self-tape without a reader

ring light audition

 

If you have ever had a self tape audition and couldn’t find a reader, you know how frustrating that can be. When you get your sides you should be spending as much time as possible working on the audition materials as you can, not hunting down a reader. Casting directors sometimes have audition instructions that require a live reader. However, they don’t take into consideration that this in not always possible. If you are a working actor, you have more than likely exhausted your reader options. You may have even used paid services just so you won’t be a bother to anyone. You might live alone and not have a live-in reader. Casting doesn’t think about that when they send the notices out, but they should. In-person auditions are rare these days and they should not ‘require’ live readers but what is an actor to do?

Fortunately most casting directors are being a bit more lenient and understanding of what actors have to go through and are no longer requiring a live reader. It is totally possible to pre-record lines and perform it, just as well as you would with a reader with a little practice and a simple digital voice recorder. You can also use a small Bluetooth or wired speaker to enhance the volume of your recording if needed.

Option #1

Record all the lines except the ones you have to read for the audition and leave enough space between your recorded lines to speak your lines. Read your lines silently while you are recording so that you give yourself enough time to say your lines on camera. Give yourself a couple of extra seconds so you have some freedom to ‘act’. Practice with your recording until you get a good flow going and it feels natural before you record yourself. You can also have someone else record the lines for you if you want a different voice to make it seem like you have a live reader.

Option #2

Use a small digital voice recorder that doesn’t have buttons that make loud or clicking sounds. When performing the sides, you will pause your recording between each of your lines and you don’t want any audible clicking sounds during your take because it will be very distracting to casting. Record each line and leave only about a second between each line so that when you’re doing your take, there are no long gaps of silence. This method takes longer to master but it’s more effective because you won’t feel rushed when saying your lines for fear that your recording will start before you finish your line. You have control of the pace. As with the first option, you can have someone else record the lines if you want to have more of a ‘live reader’ feel.

Many actors are using these methods because they have more control of when they record their tapes and have the freedom to do more takes without feeling like they are infringing on someone else’s time. If done right, casting will never know your little secret and your friends and family will stop ignoring your calls 🙂