I have to self tape two contrasting scenes from Film, T.V or Theatre for an agency. I'm a girl, 16 and have no idea what to do. (That probably makes me sound a bit wimpy!)
I'm having trouble finding scripts from T.V. / Film that are suitable and could really do with any suggestions.
Do these scenes need to be with other people or should they be monologues?
Any ideas/advice much appreiciated - thanks in advance
Unless the agency has specified that the scenes HAVE to be from a film or TV script, then don't panic!
What I expect the agency wants to see is what you are like when you are acting for screen. I know that sounds a bit obvious!
Hence, they are probably not worried about precisely what you choose, but they will want to see that you understand what is required of you as an actor when acting for screen.
Try to choose something written in a modern idiom - they way you would normally speak. Monologues/long speeches are quite rare on screen - because what is important is reaction, we often watch the people listening/observing not the person speaking. However, to interest the agent, you don't need a three minute monologue. One minute for each piece will be plenty for them assess what you are like.
Two contrasting pieces might be
1. Reflective. Pondering past events or current worries for example
2. A bit of a rant.
Or:
1. A serious subject
2. A light-hearted/humorous subject
It is often possible to find play scripts that are suitable for this purpose. Or you can adapt a bit of a novel (as long as it is modern) that you like. Novels aimed at young teenagers often have good bits of dialogue in them. Some of them might have bits of description that you can make into a reflective monologue: i.e. if the novel is written from one person's viewpoint, there may be bits that you could imagine the narrator saying out loud, to describe how he/she feels - it might need a bit of tweaking to make it sound like speech, but it could be a good hunting ground for something suitable. It's fine to cut and paste bits together - as long as you can make sense of them.
You could have a scene with someone else (but you would need someone to read in the other person off camera) - you could also just do your half of the scene leaving out the other person's words, sometimes this works perfectly well depending on the piece.
The pieces don't have to be long - you may only need 10 lines or so to have a very interesting piece for camera. We learn so much from what someone doesn't say on screen - from their non-verbal communication and the look in their eyes.
First of, sorry for the late reply - I wasn't expecting such a speedy response
Thank you soooooo much for your lovely reply, I feel much more confident about the taping now. I guess taping will be easier as it'll be shorter and I can always re-film, unlike in auditions. Good to know that I don't have to film it with another person and I'm glad that they will be expecting something modern.
Again thank you so much! It's people like you who make this site so brilliant
