Here are some amazing tips from industry veteran Samantha Inoue-harte:
1. Read the directions carefully.
Start by reading the self-tape submission guidelines very closely so you can follow the specific directions of the casting director. Be sure to double check any notes. Some casting offices may want clips uploaded separately or edited together to make one continuous take of all scenes and slate.
Did the casting director ask for a slate before the audition clip? Did they ask for specific framing, like a full-body shot or just from the shoulders up? Did they ask for you to upload the videos with a specific format? Did they ask for the video to be sent through WeTransfer? Dropbox? Youtube? Vimeo?
2. Get off-book before recording.
Memorize your sides before taping. It is vital that you give a performance and not a “read” on video. Since a taped audition is locked in place, that first impression is all you get to show whoever watches it.
Be prepared and know the material so you can give the best performance.
When your eyes drop down to the page to search for a line, it takes everyone out of the moment.
3. Pick a good reader.
Make sure it’s someone with a good clear voice and ask them to stand behind the camera – ask a fellow actor to help. Your reader should be able to act enough to help, but not too much to not take the attention away from you. As a general rule, make sure that the reader is not seen in the frame and that they are not louder than the person who is auditioning.
4. Choose a quiet, clean setting.
Use a plain background and make sure that there is no distracting noise getting in the way of recording the audio. No construction work or lawn mowing in the background. Ensure that background noise is kept to a minimum and that the camera is at eye-level. The light source should be in front of you and not in shot.
5. Be aware of your lighting.
If you’re recording during the day, stand close to an open window to get the natural light. In the evening avoid fluorescent or high contrasting lighting.
6. Make appropriate clothing choices.
Choose whatever you are most comfortable with or whatever is most appropriate for the scene. Noting too flashy, just keep it simple. Wear a plain t-shirt with no logos or patterns; avoid white and black (white shirt reflects too much and black can create a distracting “floating head” look, especially if your background is dark).
7. Film in landscape, not portrait mode.
Be sure to film in landscape, not portrait! Place your recording device horizontally, on a secure surface to avoid shaky footage.
8. Don’t record directly into the camera.
Keep your focus off of the camera and place your viewpoint slightly to the left or right of the camera lens – don’t record your audition addressing the viewer (unless asked otherwise). If you stare directly into the camera you will come off as creepy.
9. Don’t hold back. Perform!
Use the slate as a chance to show your personality to the person who will be watching. Then, give it your all, directing your focus to your reader, and immerse yourself in the audition. Just because its a self-tape doesn’t mean you can’t give your best audition! Your self tape audition is your first impression on the casting director.
10. Edit for efficiency and accuracy.
After all your material is recorded, edit out excess footage and only send the absolute best take of your scenes to the casting director (unless told otherwise). Label the clips with your name first, then add the project title and scene (again, unless told otherwise). Make sure to reduce the size of the file for quicker upload on your part, and quicker viewing and download on their side. Double check the notes from the casting director.
Remember to follow any directions given. Did the casting director explicitly mention they wanted 3 separate videos, one for each side of dialogue? If the casting director asked for 2 different takes of the same scene, did they want it to be edited to be put back to back in the same clip? If the casting director asked for a slate, did they say whether they wanted it right before your audition clip? Or in its own separate video.