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For decades, actors have relied on their headshots to make a great first impression with casting directors (CD's) and other studio executives. Electronic times have changed, however, and online initiatives have paved the way for CD's to view applicants through the newest medium to hit the internet: The Video Actor's Slate.
Basically, the Actor's Slate is a brief video interview, which introduces the actor. Once converted to MPEG or other online medium, this video can be stored on the website of the actor, through their agent, or through other popular online video storage websites. Usually no more than one to five minutes long, the video is intended to allow casting executives to see the real personality of the person they may be casting. A large part of this is due to the popularity of Reality TV; also, however, when professionals spend millions of dollars on a two-month project, they like to get an idea of the personalities of the people they intend to hire.
Steps to Produce a Video Actor's Slate
1. Find a Videographer. Look in the telephone directory, online, or contact local schools with film courses. Meet with people. Just as with your headshot photographer, you want your videographer to be someone with whom you feel comfortable. Ask about the videographer's equipment - do they shoot in HD? What type of sound equipment do they have? Is lighting available? What about their editing capabilities? While this should not be a completely theatrical production, you do want your video to look and sound professional. You do not need to hire a makeup and hair person, since the point of this video is for the DC's to get a glimpse of the "real" you. Also, this production should not cost more than $ 175- $ 250. Fees will vary depending upon your location and requested turn-around time for the finished product.
2. What to Wear Select two or three outfits. The shirt is the most important, since this is the color which is closest to your face. Stay away from white, black, logos and busy patterns. You want to choose clothes that compliment your eyes and skin tone. Regarding makeup, you will need to use everyday makeup that flatters your complexion without making you look overdone. Men should use powder as a light base to reduce reflection.
3. Prepare for the Shoot Once you've decided on a videographer, take the time to think about what you want for the shoot. You will probably have about 15 to 20 minutes on tape, which your videographer will edit down to the allotted time. Let's break it down:
a. Introduce yourself - Say hello, if you like. State your name, very clearly. Talk about where you were born and raised. Perhaps mention a little bit about your family. Maintain eye contact with the camera lens in order to show your confidence.
b. Talk about yourself - What are your hobbies? What motivates you? What is the most difficult situation you ever encountered? What are your favorite movies and books? What do you do well? What makes you cringe? Talk about a happy childhood memory. Really, anything goes, as long as your responses are open, honest, and give a true sense of you as a person. Also, when answering these questions, state them in the form of a complete sentence (eg, "My favorite author is Janet Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum novels make me laugh out loud!")
c. Act a little - Tell a short, funny, clean joke. If you do impressions or accents, go ahead and perform them. Tell a story about something that happened when you were a child, or something that happened to you recently. Make noises or faces, but only if that is a part of whom you really are. If it is not genuine, that will come across on the video.
Once the video shoot is complete, the next step is the editing room. The final product does not have to be in "real time" - in other words, you can take portions of the video which were shot later, for example, and move them up so that they appear earlier in the slate. There is no need for professional transitions, either. Jump cuts are fine.
The final product should be clean, clear, concise, and a true example of you, as a person. If you are funny and the video makes people laugh, then you've achieved your goal; same with any other objective.
Finally, you will want to be able to store your video on the internet. In this way, you will be able to either send prospective CD's a direct link to the site where your video is stored; or, you could also embed the video directly on your own website.
Good luck with your Actor's Slate!
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Source by Jo Mercer
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