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Self-Tape Tips Part 8 - Am I Making the Right Choices?

Self-Tape Tips Part 8: Am I Making the Right Choices?

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One of the major complaints I hear regarding self-tapes, is that actors often feel like they’re acting in a vacuum.

Endless questions plague you…

  • “This character should clearly have a Southern accent, right?”
  • “Should I show the action in this scene? Do they want to see me fall?”
  • “This scene could totally be ironic and sarcastic, OR it could be heartfelt and genuine… should I do it the way it’s written, or the way I think it should be done?”
  • “How far should I go with movement/props/wardrobe?”
  • “The other character in this scene is obviously her brother… or is it her ex?”
  • “If I turn my phone vertically for the slate, will I be disqualified?”
  • “Why couldn’t they just have seen me in person?! I have so many questions!”

In terms of your character work and prep, self-tapes should be treated no differently than live auditions.

You can (and should!) use the following information to help inform your choices:

  1. The breakdown header: there is a wealth of information provided when you see who is involved in a particular project. (I ranted more about this topic in a previous post.) Header info is a great source when thinking of appropriate tonal choices.
  2. If you were given multiple scenes, each section will represent an important character aspect, trait or turn. We’re not giving you gobs of pages to test your memorization skills. Re-read the breakdown before you scan through your material, and look for different facets of the character in each scene.
  3. Any notes from Casting: if there’s a certain note that will undoubtedly be helpful to your taping process, we will provide it. (Why would we want you to audition without pertinent info? Who does that help?) If we want you to do an accent, or wear something specific, or treat the other character as your brother, even though he’s your ex, then we will tell you. If we don’t give you those kinds of notes, just use your instincts to make choices based on what you see on the page.
  4. When in doubt, use the material as your guide. Don’t assume that the stage direction or character description included therein is a ruse. This is not the SATs; the writer is not trying to trick you.
  5. Remember that we are hiring you as an ACTOR. Not as an editor, a cinematographer, a HMU artist, a set decorator, a stunt performer, etc. Make smart, simple choices on those things and let the focus be on YOU and YOUR PERFORMANCE.

And please hear my endless drumbeat on slates:

YOUR SLATE IS FOR INFORMATION. Stop stressing about it. The information is hugely helpful to us, but it is not a performance and we are not looking for it to look beautiful. Info = important; your messy house = not.

If ultimately you STILL feel concerned or in the dark about something, don’t be afraid to ask!

You can have your reps reach out to Casting with your questions, or you can have them ask if it’s ok for you to call/email directly. The Casting team may not realize that there is something vague about the material. Again, we will never PURPOSELY leave out information that would have a significant impact on your choices.

Remember to trust your instincts (and the writers/Casting team,) trust your script analysis skills, and prepare your self-tape scenes the same way you would any other audition piece.

Demo Reels: The Basics

Demo Reels: The Basics

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Your reel is so, SO important.

Often times, it’s the very first taste we have of your abilities as an actor. Sometimes, it serves as a reminder of who you are, and occasionally, it proves that you’re capable of handling a specific role. Your reel is meant to sell you; to agents, to casting directors, to producers, execs, etc.

While there are about a billion things we can say about reels, these four points are what I consider to be the absolute basics, when compiling your demo reel:

1. Less is More: keep it short and sweet.

ONLY put your best quality (acting and technical,) and most current clips on your reel.

  • If you work often, you should update your reel with new (HIGH QUALITY) stuff as frequently as you can. (And even though you loved the work you did on CHEERS or SEINFELD, those clips are too old for us to see what you look/sound like now. Keep the credit on your resume, but take the material off of your reel.)
  • Two-three minutes worth of material is about all we need. Only have 45 seconds or one minute worth of clips? That’s ok, too.

HINT: Leaving us wanting more will often result in an audition…

2. Open with your BEST scene.

It might be the only thing we see, so start with your strongest work.

  • This also means that you should skip the opening video or photo montage. Open with a title card of your name or just jump right into the first clip. Either way, we should be seeing a scene within the first five seconds of your reel.
  • Try not to start with a scene where you are doing an accent, or are in crazy make-up or period costume. We want to see and hear YOU. Save that work for a little later in your reel, if you can. (However, if it’s truly your best scene, then put it first.)

3. Seriously, skip the fancy editing tricks.

Your reel is meant to show off your acting chops, not your Final Cut skills.

  • Sometimes, casting will need to edit your reel to pull out a specific scene, or even reorder your material. Want to know the first things that get dumped in the trash? All your cool-looking edits and fades.
  • Two basic, helpful edit tools: A title card with your name and contact (either at the beginning or the end,) and a chyron of the project name in the corner of each clip. Everything else is extraneous.

4. It doesn’t matter if your reel is one big clip, or separated out into individual scenes/clips.

Since there is no “industry standard” for this, it should be decided by you and your reps (and your bank account – these uploads/clips cost money, after all):

  • If you DO have all your material in one big clip, make sure your reps have access to the individual scenes (in a shared folder, through your website, etc.) It may help when they’re pitching you for a specific role.
  • Some people have separate reels for their comedy and drama work. Some have a separate reel for commercials or stunts. If you have enough material to fill different kinds of reels, go for it. If not, put it all together in one. Simple as that.

Remember, your reel is meant to SELL YOU.

If you’re not completely proud of a clip, don’t use it on your demo. It’s better to have no reel than one that will harm your chances of getting in the room or booking the job.