While live performances are an excellent way to build confidence and improve your on-stage skills,

Self-taping is fun and important skill to learn for any performer! 

In the future more and more performances and auditions will be done by recording a video at home and sending it or posting it. Our suggestion? Try it out! It may feel strange at first, and that’s okay! Many of us aren’t used to watching ourselves perform on video.  The experience will help you get comfortable with being on-camera to showcase your talent to a wider audience.  Looking for self-tape tips for success? Click here for our checklist. Here’s what else you should consider about self-taping vs. performing live. 

1. Lighting

Check to see if it’s too dark or too much light. Natural light from a window works really well. Are there any weird shadows? Bring in some additional lighting using lamps or flood lights from the garage. Make sure not to have a big light source directly behind you. We won’t be able to see your face. 

2. Sound

Can you be heard easily on a laptop computer with the volume at a normal level?  Are there distracting room noises that need to be turned off i.e. dishwasher, TV, air conditioner, an open window? 

3. Video Orientation

Shooting your video horizontally will fill the viewing audience’s entire screen.  Avoid recording your video vertically which places distracting empty boxes on the sides of a viewers screen.

4. Accompaniment Tracks

We suggest the tracks be played on a separate speaker (i.e. bluetooth speaker or a separate device). The larger the speaker the better as it this will provide the most rich sound when captured on your video. So if you’re recording on your laptop, have the track cued up and connected to your speaker on your phone. If you’re recording video on your phone, you will need a separate device to play the track on the bluetooth speaker. Make sure the speaker volume isn’t too soft or too loud. It should be around the same volume as your singing voice or slightly lower. If you can’t hear it, your timing will be off so make sure you can hear it. 

5. Framing

For most of the scenes, you should be in the center of the frame with the bottom of the frame at the center of your chest and the top of the frame slightly above the top of your head. 

6. Positioning

The camera should remain in one steady position throughout the scene. 

7. Background

Try to avoid a background being the same color as your clothes. You may blend in too much. 

8. Presence

Look into the camera as much as you can or just past it. Smile and have fun.  Make sure to watch your video fully to make sure you love it before you send it! You can do this! We believe in you!

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