audition

5 Key Ingredients For A Successful Self Tape Audition

Whether you’re going to a studio that can produce your self-tape or you plan on doing the tape yourself, there are certain key things you should be thinking of:

#1  Be prepared. If you’ve been given the script days in advance or at least a day in advance, please read the material, study it, and prepare. There is nothing that reads more unprofessional than an actor who is not prepared. It’s a waste of your time, a  waste of time for the person reading with you, and does not leave a good impression amongst casting directors. The idea is not to try and book THIS job, but instead, leave an impression that will keep you in the room for the rest of your life for ALL JOBS, or at least the ones you’re right for.

#2  Show up for yourself at least 15 minutes early. If you do this, you will not be stressed out, you will have a moment in which to breathe and really get into the zone. This same rule applies across the board, even in life. Show up for yourself!

#3  Rehearsal is homework. Keep it this way, this way you don’t spend time trying to figure out how you’re going to execute the scene during your self-tape session. Come prepared and ready to play. Use the time you’ve booked or set aside to try different options that will bring you closer to the success of the scene or scenes.

#4  Be OFF-BOOK! Actors who have properly prepared and have made a choice, walk into the room with little or no doubt, confident (not Ego & Pride) and leave strong impressions with casting directors. This is the same energy you should walk in with when you do your self-tape at a studio or on your own.  Your the casting director for the next few minutes to however much time you spend on the self-tape. So just like them, root for yourself and expect the very best!

#5  TRUST. The most important ingredient for a successful self-tape. Trust that you have what it takes. That it’s in your DNA. That it lives in your spirit. This way, if you’ve prepared and you TRUST, nothing but the very best will show up.

As a side note, when you do your Slate*, make sure to take full control of this moment. Don’t shy away. It’s the one line that isn’t in the script and, it belongs to YOU. It’s truly your moment to shine and show “Who” and “What You Are!”.

*Slate: When you state your name at an audition. For some auditions, this can sometimes be followed by stating the following items: Character Name, Height, Agency, Location of where an actor resides and/or does an actor have a valid Passport. Any other items depending on the project can be added to this list. This is usually stated very clearly in the breakdown or by the casting director in the room.

 

Register for a Self Tape session at the Victor Cruz Acting Studio.

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Take Control Of The Audition Room

A lot of us as actors, we don’t know our own self-worth. When we walk into an audition room, we may have planned what we are going to do, but when we see the casting director and the camera facing our way, for some reason, out of fear, we begin making different choices.

Choices that we think, the casting director wants us to do. But how can we know what is inside their heads? We don’t. So stop! Stop allowing fear to take over the spotlight in that room.

Instead, take control. Look at the camera, look at the casting director, and look at the entire room.

And in your head say to yourself “You have no control over me!” Because they really don’t. The only thing that you don’t have control over, is the final decision. That is completely out of your control.

– Victor Cruz

Interested in taking an acting class?

Learn about our upcoming acting classes in New York City.

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Discover Your Value

So many times, we as actors go out into the world and we walk into these rooms for auditions and completely forget what we’re worth. The truth is, that the casting directors behind the cameras and tables in the room are not at war with us. Instead, they’re hoping and praying that you’re the one that they’ve been looking for. But what happens to us, is that we plan, we work on our auditions, we’re prepared and then we walk in, we see the casting director and immediately we can get in to a head space that whatever we’ve prepared, is not good enough.So we switch things up. How unfortunate. Unfortunate that we sell ourselves short and devalue our choices because we’re afraid.

Fear should not control you. Past traumas should not control you. You should be in control. How do we do that? Look at yourself in the mirror and begin to see yourself for who and what you are. Accept yourself. Love yourself (truly). Be grateful for all of your blessings. Because the blessings are gifts sprinkled throughout our journeys. You have to know, that there is no one else like you in this world. There is only one version of you. And if that is true, then what you truly have to offer, has not been seen before in that casting room. So walk in their with confidence. Honor yourself by doing in that room what you planned and do it fearlessly.

Because the truth is, this is your moment. Your slot. Don’t give it away to fear. Fear is the unknown. Embrace it and empower yourself.

– Victor Cruz

Interested in taking an acting class?

Learn about our upcoming acting classes in New York City.

Read more