Audition Video Advice

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2023

2024 AUDITION VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS                      

AN AUDITION VIDEO IS REQUIRED FOR A COMPLETE SUBMISSION. Your submission is incomplete without a 90-second audition video, and your profile will not post to the Actor Search without one. Videos must be posted by January 15th.

NOTE: Your introduction (or ‘slate’) DOES NOT COUNT toward your audition time.

IF YOU POSTED A STRAWHAT AUDITION VIDEO LAST YEAR, that 90-second “StrawHat Audition Clip” video is still in our system. You can keep that one in place, or submit something new if you wish.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO STRAWHAT THIS YEAR, and you have video that you submitted for college applications or other auditions, you can edit that to 90 seconds to create a package.

Song & Monologue: Start with a slate, or introduction: “Hi, I’m [NAME] and this is [SONG TITLE] and [PLAY TITLE]." You have 90 seconds to present two pieces. (Choosing to present two song cuts? That’s your call, but read our position on this question in the FAQs)

Dancers Who Sing: Start with a slate, or introduction:  “Hi, I’m [NAME] and this is [SONG TITLE]." Yes, we want to hear you sing. We want 16 bars of an UP-TEMPO musical theatre piece. Dancers must also submit a video of themselves in action, whether video from class, in studio, or in performance. This footage can be posted as ‘Additional Reel’. You are expected to have extensive dance training (10 years+) in multiple disciplines and musical theatre experience or aspirations.

Monologue Only: Start with a slate, or introduction: “Hi, I’m [NAME] and this is [PLAY TITLE] and [PLAY TITLE]." You have 90-seconds to present two brief contrasting pieces.

How to Submit: Load your video(s) to your YouTube or Vimeo channel (NOTE: Videos must be posted as 'public' or 'unlisted' for the link in your profile to function). Log in to your StrawHat account: your dashboard will display the Task, ‘Video.’ Click on UPLOAD. In the next screen you’ll see drop-down menus to select “StrawHat Audition Video” and Type (YouTube or Vimeo), and a field to copy/paste the url. Click SUBMIT to save your entry. You will use this same section to input your StrawHat Musical Theatre Dance Call videos (Instructions for the Virtual Dance Call are found in the Premium Content section of the website.) NOTE: If using a PC, you can also find Video in the tab list at the left of your screen under your photo.

If you don’t already have a video you’re satisfied with, just keep these tips in mind:

·        View. A medium shot is preferred – waist up or a comfortable head and shoulders. No extreme close-ups or full-body shots for songs/monologues, please. Dancers: full body shots are expected for your dance section. We will assume that the camera is focused on you if you’re submitting from a performance.

·        Camera Angle. Your camera should be at or slightly above your eye level, not pointing up your nose.

·        Good light. Good, natural light works great and costs you nothing. Set up your camera/phone so you’re facing a window and the light is hitting your face. If it’s an overcast day, you may need to use other lighting; a ring light if you have one, or position two lamps slightly behind and to either side of the camera, so that you and the lights create a triangle. The two fixtures will balance the light on either side of your face so there are no extreme shadows.

·        Good sound. This can be particularly tricky for singers, because you want good balance between your voice and the accompaniment – too much piano and we can’t hear you, too much you and we can’t tell if you’re in sync with the piano. If you’ve got live accompaniment, avoid setting the camera on top of the piano!

·        Background. If you can, try to find a simple blank wall (grey or blue if available) or other backdrop that’s not distracting. Just avoid a white wall if possible. White bounces too much of the light and is too stark.

·        Possibly… a tripod. We don't want actors to have to spend money on equipment but being able to set up your phone so it’s stable and adjustable may be worth it. There are several inexpensive tripod adapters made to hold phones, as well as ring light/tripod combos to solve both issues at once.

If you need to edit to combine videos: Equity Actor Richard R. Henry put it very well on a Facebook discussion thread; “YouTube has been an invaluable resource to me for questions about editing in iMovie, Premier Pro, or GarageBand. These little tutorials are usually taught by 14-year-olds from Britain which is very humbling but they know what they’re talking about.”

Additional recommendations can be found in the Premium Content section. Keep it simple, try to have some fun, and Let the You Shine Through.