Best Practices For Audition Videos – With Handy Checklist!
From essential equipment to performance tips, our list of best practices will help you nail your next audition video.
Love them or hate them, audition videos are something every performer must film from time to time. They can be nerve-wracking, and it’s easy to overthink them. The good news is that most audition videos tend to follow the same guidelines, so once you’re comfortable with them, you’ll find it a breeze.
Our comprehensive list of audition video best practices is for everyone – singers and dancers, beginners and seasoned professionals.
Refer to our handy checklist at the end of this blog next time you have to record a self-tape for extra confidence!
Audition video preparation
Read your audition guidelines carefully
This might sound like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how many people miss small details in audition guidelines. You may be required to frame your shot in a certain way or wear a particular colour. The panellists and judges who’ll be watching your video will likely have to review a lot of auditions. If you fail to follow specific instructions in the guidelines, no matter how trivial they might seem, you could be instantly rejected.
Read the guidelines slowly, thoroughly, and at least twice!
Know your material
You should always aim to learn your material off by heart, even if the audition guidelines allow notes. Doing so will make you seem more prepared and professional, you’ll feel more confident, and you’ll be able to focus more on giving your best performance.
Top tip: if you feel more comfortable having some notes to fall back on, consider using a teleprompter app. Teleprompter Pro is free to use and allows you to adjust the font size and scroll speed of your text to your liking. You can download the app onto a tablet and keep it next to the camera so you don’t have to look directly at the lens.
Do a few test clips
Taking a few test shots won’t take up too much of your time, but it could drastically improve the quality of your audition video. Pay attention to your lighting, sound quality, and framing when testing your setup, and make adjustments until you’re happy with the results.
Setting up your recording space
Choosing your space
When choosing your recording space, you’ll want to consider things like lighting, acoustics, and how much space you have to move around if necessary. Your background should also be clean and clutter-free to avoid any distractions.
Dance studios, music practice rooms, and classrooms are all great options, but even a tidy room in your home will do. Choose somewhere that’s well-lit so panellists and judges can clearly see your face. And if you’re singing, acting, or using your voice in another way, choose a space with little to no echo or background noise.
Lighting
Panellists and judges will likely want to see your face in the video, so it’s essential that your face is well-lit.
Natural light is always the preferred option, as it tends to offer the most realistic representation of your appearance. Fluorescent lights may give you a green or grey tinge, and overhead lights run the risk of casting unflattering shadows on your face.
If you don’t have access to natural light in your recording space, you could use a ring light instead.
Top tip: Whichever lighting option you choose, try to minimise any shadows on your face (and your hands, if you play an instrument). You can soften harsh shadows by placing a couple of lamps nearby or in your background. Just make sure the lamps aren’t too bright behind you – they could be distracting or pull too much light away from your face and body.
Framing and orientation
Unless your audition guidelines state otherwise, you should always record self-tapes horizontally. This is because most of the media we consume today is still horizontal.
How you should frame your shot will depend on your kind of performance:
- Actor, singer, or speaker: Film your video from the hips or chest up. Make sure that you can clearly see your face and eyes in the shot – panellists and judges will be looking out for things like enunciation and breath control.
- Musician: Make sure both your face and hands are in the shot.
- Dancer: Your entire body will need to be in the shot at all times. Viewers will also want to see your facial expressions, so make sure your face is clearly visible too. Give yourself enough room to work with on both sides so that you can complete your whole routine within the frame.
Filming essentials
Use a tripod
You should consider buying a tripod if you don’t already have one. They’re cheap, easy to carry around, and ensure your video is stable. A tripod will also come in handy for future videos and content creation in general. No more propping your phone up on a windowsill or asking your friend to record your 20 takes!
Do you need a camera?
If performing is more of a hobby for you than a chosen career path, a high-quality smartphone camera is more than enough. However, if you plan on sending off a lot of audition tapes, you may want to invest in a DSLR camera.
DSLRs are trickier to use than a phone camera, but they provide a much more professional result. With a DSLR, you’ll also have the option of making your own films and you’ll get to understand the basic principles of cinematography.
When choosing a camera, look for one with good autofocus (and image stabilisation if you want to make your own films without a tripod). You don’t have to buy your camera from new, either. There are lots of great secondhand options on sites like Wex, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Buying secondhand also means you can potentially sell it again for a similar price if you decide you don’t need it anymore.
Camera lens
If you decide to invest in a DSLR camera, you’ll also need to purchase a lens. 50mm lenses are best for filming self-tapes – just be sure to choose one that’s compatible with your camera model! Remember to check online for the best deals on secondhand equipment.
Wear a neutral outfit, makeup and hairstyle
Anything that distracts from your face or performance is a huge no-no for audition videos. If the audition guidelines don’t specify a particular choice of outfit, makeup, or hairstyle, your best bet is to go neutral.
Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to your appearance:
Do:
- Wear a neutral-coloured outfit that isn’t too bright.
- Create contrast with your background so that you easily stand out e.g. don’t wear a white outfit if you’re filming against a white wall.
- Keep makeup to a minimum so that people can clearly see your face.
- Wear a casual hairstyle that doesn’t conceal your face.
Don’t:
- Wear bright patterns or logos.
- Wear anything that might be distracting e.g. revealing outfits that are low cut or too short.
