In another week of firsts, yesterday I submitted my first self-taped audition. It was – as recommended by Kate (the agent I met back in October) – for a student film entitled ‘How many spoons of sugar?’.
As this isn’t something I have ever done before the first job was to turn to the trusty Internet (no idea how anyone did anything new in the past) to find out what the best way to produce one. That accomplished, all I now needed to do was find the camcorder (and more importantly it’s charger cable) – a simple task you would think?!
After an hour of searching I finally had all the necessary equipment, cleared the bedroom set up the camera (and as many lamps I could find to stop it looking like a gloomy winters day) and recorded a short introduction and the four scenes my character appeared in.
It is a bizarre experience and initially it is fair to say I felt a little self-conscious, however, after a couple of runs I relaxed into it and found myself feeling very comfortable in front of the camera and enjoying myself by the end.
Fortunately my computer already had some video editing software, which enabled me to stitch together the best takes and submit the completed film. Now just waiting to hear if I got the part!
If I don’t it is certainly not a wasted process – having submitted one self-taped audition I’m sure I will find other ones considerably easier.
Hollywood here I come!
William Baylis 