Online Acting/Screen Work

Welcome to Commercial Self-Tape Foundations!

This is your first step toward creating self-tapes that look professional, natural, and easy for casting directors to watch.

Whether you’re a performer, extra, or completely new to auditions, this course will teach you how to film yourself confidently at home — the same way professionals do.

Understanding Casting & Self-Tape Auditions

What You’ll Learn

How the Course Works

What You Need Before You Start

Important Mindset Before You Start

Welcome

Why This Chapter Matters

Preparing Your Space

Phone & Camera Setup

Lighting Setup

Sound Setup

Eye-Line & Focus Control

How to Dress for Your Self-Tape

Common Technical Mistakes

Technical Setup: Creating a Professional Self-Tape

Now that your technical setup looks professional, it’s time to bring life on camera.
This chapter focuses on:
- How to appear relaxed and real
- What casting directors actually look for
- Common mistakes beginners make
- How to control energy and emotion in a close-up frame

Your Goal on Camera

Before You Start Filming

Micro-Expressions & Reactions

Timing and Pacing

Energy Control

How to Slate (Introduction Clip)

How Casting Evaluates Performance

Practice Exercise

Performance Basics: Acting Naturally for Camera

Why Warm Up Before Filming

WARM-UP STEPS

Warm-Up Routine: Preparing Your Body, Voice & Focus

In this chapter, you’ll practise everything you’ve learned — technical setup, performance control, and emotional beats — using one short, realistic self-tape scenario.
The goal is to simulate a real casting brief and prepare your best take before submission.

Step 1 – Read the Casting Brief

Step 2 – Identify the 3 Beats

Step 3 – Set Up Your Shot

Step 4 – Record Your Slate

Step 5 – Record Your Take

Practice Before Final Self-Tape Submission

First Self Assessment: Practice Take

Final Submission: Improved Take

Course Conclusion

Self-Tape Submissions & Feedback

Learn and train on how to prepare, film, and deliver their first professional-looking commercial self-tape. Perfect for new actors, performers, extras, or anyone wanting to gain confidence on camera.Includes:<ul><li>Full warm-up routine</li><li>Technical and performance theory</li><li>Scene preparation from a brief</li><li>Step-by-step filming guide</li><li>2 self-tape submissions + personalized feedback</li></ul>Estimated time: 1–2 hours (plus filming time)

Learn how to film professional self-tape auditions that casting directors actually watch.
This beginner-friendly course teaches you how to prepare, perform, and submit a clean, believable commercial self-tape (including two feedbacks).

🟢 Commercial Self-Tape Foundations

NZ Stunt School

Level

Course content

Course Description

This Course Includes