Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1280987
Sides One of the biggest differences between recorded and in-person auditions is the easy accessibility to sides or cue cards. Recording a self-tape audition allows time to practice lines, but you can record as many takes as necessary. If you are more comfortable having your sides near as reference, be mindful of not having them in hand during recording. "Seeing sides in-frame is more distracting if [casting] never gets the advantage of seeing you in person," said experienced self-taper Aubrey Mozino, SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles NextGen Performer Committee vice chair. "The good news is, you can try taping the sides or a few key moments [near you] to steal a glance without making it obvious." Editing & Submiing It's ideal to submit your audition along with your slate as quickly as you can. A quick turnaround not only showcases professionalism, it places you within the timeframe that casting directors are most actively looking for performers. Powell encourages performers to send a submission within the first two or three days an audition is advertised — if not sooner. "Say the audition comes in on a Sunday and it's due by Friday. If you can turn it around that day, that's perfect [because] that means it'll be one of the first seen," said Powell. "But if you don't get it in until Thursday or Friday? That role has already been cast." Both Schuster and Kennedy advised actors to take advantage of the simple editing features that come on your phone. You can also download an app like Magisto or InShot to make trimming a video easier. However, if you're editing on your tablet or computer, iMovie or QuickTime Player are fairly easy video editing programs to use, and there are dozens of video tutorials that teach you how to use them. But remember, the point of editing is simply to remove unwanted or awkward parts of your performance. Adding things like on-screen titles and text or creating transitions can be distracting, and it's best to leave them out. A common obstacle actors face when sending a self-tape audition is file size. Even after editing, a file can simply be too large to send via email. In those circumstances, Kennedy recommends uploading your audition to a video-sharing site such as Vimeo or Google Drive, a file-sharing site like Dropbox, or a casting site like Eco Cast and Breakdown Services. This not only makes sending a file less frustrating, but can ensure that casting directors can play the file and keep production details from leaking. Still, every casting director has their upload preferences, and the best way to make sure that you are following their guidelines for sending your audition is to reference their instructions. Also, make sure that your agent or manager is informed when your audition has been sent. SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS are being used more frequently, but one thing that hasn't changed is the fact that casting directors are looking for your best performance. As you learn to be more comfortable making a self-tape, do not be discouraged if they don't land you the perfect role right away. "There are a thousand reasons why you didn't get a role, and 999 of them have nothing to do with you being a 'lesser actor' or less experienced actor than the person who did book the role," said Jue. "You've already made it. You are uniquely yourself and no one else can be you. And that's an awesome thing: It fits somewhere," said Byrd. This information is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual, product or company by SAG-AFTRA. It is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided here. sagaftra.org | Summer 2020 | SAG-AFTRA 55