Check out our coaches’ top tips for enhancing your self-tapes. These proven techniques and exercises not only elevate your performance but also enhance the professionalism of your self-tapes, helping you stand out to casting directors.
The 5 W’s
When you receive an audition, your job is to become a detective, gathering as much information as possible. Think of it as uncovering clues about your character. These clues will help you build a rich dimensional portrayal.
One useful exercise to dive deeper into your role is to ask the “5 w’s”:
Who is in the scene?
What is happening in the scene?
Where is the scene taking place?
When is the scene set?
Why is the scene unfolding the way it is?
By answering these questions, you gain insight into the character’s motivations, the context, and the stakes at play.
Eyelines
Use the insights from your 5 w’s to refine your eyelines in your self-tape. For instance, consider how many people are in the scene and where the
Action is taking place. With this information, you can make your eyelines more precise, reflecting the relationships between your character, the setting, and the other characters. This not only adds authenticity to your performance but also shows casting directors that you understand the character’s world.
Managing multiple eyelines in a scene can be tricky, but here’s a helpful tip: place post-it notes behind the camera, with each note representing a different character’s eyeline. This simple trick keeps your eyelines consistent throughout the scene.
Pre beat
It’s crucial to capture the casting team’s attention from the very start of your self-tape. That’s why we recommend beginning your scene with a pre-beat. This is an action that occurs before any dialogue. Before delivering your first line, take 3-5 seconds to engage in an action that grounds you in the character’s circumstances and helps establish your eyelines. This moment not only draws the viewer in but also gives you the chance to apply the 5 w’s.
Consider where the scene is set and your relationship with the person you’re speaking to. This small but powerful step adds depth, subtlety, and authenticity to your performance, allowing you to connect with the scene before the dialogue even starts.
