Self-Tape · 3 min read
Self-Tape Slate Format: What to Say and How to Say It
The standard self-tape slate format - name, height, agency, location - and the personality details that make a slate work.
Published February 16, 2025
Your slate is the first 8 seconds of your audition.
A nervous, mumbled slate signals first-rodeo. A polished, warm slate is the door to the actual scene.
The work, step by step
- Standard order. Full name. Height. Location. Representation. Sometimes role. Read the breakdown for what’s required.
- Smile a real smile. Brief, real, warm. Casting watches the slate to see if you’re castable as a human.
- Don’t over-introduce. No "Hi, my name is" preamble unless the breakdown asks. Just the info, cleanly.
- Look at the lens for the slate. Slates are direct-to-camera. The scene that follows is to the eye line. The two are different conventions.
- Tape the slate after the scenes. Energy at the end of a session is closer to your in-character energy. Slate then.
Common pitfalls
- Slating with apology.
- Looking up info while taping.
- Slating in a different mic/light setup than the scene - looks unprofessional.
How Actry fits in
Actry doesn’t handle slate. But because the AI reader is patient, you can tape your scene as many times as needed and slate cleanly when you’re warm.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include a profile?
Only if asked. A standard slate is direct-to-camera only.
Full body slate?
When requested in the breakdown. Step back, show feet, return to frame.
Slate language?
The language of the audition. Bilingual castings often request both.
Filed under Self-Tape. Tagged: self-tape, slate.