Self Tapes at home for musical theatre auditions + how to do it by yourself
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- I've had to tape quite a few self tapes over the last nine months. Some of them by myself -- Trust me, it IS possible to do a self tape at home without anyone else to assist you.
(Also if you're doing sides and need a reader, call a friend! Put them on FaceTime, or hook the call up to your computer or iPad. Play with what gives you the best sound, whether it be the placement next to the mic, or the source of their voice. It is possible. I almost booked a job last summer from a "phone a friend" reader in my parent's house on a cream colored wall. Not my favorite experience, but it is possible. Remember, its about the work you do on camera too!)
In this video I share my tips for perfecting your self tapes by focusing on four things: Camera, Lighting, Sound, and Framing & Background.
AMAZON LINKS:
LIGHTING KIT with BACKDROP - amzn.to/3b9K9JK
RING LIGHT - amzn.to/3amtF1X
SHURE MV88 iPhone microphone - amzn.to/3jPwxY5
BACKDROPS -
Collapsible blue and green screen backdrop: amzn.to/3tZIezZ
Full length green screen backdrop: amzn.to/2OEGCvB
If you're planning to paint your designated "self tape wall" like we did --
I went for a teal green color rather than the bright green screen green. It's been working wonderfully and its nice to look at too. You can also experiment with light/medium grey tones, and well as medium/dark blues tones.
Thanks for watching!
Find me here:
www.32barcut.com
IG: @32barcut
Break a leg!
Adrienne
#selftapes #tvfilm #musicaltheatre
What a helpful, self-less and generous tutorial! I hope you are successful at whatever you are doing!
thank you for this! i gotta film my first ever audition this week and i had absolutely no idea how to do it, this has been so helpful!!
This was SO helpful! Thank you, Adrienne!!! Definitely going to be investing in that mic! And I just ordered my backdrop :)
I’m so glad to hear that you found this helpful Grace! Good luck on your self tape set up and on all of your auditions!
Hair looks great!
Thank you Sam! 💁🏾♀️
Thank you so much Adrienne! This has been incredibly helpful. I recently made all of the mistakes that you taught us to avoid- using an accompaniment track that wasn't really in my key and not using an external mic. I do have a ring light but definitely struggled with the track. I am shooting a television show in a remote area and did not have access to an accompaniment- that is a definite priority for next time. You are very kind and I truly appreciate your practical tips. Have a great day!
Okay! Can we talk about this thumbnail though.. super nice! purrr lol
Thank yoooou!! 💗
This was so fabulous! You covered exactly what I needed to know with great examples, so I could really understand. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!
Thank you so much. My daughter has her first west end musical theatre self tape and we had no idea how to do it as we are used to film and tv. This was really helpful and I feel way more confident in helping her. Thanks. Ruth x
You’re welcome Ruth! So glad you found this helpful. Best of luck to your daughter on her upcoming audition! Thank you for watching and subscribing!
We have a new video out in on self tape equipment and lighting. It sounds like you’re already a pro at the tv/film set up. But if you’d like another point of view here is the link ua-cam.com/video/ZTtZVTyhij8/v-deo.html
This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for the detailed information
Thank you for watching! We have an updated video with a bit more Info on lighting and tech. ua-cam.com/video/ZTtZVTyhij8/v-deo.html
This is soooooo helpful! I’ve been struggling with the self tapes so THANK YOU!!!!!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching! 💗
Thank you so much for this!! Such great and thorough info😁
Glad it was helpful!
This is the best video! Thank you for this goldmine of such useful information!!!!
Thank YOU for subscribing and watching! Glad we can help! How are your self-tapes going?
Thanks Adrienne! I’m gonna use this advice as I’m gonna audition for musical theatre for college!❤❤❤❤
Awesome!
@@32BARCUT ❤️
You're amazing! thank you =)
Great things to thing about.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
I remember requesting this a while ago- thank you so much for this!!! I love your videos!
Yes!! You sure did. I hope you find this video helpful. I’ll probably do another one on this topic too! There’s so much to say.
Thank you for watching! 💗
BLESS YOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
You are so welcome! I hope this helps! Break a leg!
This is awesome! Thank you!! Could you maybe talk more about how you organize you self tape videos. What order you put things in, etc?
Sure thing! If you are sending in a tape for a musical theatre audition, you want to start with your slate, then do the scenes/songs in show order. If you have iMovie, you can edit it all together very nicely. You can also do the order as scenes first and then the songs after. There’s really no right or wrong, except that you want to start with your slate “hi, I’m Adrienne Walker, I’m 5’9” based in NYC, and I’ll be singing Raven.” I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching!
Sending love to you!
Sending it right back! 💗
what a great "how to video" Thanks much! . Maybe another time show us the tech set up - where u place your device with accompaniment , how far you are from the camera/ring light, mic, etc How about an editing "how to"? I'm new here so maybe you have one. All good. You're dope!
