Self-Tapes for Dummies

Jan 2, 2022

6 min read

Updated: Aug 26, 2022

Let's face it, in person auditions are becoming a thing of the past. Well, at least the first time around. These past two years have been a whirlwind of ups and downs due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic. As we have adapted as a society to staying home more often,

self-tapes have become more and more abundant within the acting industry.

It is of the upmost importance that your self-tapes sound crisp and look professional. Below, I will be breaking down how to set up the perfect self-tape so you have a better chance of landing the role.

TECHNOLOGY

In today's world, technology is more accessible than ever! That being said, there really is no excuse for submitting poorly produced self-tapes. New iPhones have decent video and editing capabilities that can definitely get the job done. So if this is what you have access to, utilize it. As far as editing programs go, iMovie is free on your IOS system and is simple enough to learn. Videoshop - Video Editor can also be downloaded on the Apple App Store for free. This program has been one of personal favorites when it comes to quick and simple editing. You also have the option to pay for further editing capabilities which is always a plus. For all of my Android users, my apologizes as I have little to no experience using their technology. So if you have an Android and you have found editing programs you like, feel free to comment below so we can add to this post!

Tip:

Invest. If you plan on pursuing an acting career it's never too early to start investing in a nice phone and better filming equipment. The way you present yourself through your self-tapes is important. It is essentially the casting directors first impression of you. So make it a good one!

CAMERAS

So you've been using your phone to film your self-tapes and you feel as if something is missing. The time has come and you're ready to take your skills to the next level. Investing in equipment in my personal opinion is never a bad move. Especially if you're interested in filming your own content in the future. Now first things first, purchasing nice equipment can empty out your pockets pretty fast. So if you're just starting out, try not to overwhelm yourself. Do your research and try to find the best deals. When purchasing your first professional camera it DOES NOT have to be brand new! Check out your local pawn shops and online for lightly used equipment. A lot of the time, you can find great deals as people usually just want some fast cash.

A great starter camera for filming your tapes is the CANON EOS 77D DSLR. With the right lens and good lighting, this camera will definitely give you a quality boost without breaking the bank. It has a LCD touch screen and Vari-Angle capabilities so you can easily view yourself while recording. The camera weighs in at 9.88 pounds so it will be important that you invest in a decent tripod that will be capable of supporting its weight. The video recording shoots at 1080p at 60fps. Although you're not getting a 4k resolution, 1080p looks great when uploading or emailing your auditions online. Keep in mind, you don't want your video files to be so big that casting directors are unable to view them. Not to mention, sites such as Actors Access are unable to process video files larger than 500mb.

TIP:

If you're interested in upgrading your cameras lens but are hesitant to pay for the CANON price-tag, check out the brand TAMRON. They produce very well made lenses and often come at a cheaper price. So you can get the quality you're looking for without feeling like you have to spend a large chunk of change.

Now when it comes to cameras, we could potentially go on for days. This is what has personally worked for me and I would love to hear about what has worked for you!

Lighting & Backdrops

Lighting is SO IMPORTANT. Without proper lighting, you're going to have a really hard time putting together a great looking self-tape. Do yourself a favor right now and hop on Amazon. They have hundreds of great kits that are inexpensive and have done wonders for my tapes. Depending on how much you're willing to spend, different kits offer a variety of accessories. Some of which you will need and some of which are kind of unnecessary for actors in particular. Here are some of the essentials you'll need to look for in a kit.

1. Backdrops

You're going to need something to stand in front of that is not distracting. Please do not go rip the sheet off your bed and tack it to the wall. If you're in a pinch, stand in front of a blank wall in your house, apartment, or hotel room. Believe me, been there done that. Within the kit I purchased off amazon, I received black, green and white backdrop sheets. The green backdrop is technically a "Green Screen" so for self-tape purposes, you won't have a need for it.

Colors are very important. Always keep this concept in mind. Speaking from experience, as a young actress, I once had a Paramount Casting Director come up to my mom and I after an audition telling her to never dress me in just a plain white t-shirt ever again when in front of the camera. I was mortified and my mom (being the fantastic nurse that she is) had no idea that this was even a real thing. Luckily, the casting director was kind enough to go out of her way and it stuck with me. AVOID WEARING JUST PLAIN WHITE.

What you are wearing, is just as important as the backdrop you are standing in front of. Rule of thumb, know the colors that look good on you. NEVER wear anything with distracting patterns or logos as you don't want anything taking away from your performance. Use patterns sparingly. Jewel tones look great on camera accompanied by a black, gray or blue backdrop. Trust me on this one.

2. Lighting

Although I am not a lighting expert, I know that lighting unbelievably important. Within certain kits you're probably going to receive at least 2-3 softboxes. These lights are generally rectangular and have the advantage of producing natural looking light by mimicking the shape of a window. They are generally available in a variety of shapes and sizes. A larger softbox will overall produce softer light but will also require a greater light output in order to fill the entire softbox.

You may also stumble across Umbrellas. Without going into too much detail, there are many different types which serve different purposes. Generally you are going to see reflective umbrellas used for videography. The downfall with these lights is that they can take up a lot of space. If you are looking into purchasing something smaller there are a variety of LED Panels or Ring Lights you can look into online. I see a lot of individuals using these now, as they are much more convenient.

Let's talk about utilizing natural light. This is a technique that I feel a lot of people overlook and the best part is, it's free. Some of my best looking self-tapes have been when I took advantage of the natural light in my space. Try to film in a room that has windows. Just make sure you're not standing in front of your light source because you'll surely become a shadow. You also don't want sunlight to drown you out and overexpose your beautiful face. It's all about balance. The downside of using only natural light is that you have no control of how well your space will be lit on a certain day. While keeping these methods in mind, it's important to remember the elements which you do have control of. I find when utilizing both softboxes and natural light sources I receive the best results.

Audio

Last but certainly not least, let's talk audio. If we are really breaking it down the two most important elements within a self-tape is your face and your voice. Seriously, that's it. If the casting director can see and hear you clearly then you are doing your job. If you are interested in investing in better audio equipment there are hundreds of brands to choose from online. This can sometimes be a little overwhelming. In my personal opinion, you can't go wrong with both RODE & DEITY microphones. You'll want to search for directional shotgun microphones that you can plug in straight into your DSLR device or Phone. It's that simple and will make all the difference when it comes to the quality of your audio.

Step by Step: Setting up your Self-Tape

1. Set up your lighting and backdrop

Utilize natural light if available. Make sure the subjects face is well lit.

2. Frame your subject

Practice any scripted movement making sure your subject is not going out of frame. Full body shots are usually not necessary unless requested. Always frame from the chest up.

3. Test your audio

Practice at full volume to check for spiking. Audio spiking is caused when you are speaking or projecting too loudly into the microphone. Adjust your audio levels directly on your camera.