Is It a Trap to Do Two Takes for a Self-Tape?
I only want to send them spectacular takes
(The Anonymous Actor)
(Photo: Niu Niu/Unsplash)
I always get a little nervous when a casting director asks me to do two takes for a self-tape. I always feel like it’s just a trap, setting me up for failure.
I mean, I guess I get the pros of it. Doing multiple takes is a great way to demonstrate your range as an actor. Plus, doing an extra take gives casting a chance to see your different interpretations of the material. I get it!
RELATED: The Self-Tape Checklist
But, for me, the negatives far outweigh the positives. For starters, it will take me more time with the material to come up with two truly unique interpretations.
That’s extra time that I’ll have to spend on an audition for a role that I have little chance of getting. Sorry to be overly negative, but that’s just the cold reality of it. I don’t like spending too much time on any one audition, given the unlikelihood that I’ll actually book it.
(Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels)
But here’s my biggest problem with doing two takes:
MY SECOND TAKE MIGHT BE MASSIVELY INFERIOR TO THE FIRST TAKE!
I can never shake the feeling that if I do one amazing take and then, under pressure from casting, I do a less-than-spectacular second take, the second take is the one they’ll zero in on.
What a bleeping trap! So, casting sees my first take and thinks, “Oh my God, what an amazing actor he is!”
Then they see my second take and think, “Um, not so much.” And if the bad take is the most memorable take, they’re gonna think I’m a bad actor.
I always get a little nervous when a casting director asks me to do two takes for a self-tape.
So, if you’re keeping score at home: by following the instructions and sending in the second take, I’ve effectively punished myself.
SMH!
For the most part, I’ve stopped sending in two-take self-tapes. I don’t care how much they beg for it in the instructions.
I only want to send them spectacular takes, as many as possible. I want to show them what a great actor I am. Heck, I’ll send 5 takes, if I have 5 truly great ones in me.
Otherwise, I’m one and done, all the way!
(Photo: Erik McLean | Unsplash)
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