By auditioning via digital tape, you will save time and the expense of having to travel for the first round of auditions. Depending on the project you might be hired directly from your audition, but you must be prepared to travel for a director and/or producer callback. There are positive and negative sides of Virtual Auditions. Getting hired is difficult in this competitive business. The opportunity to audition for any role you are right for provides the opportunity to work on your craft and establish contacts in the business. Virtual Auditions are like playing the lottery. If you don’t play, you don’t win. It is always better to go to the Casting Director’s or your Agent’s office for an audition.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SELF- TAPED AUDITIONS
Use a good digital video camera or the HD Flip camera. Don’t use a web cam.
If you are using Quicktime (.mov) the following settings should be used; Video Capture: Better quality (H.264), Video Compression: Medium-High quality (640 x 480 VGA).
If you are using Windows Movie Maker (.wmv) the following settings should be used; Export presets Video for LAN (768 kbps), or Video for Broadband (340 kbps).
You must have great lighting where you can see your skin tone and eye color.
You must have great sound. Make sure the reader isn’t louder than the actor who is auditioning.
Use a solid color background. A light to medium blue or periwinkle color works best. Do not have pictures, blinds, windows, or any other clutter in the background. Make sure you don’t wear a color that blends into the color of your backdrop.
The reader is very important. If you are not comfortable having the camera operator read then ask another actor to read opposite you to ensure a great audition. The reader should stand beside and behind the camera. The actor and the reader should be the same distance from the camera for equal voice level. The reader should never be seen on camera.
Bring an extra copy of your sides for the reader along with any special taping instructions, including email addresses for the recipients.
The beginning slate should be a tight frame, mid-chest (between breast and shoulders) to the top of your head, and should consist of your name, role and agent. Your end slate should be a quick full body shot (not moving up and down, but a solid full body shot) with your name and role you’re reading for. The slate is a way of introducing who you are and is the first impression the viewer will see. Keep it short and to the point.
Tape your audition close up, mid-chest (between breast and shoulders) to the top of your head.
Send your best take only unless casting has specifically requested otherwise.
You will not do yourself any favors by sending an audition that is not your best.
Files should be sent in QuickTime or WMV format. Files smaller than 13 mb can be e-mailed directly to your agent. Anything larger you can send thru www.yousendit.com. Very large files might not be watched so compress the file as small as you can without losing quality. Do not post auditions on YouTube.
If you are reading for more than one role send each in a separate file.
Label your file with your FirstNameLastName.Role.Project. unless specified otherwise.
Deadlines to accept auditions exist for a reason. The sooner you get your audition to the agent the better chance you have of being seen first.
PROFESSIONAL TAPING SERVICES VS. TAPING AT HOME
Your agent is busy and most likely will not have time to tape you, but they can recommend professional taping services in your area. Professionals invest in high quality equipment. For a nominal fee they tape, read with you, edit and send your audition to your agent. The advantage is you can concentrate on your audition and let the service take care of the technical aspects. Taping at home will require that you invest in a good camera, lighting and backdrop, and that you have a wall space that is clear of windows, pictures or furniture, etc. It does offer more flexibility in your schedule allowing you to tape at your own convenience; however the quality must be good enough for studio or network approval. If you tape at home do not use overhead fluorescent lights as they tend to make your skin tone look yellowish-orange. Ideally, use two incandescent lights. One as a key light, set off the side of the camera and pointed at your face and one as a fill light, set to the opposite side of the camera a little farther away and pointed at your side. If your space is small, you may be able to get by with one light. The choice is yours to make as to whether you use a professional service or self-tape.
ACTING IN COLUMBUS
YOUR PERFORMANCE
You must have your script memorized. Looking down at your script tells the person watching that you were not prepared. It is by far the worst thing you can do that you have control over. If you can’t put the time and effort into memorizing the script you will never be able to concentrate on the character and deliver a great performance.
If you do not receive the full script, read the sides that were sent for all of the characters. This will give you more information on the project as well as more insight into your character. Trust your gut instinct on how you would play the character. You will rarely receive instructions from casting on what the director is looking for prior to taping. Treat your taped audition the same as you would if you were physically in the room with the casting director.
