7 Ways to Do a Self-Tape Without a Reader

By Webmaster

  • 7 Ways to Do a Self-Tape Without a Reader

    For auditions that require more than one person, there are several options available when you don’t have a reliable reader

    (By Jim Webb)

    (Photo: Mikhail Nilov | Pexels)

    Ok, here’s the good news: self-tape auditions come with lots of benefits. You can work on your own schedule. You can control the process. You can do unlimited takes. You never have to fight through rush-hour traffic.

    Here’s the bad news: you have to procure your own equipment. You have to worry about things like lighting and sound. You have to have space in your home (sometimes a tiny apartment) to do it.

  • Here’s the absolute worst news: you might need a reader – but you can’t always find a reader.

    But don’t lose hope, actors! For auditions that require two people, there are options available to you, even without having a reliable reader.

    Here are a few:

    #1: A Self-Tape Service 


    (Photo: Erik McLean | Unsplash)

    There might be a self-tape service near you. There are companies out there that specialize in helping actors create amazing self-tapes. Along with taking care of the technical aspects, like camera, sound and lighting, they can also offer you a reader.

    #2: Turn to the Apps 

    There’s a phone app for darn near everything these days!

    Need a reader? There’s an app for that!

    There are apps and platforms out there that connect actors to other actors who need assistance. You can use one of those apps to find your reader.

  • #3: The Imaginary Reader

    It might feel a little weird to do, but you can simply pretend you have a reader. That is, you can pause after you say your lines, then imagine a reader is speaking the other character’s lines.

    You can make facial expressions and react, as you say the lines of the other character in your head. Then you speak out loud when it’s your character’s turn to speak.

    #4: Be Your Own Reader

    (Photo: Anna Shvets | Pexels)

     Some actors have had success recording the lines of the other characters. They, in a sense, become their own readers.

    They play back a recording of their own voices saying the lines and then respond of them. Tricky, but it can be done!

    #5: Turn Dialogues into Monologues 

    You could just simply pretend that the dialogue is a monologue. You could blend the script together, take a few liberties with the lines, and turn the dialogue into a monologue. This can’t be done in all cases. But it can be done in some cases.

    For example, your character might have a ton of lines. The other character only has a line here and there. So, you skip over the other character’s lines, add a line to make it make sense, and create one monologue.

  • #6: Join a Group! 

    There are groups of actors who have each other’s backs at times like this. You can form a group with the actors in your acting class. You can join groups of actors who meet up to work on projects together.

    You can also check to see if there’s a Facebook group in your area you can connect with.

    #7: Do only the most important lines

    (Photo: Mart Productions | Pexels)

    Finally, you can distill the sides!

    A script (or sides) is not created equally. You can tell where the most important moment of the scene is. You can figure out the dialogue that the casting director most wants to see from you.

    So, in a worst-case scenario, just record those lines and only those lines. Ignore the rest of the lines, including the lines of the other characters, altogether! Show casting how good you can be with the most important part of the script. Blow them away with it! Let them salivate, as they imagine the rest of what would have been your self-tape if you, indeed, had a reader.

    Will these suggestions work in all situations? No! Of course not.

    Come on, people! We’re improvising here! We’re trying to make do with what we have, right?

    So, it’s not going to be perfect. It’s not going to work in all cases.

    But using one of these suggestions gives you a chance to turn in a decent self-tape, without having a reliable reader.


  • You Might Also Like:
    What is an Audition Reader?


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • How to Become an Actor at 16

    How to Become an Actor at 16 Embrace the exciting challenges that lie ahead on your acting journey. (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anastasiya Gepp | Pexels) Becoming an actor at the age of…

    How to Become an Actor on Broadway

    How to Become an Actor on Broadway 10 steps to achieve your Broadway dreams (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Dreaming of becoming a Broadway actor and gracing the iconic stages of…

    15 Tips for Overcoming Stage Fright

    15 Tips for Overcoming Stage Fright What is stage fright and how do you fight the fright? (By Jim Webb) (Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash) Stage fright, also known as performance anxiety,…

    Navigating Pilot Season

    Navigating Pilot Season Tips for Actors Preparing for Auditions (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) Pilot season is a thrilling and competitive time in the entertainment industry when actors have the…

    15 Steps for Creating Your Demo Reel

    15 Steps for Creating Your Demo Reel A step-by-step guide for every actor who is ready to put a showreel together (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Terje Sollie | Pexels) Creating a compelling demo…

  • Ad

  • How to Get into Acting

    How to Get into Acting A Comprehensive Guide (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Vladimir Fedotov/Unsplash) Acting, often regarded as a captivating art form, has the power to transport audiences into different worlds, evoke emotions,…

    13 Benefits of Taking Improv Classes

    13 Benefits of Taking Improv Classes Here are some ways in which taking improv classes can be advantageous for actors (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improvisation (improv) classes can provide numerous…

    Mastering the Art of Self-Taping: A Guide for Actors

    Mastering the Art of Self-Taping: A Guide for Actors (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Mart Production | Pexels) In the digital age, self-taping has become an essential tool for actors to showcase their talent…

  • Ad

  • 20 Good Acting Tips

    20 Good Acting Tips Important advice and tips every actor should know (By AM Staff) (Photo: Emre | Pexels) 1. You don’t have to make your acting performance “bigger” to make it memorable….

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting What it means to make acting choices (By AM Staff) (Photo: Klaus Nielsen | Pexels) Your character is screaming at her father who abandoned her…

    QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots?

    QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Min An | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? ANSWER: No! Do not shoot your own headshots. Leave the photography…

    13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition

    13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition How to bounce back after a bad audition (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) So, you had a bad audition? So, what!?!? You…

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape?

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape? Which kind of lighting is best for self-tapes (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ivan Samkov | Pexels) No matter how good your performance is, if…

  • Ad

  • How Do You Network for Your Acting Career?

    How Do You Network for Your Acting Career? 5 tips for networking in the film industry (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Jopwell | Pexels) The best acting jobs don’t always go to the best…

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel?

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel? 10 things to avoid when putting together your show reel (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ali Pazani | Pexels) Don’t do these 10 things when…

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition What is a self-tape submission and how do I do it? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Beci Harmony | Unsplash) What should you do when you’re finally…

  • Ad

  • 20 Things You Should Never Do in an Audition

    20 Things You Should Never Do in an Audition Follow these 20 important rules during your next audition (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) There’s a million books and articles out there…

    Headshot Do’s and Don’ts

    Headshot Do’s and Don’ts 9 tips for acting headshot success (By AM Staff) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Should I smile when I take my headshots? Yes, if it’s a headshot to be…

    QUICK TIPS | How to Create a Convincing Character

    QUICK TIPS How to Create a Convincing Character 11 steps for building your character (By AM Staff) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) What is it called when an actor is in character? It is…

    10 Self-Tape Mistakes You Should Avoid

    10 Self-Tape Mistakes You Should Avoid Get your self-tape game rockin’, by avoiding these common mistakes! (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anna Shvets | Pexels) Casting directors are going to go through hundreds of…

    3 Easy Ways to Market Yourself to Casting Directors

    3 Easy Ways to Market Yourself to Casting Directors How to reach out without being pesky (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) When you’re swimming in a sea of actors, you…

  • Ad