Self-Tape · 3 min read
Self-Tape Eye Line: Where to Look (And Why)
A simple explanation of self-tape eye lines - where to place them, when to break them, and why they matter.
Published February 14, 2025
The eye line is the audition's scene partner. Treat it like a person.
Wandering eye lines tell casting you’re reading off-screen. Eye lines too far off make the camera see only your ear.
The work, step by step
- Just off the lens. Place your eye line within 6 inches of the camera. Close enough that ¾ of your face stays in frame.
- One side only. Pick left or right. Don’t alternate. The scene partner is in one place.
- Lock it. Don’t drift. Even between lines. Especially between lines.
- Don’t look down the lens. Unless the breakdown says so (rare), looking direct-to-camera reads as commercial slate, not scene.
- Mark it physically. Tape a small piece of red tape on your wall at the eye-line height. Removes the guesswork.
Common pitfalls
- Drifting eyes when listening.
- Switching sides between scenes.
- Reading the script too far below the eye line.
How Actry fits in
Actry plays the AI reader through your earbuds, so your eyes never leave the eye-line spot. The cue lines arrive on time without your gaze drifting to a script or a partner.
Frequently asked questions
Same side every scene?
Yes, unless multiple partners. Then alternate cleanly.
Looking up or down for partner height?
Match the partner’s implied height. Casting director is roughly your height; choose accordingly.
Direct to camera ever?
Only when explicitly directed. Rare in dramatic auditions, common in commercial.
Filed under Self-Tape. Tagged: self-tape, eye line.