As a background agency, we predominantly cast for background roles.
However, occasionally a production will approach us to fulfil a more featured role, sometimes referred to as a ‘walk-on’ role. These roles demand more than your usual background fare since your performance will likely be easily identifiable and crucial to the success of the scene.
Often these roles demand decent acting chops, the delivery of dialogue, or perhaps a high proficiency in a certain skill.
To be in the running for these featured roles, candidates will need to submit a self-tape of them performing the required task.
Making sure that you have the technology and the space to record a good-quality video is a decent way to prepare for these self-tape requests.
Your smartphone will already have decent enough camera and microphone specs, and a stand or ring light will be beneficial if you can’t get someone else to film you.
Productions will often want to see you full-length, at least from the waist up, so don’t hold the camera yourself. Consider which room in your home is the best to film; you will need space to perform and perhaps demonstrate movement.
Many of the same rules for taking good photos apply for good self-tapes. Make sure we can see you clearly in a well-lit room, ideally against a plain background if possible and with no sunglasses, hats or scarves obscuring your face and hair.
If you have a piece of clothing that you believe matches the role you’re self-taping for, then wearing it could aid your chances. For example, if you’ve been asked to self-tape for a construction worker and you happen to have a hi-vis vest lying around, it makes sense to wear it for the video. Use your initiative but don’t go crazy with props and costumes - they’re not necessary.
Often these self-tapes requests will have a strict deadline. The sooner you upload your self-tape after the request, the greater chance you will have of being booked.
The email that we send you will have detailed instructions for the action you need to perform. This email will often provide context for the scene, any direction and notes on line delivery as well as a portion of the script in an attachment (often referred to as “Sides”).
Any attachment will be highly confidential and should not be shared with anyone in person or online. These sides are to aid your performance and nothing more.
At the start of the video, introduce yourself to the camera by stating your name, the agency that has sent you the request, and the role you are self-taping for.
For example, “I’m Rishi Sunak, I’m represented by Extra People, and this is for the role of ‘British Prime Minister’.”
After which, perform the required action as described in the email.
It’s important to follow these directions carefully. Many artists let themselves down by submitting something that isn’t what they’ve been asked to do. If you are unsure about anything, reply to the email to request clarification.
When performing, do not look directly into the camera lens. Look slightly off-camera and perform to an imaginary partner off screen to create a natural scene. Once you've picked your eye line, hold it throughout your performance. To help, focus on an object in the room. A sticky note on the wall is a good quick fix.
If the line is short or the action is quick, performing it a few times with variety may help your chances, but avoid filming for longer than a minute as a general rule. Between 30-60 seconds is a sweet spot. Longer videos create larger file sizes that incur upload difficulties.
Avoid editing the video with distracting effects and filters. Less is more.
Once you’ve got a take that you’re happy with, click the link in our email to submit the video for consideration. This link will most likely be a DropBox link.
If you ever have difficulty uploading the video, then attach it directly in an email reply.
If the size of the video file is too large to email, then use WeTransfer to send it over.
If you have submitted the video before the deadline, then it will be viewed by the casting team at production. Once we have updates regarding their selection, we will be in touch with either a release or a booking confirmation.
While the effort of producing a self-tape is not compensated under any rate card, if you are successfully booked, a Supplementary Fee appropriate to the feature will be added onto your chit at the end of the filming day. For commercials, this role will be paid at an elevated day rate and buyout which will be outlined in the availability enquiry.
When we cast for featured roles, we use the same casting criteria that we do for background roles (looks, measurements, location, relevant skills). As such, there is no ‘method’ to be approached for more featured roles except to make sure all of your details are up-to-date and the photos are the best they can be.
We do not have a special list of artists that we only approach for featured work.
Having said that, putting any qualifications and skills under the “Casting Information” tab on your profile, especially acting, will help us differentiate you when we approach artists for more demanding roles.
Always be truthful when detailing your skills and qualifications.
We hope that this blog has clarified Self-Tapes and prepared you for what to expect if you’re ever asked to submit one!
The email address to use for any profile-related issue is epcommunity@extra-people.com
If you have any pay queries please contact ukartistsupport@ep.com
If you have any booking enquiries please reply to the last email concerning that project. Your email will go to a dedicated email for that production.
If you have general enquiries that are not pay or booking related, please contact team@extra-people.com