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Recording Audition Videos at Home

You submitted your setcard to a caster and you received an audition script in your email asking you to send back an audition video. In other countries they refer to this as self-tape.

 

"Wait?! They mean I need to record my own video?" 


Yes, and hey there's no need to panic. Casters know you're not a professional camera operator but here's a few tips to make your audition video look good.


(Photo by Lucas Clarysse, unsplash.com)



  1. Choosing a space at home.

Look for the best area to shoot in your home where you can be comfortable and avoid distractions. Check the space if it is quiet enough by doing a test recording on the device you are using. Make sure that your voice will not be overlapped by sounds coming from outside such as traffic noises. Also consider finding a plain wall for your background. Shooting near a window can also help in achieving good lighting.


  1. Lighting.

You can use the natural light from a window by shooting in the morning to make sure the light coming from outside is not too harsh. If you are using artificial lights like a table lamp or ring light, do not put it directly in front of you. Put it slightly to your left or right side at a 45-degree angle, slightly higher than your eye-level and at least a meter away from you. Dim the light or push it farther from you if needed. If your lamp doesn't have a dimmer, try covering it with a thin sheet of white fabric to diffuse it.


  1. Wardrobe and make-up.

Avoid wearing clothes with distracting prints or patterns. The safest is to go with a plain shirt unless the caster provides a very specific instruction such as "wear smart-casual clothes." Do your make-up and hair according to the role you are auditioning for but remember not to overdo it. Base on your personal judgement, you can identify if the role you are auditioning for needs to be fully made up or if a natural-looking makeup will be better.


  1. Camera framing.

Whether you are using your phone or a digital camera, put it on a tripod or a holder where it can be stable and at your eye level. Make sure that the top of your head is not cut out of the frame. Keep your camera in a horizontal position to shoot in a landscape format. Never shoot on a portrait or vertical position because your video will be more likely viewed on a laptop or TV monitor. If you are using your phone, use the back camera for better resolution.


  1. Sound.

Do a test recording to check your audio and video. If you are using an external mic, check if it is recording properly. If you are using your phone or camera's built-in microphone, stay not more than two feet away from the camera for better audio capture.


  1. Begin with an introduction.

Do not forget to say your name, if you have an agency representing you and the role you are auditioning for at the beginning of your video.


  1. No reader, no problem.

"There are two characters in the script but I don't have anyone to read the other part." You may simply put gaps on the other actor's part or you may download self-tape applications like Run Line on Google Play.


  1. How about another take?

Yes, you may record a second take. This is one of the advantages of recording at home. You are free to do another take in case you are not confident with the first one or you prefer to do a different version. But choose and send only one version to the caster.


Go here for a quick guide to in-person auditions.


#acting #actors #actinglessons #actingtips #audition #self-tape #runlines #googleplay #ActorsInThePhilippines


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Location: Philippines

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