self-tapes

Yeah I refuse to do first round self tapes. They waste my time & their time, they could be looking at people who are NOWHERE NEAR right for the role. It might not even get looked at. Shortlist first THEN & ONLY THEN send out self tape requests.

Annoys me.

• 2 weeks ago
• 1

Quite agree - particularly when the fee is insultingly low, let alone even mentioned!

• 2 weeks ago
• 2

Agree. But at least they allowed my post here - I didn’t think they would.

• 2 weeks ago
• 3

True. They have certainly vetoed a couple of my posts previously that were critical. I tweeted them asking why it say posts 'have not been vetted' - at the bottom of every page. They replied saying they "are vetted to avoid scams, offensive language and anything that seems like a mistake made by the user" (and criticism of Mandy)!

• 2 weeks ago
• 4

I can understand student films requiring non-paid actors, to help them get things right, as we have the experience of hanging around, because the daylight changed or things have to be moved around etc.
It is also a good thing for inexperienced actors, to get the experience of 90% waiting and 10% filming, with perhaps 24h of shooting equaling 1m of screen time.

But I agree, why do we bother, with having CV's etc, if nobody can be bothered reading the stuff. That's why they have casting-directors and producers. To separate the wheat from the chaff.
After that, we used to have to go for screen tests, to see if we fitted with the person we were to play opposite, let's say Toni Brooks and I had been shortlisted, and they wanted to see if we could deliver the chemistry based on the script, be it a love/hate relationship, murder most foul (albeit fowl if I killed her budgie), or whatever.

There are exceptions to the rule. I sent in a self-tape, and really rehearsed the scene to deliver good acting.
I got a response back, asking me for another self-tape, as they hadn't specified that they wanted me to be emotionless and speak in a monotonous robotic voice. - My son was stunned, as he couldn't understand why, but he shot me speaking like that, and then said: "That's just stupid". - Guess what. I landed the part.

• 2 weeks ago
• 5

Sorry, I have to disagree. Students are there to learn about the whole process of film making. This includes budgeting which includes paying actors. If they don’t want to pay, they should get friends/fellow students to act or people from the local am dram who will be good. You can gain experience and get paid.

• 2 weeks ago
• 6