By Aislinn Ní Uallacháin
www.castingireland.ie
Auditions. Love them or hate them, it’s the best way for a Production to find their ideal Cast unless they already have names in mind. As a former Actor, it’s one of the areas where Performers often ask for advice, whether they’re new to the business or a seasoned pro. Over the past few years, the world of auditions has been steadily changing. More and more Productions and Casting Directors are opting for self-tapes. Either they’ll cast based on those tapes alone or select their favourites for a callback, either in-person or virtually. Here are some of my tips to make your self-tape as good as it can be.
1. Read the instructions. Then read them again.
The number one piece of advice is to read all the instructions very carefully. I can’t stress that enough. Of course, when you receive a request for a self-tape, especially on a tight deadline, you want to get it over to your Agent or the Casting Director as soon as possible. Whoever is sending you instructions will provide all the information they can. They’ll tell you what to film, how to film it, and how to send your video. However, I’ve seen people perform the wrong part of the script, read in an incorrect accent, or accidentally gloss over an important directorial note. Make sure you don’t fall at the first hurdle!
2. No Script in Hand.
If you’re filming a self-taped audition, even if the deadline is tight, you must know the script by heart. It’s difficult to play a role convincingly if you have a script in your hand. Acting for screen is all about the eyes, so we need to see them. If you’re periodically glancing down at a piece of paper, eye contact is broken, and the reality of your character may be diluted. Prep is so important so make the most of the time you have.
3. Pay Attention to Transitions.
As an audience member, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a character transform before our eyes. I recently re-watched Superman (1978), starring the wonderful Christopher Reeve. Despite the incredible special effects and storytelling in general, my favourite part is a moment towards the end (SPOILER ALERT!) where Superman has saved the day and is looking proud of himself. Suddenly, the look across his face when he realises he’s forgotten to save Lois Lane… Magical. Crushing. Goosebumps. When preparing a script for a self-tape, pay close attention to moments of transition where you can evoke a meaningful reaction from the audience.
4. Treat it as a Performance.
If you’re doing a self-tape, it’s important not to play it as an audition. Imagine this is the actual shoot and you already have the part! Show off what you can do. Be confident in your creative choices. Have clear and strong interpretations of who this character is. Ask yourself where they are, what’s their history, and what’s their relationship to the other character(s) in the scene. It’s not always easy when you’re receiving a short section of the script, but it’s worth investing some time to bring the character to life as best you can. The most compelling Actors are those who can make any scene feel authentic – whether it’s shot on a Hollywood soundstage or in a kitchen on a mobile phone.
5. Take, Take, Take.
Once you’ve received the script, you might do a couple of rehearsals. Shortly thereafter, maybe you secure a take where you say all the lines perfectly. For a lot of Actors, this first take is what they send. But there are more layers to a performance than just the dialogue. My advice is, once you get a strong take, do a couple more! Try not to settle for the first strong result. Keep going, you may end up securing better takes once you know you have one in the bag. When that little bit of pressure is off, performers tend to do their best work.
So there you have it! A few pointers on self-tapes based on my experience of both filming and watching them. I’d recommend practicing as much as you can, even if you aren’t due to submit a tape for a project. Pick a scene from your favourite TV show or film and whip out the camera!
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