Self Tapes From Famous Actors That Booked Them The Role
posted 23rd January 2025
Many famous actors got their big break through a self tape audition. What makes a good self tape? Let's take a look at how some famous actors booked their iconic roles through an exemplary self tape or audition.
If you are looking to get your self tape to the next level, Book The Self Tape Studio can help you with setup and performance to ensure your self tape gets noticed.
Millie Bobby Brown's Stranger Things Audition - Role of Eleven
All of the Stranger Things' auditions are extraordinary, but it is hard to not put Millie Bobby Brown's audition for the role of Eleven in Stranger Things on this list. She manages to perfectly capture Eleven's essence in only a short amount of time. She shows vulnerability and shows a thorough understanding of her character.
What to take away from Millie Bobby Brown's Stranger Things Audition:
- Embrace silence. Not every second has to be filled, it is more important that your choices tell the right story for your character.
- Even if you don't have a lot of lines, you can still create an emotional connection.
Bill Skarsgård's Audition for IT - Role of Pennywise
Bill Skarsgård's audition for the famous killer clown shows why actors should not be afraid to show what is unique about them. Bill's Pennywise is odd, unique, and terrifying and Skarsgård manages to convey all of these attributes in one audition. Furthermore, Bill also shows how he can make one eye move independently. Probably not a great skill for all roles, but really added something to the role here. So if you have something about you that only you can offer, use it!
What to take away from Bill Skarsgård's IT audition:
- Embody the character. This sometimes means changing your voice or physicality to suit the character better.
- Get out of your comfort zone! Strong choices that feel unsettling are sometimes more important than not trying to do something unique at all. While risks don't always pay off, knowing you are making strong acting choices will likely leave you with fewer regrets than playing it safe.
Rachel McAdams' Self Tape for The Notebook - Role of Allie
Playing one part of a romantic duo in an audition that just focuses on you is tough, but Rachel McAdams's performance is passionate and filled with emotional intensity.
What to take away from Rachel McAdams' The Notebook audition:
- Know the emotional stakes of the scene. It may be tempting to try to push out a tear to look more impressive, but casting directors are looking for genuine emotion.
- The Notebook is a romantic story, so creating a self tape on your own can be tough. However, Rachel manages to still convey a sense of chemistry with the person off-camera.
How To Make a Self Tape More Memorable?
What all the actors mentioned have in common is that their auditions are unforgettable. This is not an easy thing to achieve, but not impossible to learn. Self tapes can become more memorable if an actor makes unique choices, understands the stakes of the scene, and knows who their character is.
Book The Self Tape Studio has years of experience in helping actors create memorable self tapes and can advice actors on crafting performances worth watching.
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