What you can do to avoid the most common self-tape mistakes.
Every performer will need to film a self-tape at some point in their career, whether it’s for a role submission or to enter our ‘Into the Spotlight’ monologue competitions. Casting professionals receive hundreds of self-tapes for each role, so unfortunately they’re unlikely to engage quite so much with your self-tape if they’re immediately greeted by common, easily avoided mistakes.
Here are six simple tips to ensure you’re not making these mistakes:
1. Film Your Self-Tapes in Landscape
Self-tapes should be landscape as standard, so ensure you’re never filming them in portrait, even if you’re using your phone!
Think of your tape as a TV or film screen – you’d hate to watch a blockbuster in portrait!
2. Don’t Look Into the Camera
A lot of performers aren’t sure where they should look in a self-tape. Imagine your character in their scene – who are they speaking to? Pick a spot where that other person is – just off camera – and fix your eyes on where their eye line would be, as if you’re talking to them.
Don’t look straight into the camera (unless it’s been requested in the brief), and don’t turn your whole head away to the imaginary person – casting professionals want to see your face!
3. Don’t Move Around Too Much
It’s understandable that when you’re performing, you want to move around. But with a self-tape, less is more, so try not to move around too much. It will be distracting for the casting director, and you don’t want anything to distract from your acting.
Make a decision before you film – whether you’re sitting or standing – and stay there. Otherwise you’ll need to keep moving the camera.
4. Avoid Distracting Backgrounds
Likewise, don’t film your self-tape in front of a background that could steal attention away from your performance. Pick a plain, neutral-coloured wall to stand in front of with as much natural light as possible.
If you don’t have a wall like this, then a cheap hack is to hang up a piece of material or a bed sheet in front of your background.
5. Frame Yourself Properly
You’re the focus of the self-tape, so why would you not want to be in the frame? Having too much space above or to one side of you will be distracting, and could take the casting professional out of your performance.
6. Don’t Imitate Well-Known Performers
Always try to make a piece your own. Even if you’re filming a monologue that’s well-known because of a certain actor’s version of it, don’t try to do it like they did. The casting director will just end up comparing you to that performance the whole time.
You need to stand out in your own way, so interpret the lines in your own way, make a choice and commit to it.
Take a look at our website for more self-taping advice, such as how to edit your self-tapes and 14 tips for finding freedom within self-taping.
