Can't I Just Record My Audition On My Cell Phone?
July 11, 2016
As an actor, you might be asked to audition for a project when you are not in the town the audition is being held. In this case, you'll need to send in a self-tape. Some might ask, "Can't I just tape my audition on my cell phone?" A cell phone certainly comes in handy for auditioning: it is small enough to fit in your pocket that you can easily pull it out to use as a prop, and it's a great tool to practice recording your auditions so you can see yourself on tape and make appropriate adjustments to your work. Depending on the project for which you are auditioning, it might make sense to use your phone to record and submit your audition as well, as long as you know how to compress your files based on the casting director's requirements. This method could certainly save you a few bucks, and might be practical if your audition is for, say, a local play or a student film.
However, for bigger projects, or for characters and scripts that you wish to have a bit of coaching, it's definitely worth spending a few dollars and having a professional take care of everything for you. You'll have peace of mind knowing the lighting will help make you look your best, the clips will sound great and the footage will be edited to your agent's and/or casting director's specifications.
“Having worked in casting...[Kate] provides a keen eye for what does and doesn’t work on camera. You won’t feel rushed and she makes sure you’ve got it in the can. She is also able to juggle any technical instructions from your agent about the files.”
So to answer the question: yes, you can record your audition on your cell phone, but do so wisely. If you have any doubts about whether or not your cell phone footage will be good enough for the project to which you are submitting, go with your instincts. If you do decide to use your cell phone, have someone do the filming for you, preferably using a cell phone stand, so your footage is not shaky. You will need to have a reader who can read the scene with you, and be sure to shoot against a plain background in a flattering color (black and white are typically not ideal).
