FAQs

We have been highly praised on the quality of our audition tapes, so let’s keep this up – please read the following BEFORE you start!

We often ask actors to submit a self-tape and have complied the following tips and tricks to ensure you submit a decent one.

Twins/triplets should always record together where possible!

Rarely these will replace an actual audition but may help a Casting Director decide to meet with you and keep you in the running.

…self-taping can also help you prepare for a face-to-face audition – there’s no better way for you to judge your own on-camera audition technique than to watch it back[Puro Casting]

• Smartphone technology has come a long way and is more than adequate for this purpose. However, make sure the phone is placed on a steady surface or tripod – never handheld – and used in landscape mode.
• Choose your location and check your lighting in a test shoot. Preferably no distractions surrounding you or the viewer; a quiet, plain and closed room in your house will suffice.
• Ensure your head and shoulders are framed nicely and the camera is stable and at eye level. Don’t fidget or wave your arms about.
• Be prepared and be off-book (no paper in sight). Learn your lines, dress appropriately and avoid props.
• Do not SHOUT and do not rush – take it slow, steady and confidently.
• Begin by introducing yourself and stating who your agent is (“TV Twins”), name of the role and project you are auditioning for.
• Submit only your best *one* take – we don’t have time to view all and decide for you! But you can send a separate slate or ident. We don’t need super duper HD! Please combine all your clips together if possible.

Ultimately, what you are after is one decent interpretation of the role from start to finish in one unbroken take. Just one – not lots of different versions, and not cut together from a variety of takes[Puro Casting]

• Please trim anything non relevant, such as you moving around at the beginning/end to operate the camera.
• Do not include any personal contact details or reference to other agents. Just your name and TV Twins, and (if relevant) our email address (info@tvtwins.uk).
• Use ‘medium’ settings to save the file and label with the character you are playing and your name. Please title appropriately, e.g. “character-your_name”, or as specified in the brief.
• Upload directly from your smartphone to Vimeo (with the ability to download enabled), or use a service like Dropbox, We Transfer, You Send It or Mail Big File to send exported files to media@tvtwins.uk

Don’t use showreel material in place of a self-tape, but they are a useful addition. Your showreels should only consist of clips from your films and TV productions. Do not use personally manufactured scenes[Ros Hubbard]

Now practice by recording an intro to yourselves…

Tape an Intro Video

Camera/phone should NOT be hand held. Please rest it on a steady surface and film in landscape mode.

If you’ve been asked to self-tape, we want to ensure you have all the information you need. If you’re taping as identical twins, you need to look alike!

Read FAQs prior to starting each audition!

1. Tapes should be in landscape mode, with camera/phone resting on a steady surface – never handheld – framing head and shoulders at eye level – we need to see your eyes and face – in a well lit room (light in-front not behind you!). We want to see you clearly.
2. Do not SHOUT and do not rush – friendly and confidently (see taping lines below). Listen back to your tape and if muffled or sound not clear, redo tape with mic closer!
3. Always start with a short ident and send one headshot/selfie taken at time of taping.
4. Read the instructions from the Casting Director thoroughly and check the deadline – try to submit media in good time so agent can preview and ask you to redo if needed.
5. Do not include anything not requested and trim tapes to shortest possible timings.
6. If relevant, state that you’re available for all dates (highlight non-availability), and whether you have any commercial conflicts.

If you’re asked to tape lines:

• We know sometimes scripts appear huge, but it’s best to memorize any lines and be off-book when auditioning.
• We don’t want to hear anyone else reading your lines, but someone else can read other lines off-camera, but close enough so we can hear them.
• Lines could be propped up next to the camera so we still see your eyes and face while speaking them. But after repeating lines a few times, you’re sure to pick them up and be off-book!

Please let us know when you have completed uploading your audition files!

For parents/guardians of Young Performers who are feeling a bit new to the art of self-taping, this article is for you! Written by Nicholas Peel, who has mountains of experience in this field, the article guides you through. From the bare necessities, to tips on filming, lighting and sound and finally, editing and sending your file. 

