Acting Lion Tips
Self-Taped Auditions
Post Production
You recorded your slate and your audition. Now What?
For many actors, the actual recording of their self-taped auditions is not that hard but the editing and forwarding process terrifies them. There is no need to panic. The basic skills are fairly easy to learn and do. We put several actors a week on tape and then forward the final clip to casting directors, agents, managers, etc. Many computers come with built-in programs for basic editing, and basic is all you really need. There are also several very good and easy to learn programs you can purchase for both PC’s and Macs. Even cell phones come with movie making apps and record in HD, so they can be good in a pinch. I use Pinnacle and was able to learn basic editing in a couple of hours. Final Cut is the main program for the Mac users, and I have found a great similarity in the way different programs work. This has allowed me to edit with a new, unfamiliar program in a matter of minutes. I say this to reassure you that you will be able to do it.
Editing Software
Being a PC person. I use PINNACLE 19. I find it intuitive and there are good video tutorials but there are many good editing programs out there. For Mac user you have many options beyond the well known Final Cut. Click for MAC VIDEO SOFTWARE
The Process
- First, transfer your clips from the camera to your computer. A camera that uses an SD card is best. Just insert card into into your computer. With some cameras you may need to hook up a wire that comes with your camera to a USB port. Once you have access to the video files, it is a simple Drag & Drop operation.
- Open your editing software and IMPORT your new clips into the program.
- You are ready to edit. Follow the instructions of your editing software, and make sure you clip extraneous footage from the beginning and end of each clip. You don’t want to have the CD hear someone say “Action” or “Are we done?”
- Once you have edited your clips and put them in the proper order, save your new clip.
- You need to EXPORT or SAVE AS the new clip onto your desktop in a format that the recipient can play. I find the best is MP4 (Best Quality). MP4 It is universal and will play on both PC’s and Macs. You can also save or export as an MOV file which plays on a program called Quicktime on both platforms.
- It’s time to send your new Audition Clip, and since it will be a large file, you’ll want to use a good file transfer service. I use HIGHTAIL. I just open the program and select files I want to send. Then, I drag my new clip in and type the email addresses of all the intended recipients (up to 10). I can even add a message. Hit send and your video is on its way. (FYI: it can take 10-30 minutes to upload your file depending on the speed of your connection and the size of the file) Once it is uploaded, the recipients are sent an email with a link to download the file. (Downloading is much faster)
- ANOTHER OPTION: you can upload your video to YOUTUBE or VIMEO. Then cut and paste the URL into an email to the Casting Director with your submission. Make sure you make you video PRIVATE. Consider audition material TOP SECRET! Do not post or share your video on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. with anyone.
We hope this helps take the fear out of editing and forwarding your self-taped auditions. I am including Part 2 of the SAG Foundation Conversation series on Self-taped auditions
Acting Lion Tips are co-written by Penny Templeton and Hank Schob.
Hank Schob A graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a 50-year acting industry veteran, Hank teaches the Camera Class, Beginning Class, Scene Study and Script Analysis Class.
Penny Templeton is the founder of The Penny Templeton Studio and the author of ACTING LIONS, the go-to book for actors in the 21st century. She teaches 2 Master Classes on the craft of acting and also individually coaches actors on technique for auditions and on preparing roles for Broadway, Television and Feature Films.
For more Acting Tips & Career Advice, follow and like Penny Templeton Studio on FB and @Pennytempleton and @ActingLions on TWITTER to find out how you can become an Acting Lion!
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Stay Tuned. Penny is in the process of preparing a Monthly Feature to be called RAISING the BAR. It will feature in-depth articles by Penny & Hank on the state of the Industry and Craft and offer ideas on what all of us can do to raise the bar and keep the craft of acting moving forward.
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