Should actors wear costumes in self-tapes? It's one of the most debated topics in the audition world. In this article, actress and acting coach Natalia Kostrzewa shares her personal experience of using costume pieces in film and television auditions, why producers often respond positively to visual storytelling, and how a simple investment in scrubs, period clothing or character-specific wardrobe can help bring your self-tape performance to life. Discover when costumes can strengthen an audition, when they can become distracting, and how to use them strategically to improve your chances of booking professional acting work.

There's a rumour circulating that self-tape readers should deliver their lines completely flat so they don't distract from the actor. As an acting coach working with actors every week, I believe that's one of the biggest misconceptions in self-taping. Here's why a great reader can transform your audition and help you deliver your best performance on camera.

As a working actor and self-tape coach, I've always been fascinated by the unwritten rules of self-taping. One of the most common pieces of advice actors receive is to use a white, grey, or blue backdrop for every self-tape audition. While I understand why casting directors originally encouraged this, I don't believe it should be treated as a hard rule in every situation. Over the years, I've watched hundreds of self-tapes and discovered that presentation matters more than many actors realise. In this article, I explore whether a standard self-tape backdrop is always the best choice, how to create a professional self-tape setup, and why cinematic self-tapes don't have to cost a fortune.