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Though self-tapes have become more and more common tool for auditions, right now self-tapes have become the go-to method for casting directors to find the talent they are looking for, and for actors and singers to share their talents with the world. 半岛体育 has put together few ideas to help you create the best self-tape audition. Watch the video above to learn the best practices for creating the best self-tape audition and book the role of your dreams, or use it to enter 半岛体育鈥檚 Search for a Star contest.
We鈥檙e accepting entries through July 28, 2021. Need help finding accompaniment? from our friends at with songs from the most loved titles in their catalog, including Newsies, Ragtime, Next to Normal, Bring It On, Legally Blonde The Musical, and many more.
These tools that will take your self-tape to the next level:
Tripod
Using your smartphone to record is 100 percent OK, but do not prop it up against a stack of books. A tripod that puts the camera on top, and allows for landscape mode rather than portrait, is what you鈥檙e after. Again, landscape (also known as horizoontal). Try to avoid tripods that have a pivot platform that would allow you to adjust the angle of the camera. That might be preferable for pros, but for self-tapes they make the picture shaky.
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Smartphone Mount
Tripods don鈥檛 come equipped to hold smartphones, so you鈥檒l need to get this attachment鈥攗nless you have a digital recording device with tripod connectors.
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Backdrop
You're the star鈥攕o use a solid neutral color as a background to make sure you pop. Note: Never position yourself right against the backdrop. Keep three feet away to prevent the creation of shadows.
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Wardrobe
After a few months in quarantine, you may want to upgrade your wardrobe. Remember: If you feel good, you look great! Boost your confidence with a little online retail therapy, or subscribe to a personal shopper service and let them do the legwork.
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Bonus: StitchFix also offers new users a $25 referral fee for every friend who signs up, so check in with your fellow actors and see if they might be interested in upgrading too!
Lighting
Natural light is the best for your self-tape, especially during the golden hour just before sunset. However, if you can鈥檛 get the angle right, there are plenty of ways to make you look radiant. Check out lamps from and browse for a table light that you can easily move around as you perfect your self-tape.
About ring lights: They are fine for non-audition videos or photos where you can re-touch your eyes, but ring lights are typically too bright for self-tapes. Plus, the ring of light that it creates in your pupil makes you look emotionless鈥攏ot helpful.
If you鈥檙e looking for a more technical option, try a Softbox light and put it 45 degrees on either side of you and a little above you (at the top of your head, rather than directly on your face). This positioning gives you a natural look versus something that鈥檚 over-produced. Watch the video above for helpfu positioning tips.
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Microphone
A shotgun mic is best for capturing sound, and picks up well from a distance. If you鈥檙e singing, you want it to be a good two feet away so that if you鈥檙e belting, the sound doesn鈥檛 distort at high volumes. Remember: Not every microphone plugs directly into your device, so be sure to get the cord, too! You can simply prop it on your tripod.
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Editing Software
Don鈥檛 overthink it: iMovie is perfectly fine, and can also be used on smartphones. Remember that the point of a self-tape is that you鈥檙e presenting your most genuine self possible鈥攖his is the equivalent of walking into an audition room. Don鈥檛 turn it into a music video or a short film.
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Just as in real auditions, you shouldn鈥檛 need to look at the music or script during a performance, but it鈥檚 helpful to keep it nearby in an organized fashion. Looking for the perfect audition song? Be sure to check out the 半岛体育 Store鈥檚 collection of .