These are great ideas! Thank you Robert! And thanks for watching!
I am helping my daughter with self tapes and I have a nice microphone and MacBook Pro which of course has garage band. For social media I record her in garage band and then sync the video is post. For auditions I would put just a little compression and a smidge of reverb. Too me it’s on par with having good lighting and using a good camera to capture the video. I am not using auto tune, since a pro will stop that right away. What are your thoughts?
Hey Eric! It sounds like you know what you are doing and have good taste. Really that’s the key. Taste. If the compression or reverb is noticeable in any way, its not good for casting, because then, the tape appears/sounds doctored. There is an assumption and trust that the audition is unaltered. However, a little compression and reverb in an extremely dry room is totally acceptable. Good call on not using Melodyne or Auto tune. Let us know how it’s going for her and break a leg!
So much great info! What do you use to play your music from your computer? There are a few accompanist apps but they don’t work on desktop..just curious!
This was very helpful. I audition for both musical theatre and tv/ film and sometimes get confused on the different rules. Question: After the slate for musical theatre audition, do I tell the name of the song AND the scene I will be reciting or just the song like you stated? I feel like if I don’t introduce the scene then I will pretty much be making them guess what it is I’m doing. Please advise.
That’s a great question!! I actually haven’t done a monologue in an audition in years, so I have forgotten the rules on this. If you have the tech to do so, maybe you can add a lower third (caption) to your video that titles the scene you will be doing? Just as suggestion, as I’m honestly not sure what casting will expect.
And if you’re going in person, just discreetly ask the casting director or monitor because you walk in what they would prefer.
For songs, yes always announce or title the song and show it’s from (if it’s not well known).
Hope this helps and thank you for your patience!
This is the most helpful advice I’ve gotten so far! Thank you for the recommendations! My one question is on lighting and how every room in my home has an abundance of windows, so natural light bleeds through dramatically. Is there a way to use this? Should I only film at night? Or is there something you’d recommend to cover these windows?
Hi Dennis!
Thanks so much for watching. Natural light isn’t the enemy, but you do want the ability to control your light source so that you look your best for your auditions. Is the light washing you out? Are you able to still see your features and hair without distortion? If the answer is “no,” perhaps consider getting some black out curtains and using the three point lighting system we talk about here in our latest self tape video The COMPLETE Guide to making a professional self-tape!
ua-cam.com/video/ZTtZVTyhij8/v-deo.html
Best of luck to you! This business can be so very challenging. We are cheering you on for afar!
Adrienne
Good afternoon, Miss. A! Is it necessary to purchase all 3 of your video lighting recommendations, or is the ring light adequate. Love your channel; it's a prime mentoring resource.
Hi April! The ring light is perfect on its on and will get the job done. It’s also super easy to set up. Thank you for watching!
@@32BARCUT, FYI: I checked out your website and will be scheduling a tutorial with you in June!! Beyond excited to be critiqued by you.
Thanks so much for this video! Do you look into the camera for your self tapes? I've heard different, some people say look at a slight angle. What's the general principle?
Great question! I suggest only looking into the camera for the slate. For the singing and sides use a point or several points in the room to focus on for the other characters or for your focus in the song. I like to use post its (a tip I got from Christine Horn) and I write the character’s name on it so I know where to look for each scene. Make sure you test these sightlines out in a test recording to make sure it looks believable. You don’t want to look too high, too low, or too off to either side.
Hope this helps! Break a leg!
@@32BARCUT Thanks you're the best!
totally irrelevant but i love your hair like that :)
Thank you!
I don't have any experience in theatre arts, not even singing. I sound like a frog. is it still possible to audition and become better? 😢😢
Why don't you recommend using a Kareoke Track?
Great question! Karaoke tracks are usually the entire song and for most auditions, you wouldn’t sing the entire song. You are also beholden to the key of karaoke track, and that may or may not the best key for your voice. So, while you can use a karaoke track, I think it’s great to explore other options first.
Thanks for watching!
@@32BARCUT I was planning on using a karaoke track, what are my other options?
Do you use front facing in iPhone ? I feel frustrated no timer to start and I can't see if I'm even in frame .. but If I use front facing I look like I'm looking off camera
Nobody to push bottom ..
Hi Mia!
Use the back camera, that is going to give you the best quality.
1. Set the camera up and check the framing until it is just right. To check the framing (this takes time when you’re solo- be patient) press record and step into frame. Mark your spot and then check the video you just recorded to make sure you’re in frame. Once you get the framing right it’s time to record.
2. Press play and step into frame. Record your audition. Press stop.
3. Use your phone editing tools to trim the beginning and end of your audition. Or use iMovie or any film editing software to trim your video.
Best of luck to you. These set up require time and patience to get them just right. Once you know the steps the process will become less frustrating.