Self taping

[JTBmum]

Just wondering if anyone can help. Ds was asked to self tape for a casting. Have had a nightmare day of trying to get him to do the scenes as he found it off-putting having his mum read the lines. Must have done dozens of takes. Then couldnt find the cable for the computer. Then could not work out how to download it on to imovie for ages, whereupon imovie kept quitting! Our video recorder is quite old, and Im wondering if imovie is the best program to use. Has anyone any suggestions?

Thanks, jtbmum!

[AbiTheActress]

I would maybe look into getting a little pocket camera, I have this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... 419485.htm it is so easy to use and when you upload it, it is already an avi file so you can upload it to youtube straight away. I normally use windows movie maker to just add a little slide at the start with my name on.

[paulears]

If you have a mac - then imovies is fine. The problem is that if you have an old video 'recorder' - not camera? Then it's more complicated to get the separate video and audio in - unless it has firewire or usb - what camera are you using? Why does he find it difficult with you reading the lines in? I'd have thought it would be much less stressful than doing the same thing at a real audition with a stranger doing it?

If you were good with the editor, I'd suggest getting him to just read his lines, and then edit in your bits afterwards. However - now isn't probably the time to start learning new software.

You need to tell us exactly what camera you have, how you are connecting it to the mac, and then we can hopefully help. One tip is to make sure the SOUND is top class - zoom the camera out, and move it in close to fill the frame. Don't use the zoom. That way, the microphone in the camera will be in as close as it can be and the sound will be clear.

[geordiegirl]

We self tape alot as we dont live in UK. We use a FLIP camera which is very simple to use. The lead that comes with it allows us to load the tapes directly onto an e mail which then flys off to agent/CD. We also subscribe to yousendit.com - many casting directors prefer the auditions to come in this way (but the links are only "live" for 7 days and there is a fee). Or its also simple to upload to youtube. The quality is always good but for best results, get a tripod too

[pg]

Why does he find it difficult with you reading the lines in? I'd have thought it would be much less stressful than doing the same thing at a real audition with a stranger doing it?

Interesting you should say that Paulears! I think it's more difficult to perform in an unselfconscious way in front of people you know really well. (and if it's your Mum, well.... ). I find it much easier to audition for strangers than to practise with family. I had the happy experience of being directed by my ds for one production. He was an excellent director, but I did feel inhibited at first, despite us both regarding it as a "professional" relationship.

[paulears]

I guess you could always record the other persons lines and pause between sections, so they could start and stop with the pause button - there'd be some dead air, but might help? I've always thought that conquering these kind of inhibitions is probably more important than the actual 'acting' because they just get in the way and hold you back. So it's worth hitting this area to build up confidence - or, just get a friend in!

[JTBmum]

Our video camera is a Sony mini dvd player. You connect the cable to the imac then import it into imovie. For some reason it kept quitting the programme, but eventually we managed to upload it. I find it quite hard to use imovie. We then had a problem sending it as an attachment, and had to split it into two. We ended up sending four separate emails with attachments. I know I must sound quite useless! Goodness knows what the agents must have thought of it with my booming voice reciting the other lines (badly I’m sure!)

Anyway I am going to research the previous suggestions. And yes, ds finds it a bit inhibiting to do it in front of me because Im his mum, but did manage it it eventually.

I think we are going to have to master this as I am sure it will be used more and more. The other problem is you are in the dark a bit about directions as in a usual casting on to tape, they give you directions.

[JTBmum]

Just to add, ds seems to be more successful/comfortable in castings where he feels he connects with the director or casting director. Im sure this is not an ideal situation, but 16 yr olds an be a bit wierd!

[leemum]

the problem with mini dvd is it records film data differently than conventional dv or sd formats. sony are also bad at supplying mac software with their products. which version of imovie are you using. I would either change your camera, upgrade to imovie 11 (if not already) and always use a 4 or 6 pin firewie cable not usb to transfer to mac. you could also download software to convert your mini dvd file to a more mac friendly version . also once in imovie you can use the share menu to send straight to vimeo or you tube and link from there to CD rather than email.