Should You Wear a Costume in Your Self-Tape?
There is a lot of contradictory advice out there about whether actors should wear costumes in self-tapes.
Some people will tell you absolutely not. Others will tell you to fully commit and dress head to toe as the character.
Personally, I sit somewhere in the middle.
From my own experience as a working actress, I think there are times when having a few costume pieces can be incredibly helpful.
Let's be honest. Most actors are typecast to some degree. We often find ourselves auditioning for very similar roles over and over again.
If you constantly get seen for nurses, why not spend £20 on a set of scrubs?
If you regularly audition for police officers, a police lanyard can be picked up online for less than £10.
If your face looks like it belongs in a period drama rather than scrolling TikTok, perhaps investing in a Victorian-style shirt, waistcoat or cravat isn't such a bad idea either.
Now, before anyone gets upset, I'm not suggesting you turn your self-tape into a fancy dress competition. The performance always comes first.
But I do think actors sometimes underestimate how much a simple costume piece can help.
In my opinion, the costume isn't really for the casting director.
Casting directors are very good at imagining the finished product. That's part of their job.
However, your tape often gets passed on to producers, directors and other decision-makers. Many of them want to see the closest thing possible to the final version of the character. They don't necessarily want to stretch their imagination too hard.
If spending £30 helps them picture you in the role more easily, then that seems like a worthwhile investment to me.
And before you say, "Actors shouldn't have to spend money on auditions," I would argue that every profession requires some level of investment.
If you want to be a manager at a large company, you'll probably need to dress appropriately for the role.
If you're a photographer, you'll invest in equipment.
If you're an accountant, you'll likely invest in qualifications and training.
Acting is no different.
We all spend money on classes, workshops, headshots, Spotlight, websites and travel. A few carefully chosen costume pieces don't seem that outrageous when you look at it that way.
The other reason I like costume pieces is much more personal.
They help me.
The moment I put on a nurse's uniform, I feel different.
The moment I put on period clothing, my posture changes.
I start moving differently. Thinking differently.
The character suddenly feels much closer.
Maybe it's psychological. Maybe it's imagination. I don't know. But I know it works for me.
And if it helps me give a stronger performance while also helping the people watching the tape imagine me in the role, that's a win-win.
One of my favourite places to find costume pieces is Vinted.
Honestly, it's incredible what you can find for very little money.
I've found Victorian-style dresses, vintage blouses, waistcoats and all sorts of period-inspired pieces that would have cost a fortune elsewhere.
The Victorian-style dress in the photo above came from Vinted.
Add a wig, some character teeth and suddenly I'm a vampire.
Not bad for a few pounds.
At the end of the day, there are very few hard rules in self-taping.
Will a costume get you the job? Of course not.
A brilliant performance will always beat a great costume.
But if a simple costume piece helps you feel more connected to the character and helps the people watching your tape see you in the role, I don't see a downside.
For me, it's just another tool in the actor's toolbox.
Sending you a big hug,
Natalia
Owning It Acting Studio
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