Self tape for acting school (no experience).

[ChocBanana]

I posted just after Christmas because I had £500 left from an inheritance after clearing a load of debt and I was debating spending it on realising a life long dream and going to acting lessons.
Loads of people told me to go for it, so I got in touch.
Apparently, it’s proving so popular, they want people to send in a two minute video audition to work out which groups people should be in. A “self-tape”, which I think is like a video selfie?
So, my question is, does anyone have any advice for this sort of thing? I’m 53, no real experience and probably undergoing a midlife crisis, but never mind.

What sort of thing would they be looking for? They have said it’s all very informal and not to worry but I also don’t want to make an utter arse of myself. I’m seriously pushing myself out of my comfort zone as it is!

Any tips, please?

Others may have more in-depth experience but my tips would be:

• against a plain background - preferably white/cream (find a patch of wall!)
• don't look directly into the camera - act as if the person you are speaking to is slightly to the left or right of the camera
• do an "ident" at the beginning - just your name and age in this instance (this should be straight to camera)
• the camera should just have your head and shoulders in shot - tripod is best but you could probably prop up your phone on books if necessary
• choose a piece that is age appropriate - don't record something that is not a character you would realistically play in a show
• be "off-book" for the piece ie. learn the lines . There are teleprompter apps you can get for phones but your delivery won't be anywhere near as good if you don't know the piece.

And good luck!

Do they mean a 'talking heads' kind of thing, where you talk to your webcam and save the file and send it to them? At least that's free, which is a good sign.

I think I'd check whether they want you as you, introducing yourself; or if they want you 'in character'.

Btw acting classes tend to involve a lot of improvisation - are you comfortable with that?

Anyway good luck

If you sign up for tiktok, lots of actors post their self-tapes there. It really is just a case of setting yourself up against a plain wall and delivering an audition piece. Are you struggling with finding a speech?

@ChocBanana - what are you struggling with - the technicalities of how to do it, or what to do for the tape?

What guidance has the school provided? I've just done a very quick online search, and not knowing which acting school it is that you've applied for I've found several that have very specific guidance as to what they want to see on their websites. I doubt they've left it entirely open.

As an example, artsed.co.uk/self-tape-advice-for-acting-auditionees/

My advice is - find a speech you really love. It doesn't have to be melodramatic - just one where you can totally enter into the character. Make sure it is 2 minutes long. Time yourself performing it. Get to know it really really well. Break it down into sections and work out how you are going to get it to develop in mood and tone and intensity - where are the shifts of emotion and thought? Practise these.

Then record yourself performing it on your laptop camera and play it back. Check when your voice dips so you are inaudible. Check when your tone is too flat or not giving the effect you want. Check when your movements seem too exaggerated or your facial expressions aren't conveying what you want. Isolate these moments and rehearse them in a mirror. Re-record - twenty times if you need to, until you have several takes that seem pretty close to what you want. Then record the demo for them.

rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

@DogInATent thanks for that.
It literally says “send us a two minute self tape”. I’m a bit afraid to ask because I don’t want to come across is not knowing what I’m doing! Hence this post…

@TheAncientMarinara Fine with improv, just not sure where to start on a self tape!
Does it mean monologue, do I just talk?
Do I find a scene from a show I love and do that?

And if asking what's required is the first test of your initiative... ? There is zero harm in asking for direction on this.

Either ask them or do some searching to find out what other people's experiences have been. If you're not comfortable sharing the school's name in public send me it by PM and I'll do a search for you later today to see if I can find anything. I can't act, but I do know Google-Fu.

For something like this I'd do a monologue. Otherwise you have to get someone else to read in the other lines which complicates it all.

I personally wouldn't ask for direction - your choice of text will give them some information about your perceived casting bracket. I'd look for short monologues by female actors in their late 40s to early 50s.

Prepare but don't overthink it.