Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Self Tape Virtual Auditions

Apr 11

Virtual auditions come with a unique set of skills as an actor.

Here are some quick tips and tricks to pay special attention to so that you come across polished, and memorable.

1.Choose an audition song that best reflects you and your skill set and not what you think the panel wants to hear.

2. The audition panel can tell when you emotionally connect with the character and when you love your material. Find songs you love.

3. Preparing your material is the only thing you’re in control of when auditioning. You can’t predict the outcome of these auditions, and you can’t tell what the panel is thinking. The only thing you can do is be secure in your material.

4.Invest in some good technology. Buy a mic! Your sound needs to be audible and free of background noise or echoes.

5. Try not to look directly in the camera when filming auditions. Look above the camera.

6. Take a moment before the audition to set up, make sure you like the sound and lighting,

7. What stands out the most is when a person comes into the camera with confidence and seems like they’re having a great time when presenting their material. What we’re looking for is that commitment to the material.

8. The ideal background and the clothes you wear should be neutral rather than busy. Make the director focus on you, free of distractions.

9. Frame your shot from the waist up in what is called a “medium close-up” (unless the audition notice specifies otherwise) so that the casting team can appreciate your physicality. Using this cropping also frees you to incorporate natural gestures that support your meaning.

10. Keep the camera stable. Use a tripod if you have one.

11. The Slate.Look directly at the camera when you start your recording, and give your name and the role you are seeking, plus the name of the song/monolog you will be doing. This is called the “slate.”

12. Be off-book. Memorize your audition and call back materials.

13. If at first you don't succeed try and try again. If we don't cast you in this one production it doesn't mean we aren't interested in you. Casting is a multi faceted process. There are many factors to balance including duet partners, styles of voices and actors.

14. Take some time to prepare in advance of audition season. Have an audition book of repertoire with 2 songs from each style of music from the music theatre canon.

15. Perform your selections in a masterclass or two so that you are used to singing this material for an audience. Sign up to one of my masterclasses.

I’d love to work with you to help you find repertoire that helps. Contact me to book your lesson. Let’s find the best repertoire for your voice and help you land your next audition.