Acting

Advanced Self Tape

Key Information
  • Dates

    Thursday 15 April – Friday 16 April 2027
  • Suitable for

    All skill levels, age 18+
  • Tuition

    09.00 – 17.00
  • Location

    Downside Road, Bristol
  • Cost

    £260
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Overview

Self-taping is now an established part of the professional casting process. It requires actors to work independently, interpret material, make clear performance choices and communicate their work effectively through a camera.

This intensive two-day course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School explores the skills and judgement required to approach self-tape auditions with confidence, preparation and creative independence.

Moving beyond the technical fundamentals, participants will work on developing nuanced performances for camera, making specific choices within a scene, responding to adjustments and maintaining spontaneity across multiple takes. The course will consider the relationship between acting and the camera, including framing, eyelines, physicality and the use of a reader, alongside the practical demands of recording and submitting professional self-tapes.

Through practical scene work, recording and feedback, participants will examine their own approach to self-taping, identify areas for development and build a more considered, adaptable working process.

 

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Learning Objectives

➔ Advanced Scene Analysis: Develop a detailed approach to interpreting audition material, identifying relationships, objectives, given circumstances and shifts within a scene.

➔ Performance for Camera: Explore the relationship between physical expression, stillness, intimacy and truthful performance within the frame.

➔ Making Specific Choices: Develop individual interpretations of material, avoiding generalised characterisation and exploring the detail and complexity of a performance.

➔ Working with Adjustments: Practise responding to direction and exploring alternative choices while maintaining spontaneity and authenticity.

➔ The Actor and the Reader: Examine the importance of listening, connection and responsiveness when working with an off-camera reader.

➔ Self-Direction and Review: Develop the ability to assess recorded performances, identify what is and isn’t working, and make purposeful adjustments between takes.

➔ Technical and Professional Practice: Refine understanding of framing, eyelines, lighting, sound, recording, editing and submission requirements.

Course Outline

Day 1: Performance, Interpretation & Working for Camera

Explore the demands of acting for self-tape, with a focus on the relationship between performance and the camera. Work with audition material, developing a detailed understanding of character, relationships, objectives and the circumstances of a scene.

Investigate how performance choices translate through the camera, considering physicality, stillness, eyelines and the use of space within the frame. Practise working with an off-camera reader, maintaining active listening and responsive behaviour. Record scenes and review the work, considering how performance choices are communicated on screen.

Day 2: Self-Direction, Adjustments & Professional Practice

Build on the previous day’s work through further practical scene recording. Explore the process of self-direction, responding to adjustments and developing alternative interpretations of the same material. Consider how to retain spontaneity and specificity across multiple takes without becoming overly self-conscious or self-critical.

Alongside the performance work, examine the practical and technical decisions involved in producing a professional self-tape, including lighting, sound, framing, recording and editing. Review recorded material, identify areas for development and consider how to establish an effective, repeatable approach to future self-tape auditions.

Who Can Apply

➔  Actors with previous experience of screen acting or self-tape auditions.

➔  Performers who are familiar with the fundamentals of acting for camera and want to develop their practice further.

➔  Actors who regularly receive self-tape requests and want to strengthen their approach to preparing, recording and reviewing audition material.

➔  Performers looking to develop greater confidence in making independent creative choices and responding to direction.

➔  Actors interested in refining both their on-camera performance and their professional self-tape practice.

This is an advanced course and is not intended as an introduction to acting for camera or self-taping. Participants should have existing experience of screen acting and be comfortable working with scripted material in front of a camera.

Course Leader

  • Is This Course For Me?

    This course is intended for actors who already have experience of screen acting and self-tape auditions and want to develop their practice further.

    You should be comfortable working with scripted material in front of a camera and have some understanding of the technical requirements of recording a self-tape. The focus is not on learning how to set up a camera for the first time, but on developing the performance skills, creative judgement and independence required to produce considered audition work.

    If you want to explore how to make more specific performance choices, respond to adjustments, work confidently with a reader and evaluate your own recorded performances, this course will provide space to examine and develop those skills.

    Participants should be prepared to engage in practical scene work, record performances and reflect critically on their approach.

     

     

     
  • Where can I get food

    We advise you to bring food and drink with you each day. Otherwise shops can be found nearby on Whiteladies Road.
  • What Do I need To Bring / Wear

    Open minds, your creativity, and a willingness to play is all you’ll need …. Maybe a paper and pen if you’re that way inclined.

    We advise you to wear comfortable clothing that you can move in easily. Please wear closed toe footwear appropriate for movement e.g. trainers.
  • What are the course dates?

    Thursday 15 April – Friday 16 April 2027
  • Where is this course?

    The course will take place at our Downside Road site in Clifton. The full address is Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 1-2 Downside Rd, Bristol, BS8 2XF
  • Will I receive footage from this course?

    No. This course is focused on developing your skills as an actor working in the self-tape environment, rather than producing a finished recording or showreel material.

    The two days are dedicated to practical training, experimentation, performance development and feedback. Recording and reviewing scenes will form part of the learning process, but the emphasis is on examining your choices, developing your technique and strengthening your approach to future auditions.

    The purpose is to invest in the skills behind the self-tape, not to obtain a finished product within the two days.
  • Short Courses Refund Policy

    If you wish to cancel your place on the course, you will receive a full refund if you notify the school at least 7 days prior to the start of the course. For cancellations, contact [email protected]
  • Policies and Procedures