Now most of what an actor is going to be doing is auditioning. Getting the job is gravy. It is the actor's job to learn what it takes to be great at auditioning and it is the parent’s job to be the best support team and cheerleaders possible. I know for your first couple of self tape auditions, it is going to feel overwhelming and unclear about what to do. And there is a lot that goes into a self-tape. You need to have the right set up. The right lights. A clear background. It’s a ton. But more important than any of those things is the actual audition.
You want to make sure you are creating a safe and comfortable space for your child. You want a space where your child feels free to experiment and take risks. You don’t want your child worried that you’re going to be a bad scene partner or even be more nervous, anxious, or stressed than they are.
A couple of quick notes about general self- tape set up details.
When your child is preparing for a self tape, be sure that they are put together, if they have just come from playing outside, brush their hair, make sure there aren’t any stains on your clothing. Now, the only exceptions to this would be if the character your child is reading for is a specific look. It is always a good industry practice to never “dress” for the part, but to maybe include something in your wardrobe or styling selection that is a nod to a character. For example, if you are playing a baseball player, maybe wear a jersey.
Also, don’t wear anything in your hair that is too distracting or gets in the way of your face. No big bows or flowers and definitely not any hats. The background for your tape should be clear and ideally a color that is gray or blue. Don’t wear a shirt that is the same color as your background!
Ideally, the lighting should be natural, but when you’re just starting out, you might not have the resources or space for fancy lighting. A ring light and filming in a room that is well light with natural light is always a good place to start. You don’t want a lot of shadows behind you when you are filming and absolutely no shadows on your face. All of your features should be clearly visible. For cropping, it is always standard to crop your video from the mid chest up leaving a little bit of space between the actor’s head and then top of the frame. You will also want to invest in a simple tripod or something to mount your phone on. There are a lot of options available on amazon or other photo stores that are affordable.
You always want to film horizontally preferably using the back camera on your phone because it will be a better quality.
You don’t have to be a trained actor to be a good reading partner for your child. Even if you have your own acting talent, while reading with your child, remember to keep the focus on them. In the supporting role of “great reading partner” for your child, you are just that, a partner. You shouldn't be taking away the spotlight or dimming that of your child actor.
So here are a couple of tips to help you be the best reader!
Basic set up should include you standing or sitting offscreen. You should not be seen on camera, so position yourself right next to the camera. Unless directed otherwise, sit where the actor can look at you while speaking, instead of them appearing to address the camera. They should be speaking and connecting with you, so stay at her eye level.
Speak softly and give the actor a microphone. As a reader, you don’t want to steal the focus. It is your child’s audition, not yours. Since you are positioned closest to the camera, the device will pick up your voice more easily, making it sound louder than the actor’s. Remain aware of this when reading and speak softly. You are not co-starring in this scene, but rather providing a framework that supports the actor’s purposes. In addition, it is wise to use an external microphone for the actor’s voice, to tip the sound balance in his favor. Microphones can be purchased for as little as $10 each and are well worth it. Not only do you get more clarity with a mic, but microphones with sensitivity-control have the flexibility to make great recordings in quiet and chaotic settings alike.
Read fluently. Practice your lines. The more familiar you are with the script and lines, the more effectively you will be able to support your partner. You are there to help the actor do the best job the can do, so invest the time needed to prepare. Pace is important, especially in comedy, so you also need to know the timing. If you are reading too slowly or too quickly, it can throw the actor off and kill the humor. Ask for help if you are unsure of the best pace or timing. A great way to get a better understanding of pacing is to attend masterclasses or workshops or even youtube videos that focus on specific genres. If another family member or friend has better acting or comedy skills than you and offers the time, allow them to do the readings with your child! Remember, this is not about you, and it is important that your child have a competent reading partner.
Read all the other parts, and skip the stage directions. One person reads for all of the characters in the scene. Having additional people play other parts is confusing and unnecessary. Keep in mind that stage directions are there for information only! Make sure you and your child have read and know the stage directions, but stick to the usual protocol and do not read stage directions aloud on camera.
Don’t judge or criticize. This is not the time to offer advice on your child’s performance. An actor should not be distracted by concerns of the reader’s perceptions during this process. If you have an idea or healthy suggestion to offer, feel free to take notes for discussion at a later time, as long as jotting your thoughts down does not interfere with the flow of the reading. While reading, your focus needs to stay on playing the character(s) opposite your child, and providing the support he needs.
I know that people have a ton going on and that life can get really busy. Getting a request for a self tape can sometimes be the last thing you want to add to your to do list for the day, but i can’t stress enough that if you remain calm and collected and be as prepared as possible, it will make the filming smooth and easy with your child actor. Your mood affects them more than you know! Especially in high stress situations. Finding treats and rewards that work for your child and family during a self-tape experience is also a great idea, whether that be m&ms or their favorite snack after they finish.
Make sure you are encouraging your child and building them up during a self-tape. This business is hard and kids can take a lot of the weight of it on their own.
There is a lot of rejection and a lot of hard work for not a lot of reward. Make sure you appreciate their skills and talents when you are working with them. More than anything, try to not rush your actor during a self-tape process. I know that is sometimes unavoidable, but the best you can do to make the experience smooth the more they are going to look forward to doing it each time.
