What to Look for in Self-Tape Auditions - Tips for Producers

For many of the commercials we cast, actors are booked directly from their self-tapes. Self-tapes are extremely beneficial for producers. Unlike in-person auditions, self-tapes can be watched at your convenience, wherever and whenever you choose. And if you prefer to hold callbacks to work with a subset of actors live, collecting self-tapes in advance allows you to prioritize your top picks. But what should you look for while watching self-tape auditions?

At Aura Casting, we watch thousands of auditions every month. For us, the most important question to ask yourself is, “Am I hooked by the performance?” Video ads only have a few seconds to capture a viewer’s attention. It is essential that the audience be captivated by the talent’s performance and clearly understand the message of the ad. 

There are three main aspects of a winning performance that will hook the audience: the message is delivered clearly, the actor is able to take direction, and the actor has a magnetic presence, or the “It Factor.”

Ask yourself the following questions while you watch self-tapes:

• Does the actor’s performance indicate that they understood the message and intent of the commercial? Are they comfortable with the language? Are they believable? Do they seem comfortable on camera?

• Do they offer multiple takes with distinct choices? Do they show range?

• Are you unable to stop watching the audition? Or are you waiting for it to be over?