
5 Tips to Instantly Improve Your Self Tape:
“The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
EYE LEVEL
1. Best if the camera is at eye level.
2.Have your reader directly to the left or the right of the camera with their eyes in line with the lens.
3. Have the reader stand as close to the camera as possible, slightly in front of the camera if possible.
FRAMING
1. Rule of thirds. Top third of the frame going through your eye line.
2. Close up – Film and TV
3. Medium – Musical Theater and some Broad Comedy
4. Wide – I would only use if I were doing Dance. (Dance should include entire body, from head to toe)
ACTION OUT OF FRAME
1. Action that happens outside of the frame won’t distract the viewer from your performance.
CAMERA AXIS
1. If there are multiple characters in the scene, place one character left and one right.
2. Try to use the camera axis to open up your performance.
3. Looking across the camera opens you up to the camera and the audience.
4. Staying on one side of the camera will close you off from the audience, which can be a great choice for certain characters.
MOVEMENT
1. Side to side movement will sometimes create distraction. You want your feet to feel more planted than in a theater audition.
2. Moving toward the camera is strong choice, it brings the frame closer to your face, and lets us deeper into your emotional life.