Hold until ‘cut’ is called. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but wait until the reader calls ‘cut’ before you drop out of character. If you drop out before the reader cuts, then you’re killing your moment after and you’re also (potentially) making editing the end of your tape difficult. Stay in character until the reader calls ‘cut’.
Wear clothing that’s practical for your audition (both in terms of character AND in terms of being able to move!). Wardrobe for a self tape is a practical consideration. If you’re playing an executive, logically you wouldn’t wear a hoodie. But use extensive costuming STRATEGICALLY. If you’re auditioning to play a LARPer in a comedy or mockumentary, then wear your polyester medieval costume. If you’re auditioning for Game of Thrones, don’t come in full Eddard Stark cosplay. Pick your opportunities and know when to push the envelope strategically. Additionally, if you need to move in your tape or walk in, be sure you wear shoes that don’t inhibit your movement. You can always take the shoes off for your tape and then put them back on if you need for a full-body slate.
LISTEN (to directions from reader AND to your reader as character during the scene). Shouldn’t have to say it, but totally am. We’ve all been there - you’re amped up about your audition so much so that you have tunnel vision/hearing. BUT, it’s important to listen to the reader running your session so that you two, together, can create a self-tape that’s submission-worthy. ALSO, don’t be so ready and excited to say your next line that you unnecessarily cut the reader’s lines off. First off, this shows that you weren’t listening and second, it comes off as slightly self-important.
READ. Part and parcel to listening is READING. Especially in this age of nearly all digital communications. Some casting directors (especially regional CDs) give a ton of information about audition tapes. Some instructions are pretty standard and straightforward (such as frame / have a reader / audio & lighting), but some are not and have to do with the CDs preference for file labeling and slating. For regional CDs especially (like the Atlanta market), the labeling request is because there are only a few CDs in that region who receive tapes as well as tapes from Los Angeles. They HAVE to be able to keep tapes organized. Read the policies and processes for your taping studio. For us at The Actor’s Collective, we have our policies stated clearly on a page that clients must agree to have read prior to completing a booking. Take it from me: nothing really says ‘ego’ like an actor making assumptions or ignoring policies/requests. And if I notice that as a self-tape studio owner, so does casting. Which leads us to……
Know what you need to tape and what to say for your slate BEFORE you come into the room. Do yourself a favor. Know the scenes you’re taping and know what casting has requested for your slate before you come in to tape. There’s nothing worse than using audition time trying to hunt down the audition email for slating information or just winging it and giving too little information for your slate. This will only serve to take more pressure off of you for your taping. Take the extra 5 minutes to get this info locked in before your session.