What is a self tape in acting?

A self tape is a video audition actors record on their own, often at home, and send to casting directors. It’s become the standard for initial auditions in film and TV.

How do you make a good self tape?

A good self tape focuses on performance, not perfection. Use natural light or soft lighting, clear sound, and a simple background. But most of all, be present in the scene — grounded and connected.

What tools do I need to film a self tape?

You don’t need fancy gear. A phone with a decent camera, a tripod, and quiet surroundings are enough. Some actors also use a ring light or soft box and an external mic, but none of it matters without a truthful performance.

How do actors improve at self taping?

By doing it often. Many actors, including myself, record scenes we never send — just to see what we notice later. Rewatching your work with curiosity (not self-judgment) is one of the most effective tools you have.

Subtle Tools for Self-Tapes (and Scenes that Matter)

Liv Hansen
Jun 25
3 min read

Updated: Jun 30

Finding a Frame

Somewhere between taped-up curtains, soft daylight, and a stack of books balanced behind a tripod, I’ve learned to build a frame. It’s rarely glamorous, often improvised, but always intimate. Self-taping has become an integral part of my work rhythm, especially as a European actress auditioning across borders.

“Black and white photo from a short film set — lighting gear, tripod, and camera equipment visible. A reminder that even in audition self-tapes, tools matter. Self tape audition tips for actors start with what’s at hand. — From a short film set - not a self-tape, but the tools are familiar.

I’m not here to give generic self-tape audition tips for actors because you can find plenty of that elsewhere. But over time, I’ve picked up small tools and habits that shape how I approach the process.

When I first started, I was in London, filming against a wall in my apartment with a friend reading lines just out of frame. These days, I work alone more often. There’s a kind of clarity that comes with that. No pressure, no commentary — just you, the script, and whatever the scene calls for.

The Quiet Work

Self-taping forces you into quiet. There’s no energy from a room (except for maybe another actor on Zoom), no knowing glance from a casting director, no soft laugh from someone behind the camera. You learn to generate it all from within — the timing, the stakes, the stillness.

Sometimes I record voice notes before I tape. Just to hear the character breathe for a moment. Other times, I walk around the flat or lie down on the floor until the lines feel less like lines and more like thought. I’ve learned to trust pauses. To let something flicker for a second longer than I would in person. On tape, that’s often where it lives.

A Portable Practice

I’ve taped in hotel rooms in Toronto, rented apartments in London, and my small studio in Copenhagen. There’s always a towel shoved against a door crack or a curtain pinned to a bookshelf. I once used a handheld light clamped to a suitcase handle because the lamp was too warm. It worked. Just.

Working across borders means you’re rarely in one place long enough to build the perfect setup, so you become resourceful. And strangely, I think that helps. It keeps you focused on the story, not the backdrop.

A still from a film scene — character photo and documents on a desk, suggesting backstory and emotional context. — Just me and my entire character backstory… on a desk.

Building Atmosphere

I think a good self-tape isn’t about perfection. It’s about atmosphere. You’re letting someone into a moment. For me, it’s about tone, rhythm, and detail. I focus on how the scene breathes — where it speeds up, where it pulls back, what’s left unsaid.

This approach has evolved from years of working in various countries and across multiple media, including acting, voiceover, and illustration. Each teaches you to listen closely. Each brings something to the work.

What Helps

Here are a few practical things I keep close:

Voice notes — for exploring cadence and mood.
A consistent light source — even if it’s just a clamp light that travels well.
An external mic — because audio does matter.
Playback time — giving yourself enough space to review and reframe.

But more than gear, it’s about mindset. Self-taping gives you ownership. You direct yourself. You edit, select, and sometimes discard. You trust. And when it works, when the scene finally clicks, it feels like magic. Quiet, subtle, homemade magic.

Thinking about acting across borders or how self-taping fits into a working process? I've written more about it here and here — including reflections on filming in Canada and finding direction abroad.

Black and white portrait of Danish actress Liv Hansen in a serious, cinematic look — used in character-driven roles. — One of those moody headshots, of which I have many.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Questions I’ve Asked Myself (And Sometimes Still Do)

Q: How can I improve my on-camera acting?

A: Sometimes, I record scenes I don’t plan to send — just to see what I notice. Watching myself back has taught me things that complement what I’ve learned in class.