Building Your Self-Tape Setup

Whether or not you have an agent, whether you are trying to build your resume from scratch, or just keep raising the caliber of your credits, you will be submitting self tapes from home. One could weigh many pros and cons to having to audition via self tape, but this would be a waste of time. Accept self tapes as a reality and a responsibility, be thankful you’re not sitting in 2 hours of traffic for a 5 minute audition, and equip yourself. 

A couple things you will want to invest in:

Backdrop

You may use a plain wall, but I find that typically the backdrop allows for more freedom with adjusting movement and lighting to each audition, the time of day you are filming, etc.When it comes to the oclor of the backdrop, this is often a point of debate. Black looks a bit intense and messes with the lighting on your face typically. Colors can be distracting. Some shade of gray seems to be the preferred choice currently from what i’ve heard of in dustry professionals, but likely as long as it is neutral and doesn’t detract, you will be okay. Make sure fabric backdrops are steamed consistently– no wrinkles! These can be very distracting. Backdrops can be very invasive on your space so be prepared to have to reserve a corner of your space for self tapes, or to spend copious amounts of time assembling/dissassembling. Still sound fun being an actor? Some actors are happy with the school photo-style backdrops that frame from just over your head to your torso, and a few inches on each side. Personally, I need a full length backdrop to allow myself to move freely and adapt to any audition information I may be given. MANY self tape requests will also include a request for a full body slate. This can be tricky with a smaller backdrop because when you zoom out to accommodate your full height, your horizontal surroundings wil be visible. To avoid this, I opted to pick out a backdrop dimensional to the camera’s dimensions.  This is where the shorter folks are going to be at an advantage. In my case, using an iPhone for my tapes, there is a 16:9 aspect ratio. I am 5’10, and I want a few inches above my head.  So I want something at least 6 ft tall and at least 10.6 feet wide. Amazon has tons of options for dimensions so you’ll be able to find the right fit, and many of the backdrop frames are adjustable.

Lighting

You will want some kind of direct lighting such as an influencer-style ring light, portable LED video lights, or softbox lights, as well as a versatile tripod. You will want these two items to be as collapsible as possible (I can get mine so tight that I often travel with them).

Camera

In terms of cameras, iPhones have been accepted as a standard since the cameras on an iPhone are just as good as many video cameras out there without having to go make an extra purchase. That being said, if you have a camera of quality that you prefer by all means use it! This is all about showing yourself in the best light, and aiming for the best quality within your means is a great goal.

These are all just guidelines that I have when helping friends pick out their self tape set up, but when it comes down to you, it’s really about what you feel comfortable with –What you feel looks clean, what highlights you the best, and what will be conducive to you getting all your auditions done. 

The Best Piece of Acting Advice I’ve Received Recently

As actors who continuously seek out growth and learning, there tends to be a lot of parsing through opinions and advice to find what really works for you. Once in a while, I receive a note that stops me in my tracks…all of a sudden has me shifting my whole approach and feeling reconnected with my spirit.

I was given a very straightforward piece of advice from my acting teacher, some thing that caught me off-guard. We were practicing Meisner repetition exercises and I, like my classmates, was being a bit too nice: “throwing bones” to my scene partner, trying to be accommodating, instead of operating from my desires and from my own experience. My teacher said this:

Be f***ing selfish.

He described how most actors, if they’re taking class, have a hunger. A need to allow a certain part of themselves to step forward. We hold that part of ourselves back when we try to manage, and accommodate for, other people.

Everyone can fend for themselves.

Two people are accommodating each other is going to be extremely boring for the audience and the actors alike. This is what we do in real life, when we behave and act polite, but we crave drama as catharsis, as a release for all we suppress in daily life.

This was personally striking to me. Always chastised for doing anything that could be perceived as selfish, so I learned to hide my desires under layers of accommodating and people-pleasing. I do feel this hunger he talks about— this vibration that raises inside of me when I step into the arena, so to speak. I want to feed it. I know I’ve fed it when I leave it in class satisfied because I let myself go, and I let myself take what I needed. He described his own experience going to classes and being so hungry to be there that he was ruthless, cutthroat. His eyes light up when he said it. Many actors are selfish in a different sense, caring more about their own performance and their own preparation than about spontaneous connection with the ensemble, and engaging with the actors present onstage with them. However, being selfish in the moment when you’re face-to-face with your partner and leaving your preparation at the door? That is true bravery down impulse is true bravery and honesty, and the basis of great acting.

My On-Set Essentials

Taking care of yourself for long days on a non-union set

Tons of water:

You can never have enough water. I don’t know what it is about sets, but nowhere else do I get so dehydrated. You always think you have enough water- I’ll often bring my 30 oz Stanley cup with me, but often I’ll be hard-pressed to find a refill station. They’ll give you the tiny water bottles a lot of the time on sets that are maybe 4 ounces of water and not much help. cause you have to drink 10 for to do anything so bring your huge bottle of water and maybe two

A stury and streamlined go-bag:

If you’re gonna be at all high maintenance (or, we’ll call it hyper-prepared) a duffel bag will your best friend. You can fit in everything you might need and still not take up too much space, keeping everything compact. I love my duffel bag from Baboon to the Moon . It is so sleek. I even take it to my acting classes all the time because I need to bring a lot of props with me and it really does it all. It’s so versatile. I love just a plain black one, but they have tons of cute designs and colors. They feel so sturdy. I’ve never worried about it. Feel so nice so it’s been like two years.

Hygiene

Deodorant: self explanatory. Tide stick: self explanatory. Feminine hygiene products, self explanatory. You never know what’s gonna happen. You don’t wanna get yourself in stuck in a sticky situation when people are counting on you.

Entertainment

As exciting as being on set sounds, you will almost always be doing a good amount of waiting around. Bring books, bring something to write in, any other work you could catch up on. Anything but scrolling on your phone all day. And don’t forget chargers! A portable charger can be a lifesaver as well.

I also like to bring a little massage ball cause my feet get very sore, especially if I’m in heels all day, so I roll my feet out every once in a while to rebalance myself. Colgate wisps, gum, mouth spray, etc. Eye drops my eyes get super dry all the time (I think it’s the lights). And if you’re on any kind of diet or have particular needs, I would always recommend bringing snacks that fit your goals. This may sound like overkill, but these long days can definitely take a toll on you if you’re not prepared.