Self-Taping Checklist & Equipment – BRETTE GOLDSTEIN CSA

WANT TO ROCK YOUR SELF-TAPE AUDITION?

Here's a checklist for what to do and links to some equipment other actors have found useful.

Lighting & Sound Set-Up

Am I in a space that doesn’t echo?
Am I lit well?
Can the reader be heard at the same level as me?
Is my background at all distracting? (Plain blue, white or grey preferable)
Is there anything else I can do to make the set up flatter and focus me better?

CAMERA SET-UP

Did I review and follow any shooting instructions from the casting director?
Did I set my phone to record in high resolution?
Am I shooting in landscape mode?
Am I centered in the frame?
Am I the right distance away from the camera? (We should see you either waist up or chest up)
Is the camera height set at my eye level?
Is my eyeline to my reader set at the right place?
Did I run a test and make sure everything works?
Am I relaxed about the equipment enough to give a great performance? (If not, take a breather!)

SENDING THE FILE

Did I review and follow any delivery instructions from the casting director?
Did I watch my take and make sure it looks and sounds good?
Did I name the video file with my name and role?
Did I send it in a readable format (.mp4 or .mov are best)
If sending via Vimeo, did I make sure the “Download” option is checked in the video settings?

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some recommendations that some actors have found worked for their in-home set up. This set up is geared for those recording on their mobile phones.

SOUND

If your reader is at home with you, here's a mic that will pic up the sound for both of you: Microphone for iPhone
If your reader is on Zoom, we recommend getting a lav mic to plug into your iPhone + a Bluetooth speaker placed near you so that your mic will also pick up your reader's voice. Here are the links to the full kit:
Lav Mic
Mic-to-phone extension cable
iPhone adapter
Bluetooth speaker

LIGHTS

Softbox lighting kit and/or 18" Ring Light
If you use a Ring Light, consider also getting a Diffuser

BACKDROP & STANDS

Blue/Grey Portable Backdrop and Stand
Tall tripod with mobile phone attachment to hold your iPhone at eye level
iPad attachment for another tripod, if your reader is over Zoom and you want them to be eye level

EDITING

Editing may not be necessary if the sound quality is good. But if you are tech savvy, here are two FREE editing programs that will allow you to adjust the sound:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Actors' Equity made a great instruction sheet for how to set high resolution on various phones + how to send videos in various programs. Check out the link for lots of useful and supportive information:

Actors Equity Self Tape Resources

And here's a video we pulled from YouTube with more tips to get you comfortable with lighting equipment: