Quick Answer

One of the biggest mistakes actors make with self-tapes is poor framing and lighting that makes it hard for casting directors to see their performance. Actors should record in a bright, quiet space using adequate lighting either natural or artificial. Other common mistakes include failing to slate properly, not following directions, rambling, and filming before fully preparing. To avoid these pitfalls, actors should carefully read instructions, slate clearly with name and details, rehearse thoroughly to avoid rambling, film multiple takes, watch their tape back, and stick to time limits. With proper preparation, framing, lighting, and strategic editing choices, actors can create compelling self-tapes that highlight their skills rather than detract from their performance.

Introduction

Performing self-tapes has become an essential part of the acting audition process. With more auditions happening remotely due to the pandemic, self-tapes allow actors to audition for roles without having to physically attend the audition. However, filming self-tapes can be tricky. Even experienced actors can make mistakes that hurt their chances of booking the role. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the most common self-tape mistakes actors make and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Bad Lighting

Poor lighting is one of the most common problems with self-tapes. If the lighting is too dark, too harsh, or uneven, it can be incredibly distracting and make it hard for casting directors to see your performance.

Types of bad lighting to avoid:

• Too dark. If the scene is so dim that your face is partly in shadow, it will be difficult for casting to see your expressions.

• Blown out background. If you position yourself in front of a bright window, your features will likely be overexposed and muddy.

• Uneven lighting. Side lighting from a lamp can create unflattering shadows across half your face.

Tips for proper lighting:

• Face the main light source head on. Position your key light in front of you to fully illuminate your face evenly.

• Diffuse harsh lights. If using lamps, put a thin cloth over them to soften any harsh shadows.

• Reduce shadows. Place small fill lights/reflectors around you to fill any shadows caused by the key light.

• Check for overexposure. Make sure no part of the background is brighter than your face.

Spend time adjusting the lighting and your position until your face is evenly lit without shadows or overexposure. Good lighting shows all your subtle expressions clearly.

Mistake #2: Poor Framing and Composition

The composition of your self-tape frame profoundly impacts the impression you give. An awkward, messy frame surrounded by clutter screams amateur. Follow cinematic framing principles to make your tape look professional.

Problems to avoid:

• Headroom issues. Don't cut your head too closely at the top of the frame. Leave a natural gap.

• Centered framing. Don't place yourself dead center. Use the rule of thirds.

• Distracting background. Cluttered backgrounds compete for attention.

• Looking off frame. Keep your eyeline within the frame as if looking at the reader.

Tips for better framing:

• Leave proper headroom. Position camera so your head has a natural gap on top.

• Follow rule of thirds. Place yourself to the right or left third of the frame.

• Find a clean background. Plain walls work best. Blur cluttered areas.

• Look directly at camera. Imagine you're looking at the other actor/reader.

• Frame yourself from mid-chest up. Don't include hands/props unless needed.

Review your test footage and adjust until you have a nicely composed frame. Symmetry and balance project confidence and draws focus to you.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Slate Properly

The slate is your quick introduction of yourself and the scene context at the start of the tape. Failing to slate properly or leaving it out entirely can cost you the job. An improper slate sets the wrong tone.

Common slate problems:

• No slate. Jumping straight into the scene leaves casting clueless.

• Slate too brief. Rushing and giving bare minimum details comes across poorly.

• Slate too casual. Overly laid back slating can seem unprofessional.

• Forgetting scene info. Not mentioning the scene name, characters, etc leaves casting in the dark.

How to slate effectively:

• State your name and actor info clearly. Project confidence through your voice.

• Natural smile to camera. Be personable but not too casual.

• Provide context. Mention the project name, scene name, role name, etc.

• Take your time. Don't rush the slate. Pace it deliberately like the scene itself.

• Make eye contact. Look directly into the camera when slating.

Treat the slate as the important first impression it is. A proper, personable slate gets your tape viewed in the right context.

Mistake #4: Insufficient Room Tone

Room tone refers to the ambient sound of the room you're filming in. Not having enough clean room tone can make edits between lines awkward.

Room tone problems:

• No room tone. Jumping directly into the scene sounds abrupt.

• Too brief. Just a second or two of room tone doesn't cut it.

• Noise pollution. Background noise like air conditioners get in the way.

Tips for clean room tone:

• Record at least 10 seconds. Give editing plenty of room tone to work with.

• Mute all sound pollution. Turn off devices, AC units, and any other ambient noise.

• Capture room tone before and after the take. Record it separately from the slate.

• Don't move around. Stay still to prevent noises from rustling clothes.

• Remain silent. Don't make sounds like coughs or throat clearing.

Having ample, clean room tone makes dialogue edits seamless and increases overall production quality.

Mistake #5: Rushed, Unprepared Performances

It may be tempting to do a quick one or two takes to get your self-tape done. But rushed, unrehearsed reads almost never impress casting. Take your time preparing.

Issues with rushed performances:

• Lackluster energy. Performances come across flat without build up time.

• Fumbled lines. Rushing causes frequent line fumbles and breaks.

• Limited choices. Quick takes don't allow for nuance and variation.

Tips for fully prepared performances:

• Rehearse thoroughly before filming. Get comfortable with the material and your take on the character.

• Do a vocal warm up. Get your voice and breath ready just like an in-person audition.

• Film multiple takes. Allow yourself enough takes to showcase different nuances.

• Review options with a reader. Get feedback on which takes resonate most.

• Avoid distractions. Minimize interruptions by turning off devices and posting a ‘ Recording’ sign.

Put in the prep work to get fully immersed in the character. This leads to engaging performances full of strong, fresh choices.

Mistake #6: Incorrect Framing for Reader Position

Framing yourself incorrectly in relation to the reader’s eye line conveys poor awareness and can be very distracting.

Problems with poor reader framing:

• Looking off axis. If you look screen left/right of the lens, you appear misaligned.

• Too much headroom. Sitting too close to the camera makes the eyeline seem way off.

• Cropped wrong. Cutting off the top of your head implies the reader is lower than they should be.

Tips for matching the reader:

• Follow the 180 rule. Make sure you’re looking camera right if your reader is camera left, and vice versa.

• Leave proper headroom. Don’t frame yourself too closely. Leave space as if looking at a real person.

• Imagine their physical location. Picture where exactly they are sitting or standing in the room.

• Stick something on your lens at roughly eye level to help stay aligned.

• Ask a reader to confirm your eyeline matches up with their physical position.

Accurately matching the reader’s eyeline makes the conversation feel authentic and draws the viewer into the visual perspective.

Mistake #7: Distracting Background Noise

Extraneous background noise can quickly derail an otherwise good self-tape. Ambient sounds divert focus from your performance.

Problematic background noise:

• Device notifications. Alerts from phones/computers are very distracting.

• Open windows. Traffic sounds, birds chirping, etc can ruin clean audio.

• Household noises. Doors closing, washing machines, families talking, etc.

How to prevent background noise:

• Silence all devices. Mute notifications on phones, computers, tablets and anything that might chime.

• Close windows and doors. Shut out any outdoor sounds and household noises.

• Wait for quiet times. Avoid overlap with family member’s routines.

• Use a lav mic. Position the mic closer to your mouth to isolate voice over ambient noise.

• Consider filming location. Choose a quiet, sealed room or a professional studio.

With loud, overlapping sounds avoided, your dialogue recording will be crisp, clean, and free of any ear-grabbing distractions.

Mistake #8: Wearing Distracting Clothing Patterns

Bold, busy patterns like stripes, checks, and florals can inadvertently draw the focus away from your performance. Stick with solid neutral tones.

Problems with distracting patterns:

• Busy prints draw the eyes away from your face and expressions.

• Harsh stripes and contrasting patterns vibrate on camera.

• Unusual stylistic choices overwhelm your look.

Guidelines for self-tape wardrobe:

• Solid blacks, grays, and earth tones work best on camera.

• Avoid large graphic prints. Tiny patterns and textures are fine.

• Prevent clashing colors. Don't pair bright complementary hues.

• Stay simple. Opt for basic silhouettes and minimal accessories.

• Have the reader check for distractions. Make sure their eye goes to your face, not clothes.

Keep the focus on your acting, not your outfit. Dress appropriately for the role in simple, non-distracting attire.

Mistake #9: Forgetting Self-Tape Specs

Neglecting the required submission specs for a self-tape almost guarantees rejection. Different roles call for specific requirements.

Consequences of ignoring specs:

• Wrong tape format. Submitting an incompatible file like AVI or MOV could mean instant rejection.

• Incorrect resolution. Low-res tapes look amateur. High-res wastes their bandwidth.

• Wrong orientation. Vertical tapes with black bars on the sides are unwatchable.

• Filesize too large. Exceeding limits can make the tape un-downloadable.

• Other requirements ignored. Length, slate inclusion, etc.

How to nail tape specs:

• Note every requirement upfront. Check the breakdown multiple times to ensure clarity.

• Ask if unsure. It never hurts to quickly call and verify details.

• Film in highest resolution/bitrate allowed. Gives flexibility to conform as needed.

• Check orientation. Record horizontally in 16:9.

• Review filesize. Compress and down-res as necessary to fall within limits.

• triple check your final tape meets all requirements before sending.

With submission specs precisely followed, your tape will play without issues the first time.

Mistake #10: Editing Mid-Sentence

Editing your self-tape performance is fine, but the edits must be seamless. Jumpy, awkward cuts make the tape feel cobbled together.

Problems with obvious mid-sentence edits:

• Mismatched pacing and delivery. Sentence flow sounds disjointed.

• Jarring visual jump between frames. Breaks the continuity and realism.

• Unnatural eyes and head movement. Eyeline and position change instantly.

• Audio cutoff or overlap. Words get clipped or doubled.

Tips for editing imperceptibly:

• Rehearse full sections that can be edited between. Avoid word-for-word edits.

• Cut on natural pauses and breaths. Hide the edit at a break that matches the performance rhythm.

• Maintain consistent eyeline, head position, and framing across edits.

• Leave handle frames on audio and pad edits to prevent clipping words.

• Watch edits back continuously. Refine cuts until the edit disappears within the take.

Seamless editing augments your best takes without undermining continuity and flow.

Lighting Equipment Recommendations

Proper lighting equipment is crucial for creating well-lit self-tapes. Here are some affordable lighting kit options:

Key Light - A bright key light is needed to fully illuminate your face as the main light source. Recommended options:

• Neewer Bi-color 480 LED Panel - Flexible panel with adjustable color temp and dimming. Good for softer key light.

• LimoStudio Softbox Lighting Kit - Comes with softboxes to diffuse the light for flawless skin tone rendition.

• Upgraded BIIGLED Ring Light - Large 14" ring light provides even illumination suitable for close up videos.

Fill Light - Softer fill lights placed at angles fill in shadows and prevent high contrast. Recommended options:

• Neewer Dimmable Bi-color LED Light - Compact and portable with ball head for positioning.

• ESDDI Softbox Continuous Light - Uses a Bowens mount for attaching softbox accessories to diffuse.

• Lume Cube Panel Mini - Small but mighty LED perfect for adding a pop of fill from the side.

Reflectors - Bounce cards and reflectors also work well to reflect light back into shadows. Options:

• Neewer 43-inch 5-in-1 Collapsible Disc Reflector - Contains silver, gold, white, black, and translucent panels.

• Selens 33-inch Collapsible Circular Reflector - Good budget circular reflector with storage bag.

• Fotodiox 10x12" Collapsible Reflector - Quality mini reflector ideal for headshots and self-tapes.

Acoustic Treatment Tips

Reducing background noise and echo requires proper acoustic treatment. Here are some DIY strategies:

• Use thick curtains and rugs - Layering wall hangings and floor rugs absorbs sound bouncing around the room.

• Create a cozy cocoon - Padding a small reading nook with pillows and blankets mutes ambient noise.

• Buy acoustic foam panels - Inexpensive foam squares placed around the room dampen reverb.

• Construct a make-shift booth - Surrounding your filming area with a simple PVC pipe and moving blanket fortress blocks outside sounds.

• Record in a closet - Clothes act as natural sound dampening material. Just make sure it's well lit!

Proper acoustic treatment results in a noise floor free of any hiss or hum to interfere with your self-tape audio.

Self-Tape Attire Tips

Here are some additional wardrobe tips for looking your best on self-tapes:

• Stick to matte fabrics - Shiny material reflects too much light and can appear strange on camera.

• Avoid pure black - Can come across as harsh. Go for black with a touch of blue or gray.

• Earth tones work universally - Rich browns, olives, sages photograph beautifully on any skin tone.

• Red pops on video - Pops of ruby, maroon, or burgundy can make you stand out.

• Blue-based reds over orange - Cools down ruddy skin tones naturally.

• Colder tones near face - Wear purple, blue, green near face to liven up complexion.

• Limit jewelry - Small simple pieces only. Large, dangly items are distracting.

• Skip logos - Brand names and logos redirect focus.

The goal is complementing your natural features, not overshadowing your performance with loud colors and fabrics.

Self-Tape Editing Best Practices

Here are some additional self-tape editing guidelines:

• Use jump cuts sparingly - Continuous takes have more impact. Only use jumps when necessary.

• Maintain consistent delivery - Don't edit together takes with vastly different energy.

• Match gaze direction - Eyes should stay on the same trajectory across cuts.

• Cut on motion - Movement hides cuts. Time it with natural gestures.

• Use morph cuts - Morphing transitions can smooth over any slight discrepancies between clips.

• Watch in real time - Edits that seem okay slowed down or soloed may look jumpy at full speed.

• Remove filler sounds - Cut umms, lip smacks, and other natural sounds that won't cut together well.

• Check lipsync - Make sure lip movements still match the words perfectly across edits.

Seamless edits should be undetectable. If the viewer notices them, they need more refinement.

Self-Tape Final Checklist

Here is a handy self-tape final checklist before submitting your audition:

• Perform multiple takes and pick the best options

• Ensure proper centered framing and eye line

• Check entire performance is in focus

• Review audio for clarity and no peaking

• Cut professionally with no awkward edits

• Slate cleanly with all required details

• Export at the exact required resolution and codec

• Confirm file adheres to size limits

• Name file correctly as specified

• Check tape looks and sounds as intended end-to-end

• Include required actor info and scene context

• Follow up submission with a thank you email

Running through this checklist helps catch any last mistakes before your self-tape is seen by casting.

Conclusion

Avoiding common mistakes is the first step towards creating compelling, professional self-tapes. By dodging issues with lighting, framing, slating, and editing, you elevate your tapes above the competition. Bring out your best performances through thorough prep work. Follow specs precisely to get your tape seen as intended. And remember that a few simple upgrades to your filming setup and techniques can make a huge difference. Use these self-tape tips to showcase your true acting abilities with polished tapes that impress casting every time.