The Complete Guide to Actor Screen Tests.
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Whether you call it a self-test, self-tape, or a screen test, it's still just a filmed audition. When it comes to the film industry, the self-tape or screen test, is a must.
Filmed auditions have become the entertainment industry’s new standard, bringing more opportunities for actors to audition remotely, and to audition for more projects at a time. But that means making the perfect self-tape is more important than ever for working actors.
“A self-tape is a pre-recorded video audition that an actor submits to the casting director or creative team, and is generally used as a substitute for an in-person tryout. Actors film themselves reading select portions of the script (known in the business as “sides”), then edit the footage and send it in electronically.”
Screen tests are used to determine whether or not actors are right for a role. It's also used to see how well they can portray a character and how well they can act in front of the camera. They’re also used to make sure that the actor is capable of delivering their lines with the correct tone and emotion.
Actors need to take a screen test because it gives them an opportunity to be seen by casting directors and producers, which could lead them to getting roles in movies or TV shows.
Four ways to prepare for your Screen Test & crush it.
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The first thing to do before you go on a screen test is to prepare. The screen test is about your performance. You have to be comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Preparation means you need to know: what the story is, who your character is, and why are they doing things? Here’s four things that you need to do to ensure your success:
Casting Director Robert B. Martin says: “The most important thing that I look for is ‘Does the performer understand the concept of the project we’re casting?’ Meaning, ‘Does he or she understand the material?’... In other words, say you have a scene and Christopher Guest is directing it. Now, what if I told you it is [the] same scene but it’s not Christopher Guest, it’s Steven Spielberg who’s directing it. Okay, let’s change it up. What if I said it was Michael Bay directing it? Each one of those directors is going to be a different tone. You’re going to approach the audition differently because each of those directors has a certain style and technique and because you’ve seen a majority of their movies, you already have a general idea of what they’re looking for or the style of performer that they’re looking for or, most importantly, their concepts.”
In the industry it’s called sides – the portion of the script you’re reading for an audition. Memorising the lines gives you the freedom to go off book and allows you to focus on embodying the character – from facial expressions to tone- rather than worrying about where you left off on the page. Casting Director Luci Lenox, says “It’s just that they’re believable in the role. They don’t even have to do anything too much. I’ve seen some incredibly good self-tapes. And it’s when the person’s alive on tape, so when they’re not speaking, they’re still in character. You just believe them. You don’t have to have too many props or too much costuming. … Directors get bored listening to and seeing the same thing over and over again, and sometimes somebody will do something so random, but it’s charming, and you go, ‘Oh, let’s have him.’”
Unless it’s a monologue, you’re going to need a reader. It’s always more authentic to have a live reader during filming. With preparation this can work to your advantage and give you an added bonus when filming. Start immediately to find someone you have chemistry with, who knows what they’re doing and won’t distract from your performance.
Most importantly, you’re going to need to get some equipment to frame that shot. Remember self-tapes use a tight frame called a medium close-up shot (chest to just above the head). The camera is always at eye level and it doesn’t move. Acting coach Matt Newton advises, “Don’t pan, and don’t do any hand held… Lock the frame and keep it simple. Too much movement is distracting from the performance.”
Lights. Camera. Action. You’re going to need equipment.
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Ask any casting director what they look for in a self-taped audition, and one of the first things they’ll say is that it looks and sounds good—not necessarily professional-level quality, but that the actor’s face is well-lit and the audio is clear and free of background noise. You’ve got to nail all the technical aspects to make it high-quality.
Let’s talk equipment. Simply put, you’re going to need a camera, tripod/rig, lights, and microphone. We understand not all actors are cashed up, but we believe not having the ‘right’ equipment shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your dreams. So we’ll look at two DIY options depending on your budget, and what to do if DIY isn’t for you.
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Most smart phones will get the job done. You’re going to need a friend who has been turned to stone, or creatively rig your phone to be stable to film at eye level. Lighting and sound are very important for a high-quality self-tape. So this is where you’re going to spend your limited funds.
Natural light is not enough, and your phone flashlight is too harsh for filming. You’re going to need a key light (placed in front), a popular option is a ring light. There’s plenty out there so pick one that suits your budget.
Hand-held mics or headsets are a no-go when it comes to sound. iPhone mics pick up all sorts of distracting ambient noises, so they’re also off the list. Invest in an external microphone. There’s plenty out there to suit your budget, we like the Rode VideoMic which plugs straight into the headphone jack at a very low price, or Shure MV88 for newer phones without headphone jacks with customisation options.
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In addition to the basic equipment discussed above, we recommend a few minor upgrades. Replace that statue of a friend for a tripod and rig. There’s plenty of options out there to suit any budget, just make sure it can hold your phone. Invest in an external lens for your phone to improve that picture quality. We personally like Moment lenses that clip into a speciality phone case. Now if you’ve got more funds, we suggest you upgrade your lighting and sound. These will further increase the quality of the tape.
Invest in lights similar to Neewer 160 LED video lights (don’t forget to purchase a tripod and battery pack for each light sold separately). You’ll need 2, a key light (from the front) and a fill light (from the side). Attach a budget friendly lavalier mic to your shirt near your mouth to get crisp, clear, high quality sound. There’s plenty on the market do you research, it’s the price sounds too good to be true it probably is. Finally add a backdrop to your arsenal, something solid in a neutral colour like white, grey, or blue.
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There is a reason why it takes a crew to shoot a film! Setting up the equipment and getting the lighting right just right is hard work, if it sounds overwhelming like it should be in the too hard basket, then we say don’t do it.
Yeah, it may save you some dollars, but it’s not worth it if its going to distract you from delivering your best performance. The aim here is to land acting roles, not show your skills to become one of the crew. Book in time at a studio that offers self-taping services. They take care of all the details while you focus on getting into character and prepping for filming.
Editing and Submitting a Self-Tape
Keywords: how to edit a self-tape, editing a screen test, post-production,
Tackling the edit can be a breeze depending on what choice you made when it comes to equipment. But most importantly - the golden rule is always follow the casting directors instructions to the letter - when it comes to slate, the length of the audition, the number of takes, and file submission requirements.
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There are plenty of easy and cheap video editing apps out there. Be prepared to have a learning curve, but persist because this is your dream. We prefer Davinci.
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Professional teams use Final Cut Pro, but its steep price and complex functions, you’ll need a more beginner option. We prefer Adobe Premier Rush.
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There are plenty of freelance editors available for hire. Be careful, make sure they come recommended, and you can see samples of their previous work. Remember you pay for what you get. if you hired time at a studio, you may find they offer post production services at a discounted rate, or included with your purchase. This is the safest and easiest option, no fuss, professional high quality end results.
When it comes time to submit, do yourself a favour and double check the casting directors instructions. You’d be surprised just how many actors don’t fully follow the instructions. Finally consider submitting early, if possible.
“Every office is different, but some view self-tapes as they arrive. If there’s time before the due date and your read is strong or just missing the mark, we’ll circle back with notes more in line with the vision for the role. That’s right! We’ll provide redirects without you stepping one foot in the room.”
SUMMARY: Screen Tests and Self-Tapes are essential in this career. You can go it alone and DIY it, if you need to. But we recommend taking the stress out of it and hire a professional but affordable service - like this.