- Wear high heels (high heels can alter your balance and impact your voice, so it’s best to wear flats or very small heels).
Audio
DIY acoustic treatment
If the room you’re recording in has a slight echo to it, you may be able to fix it by surrounding yourself with soft furnishings. Curtains, blankets, cushions and rugs can all help absorb harsh sounds and improve your audio quality. Just make sure your DIY acoustics aren’t too distracting in the background of your shot if you go for this option!
Leave the microphone behind
Most audition guidelines prohibit the use of a microphone, as the sound is manipulated and won’t show off your true voice. Mics can also hide things like poor breath control and projection, which judges and panellists will be looking out for when they watch your tape.
Performance
Warm up your voice and body
There are lots of benefits to warming up your voice and body properly before performing, including:
- Helps prevent injury
- Loosens up your body for more fluid movement
- Can help clear your throat and get rid of hoarseness
- Can improve your sound and vocal ability
- Can help calm your nerves
There are countless vocal warmups for both actors and singers on YouTube that you can easily follow along with.
Dancers won’t need to be told about the importance of warming up their bodies before performing, but singers and actors can benefit from it too.
A few stretches and aerobic exercises are enough to get your heart rate up, connect with your breath, and get rid of any stiffness. Check out this 5-minute actor’s warm-up made by the National Theatre.
Don’t look directly at the camera
You shouldn’t look directly at the camera while performing unless your audition guidelines say so.
It’s okay to look directly at the camera when introducing yourself at the start of the video. However, once you start your performance, you should pick a focal point just to the left or right of the lens.
Controlling the music
If you’re recording with music, you should have someone else start and stop the track for you so you aren’t running back and forth on the screen. Another option would be to control the music remotely using your phone (if you aren’t recording with it) or someone else’s.
Avoid ad-libbing and paraphrasing
Ad-libbing, paraphrasing, and changing lines is generally a bad idea, as it may come across as unprepared or unprofessional. Remember that the script has probably been written with pacing, flow, and humour in mind – any deviation from this might not be taken well.
Do multiple takes
The best thing about pre-recorded audition videos is that you can film as many as you want! Record multiple takes and critique your performance before sending off the best one.
When reviewing your video, try to imagine how it looks and sounds from the perspective of the judge or panellist. It can be tempting to choose the tape you think you look best in. But if you’re a singer, for example, you should send off your best vocal performance.
Final review
Don’t edit your voice or appearance
When judges and panellists watch your self-tape, they want to get the truest representation of you and your voice. Editing your voice or filtering your appearance is never a good idea, and doing so could lead to immediate rejection if you’re caught.
This isn’t Instagram – no one is using filters. So don’t sweat about your insecurities, because everyone else will have some too.
Ask for feedback
The thought of sending your audition video to other people might make you cringe, but it could be the difference between rejection and success. Someone may notice something that you missed, and you can make adjustments before sending off the real thing.
You don’t have to turn to friends and family either. There are tons of online forums such as Reddit’s r/acting and r/singing where experienced people will happily offer their feedback for free.
Check your guidelines (again!)
You may have to submit your video in a certain format or file size, so double-check your audition guidelines to make sure everything matches the submission criteria.
Audition Video Final Review Checklist
Now that you have a thorough understanding of the best practices for audition videos, it’s time to get recording! Here’s a handy checklist you can refer to next time you need to film a self-tape.
Preparation
- Read audition guidelines: Double-check the audition guidelines for specific requirements on framing, outfit, and performance.
- Know your material: Ensure you’ve memorised your material to look prepared and professional.
- Test shoot completed: Take a few test clips to check your lighting, sound, and framing, and make necessary adjustments.
Recording space setup
- Clutter-free background: Ensure your background is clean and free from distractions.
- Lighting: Make sure your face is well-lit using natural light, a ring light, or additional lamps. Avoid shadows on your face and hands.
- Quiet environment: Choose a recording space with minimal echo and background noise.
- Framing and orientation: Check that your shot is framed according to your type of performance (e.g., hips up for actors, full body for dancers) and recorded horizontally.
Filming essentials
- Tripod or stable setup: Use a tripod for stable recording on your phone or camera.
- Appearance: Wear a neutral outfit that contrasts with your background. Keep makeup and jewellery to a minimum, and choose a simple hairstyle that doesn’t block your face.
- DIY acoustic treatment: If necessary, surround your recording space with soft furnishings to reduce echo.
- No microphones: Ensure no external mics are used if prohibited by audition guidelines.
Performance
- Voice and body warm-up: Complete vocal and physical warm-ups to enhance your performance and shake off any nerves.
- Eye line: Pick a focal point slightly off-camera and avoid looking directly into the lens during your performance (unless required).
- Music setup: Arrange for someone to start and stop any music or use a phone to control it remotely without moving in and out of the frame.
- No ad-libbing: Stick to your script and avoid changing lines unless explicitly allowed.
Final Review
- Authentic performance: Do not edit your voice or use filters to alter your appearance.
- Review your takes: Critique your video as if you were the panellist, focusing on quality and performance.
- Choose the best take: Select the clip that showcases your best performance, even if it isn’t the one where you think you look best.
- Ask for feedback: Send the video to a trusted friend, mentor, or an online forum for constructive feedback.
- Check audition guidelines one last time: Ensure your video aligns with all submission criteria, including format and file size.