The most common thing I hear when an actor arrives at my studio to record their self-tape audition is, “I just got this last night!” usually delivered with more than a hint of terror. I completely understand their dismay about the limited time they’ve had to work on the sides. But that’s how the self-tape audition process works. And having more time to prepare isn’t necessarily the way to make your self-tape better. Nor is making sure your hair is perfect or that you’re completely off book.
What’s key to success in my experience is avoiding a common mistake actors make in self tapes—and one many aren’t even aware that they’re guilty of. Fortunately it can be easy to fix: The failure to be still.
Being still is a big part of being powerful and interesting when you are acting in a tight frame. By being still I mean eliminating these common behaviors, which in the business we call “energy leaks.”
•Head bobbing•Gesturing•Eyebrow raising•Swaying
If you don’t show that you know how to deal with the requirements of acting in a tight frame, right from the top, casting won’t be inclined to stick around to watch the rest of your
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