I was recently in a group chat with some highly respected acting coaches, and one particular topic came up that I think is vital for actors to understand. It's a trend that many of us see, and it’s not always a good one: self-tapes that go on... and on... and on. There’s this common habit among actors where they keep filming their self-tapes over and over, sometimes doing 10-15 takes—or more—just to get that perfect performance.
Then, after spending hours recording, they agonize over every take, scrutinizing each one to figure out which one is “good enough” to send. Does this sound familiar?
While I understand the desire for perfection, the downside of this approach can be significant. In fact, some productions have raised concerns that actors who excel in their self-tapes sometimes struggle on set. The reason? They’ve become too reliant on multiple takes. On the day of the shoot, with the inevitable distractions or last-minute changes, some actors freeze or struggle to adjust because they’re no longer in the controlled environment of their self-tape space.
This is a huge shift from the days of in-person auditions, which might be fading in many areas, but the reality is that we should still be preparing as if they are here. Back then, you’d have one shot to impress in the room. There was no time for 10-15 takes; you had to come prepared, confident, and adaptable. That’s the mindset we need to hold onto.
Personally, I stick to 2-3 takes—and that’s it. Sometimes I’ll even send two takes if they’re different enough and both show something unique. But the key for me is being ready before the camera even starts rolling.
So how do you avoid falling into the “self-tape trap”? The answer is in preparation. Before you even hit record, do your homework. Dive into the script, understand what's going on, and figure out the beats. Prep first—then record.
Treat your self-tape process like an in-person audition: you only get a couple of shots. Keep your instincts sharp, your focus tight, and trust your work. Don’t waste energy searching for the “perfect” take. The truth is, the best take often comes when you’re not overthinking it.
At the end of the day, it’s not about perfection—it’s about presence.
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