Self tape & acting academy · Since 2014
Self Tape Auditions That Get You Booked
Today, self tape auditions are how most actors get seen. Since 2014, The Creation Station Studios has recorded more than 10,000 self tapes in Los Angeles, Texas and New York. Now we teach you to self-tape like a pro: what a self tape is, how to set up a self tape at home and how to self-tape an audition that casting watches to the end.
- 10,000+self tapes recorded
- 2014studio founded
- LA · TX · NYstudio locations
- 3self-tape courses
- 9,712actor profiles
Our work
The Self Tape Quality We Produce
This is the quality of self tape The Creation Station Studios produces: steady framing, soft and even light, a clean background and clear sound, so casting watches the actor and nothing else. Then, in the Self-Tape Academy, we show you, step by step, how to get this same result at home with your own phone.
Self-tape gear
The Gear We Recommend
In fact, everything in the video can be done with a simple home kit. Specifically, these are the pieces we suggest: a backdrop, soft light, a clean mic and a steady tripod.
Kate Collapsible Self-Tape Backdrop (Blue/Green, 5x6.5 ft)Double-sided pop-up backdrop, 5x6.5 ft. Non-reflective, quick to set up and folds away for storage.View on Amazon ↗
NiceVeedi 2-Pack LED Video Light Kit with StandsTwo dimmable LED panels (2800–6500K) on stands that rise to 60 inches, with a phone holder.View on Amazon ↗
DJI Mic 2 Wireless Microphone (2 TX + 1 RX + Case)Wireless lavalier mic with noise cancelling, 32-bit float internal recording and USB-C/Lightning adapters.View on Amazon ↗
EUCOS 62" Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick with RemoteExtends to 62 inches, holds phones 2.2–3.6 inches wide and has a cold shoe for a light or mic.View on Amazon ↗As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Self-Tape Academy · All-Access $199
Self Tape Courses: From First Tape to Booked Role
Our Self-Tape Academy turns 10,000 self tapes of studio experience into three short courses. Each self tape course also has quick lessons, a quiz and a certificate. Best of all, one payment of $199 unlocks all three.
What Is a Self-Tape?
First, learn what a self tape is, why casting uses them and exactly what casting directors expect to see in self tape auditions.
- Self tape vs. in-person audition
- Reading a casting request
- The anatomy of a strong tape
How to Set Up a Self-Tape
Next, build a self tape setup at home on any budget: backdrop, camera, framing, lighting and clean sound.
- Phone camera & framing
- Window light or one soft light
- Quiet room, clear audio
How to Self-Tape
Finally, record a self tape audition from sides to send: prep, reader, slate, takes, editing and file naming.
- Break down the sides
- Slate and takes that read well
- Export, name and submit
The basics
What Is a Self Tape?
A self tape is an audition you film yourself and send to casting. In other words, instead of driving to a casting office, you record the scene at home, with a reader off camera, and upload the file by the deadline.
As a result, casting directors now ask for them for TV, film, commercials and theatre. In particular, they use them to see three things fast: your choices in the scene, how you look and sound on camera, and whether you followed their instructions. Therefore, a clean, simple tape lets them focus on your acting.
That is also why taping is a skill, not a gadget. After all, good acting, a steady frame, soft light and clear sound beat expensive gear every time. Learn the basics in Course 1.
Home setup
How to Set Up a Self Tape at Home
You do not need a studio to record self tape auditions. Instead, you need four things working together. Once you get these right, every audition after that takes minutes to set up.
Backdrop & space
First, use a plain wall in grey, blue or off-white. Then stand a few feet in front of it so you cast no shadow on it.
Camera & framing
Put your phone in landscape, on a tripod, lens at eye level. Then frame from mid-chest up, with a little room above your head. gear guide.
Soft, even light
Face a window or use one soft light at 45 degrees. Above all, avoid light behind you or a ceiling light alone. lighting guide.
Clean sound
Choose a small, quiet room with soft furniture. Also, keep the mic close to you. Finally, turn off fans, fridges and notifications.
