Before you start:
Read the script carefully and understand your character's motivations. What do they want? What are their obstacles? What is their emotional journey throughout the scene?
Choose a quiet and well-lit space to film. Avoid shooting in front of a window, as this can create harsh shadows. If you don't have a neutral background, you can use a backdrop or hang a sheet on the wall.
Set up your camera at eye level. This will help you to maintain eye contact with the camera and create a more natural performance.
If you're working with a reader, have them stand off-camera to your left or right. This will help you to maintain eyeline and avoid looking directly into the camera.
When filming:
Slate your audition at the beginning unless told otherwise. This includes stating your name, the role you are auditioning for, and the date. If you are auditioning for multiple roles, be sure to slate for each role individually.
Frame yourself in a medium close-up shot. This means that your head and shoulders should be visible, with a little bit of space above your head.
Be mindful of your body language. Avoid fidgeting or slouching. Instead, try to relax and be natural.
Speak clearly and slowly. Avoid rushing your lines or speaking too softly.
Don't be afraid to show emotion. Self-tapes can be just as effective as in-person auditions when it comes to conveying emotion.
If you make a mistake, don't panic. Just stop and start again. Casting directors understand that mistakes happen.
After you finish filming:
Review your footage and select your best take.
Save your self-tape to a file format that is recommended by Casting..
Upload your self-tape to the casting website or email it to the casting director.
Additional tips:
Dress appropriately for the role you are auditioning for. You don't need to spend a lot of money on clothes, but you should make an effort to look your best.
Don't overdo your makeup. Look as natural as possible unless casting says otherwise.
Use good lighting. Avoid shooting in low light or in direct sunlight.
Use a good microphone. If you have a built-in microphone on your camera, you may want to consider using an external microphone for better sound quality.
Get feedback from a friend or family member. Once you have filmed your self-tape, show it to someone you trust and get their feedback. This can help you to identify any areas where you can improve.
Here are some additional tips to help you make a great self-tape:
Be specific with your choices. Don't just play the character in a general way. Instead, make specific choices about their voice, body language, and mannerisms.
Be authentic. Don't try to be someone you're not. Casting directors can spot a fake performance from a mile away.
Have fun! Acting should be enjoyable. If you're having fun, it will show in your performance.
Here are some common self-tape mistakes to avoid:
Shooting vertically. This will make your self-tape look unprofessional. Always shoot horizontally.
Standing too far away from the camera. This will make you look small and insignificant. Make sure that you are close enough to the camera so that your face is clearly visible.
The full-body pan. This is a classic self-tape mistake. Don't pan your camera up and down your body. Instead, focus on your face and upper body.
A distracting background. Avoid shooting in front of a busy or cluttered background. This will distract the casting director from your performance.
Poor lighting and sound. Make sure that your self-tape is well-lit and that the sound quality is good.
Using a bad reader. If you are working with a reader, make sure that they are a good actor and that they can deliver their lines in a natural and believable way. If you don’t have someone already, I recommend using a site like WeAudition to book your reader.
Not dressing appropriately. Dress for the role you are auditioning for, even if it's just a self-tape. Trust me, it matters.
Yelling to express emotion. It's not necessary to yell to show that you're angry or excited. Instead, use your voice and facial expressions to convey emotion.
By following these tips, you can create self-tapes that will help you book more auditions and land more roles.