Self Tape Success Stories

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actor101
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Self Tape Success Stories

Post by actor101 »

Looking for some advice on what makes a good self tape and some motivation to share with DC to keep at it!

DC has done a fair few but never had any recalls or success. DC is now at the point where if asked to do a self tape its's seen a waste of time and almost like being punished!!

I've read up on good lighting, backgrounds, clothing, good slates, being off book, being a good reader etc and I am sure we have improved, however still no success. We laugh when we look at the first one we did when I had no idea what a self tape was!

Please share your success stories, keen to hear if you think you've nailed it! And do your agencies ever review or give feedback.
We've never had any feedback and I sometimes wonder if I should pay for a professional to do one just to see if it gives us any tips for the future.

I liken self tapes to fishing in the deep blue sea and I know there are so many variables, but a little nibble every now and then would be nice!

Thanks
Moosmum
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Moosmum »

Hi, my biggest piece of advice would be for you and DC to relax when filming them. Make sure it’s landscape and good sound etc. My DD is similar in that she sees it as abit of a chore and would much rather do an audition in front of people. We have done a fair few, DD had a recall for one advert and booked it but it was given to a boy at the last minute, also she booked a short tape through just tape. Ironically they were the tapes we thought through less and went with the flow. DDs agent is very good at analysing the tapes and will tell us if it’s too theatrical or if there can be any changes which I find brilliant being a relative newbie.it is a smaller agency though so rather than the big ones who submit maybe upwards of ten kids for the role ours will likely only have a couple. X
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Dogcop
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Dogcop »

Dd filmed for an ITV show after a self tape. She was picked straight from the tape. She has also done lots of other self tapes but not had any success. It's hard to know what they are after unless they specifically say
gingerbam
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by gingerbam »

Never had anything from a self tape, one time DD really was fed up and we did a rubbish self tape, the agent refused to submit it and we re-did. Again we never get any feed back. We have looked at all the advice and tried to implement it, to be honest we are sick of the way the whole industry find it acceptable not tell children anything.
Yorkshirepudding
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Yorkshirepudding »

We've never had anything from a self tape either. Tempted to give up on them, but we live a long way from London and it seems increasingly the way things are going.

Had some feedback from one agent which was helpful and I think they are better now than they were, but obviously not good enough. Our hit rate in front of real people seems to be significantly higher!
Darmont
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Darmont »

DD got her initial audition for a well known play from a self tape (she went on to get the part through normal face to face auditions). They were looking for the ability to do an accent I think.

She had to talk about herself on the self tape and we literaĺly got the brief at 1am, and had to be in by 5pm the next day (a school day!). So she rattled it off without much prep, poor lighting and filmed on my phone. It did the job though.

I think it shows that you never can tell what they are looking for, if you have it, then you just do!! I'm not sure that the quality of the tape, or the prep etc is that important?!

Other than that we've had the same, never hear back from film / tv show self tapes. Also no feedback.
Yorkshirepudding
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Yorkshirepudding »

Yorkshirepudding wrote:We've never had anything from a self tape either. Tempted to give up on them, but we live a long way from London and it seems increasingly the way things are going.

Had some feedback from one agent which was helpful and I think they are better now than they were, but obviously not good enough. Our hit rate in front of real people seems to be significantly higher!
Just to update, we have out of the blue had a self tape success three months after we sent it off and assumed we would never hear any more.

So I eat my words, they aren't completely pointless after all, and DS has a very exciting 2019 to look forward to!

Keep plugging away everyone!
Fuji11547
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Fuji11547 »

Oh wow! Amazing! What sort of production was it: film, theater..?
Yorkshirepudding
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Yorkshirepudding »

Fuji11547 wrote:Oh wow! Amazing! What sort of production was it: film, theater..?
Theatre. Thanks!
We have gone from ](*,) to \:D/
jennifer1972
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by jennifer1972 »

My DD recently self-taped for Anastasia in Madrid after I saw a casting and badgered her to do it. She got an email back inviting her to go to Madrid 2 days after, which we couldn't do, so it was a thanks but no thanks situation, and I got a telling off from her for 'not thinking it through' :lol: :lol: But like most of you, you send it off and never expect to hear back from it. They told her she would be more than welcome to audition again at the next round of auditions, so you never know.....
Yorkshirepudding
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by Yorkshirepudding »

jennifer1972 wrote: She got an email back inviting her to go to Madrid 2 days after, which we couldn't do, so it was a thanks but no thanks situation, and I got a telling off from her for 'not thinking it through' :lol: .
Oh dear - sounds like \:D/ and then ](*,) !

Well done for the recall though!
x_sugarplumfairy_x
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by x_sugarplumfairy_x »

We tend to have more success with scripted self tapes than non scripted.

From scripted self tapes she ended up booking a lead role in a feature film (two self tapes followed by a screen test) and the lead role in two short films,
We quite like self tapes with scripts because you can do a couple of takes and pick the best one and if you mess up on your lines you can have another go so better than an in person casting in that respect.

Where as we've had absolutely no success with the non scripted ones- I find with the ones like this where for example they're asked to talk about themselves or answer questions etc she comes across very unnatural and fake and finds it hard to be herself, and so like yours she gets very frustrated and feels like its more of a chore, where as in person in the casting room she's great at chattering away and really looks forward to them. X
ScoobyDoo
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by ScoobyDoo »

Oh yes I agree Sugarplumfairy, the non-scripted ones are so hard. I guess there are some kids that are good at it, but my DS also goes all a bit stiff and fake and they take forever to do, whereas with the scripted ones he is getting so much better at, really relaxed and gets them done very easily and quickly. Personally, I am so happy you can do self-tapes now, for those of us who do not live in London it gives us a chance to get a look-in and also saves us from spending money we don't have to go up to London for something we are totally unsuitable for.
x_sugarplumfairy_x
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by x_sugarplumfairy_x »

Yes that's very true! The money saving side of it is brilliant!
We've actually just had another self tape success too so we must be getting better (phew!) she's been shortlisted to the top 3 for a new Netflix series role from her self tape this week and has a recall in London next week so we don't save on the travelling altogether but I don't mind the expense when I know she's been shortlisted :) like you say it's so frustrating to travel so far then find out theyre completly unsuitable or the ones where they literally just go in and say their name and age! [-( x
ScoobyDoo
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Re: Self Tape Success Stories

Post by ScoobyDoo »

Oh Sugarplumfairy that is grand news, fingers crossed for your DD and yes, you absolutely do not mind (and in fact love quite a bit!) spending the money on travel if you know you have been noticed :)
I think these days so many are doing self-tapes first that you cannot fail to start getting just the same opportunities as if you went in.
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