The process
How to Self-Tape an Audition in 6 Steps
Break down the sides
First, know the scene, the relationship and what your character wants before you touch the camera.
Set your frame
Next, frame mid-chest up with your eyeline just off the lens and the phone in landscape.
Light it softly
Then put even light on your face from a window or one panel, so there are no harsh shadows.
Get clean audio
Also, use a quiet room, a close mic and soft surfaces to stop echo.
Work with a reader
Keep your reader off camera, clear and steady, because a good reader lifts your whole tape.
Slate, record and send
Finally, keep the slate simple, shoot two or three takes and name the best one exactly as casting asked.
Your learning dashboard
A Learning Dashboard Built for Self Tape Practice
Every Academy student gets a personal learning dashboard. As a result, your practice stays organized, so you always know what to do next.
- My Self-Tape Path shows the next lesson and your progress in each course.
- Self-Tape Coach answers questions about framing, light, sound, readers and slates, any time.
- Setup checklist saves as you tick it off, and prints for your wall.
- Quizzes and certificates confirm what you learned when you finish each course.
Acting help
Acting Classes, Coaching and Self Tape Help
Want a working actor in your corner? Then book one-on-one help with live or self tape auditions, or with your next career move.
Our Acting Coaches
Meet working actors Donnabella Mortel and Kevin L. Walker, the coaches behind the Academy.
Coaching & Consultation
Master coaching on a live audition or a self tape, with notes before you record.
Virtual Reader
Run lines or read for your audition with a trained actor over Zoom or FaceTime.
Career Consultation
A one-on-one plan for your income, brand and business as an actor or creator.
FAQ
Self Tape FAQs
What is a self tape?
A self tape is an audition you record yourself, usually at home, and send to casting instead of reading in the room. Casting directors use self tape auditions to see your take on the role, your look on camera and how you take direction. For example, our course What Is a Self-Tape? covers it in about an hour.
How do I set up a self tape at home?
Pick a plain wall, put your phone in landscape on a tripod at eye level, frame from mid-chest up, face a window or one soft light, and record in the quietest room you have. Also, our course How to Set Up a Self-Tape walks you through each step, with a checklist you can tick off.
Can I self tape with my phone?
Yes. In fact, a recent phone shoots more than enough quality for an audition. However, use the rear camera if you can, lock focus and exposure, shoot in landscape unless casting asks for vertical, and keep the phone steady on a tripod.
How long should a self tape be?
As long as the sides, and no longer. First, follow the casting notice: it tells you what to slate, how many takes to send and how to name the file. Otherwise, if there is no instruction, keep the slate short and send only the scenes that were asked for.
Who reads the other lines in my self tape?
A reader stands or sits next to the camera and reads the other character's lines at a steady pace. For example, a friend works, or you can book a virtual reader. The reader should be clearly audible but quieter than you, and stay off camera.
How much does the Self-Tape Academy cost?
One payment of $199 unlocks all three courses on self tape auditions. In addition, your learning dashboard tracks progress, saves your setup checklist and issues a certificate when you finish each course.
Can I get a refund?
No. All sales are final. Because course access is digital and opens as soon as your payment is confirmed, Self-Tape Academy purchases are non-refundable.
Union actors can also check the latest news and member resources from SAG-AFTRA.
Beyond the Self Tape: Career Consulting, Credit & Wealth for Creators
Acting income comes in waves. That is why, below, you can see how we also help actors, YouTubers and influencers with career consultation, credit on 1099 income, futures trading and building a real business between bookings.
10,000+ self tapes recorded • $4M+ in productions • Founded 2014 • We’ve helped countless actors book roles on shows, movies, TV series, and commercials • Now: Prop firm funded trading, credit building & wealth education for creators
Wealth Creation & Beyond
Trading, credit, and business building are what we do now — join a live group, get 1:1 coaching, or work with us inside a private mastermind to map your next move.
Everything We Learned Going From Sets to Charts
No gimmicks, no upsells you don’t need. Just what actually builds freedom.
Start Here: Wealth Guides
The guides creators open before their next trade, not their next audition.
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