Do Casting Directors Even See Our Self-Tapes? 

By Webmaster

  • Do Casting Directors Even See Our Self-Tapes? 

    All that anticipation for nothing! 

    (The Anonymous Actor)

    (Photo: Ryoji Iwata | Unsplash)

    My self-tape, on more than one occasion, was not seen. How do I know? Because my tapes were submitted using WeTransfer.

    If you’re unfamiliar, WeTransfer, along with Dropbox, are two of the more popular ways of submitting your self-tapes.

  • Personally, I prefer to submit directly via a casting site. But WeTransfer is a fine alternative.

    One good thing about using WeTransfer is that they send you an email alert, telling you when your tape was downloaded by the casting director. It’s a fantastic feature! Given the hard work I put into my self-tapes, I want to know that my effort was rewarded and that my tape was seen.


    ACTOR STORY | My Self-Tape Evolution


    Lately, however, that hasn’t been happening. On more than one occasion, I did not get the WeTransfer email confirmation, confirming that my tape had been seen. I got nothing! Zilch! Nada!

  • Well, I guess I didn’t get “nothing”. I technically got a non-response, which means that the casting director was either too busy to look at it, or they simply got what they needed from another actor and had practically cast the role already.

    Which means I filmed my self-tape in vain!

    Has anyone else experienced this?


    I filmed my self-tape in vain! Has anyone else experienced this?


    I followed all the submission instructions. I submitted the video the way they wanted and to the place they wanted me to send it. Yet – apparently – no one on the receiving end bothered to download and view it.

    Sigh!

  • I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the TikTok trend, where they put the harness on the dog as if they’re getting ready to take her for a walk. They get to the front door of the house, then leave the dog behind, pretending they forgot her.

    The dog gets agitated. She can’t believe that, after waiting all day to go for a walk, that her owner has left her behind. She goes mad. She jumps around and scratches at the door, hoping her owner will return. Eventually she gets that sinking feeling of neglect and abandonment. All her anticipation to go for a walk was for nothing!

    That’s kind of how I feel when casting directors don’t view my self-tape submission – like the excited dog, waiting all day for a walk, only to be forgotten and abandoned.


  • You Might Also Like:
    ACTOR STORY: My Girlfriend Was My Reader for Self-Tapes. We Just Broke Up!


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting?

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? ANSWER: It’s never too late to start acting. There…

    The First Rule for Acting

    The First Rule for Acting What is the most important thing in acting? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Pexels) What’s the first rule for acting? Don’t think about it. Just answer!…

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally?

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally? (By AM Staff) (Photo: George Milton | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I film my self-tape vertically or horizontally? ANSWER: Always shoot your self-tape horizontally. Always,…

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022 (By AM Staff) The year 2022 flew by so fast! We hardly had a chance to enjoy it. We also hardly had time to celebrate the…

    Save $500 in 30 days!

    Save $500 in 30 days! Use this money challenge to save more money fast (By Jessica Baker) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) How much money is in your bank account right now? $400?…

  • Ad

  • What Questions Should You Ask an Agent?

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent? 10 questions to prepare before an agent meeting (By AM Staff) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) QUESTION: I am going to an agent meeting. They are…

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition What makes an audition successful? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) 1. First, be happy that you got the audition. Whether you land the…

    QUESTION: | Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent?

    QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? ANSWER: Signing with a quality, reputable agent…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: | How do I know if a talent manager is legit?

    QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager is legit? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager or talent agent is legit?…

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams How to know if a talent agent or manager is legit (By AM Staff) (Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich | Pexels) Talent agents are great…until they’re not! There are…

    What Aspiring Actors Need to Know

    What Aspiring Actors Need to Know First, stop saying that you’re “aspiring” (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Jeffrey Reed | Pexels) QUESTION: What do aspiring actors need to know? ANSWER: *find a mentor *take…

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing | Part 2: Your Family

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing Part 2: Your Family (By AM Staff) (Photo: Engin Akyurt | Pexels) Your family can’t understand why you want to be an actor. You will…

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! | Part 1: Auditions

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! Part 1: Auditions (By AM Staff) (Photo: Gerd Altmann | Pexels) There’s 100 people competing in this job interview known as an audition. 100 FRIGGIN’ PEOPLE!…

  • Ad

  • Never, Never, Never Do This!

    Never, Never, Never Do This! 5 Things Actors Should Never Do (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) This is a debatable topic. But from my perspective, there are 5 things every…

    QUESTION: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job?

    Question: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job? (By Staff) (Photo: Picas Joe | Pexels) ANSWER: Yes! But communicate your reluctance with your reps and others who need to…

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost? 

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost?  (By Staff) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) ANSWER: If someone charges you for the privilege to audition, it’s most likely a scam. Auditions are…

  • Ad

  • Why Do Actors Say “Break a Leg”? 

    Why Do Actors Say “Break a Leg”? This expression is normally said right before a performance (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Victoria Akvarel | Pexels) If you’re new to acting, do be alarmed if…

    Should You Wear White in a Self-Tape Audition? 

    Should You Wear White in a Self-Tape Audition? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Don’t wear bright white, as your primary color, for your self-tape audition unless you must. Wear it when…

    What are the Requirements to Become an Actor? 

    What are the Requirements to Become an Actor? 5 skills you absolutely need to have… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) Did you drop out of grade school? Never finished college?…

    When Should I Give Up on Acting?

    When Should I Give Up on Acting? Four signs that will let you know it’s time to quit (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Mike Greer | Pexels) Be a patient actor. Be a determined…

    Does Height Matter for Acting? 

    Does Height Matter for Acting? How tall do you have to be to be an actor? (By Jim Webb) Question: “I’m short. Will my height mean that I cannot get work as an…

  • Ad