How to make a self-tape that gets watched

1. 1

   Pick a plain backdrop

   Mid-grey or soft blue wall or pull-down. No posters, doors or clutter behind you.

2. 2

   Frame from the chest up

   Camera at eye level, horizontal, your eyes on the upper third of the frame. Leave a little space above your head.

3. 3

   Light your face, not the room

   Two soft lights at 45 degrees in front of you. Never stand with a window behind you, and avoid harsh overhead light.

4. 4

   Get clean sound

   A small lavalier or USB mic beats a phone mic from six feet away. Turn off fans and fridges, and hang blankets to kill echo.

5. 5

   Place your reader off-camera

   Reader stands right beside the lens and reads quieter than you. Your eyeline goes just off the lens, never into it unless asked.

6. 6

   Know the lines

   Off-book is the standard. A quick glance down is forgiven; reading the page is not.

7. 7

   Slate only as asked

   Usually name, height and location at the end or in a separate clip. Follow the breakdown's instructions exactly.

8. 8

   Name and send the file right

   Label files NAME_ROLE_PROJECT. Check the deadline, format and size limit before you upload.

You need a phone on a tripod, two small LED panels or ring-free soft lights, a lavalier mic, and a grey or blue backdrop. That covers nearly every request from casting offices.

• Watch the whole take back with sound on.
• Check the focus is on your eyes and the reader isn't louder than you.
• Send two takes at most unless they ask for more. Make your strongest choice first.