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/self-taping-tips-for-young-performers/

If you’ve been asked to self-tape, we want to ensure you have all the information you need. If you’re taping as identical twins, you need to look alike!

Read FAQs prior to starting each audition!

1. Tapes should be in landscape mode, with camera/phone resting on a steady surface – never handheld – framing head and shoulders at eye level – we need to see your eyes and face – in a well lit room (light in-front not behind you!). We want to see you clearly.
2. Do not SHOUT and do not rush – friendly and confidently (see taping lines below). Listen back to your tape and if muffled or sound not clear, redo tape with mic closer!
3. Always start with a short ident and send one headshot/selfie taken at time of taping.
4. Read the instructions from the Casting Director thoroughly and check the deadline – try to submit media in good time so agent can preview and ask you to redo if needed.
5. Do not include anything not requested and trim tapes to shortest possible timings.
6. If relevant, state that you’re available for all dates (highlight non-availability), and whether you have any commercial conflicts.

If you’re asked to tape lines:

• We know sometimes scripts appear huge, but it’s best to memorize any lines and be off-book when auditioning.
• We don’t want to hear anyone else reading your lines, but someone else can read other lines off-camera, but close enough so we can hear them.
• Lines could be propped up next to the camera so we still see your eyes and face while speaking them. But after repeating lines a few times, you’re sure to pick them up and be off-book!

Please let us know when you have completed uploading your audition files!

Camera/phone should NOT be hand held or move about.
Rest it on a steady surface and film at eye-level in landscape mode!!

When asked to tape a separate slate (or ident) along with your audition self-tape, the Casting Director generally wants a very short video, shot in landscape mode, consisting of:

A close-up, head and shoulders, eye-level frame of performer(s), stating*:

“Hi, my name is Freda Bloggs
My agent is TV Twins
I’m 12 years old and 5ft 6 from Newcastle but live in London
This is my identical twin sister, First Name…”

“I’ve been in one supermarket commercial in the last 3 years and I’m fully available”

1. Full name and agent
2. Age and current height
3. Where you’re from and/or live
4. Type of twins (if applicable)
5. Specify any commercial conflicts and/or dates of unavailability (if applicable)
   
6. If requested, capture profiles without moving the camera: video a full length shot of performers facing front, then turning to each side – count to at least 2 before turning, and a 2-second close up of your hands (front and back)! Twins should perform these actions together to shorten the video time!

See also this useful advice – https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/what-is-an-ident-auditions-76755

Unless specifically requested, please submit only one video. If you have recorded multiple videos please join them together into one video file using the Photo App on Windows 10 or Quicktime Player on the Mac.

To reduce the size of your video we recommend using a free program for either Windows or OSX called Handbrake. It can be downloaded at here.

You can also trim, cut, crop, merge clips, combine videos, and export in HD, UHD(4K) or low mb quality using a free AndroVid app!

Now practice by recording an intro to yourselves… How to self-tape an intro video

Good practice for self-taping is to record a very short introductory video of yourselves together – please do this as twins rather than separately, and make no mention of any castings – this is for your profile and we can only accept ONE tape!

Use the tips set out at HOW TO SELF TAPE then…

1. Prepare yourself – imagine you’re going to a real casting, photoshoot or even going on a night out!
2. Sitting comfortably with both of you in shot, camera in landscape mode, introduce yourselves or one another (to the camera), and state that you’re recording an introductory video for TV Twins.
3. Continue by chatting to eachother briefly about your amusing experiences and what it’s like to be twins; what you have in common and what separates you.
   
   Important things to include:
   • your full name(s) and agent (TV Twins)
   • your age and current height(s)
   • where you’re from and/or live
   • type of twins you are (if applicable)
   • any previous experience, or skills/hobbies

It should last no more than 2-minutes please!

Camera/phone should NOT be hand held. Please rest it on a steady surface and film in landscape mode.

Upload directly from your smartphone to Vimeo (with the ability to download enabled), or use a service like Dropbox, We Transfer* or Mail Big File* to send exported files to media@tvtwins.uk and we’ll include it on your profile for Casting Directors and Production Companies to view.

*If using one of these services, please send us the link you receive following your upload!!