A general self-tape preparation guide for performers.

Record horizontally in landscape orientation. If the audition notice does not request another shot, a medium close-up is a useful default: frame from around mid-chest or mid-bicep to just above the head. Leave comfortable headroom so the top of the head does not feel cramped.

Keep the camera at eye level, or place the lens just below eye level. Use a tripod for stability while reading. Set your eyes near the upper third of the frame and keep your body roughly centered. Aim just to one side of the lens rather than staring into the camera barrel. If someone is reading with you, place them on the side closest to the lens so your eyeline stays almost on camera.

Choose a neutral, distraction-free background. A neutral-colored sheet or backdrop can work when it fills the frame and keeps attention on you.

• ✓Landscape (horizontal) orientation.
• ✓Medium close-up when no other shot is requested: mid-chest or mid-bicep to just above the head.
• ✓Camera stable on a tripod; camera at eye level or with the lens just below eye level.
• ✓Comfortable headroom, with the eyes near the upper third and the body roughly centered.
• ✓Eyeline close to, but slightly off, the lens; place an off-side reader close to the lens.
• ✓Neutral, distraction-free background that fills the frame.

Start with a complete silent room-noise test. Sit still with no typing, movement, or heavy breathing while you listen for HVAC, traffic, computer fans, phones, and other background noise. Close doors and windows, turn off fans when possible, and silence your phone before testing so a short interruption does not distort the result.

Use below −50 dBFS as a clean-signal target. A reading above −40 dBFS is a warning that the room or microphone preamp may be adding too much hiss or environmental noise. Reduce the source of the noise before relying on software cleanup.

Place the microphone about two to four inches from your mouth and slightly off-axis. Speak at the volume you will use in the scene and watch for clipping; reduce the input gain if the meter reaches the red or the recording distorts.

Finally, record a three-second sample and play it back in realistic recording conditions—the same room, chair position, and nearby equipment you expect to use. If it sounds boxy or hollow, treat the room acoustics as the bottleneck: change the room, add soft furnishings, or adjust your position and test again.

• ✓Complete a silent room-noise test while sitting still: no typing, movement, heavy breathing, or nearby equipment changes.
• ✓Reduce HVAC, traffic, fan, phone, window, and door noise before measuring.
• ✓Clean-signal target: below −50 dBFS. Treat anything above −40 dBFS as a warning to investigate.
• ✓Microphone about two to four inches from the mouth and slightly off-axis.
• ✓Watch for clipping while speaking normally; lower the gain if the signal clips.
• ✓Record and play back three seconds in realistic conditions; fix echo, boxiness, or hollowness at the room level.

Use natural light when it is consistent and flattering. If it is unavailable or changes during the session, use a quality LED, ring light, or softbox instead. The goal is even facial exposure with shadows reduced around the eyes.

Place lights around 45 degrees from the camera. Keep the main light slightly to one side and above eye level; an optional backlight can separate you from the background. Around 5600K is a practical daylight color temperature. Make a short test recording, then adjust the light position and intensity before the real take.

If you are using a smartphone, clean the rear lens first and capture at least 1080p. The rear camera generally gives better image quality. Keep the phone horizontal, and make sure the image is sharp and properly exposed before you begin.

• ✓Natural light, or a quality LED, ring light, or softbox when daylight is unavailable or inconsistent.
• ✓Even facial exposure with shadows reduced around the eyes.
• ✓Lights placed around 45 degrees from the camera; main light slightly to one side and above eye level.
• ✓Optional backlight for separation from the background.
• ✓Approximately 5600K daylight color temperature.
• ✓A short test recording before the take, with light position and intensity adjusted as needed.

General practices are only a starting point. Before recording, read the audition notice or breakdown from your casting director, agent, or audition platform and follow its exact requirements when they differ from this guide.