Self-Tape Guidelines

• Tapes can be recorded using a phone, but make sure they are filmed in landscape (horizontal) mode. Always film yourself in landscape unless otherwise instructed.

• Frame the camera in a mid-length shot unless requested otherwise. This should be from your chest up to your head.

• Speak clearly.

• Make sure you are indoors in a location with good lighting. Natural light from a window is ideal.

• Keep the background as plain as possible.

• Wear plain clothes and keep your hair away from your face.

• The camera should be at eye level. Keep the camera steady by using a stand, if possible.

• Your face, shoulders, and the top of your torso should be in the frame, as close to the camera as possible.

• Introduce yourself by looking directly into the camera: State your name, age, location, the name of your agency, and answer any questions (if applicable) that have been requested in the self-tape instructions. Then, show both sides of your profile and your hands.

• Be off-book. It’s preferable to have your lines memorized rather than reading them.

• For a scene, do not look directly into the camera. Your eye-line should be slightly off-camera.

• Have someone else, behind the camera, read the other characters' lines. Do not read the stage directions.

• Label the file with your name before sending/uploading.

Renaming the video is important. If the file does not have your name, it could be misplaced or put in the wrong folder, making it difficult to locate.

The file should be labeled with your name, role, and agency. For example: John Doe_Hero Boy_RTEN KIDS.

• Files should be in MOV or MP4 format and not too large in file size. Anything under 100MB is ideal.