1. Not using a tripod. 2. Vertical video. 3. Bad framing. 4. Looking into the camera (unless this character would look into the camera on set). 5. Not using a reader.
your videos are genuinely the most helpful tool i’ve had so far in my career! literally would not have gotten an agent when i did without you. thank you so much!
Hi Kurt, I just watched your video where you talked about Atlanta and how busy the scene is down there but that was 3 years ago. I was wondering how things are now? Btw, I literally auditioned for my 1st role on Thursday and I got the role and I start fiming tomorrow on Sunday 11/5. it's only a 5 line role but I'm so thankful to have gotten it! Hope all is well.
First, greetings from Estonia. And sorry for my bad English, but I hope my English is understandable, but I wanted to share briefly how I got my first movie experience. In the summer of this year I got into movie as a background actor, but how I got it was just luck, I applied to be a background actor, but I wasn't chosen, but my mother was chosen, of course my mother was a bit scared, it was still a completely new experience for her, so I went to sent her to the shooting location, when we arrived, the casting director immediately recognized my face, she said to me - you also applied, right? I said Yeah, but I was not chosen and I'm here just to send my mother, to be a moral support and I'll leave when shooting starts. So we and the other background actors sat and waited for the shooting to start, then casting director came and says to me - Today is your lucky day, one actor cannot come and you can participate if you want. So that's how I got into movie as a background actor, I had to play an impatient theater guest who is the first to leave the theater before the end of the play.
I was in an online SAG workshop last year sometime and a guy did his performance in his garden with sunglasses on. It did not pertain to the scene at all. Tip 6: don't do this.
Thank you. I'm probably older than most breaking into the industry and I'm starting from scratch on getting my 'portfolio' together. Very helpful info. Thank you.
How do you frame a self tape when you move forward and backwards from the camera during a specific audition (or should you avoid moving forwards and backwards in self tapes)? I find that I end up having at least some part of it with too much space above my head because I want to leave room for the movement. Thank you very much for your help and advice!
Thank you so much. I realize your very busy. But this information is very much appreciated. Have a great day and I know im going to see You in your own Star wars film. Maybe youl consider a few of us to play a support side role for You Sir.
Thank you so much for your helpful videos! ^_^ For the reader tip: You can also record yourself on another device saying the other lines (with the proper pauses, of course) and play it while taping. I've done this a few times now and it saved me the trouble of having to find someone else!
Hi, I love your videos and they have been very helpful and educational. I have a question about self-tapes where the scene has an action in the middle. Would you suggest acting that action scene even when there's no dialogue or skip the non-speaking acting part? For example, in a scene my character is telling their friend to get out of the house (they go back and forth talking), then action scene: I break down the door and pull my friend out of the house (no conversation, only action), and then we go back to talking. Would you act out the action scene of you breaking the door and pulling your friend out of the house in your audition? Thanks a bunch!
Your video looks fantastic! What camera did you use to film the footage? Also it’s nice to see you back in your usual space after all your traveling during this strike!
Thanks I enjoyed this and I have learned something else recently.. when your looking to the right or left its important to do it with the proper eye... if the person is to YOUR right (of the camera) use your right eye when talking to him or her and vice versa...that way your somewhat facing the camera without looking directly at it.
I already sent my tape to the director, and realized afterwards it was vertical not horizontal. Is it a good or bad idea to ask if I can send another one to him? Thanks
Also I noticed in your self tape that you angled yourself a little while looking in the opposite direction for your reader. Is this something you usually do? Or more often than not are you facing the camera with your shoulders and moving your face left and right of the camera.
Thank you for this. I opened a few of your videos since you're in the top 10 videos on the first page of RU-vid. I'm also in Atlanta and love the Jurassic Park reference quote in the background
Very helpful! I need to try the "virtual reader" concept. I think actors these days need to learn some basic video editing skills. I learned DaVinci Resolve (which is free). For framing, you can use a somewhat larger frame than you think you want, and then crop it down in editing. If you don't mind a criticism, I note that your framing video could have used some color grading. Your skin tone is way off from the main video. Lots of things you can do to improve your audition tapes once you master some basic editing skills. I've set up a mini studio in my basement with lighting and a green screen background. I usually substitute it with a simple gray background in post.
I loved your 5 self tape mistakes and convinced me to subscribe to your channel. But I have a question- I need to turn in an audition that says to audition - to position camera for a 3/4 body shot. Is this the same as what you explained to look either to the right or the left of the camera.?
Hi @ActingCareerCenter, I am an actress in ATL. I am just starting out and I have watched many of your videos thank you so much for you advice! I do have one question? How can I find an agent in ATL? Where do I go? Is there a website? Please help 😅 thank you
Something to also know is you can use the same tripod you use for your lighting umbrella or soft box if you have an extra one, its typically the same 1/4" that can be used with an adapter for your camera or iPhone.
I have been subscribing to your channel for 2 months now. I appreciate the good info. Since watching this video, I have been putting your advice into practice, I have gotten more call backs and featured in 2 short movies.
I always use a reader, although once on short notice I had to record the other lines and started and stopped them with my phone, then reacted to them and did my lines. I actually got that part, though I don't think that is the best policy. But I'd like to ask your opinion about readers. I've heard that the reader should just clearly read the lines since it is not their audition, but also that the reader should voice act those lines. What are your thoughts? Thanks for the great videos!
this is great advice, however i’m reading a monologue where my character is talking on the phone, and the monologue does not have any lines for a second character, only lines for me. what should i do?
hey acting career center I am wondering if you think you can help me become an actor I would really like to know how to become an actor I would like to talk to you personally
Another mistake I’ve also seen from new actors is that they will get the reader to read everything on the page (ie John walks into a dark dimly lit room or exterior night)
I'm from New Zealand and just finished high school. A few months ago I realised I want to be an actor. I have no experience whatsoever and I'm planning on starting my journey as soon as possible. It's going to be tough, especially considering I'm from a small little country away from everything but I'm not going to give up. Just found your channel today and have been binging through your videos like the ones about beginning as an actor with no experience and costs and stuff and you have been so extremely helpful. Immediately subscribed and I'll definitely be using this channel as I work towards my dream. Thank you❤
Hey Kurt, thanks a lot, I'm a big fan of your videos and work! When you don't have time to sort out a reader, what is your take on pre-recording you voice playing the reader part and using that in your audition? I have done it before and although it does constraint your timing and pace I was able to book my first role 😅. Best regards from the UK.
Congrats on booking your first role!! I've done that before too but only as a last resort. It's easy when the other character only has 1 or 2 lines. But now my auditions are multiple pages so I always have a reader.
If you want to wear makeup, then only minimally to enhance your features or very natural makeup. Casting directors/ directors will want to see how you look naturally
really?? technical advice?? This are not tips for a self tape audition. These are general basic tips for any video. And what about the almost50 seconds begging for likes/subscribe intro. Instead of a thumbs up I added you to my channel block list.
