The Actor's Guide to Self-Tape Setups: a Professional Home Audition Studio

Creating a home audition studio has become an essential part of an actor’s toolkit. In the post-COVID era, the art of self-taping has transitioned from a rarity to a necessity. The key to a successful self-tape lies not only in your performance but also in the professional quality of your video. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up an efficient, portable home studio that can be packed away into your closet when not in use.

PLEASE NOTE: Power Self-Tape receives no affiliate income for the below. This is all our honest recommendations, and we use these products ourselves.

1. Choosing the Right Space: Start by finding a quiet, well-lit room with minimal echo. The space doesn’t have to be large, but it should be free from interruptions and ambient noise that could detract from your performance.

2. The Backdrop: A solid-colored backdrop is crucial for a distraction-free tape. Neutral colors like grey, beige, or light blue are preferred. You can use a collapsible backdrop stand, which is easy to set up and can be stored away conveniently.

Where to buy: we find this Collapsible Background Stand from B&H Photo to be inexpensive and easy to port/put away (Black and White versions).

3. The Lighting: Good lighting can make or break your self-tape. A ring light provides even, flattering illumination, and they’re compact enough to be stowed away. Position it in front of you, and attach your camera.

Where to buy: Ring Light Options (Westcott $$$ and Neewer $$)

4. The Camera: Your smartphone can serve as a high-quality camera when set to record in landscape mode. The lens should mimic the proper eye level for the scene, for a professional look.

5. The Sound: Clear audio is just as important as clear video. For most modern cell phones, no additional attachments are necessary for self-tapes. Just make sure the room is silent.

6. The Reader: Position your computer or tablet off-camera with Zoom set up for your reader, eye level right next to your lens, behind your ring light. This allows for real-time interaction, which is key for a dynamic performance. Make sure the reader’s voice is audible but not overpowering yours.

7. The Script: Depending on your eyesight, you can either (1) print your script out and use clear tape to affix your lines to your ring light, right in your eye line(s), (2) reformat your script in a text editor with bigger fonts and print it out, or (3) use a separate device as a teleprompter (e.g. an iPad with a teleprompter app like PromptSmart. The idea is to keep it close to your eyeline, which should be slightly off-camera, replicating a natural conversation with a scene partner.

8. Recording the Take: Record multiple takes, allowing yourself the freedom to choose the best one. Keep the takes varied as you pick fun, powerful choices.

9. Editing: Basic editing software can help you trim the beginning and end of your video. There’s no need for fancy transitions or effects; keep it simple and professional.

Software suggestions: iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, Filmora

10. Review and Send: Always watch your takes before you send them off. Choose the one that best showcases your understanding of the character and the scene.

Remember, the goal of a home studio is to provide a professional, controlled environment where you can do your best work. With a setup that’s both high-quality and portable, you can ensure that your self-tape stands out from the competition.