StrawHat Auditions
UPDATE: OCTOBER
5, 2022
2023 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.
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.
LIVE PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE is acceptable for your pre-screen
video, but you must plan to submit a 90-second video that meets our format
requirements.
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. 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 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 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.