I’ve had many actors guide television and movie jobs off of self tapes. I’ve had much more actors ship in dozens of tapes (lots of?), solely to by no means hear something. Within the casting world, it’s straightforward to ask anybody and everybody to “ship in a tape” from wherever they’re, and weed out those you wish to carry within the casting room for one in every of their treasured audition slots. Self taping is changing into extra of a “pre-pre-read,” and it permits casting administrators to open up a wider web, to scroll by way of the movies on their laptop or telephone at any time when they’ve time (typically the director is trying too—wink wink), to resolve whether or not an actor is nice/proper for the function after solely listening to a couple of strains (versus a number of scenes within the room). Typically your slate is all they should hear to resolve “Nope.”
Because of this it’s extra vital than ever so that you can be firing on all cylinders if you ship in a self tape, whether or not it’s by way of a self-submission, or by way of your agent and supervisor. I imply you want good lighting, sound, appearing (duh), decisions, be “digital camera prepared,” perceive tone, be ready and memorized, have a robust standpoint, the entire deal. It ought to be as in case you are stepping on set. These little .mov information are every thing. Get. Good. At. It. Don’t put mediocre work out into the world. Deal with each tape prefer it’s being seen by Martin Scorsese. Critically. ESPECIALLY in case your brokers and managers are watching it. The way you do in your self tape reveals them how good/dangerous you might be at auditioning, which straight leads to how laborious they push you to get into the room. You’re feeling me?
I’m in no way a casting director, however have been on the receiving finish of lots of of self-tapes, each by way of directing a couple of quick movies, asking actors to indicate me their self tapes, being a coach all these years, and asking brokers and managers their ideas. Let’s repair this, lets?
High causes your self tapes suck:
1. The Slate From Hell. You already know these “Actor Slate” issues on Actors Entry? You may inform an terrible lot about somebody from simply having them look into digital camera and say their title. Don’t be loopy. First impressions are every thing. You both appear to be a pleasant, pleasant particular person you wish to hang around with on set for a couple of weeks, otherwise you appear to be you strangle cats in your yard. For enjoyable. On Sundays. Simply be regular.
2. Lack of Prep. Deal with this like you might be strolling right into a display check. You know the way they are saying your eyes are the home windows to your soul? Effectively, your eyeLIDS are home windows to… nicely, sucking (oh snap!). The extra you look down at your script, the extra you set up a wall, and the extra the viewer drops out. In case you aren’t linked, how will you anticipate the viewer to be? This is without doubt one of the few stuff you CAN management. Don’t drop the ball. Don’t give them a cause to skip over your tape. Memorize your script, however have it in your hand. Be so aware of the scene you could actually pay attention and connect with the reader. Seize the viewer by the *&*% and maintain their consideration. It’s essential. A very powerful components of a scene are the little moments between the strains, the place the ideas kind, the discoveries occur. That’s when most actors look all the way down to seize their strains. So.. no extra of that, cool?
3. Sizzling Mess. Why you look so drained? Perhaps comb your hair? You must appear to be you might be stepping onto set—hair, make-up, wardrobe, the entire deal. Not that you’re simply getting back from an all evening bender along with your 80 12 months outdated roommate. Get some relaxation, placed on some basis (you too, guys), put on garments that fit your needs and colours that flatter you. It issues. At all times keep in mind that another person will probably be placing in additional effort than you, will probably be hitting up Drybar the second it opens, and will probably be going to the Mac retailer to seek out some “male basis.” (simply me?)
4. Blair Witch Lighting. Chill with the overhead lighting, the iphone flashlight lighting, and every thing else that makes you appear to be you murdered your finest good friend. A correctly lit tape makes the casting director WANT to look at you, as a result of it lights up your eyes, flatters you, provides you dimension, and takes out all of these loopy shadows. Lookup 3 level lighting on Youtube. Mess around with it.
5. Your Reader is Loud and Sucks. Love you, imply it. You should have a lavalier microphone that sticks onto your shirt and plugs into your digital camera. Please? Purchase a $25 greenback one on Amazon and plug it into your iphone. Good sound fixes quite a lot of issues. Dangerous sound makes a pleasant trying video unwatchable. I do know your mother/roommate/sister/finest good friend was an additional on All My Kids 10 years in the past, but when they’re standing proper subsequent to the digital camera, they should chill with the shouting. The main target ought to be YOU, your ACTING, your CONNECTION, your EYES, not the wild animal that you’re studying with.
6. Handmaid’s Story Framing. You know the way they shoot actors on Handmaid’s Story, and put their closeup within the decrease left nook of the display? Superior on that present. So good. So dangerous in your tape. So dangerous. Hold it easy. A pleasant medium shot, chest or shoulders up, with you within the middle, a bit room above your head.
6. Low-cost issues you might want to have. Tender field lighting, lavalier microphone, tripod, iphone tripod adaptor clip, grey or blue sheet for a backdrop, enhancing software program (iMovie or Closing Minimize Professional), a good friend who by no means will get bored with studying with you, and a few good pomade.
Consider it this fashion: A breakdown goes out for a small scene in a giant movie. Each agent and supervisor on the town submits their shoppers for it. Let’s say they obtain 2,000 submissions. Of these they ask 100 actors to ship in a self tape. Now swap sides and picture you’re the casting director. Let’s say you might be watching 100 tapes of individuals saying the SAME LINES. 50 received’t be memorized sufficient, 10 may have dangerous lighting, 20 dangerous sound, 15 will appear to be they simply stepped out of a hurricane, and 5 may have it memorized, coached, professionally lit, have nice sound, BE RIGHT FOR IT,and provides the casting director/producer/administrators no selection however to rent you. The manufacturing worth will probably be terrific, and folks will all wish to watch your tape.
See what I’m saying? Now don’t go sending me emails saying how the “Stranger Issues” man despatched in a self tape whereas he was sick in mattress. Kay?
Love,
Matt
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