Film & television performance
Character work that begins before the first line.
Wardrobe, physical presence, focus, and specificity all help casting see the role—not just the actor reading it.
Free self-tape guide · 17 chapters
Your next self-tape can feel easier.
You do not need a studio, an expensive camera, or years of experience. You need a clear plan. This free guide walks you through every step—from opening the audition notice to sending your finished tape, and the self-tape topics answer the single questions that come up along the way.
Free forever · No sign-up required · Read in any order
Will RobertsYour guide
from first read to upload
from first read to upload
First, take a breath
You already have enough to begin.
Self-taping can feel like you are expected to be the actor, camera operator, lighting crew, sound department, and editor—all at once. That is a lot.
This guide breaks the process into small, manageable decisions. We will show you what matters, what does not, and how to make a clean, confident audition in the space you already have.
Your phone is enoughNo professional camera required.
A simple room can workWe will help you use it well.
You can learn thisOne calm step at a time.
A working actor’s guide
Built from experience in front of the camera.
Will is not teaching from the sidelines. His work spans major motion pictures, television, and demanding character roles—and the self-tape process in this guide is the one he uses himself.
Featured film credit
Oppenheimer
Will played General George C. Marshall in Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning film.
Thirty-five years of auditions behind it.
Every chapter here comes out of the same process Will uses himself, refined across decades of film, television, stage and live work.
Your complete path
Seventeen chapters. Four simple stages.
Start at the beginning or jump directly to the problem you need to solve today.
1
Prepare the audition
Understand the request, settle your nerves, and make choices before the camera turns on.
Chapter 01
Introduction
What a self-tape is, what casting needs to see, and how this guide will help.
Begin the guide → Chapter 02Preparation
Turn the sides into clear, playable choices without tying yourself in knots.
Read chapter → Chapter 03Directions
Read the instructions, meet the deadline, and make your file easy to identify.
Read chapter → Chapter 04Your Reader
Work with a scene partner—or keep moving when nobody is available.
Read chapter →2
Shape the performance
Stay fresh, make specific choices, and give casting a reason to keep watching.
3
Build a simple setup
Use affordable equipment and a few dependable rules to keep the focus on you.
Chapter 07
Camera
The phone you already own is probably all the camera you need.
Read chapter → Chapter 08Tripod
Keep your shot steady and your phone safely at eye level.
Read chapter → Chapter 09Framing & Eyeline
Place the camera, frame your body, and choose where to look.
Read chapter → Chapter 10Lighting
Put soft, flattering light on your face without overcomplicating the room.
Read chapter → Chapter 11Audio
Make every word clear with a quiet room and a few easy checks.
Read chapter → Chapter 12Backdrop
Choose a simple background that separates you from the wall.
Read chapter → Chapter 13Wardrobe & Makeup
Suggest the character while keeping the attention on your performance.
Read chapter → Chapter 14Props
Know when a prop helps the scene and when it becomes a distraction.
Read chapter →4
Finish and submit
Turn your best take into a professional file and send it with confidence.
Chapter 15
Editing & Labeling
Trim, export, name, and check your tape before it leaves your hands.
Read chapter → Chapter 16Your Slate
Introduce yourself simply, clearly, and with your natural personality.
Read chapter → Chapter 17Plain-English Glossary
Quick definitions for the unfamiliar words in casting requests.
Look up a term →When you are ready
The guide is free. Extra help is here if you want it.
No pressure and no confusing sales pitch—just two useful next steps.
Find something worth taping.
Browse free casting calls by city and project type on GotAuditions.
Browse free auditions →No reader? Keep going.
Practice and record your scene when a live reader is not available.
Explore self-tape tools →YOUR GUIDE · WILL ROBERTS
Advice from someone who still does the work.
Will Roberts has spent more than 35 years performing across film, television, stage, and live entertainment. He created this guide from the same practical self-tape system he used before booking George C. Marshall in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
The goal is simple: spend less energy fighting the equipment and more energy on the performance.
This is not about chasing perfection. It is about building a repeatable process you can trust every time an audition arrives.
Start reading the guide →You can do this
Start with the audition in front of you.
You do not have to master all 17 chapters today. Read the first one, solve the next problem, and keep moving.