1. Taking Care Of The Auditioning Basics Before Self-Taping
Despite the additional, more technological steps to make and the absence of a casting director attending the performance in real time, the preparation of acting performance-wise has not changed for self-taping.
Following the casting call application, receiving the invitation to submit a self-tape audition performance, kid performers will receive instructions on the following actions, e.g., script lines. Parents have to ensure their child studies them thoroughly, to the point of memorizing them, and practices them before the audition. It allows them to confidently and naturally perform during the self-tape session without having to allocate their attention toward script lines.
While the self-tape format indeed gives the chance to do more than one take, and ultimately pick the arguably best version of the audition performance, prior preparations will allow the kid to showcase their talents better, as well as allow them to get more used to the further, likely in-person, process of being an actor or model.
2. Setting Up The Self-Tape Filming Location
When it comes to self-taping, the aim is always to film the audition performance in a calm and quiet place. In most cases, that sort of space will be at a child's home, as it is not only a controlled and readily available environment but also potentially the place where the kid actor feels the most comfortable to perform freely. Parents should also ensure the chosen filming location has minimal echo, as well as choose a time period when there is minimal risk of outside noises interrupting the taping.
The background for the self-tape must be neutral, ideally a plain wall. It is advisable to avoid busy patterns or cluttered settings, as they can not only take the casting director’s attention away from the performance but also affect clear visibility in general.
Lighting is also one of the key aspects of a quality self-tape. Natural light can work the best, yet parents should make sure that the limited availability of daylight does not end up literally casting a shadow on the kid actor, or the opposite - bringing too much sunlight onto them. The young performer should face the window during self-taping, while the smartphone is between them during filming. If filming during daylight is not possible, it is advisable to test them before filming, as they can end up with unwanted alteration of the visibility of the child.
3. Preparing A Smartphone For The Shoot Of A Self-Tape
The preparation of the smartphone itself for self-taping is making sure the basics are all checked. Amongst those is making sure the device is fully charged to avoid unfortunate errors during the filming of the child's audition performance. Camera lenses should be wiped clean for the best possible footage quality and the reduction of distracting patches of dirt appearing in the video.
Before beginning the self-tapping, it should be double-checked that the device provides a sharp video quality, correct exposure, and consistent framing. Unless instructed differently, the smartphone's camera should be mounted at the eye level of the kid actor or model, while the young performer is centered and looking slightly off-camera instead of directly into it. The focus of the smartphone camera should be locked on the kid performer’s face.
The aim is to create an interaction-like impression as it would be when auditioning in person or during a live online meeting.
4. Filming The Self-Tape With A Smartphone
Unless specifically instructed in the received audition information, the self-tape should be filmed by holding the smartphone horizontally. Always use the rear camera of the smartphone, as it offers better video quality than the selfie camera and is generally meant for this type of filming format.
A key factor to any successful self-tape video is a steady framing of the performance. This is exactly why filming the child’s audition by holding the smartphone in hand would be a poor choice, due to it being impossible to have absolutely no additional movement for an extended period of time. Shakiness during the video will usually be deemed as unprofessional. While using an additional tool, the tripod, is recommended and most convenient to solve this, a smartphone can also be leaned on various items available at any household, including books or a coffee mug, for the length of the self-tape session.
Audio of the self-taping, when it comes to acting auditions, is equally important as the visual aspect of the video. The microphone of a smartphone should be sufficient to provide a clear audio of the performance, so that every word the kid actor says is understandable to the casting director. It is recommended that the phone be no further from the child than about 3 to 5 feet away from the child to maintain a high enough clarity level of the audio quality.
Of course, the child also has to provide clear and loud enough vocals for the phone to capture them efficiently. If there is an issue with the results, it is advisable to invest in an additional microphone.
The aim should be to use the self-taping opportunity to do two to three takes per scene to later pick out the best, while also avoiding exhausting the child’s energy with too many takes.
5. Finalizing The Self-Tape With A Smartphone
The final version of the self-tape application can be created on the smartphone as well, through various video editing mobile apps. All the best takes should either be compiled together in one video file, or, in the case of the final footage being the best as one full take, it should be trimmed to remove the possible dead space filled at the start or the end of the video.
Actors and models of any age should never use video filters, special transition effects between scenes, or any other effects, like added music, for their self-tape audition video. Casting directors will expect simple and clean footage of the performance without any distracting digital alterations.
It is essential to rename the video file to a more specific title to significantly lower the risk of it getting lost amongst others. The self-tape video file title typically should feature the kid actor’s first and last name, the role they are auditioning for, and the project’s name.
Finally, the final self-tape audition file should be uploaded to the required platform or file-sharing service, which can also be done by using a smartphone. All that remains is to await a response from the casting directors - potentially, on the smartphone as well.
