TRAIN YOUR STUDENTS TO SELF TAPE DRAMATIC MATERIAL
1. Be intentional about the background of your shot. A blank wall is great if you can manage it, but if you can’t find a blank wall, try to pick a background that isn’t distracting. For example, if your bed has to be in the shot- make it. Choose a place and time when you’re least likely to have younger siblings or pets walking into the scene.
2. Be intentional about lighting. Try to make sure you have enough light on your face to be seen. Also try to avoid having bright light sources behind you like open windows or lamps.
3. Try to manage the background noise. You may need to pick a time to record when there is less noise from siblings, parents, sirens, street noise, etc. The best time might be later in the evening, mid-afternoon or early morning depending on your situation. Start to take note of the prime quiet hours in your home.
4. Be intentional about your relationship to the camera. Think about moments when your character can lean into or away from the camera to emphasize a point. We recommend standing rather than sitting when you shoot. Even if we can’t see your legs in the shot, your body and your voice won’t be as energized if you’re sitting down or lying on your bed.
5. Before you start, take a moment for a quick vocal and physical warm-up. . Before you start, pull up the script on your laptop, then demonstrate sharing your screen with everyone – handy if they don’t have their scripts. Don’t use “full screen” prior to sharing, or the document can freeze. There’s also a Whiteboard, but we have yet to find any use for this in rehearsal!!
6. Take the time to check your equipment and levels. Record one or two lines and then watch and listen to the test. Make sure you like the framing and that your volume is loud enough to be heard.
7. Don’t forget to act! It’s easy to forget that you’re playing a character and performing in a scene when you’re standing in your living room and talking into your phone. Before you hit record, review the basics of the scene, “Who am I talking to?”, “What is my objective?”, “What is the conflict? “What tactics am I using to get what I want?”