Getting Work In Television and Film as An Actor — A Guide for the Self Tape Audition
Getting a job as an actor in film or television is all about preparation, talent, and showing up. These days, especially when it comes to larger projects and studio films, actors are often asked to do a tape audition. A tape audition is where you record yourself reading for the role, sometimes with other actors on the call sheet but often by yourself. The process can be daunting at first, but if you approach it the right way it can really help your chances at booking a job. It focuses your performance and allows casting directors to see a more polished version of you that they might not get in the room. Here are some tips for making sure your self-tape auditions go smoothly.
Your acting job is to be as good as you can be in the session.
I know that before the session, you have been rehearsing your script and thinking about how you play different emotions. You may have even had a few acting coaches work with you to help prepare for the session. But once that camera is rolling, none of that matters anymore. The only thing that really matters is YOU, and being as good as possible at this moment in time on this day to show them who YOU are as an actor no matter what else is going on around you (including yourself).
You must focus on yourself and your performance, not comparing yourself to other actors or worrying about the process or outcome of the audition itself because it will kill any chance of giving them your best work!
When an actor gets to a casting session, they are only really responsible for their own performance.
As an actor, you are only responsible for your own performance. You are not responsible for the casting director's decision to select you or not select you. The casting director isn't responsible for your performance either. It's all on you!
The same goes for directors and producers: they don't get a say in who gets cast; it's up to the actors themselves and their auditions alone. Audience members also aren't involved with making decisions about who should be cast—the only people who can decide that are those in charge of production at the time of filming or taping (whether it's a film shoot or an episode of a TV show).
The camera creates an extra level of pressure.
The camera is a tool, not a judge. The camera is not there to judge you, but rather it's there to help you communicate your performance and make it as good as possible. It's often said that the camera adds ten pounds, but in reality it gives actors an extra level of pressure.
The director is using the camera to communicate his vision for what he wants from each scene and how he wants the audience to experience this story. When an actor performs for the camera instead of just playing along with other actors on set or in front of an audience at a theater or concert hall, this changes the way they look at their performance: Instead of seeing themselves through their own eyes, they're seeing themselves from above—literally—and sometimes that can be intimidating!
It's important to remind yourself that while you're performing in one room alone (or maybe even just with your partner), everything else will happen later on when filming begins and everyone else joins in on creating something beautiful together!
Too often, actors are not given enough time to prepare for the audition.
It is imperative that you are prepared for the audition. You will only have a few minutes to show what you can do, so make sure that you know your lines and get a good understanding of your character and direction from the director. You will also need to be familiar with the other actors in the scene; this helps build off each other’s performances when it comes time to film, especially if they are playing opposite roles (i.e., a husband vs. wife).
Additionally, know everything about the production team: whether they use pre-production materials like wardrobe or props; what kind of style they like best; how long their shoots last; etc... Even if these details aren't divulged during an initial phone call with their assistant casting director, doing some research before going into an audition will help set up better expectations for everyone involved - including yourself!
A good performance on tape starts with preparation.
Before you even step in front of the camera, there are some things you can do to make sure that you give yourself the best chance to get cast.
Prepare for your audition! To make sure you are ready for every element of your audition tape, we've written a full guide on how to prepare for an acting job. If you haven't read it yet, go ahead and check it out now: Preparing For An Acting Job
Make sure you know the script! You want to be able to deliver the lines with confidence and conviction without having too much time between when they are said and when they appear on screen. The less flustered or confused-sounding you appear on tape, the better chance there is that an agent or casting director will see something worthwhile in your performance.
It’s important for an actor to focus on themselves, rather than worry about being compared too closely to other actors.
It’s important for an actor to focus on themselves, rather than worry about being compared too closely to other actors. The main goal of the self tape audition is to get your own performance across and show that you can do it well.
If you’re worried about how well your performance compares with others who auditioned, then that will be reflected in your acting. You won’t be able to fully commit yourself because you’re thinking about what other people are doing. To avoid this problem, just focus on yourself and forget about everyone else. Don't worry about whether or not it's right or wrong; just do the best job possible so that you stand out from all the other actors who submitted their auditions!
There’s always anxiety around auditions.
There’s always anxiety around auditions. It’s normal and healthy to feel nervous the first time you walk into a room with people who are going to watch your work and critique it. The best way to handle this is by acknowledging that it is happening and then putting it out of your mind as much as possible, because any time spent thinking about how well or poorly you think you did will only distract from what needs to happen next: getting feedback on what worked or didn’t work in your audition so that next time, at least one thing will be improved upon. If someone asks if there are questions, be prepared with some questions of your own about the character or script (if there isn't time for all actors in a group audition).
If nerves get in the way of giving a great performance during an audition, don't worry! Just remember: You're not alone—it's normal! Everyone feels this way before they perform under pressure (like onstage during school plays). Don't let anxiety get in the way of doing what comes naturally when acting; instead, learn how many ways there are for overcoming nerves so that next time around when it happens again (and it will happen again), those feelings won't stop you from delivering something really great!
Just start with yourself, and if you keep moving forward, you’ll see results.
You are the only person in that room who can control your own performance. Everyone else just needs to do their job, and you’re going to do yours. If you focus on the other actors, if you focus on the camera, or if you think about any of the things happening around you, it will make your performance worse. So just focus on yourself and what needs to happen for your audition tape to be great!
The more auditions I did and saw other actors do, the more I realized that there was no magic formula for getting work in television and film—it’s just about putting yourself out there over time until results come back (and even then they may not come back right away). You have no control over anything except how well or poorly your work is received by those making decisions about casting. As long as they see something compelling enough in an audition tape that makes them want another look at an actor beyond just seeing a headshot or resume photo online—then they will call them in again!
Get prepared and find some confidence in your acting abilities.
This is an important point to remember as you get prepared for your audition tape. It’s going to be a lot of pressure, but try not to let it get you down. You’re not alone! All actors go through this stress. Just make sure that you feel confident in the work that you put together for yourself so far, and then let the audition happen naturally.
If possible, find some acting coaches or mentors who can help guide you along the way as well—you should never do anything alone! Actors need support from others who understand what they’re going through on a daily basis: preparing for auditions, dealing with rejection and criticism from casting directors, being compared to other actors who have already taped their own auditions… The list goes on and on! But there is one thing that every actor needs above all else when preparing for an audition: confidence in themselves and their abilities!
Conclusion
In the end, the most important thing to remember is that you are an actor. You chose this career because you want to entertain people and inspire them. You’ve got everything it takes to succeed in this business, but sometimes we need a little reminder that our craft involves more than just showing up on set and hitting your mark: it also means being prepared for whatever life throws at us along the way.
