slating instructions can be extensive, but everything we ask has a purpose. Read the instructions carefully, and do your best to follow them completely. Every project has different specifications when it comes to slate info. It might be extremely important for us to know about your water skiing experience! No audition is complete without a slate. Take the extra time, and follow the instructions – it will mark you as a professional, and I promise, we will appreciate and remember that!
5. Label your tapes correctly.
You don’t want your tape to get lost in the shuffle, so make sure the files are named correctly, per the taping instructions. Our labeling system varies by project, so do your best to match the instructions. At the very least, make sure that all of your files are labeled with your first and last name.
6. Send your tape in the correct format.
When we are processing hundreds of tapes in one day, file formatting really DOES matter. If you are invited to tape via EcoCast, submit your tape via EcoCast. If you have to send your tape via email, make sure it is downloadable and private. We suggest sending tapes as .mp4 files through services like Dropbox, WeTransfer or Hightail. If you use Vimeo, make sure the tapes are password protected and never, ever, ever send tapes via YouTube. (Please, we beg of you). We understand that this technical stuff doesn’t come easy for everyone, but basic technical knowledge about tape submission should be a tool in each professional actor’s toolbox, especially now, when self-tape auditions are so prevalent.
7. Send your tape on time.
Common sense, but worth repeating: being professional means being punctual. Would you show up a day late for an in-person audition? Then send in your taped audition before the deadline. Early tapes are always appreciated!
Not all self tapes are created equal, but the good news is that these simple steps can make yours stand out (for the right reasons) and highlight your work! Following these steps will help ensure that we can consider your tapes fully. And long after the role is cast, a good self tape helps to identify you as a professional with the casting office.
If you are unsure about anything, please check out our YouTube channel for more. Then feel free to email us at info@arvold.com with any topic you’d like us to tackle. We may not be able to meet you in person, but we still want to help you give your best audition!
The author, Meghan Apostoles, is a casting associate who has seen everything from tapes shot with full period costume in front of a roaring fire to out of focus tapes shot in portrait mode in a busy airport. She, like all of the arvold.casting team, is on your side and wants your self tapes to be exceptional and to raise the bar for self taping and filmmaking in general.