any tips on recording college audition videos?
Try to get it taped on as blank of a background as possible. You don’t want the background distracting from your work.
Unless otherwise stated, I would do a close shot, shoulders up. You get a lot more expression this way, as opposed to doing your whole body. No matter how animated you are, it always seems to come out awkward and expressionless when it’s too far out.
Don’t look right at the camera. Just barely above it is enough. If you go too far up, it will look like you’re staring up at the sky.
Slate before your monologue. At this time, you can definitely look straight into the camera. During your slate, really try to be you. This is their once chance to see who you are as a person, not your character. So try to be genuine!
Do some test shots before you start doing your actual taping! This will give you a chance to test volume, mic sensitivity, the camera angle and framing, how you look on camera... It will save you time if you do some tests as opposed to finding out after you’ve done some recording!
Know that a taped audition will never be as good as an in-person audition, and that’s okay. I say this because we often get really hard on ourselves as we watch our tapes. We think, man...Do I really act like that? ...I suck... But know that taping things like monologues and songs can take a lot of the energy out of it. So try to keep your energy high, and try not to get discouraged if it doesn’t feel quite up to your expectations.
Wear something flattering, and that’s not the same color as your background.
Don’t go too heavy on your makeup. Just like headshots, it’s you on a good day. Not you on a salon day.
