As part of the admissions process for this course, you will be asked to provide a video audition. You can find more information on exactly what you'll need to do here, as well as advice from us.
Additional information for applicants submitting video auditions for acting programmes.
The video audition will comprise of three elements:
1. Perform a Shakespeare monologue or a contemporary speech: please choose either from the list provided with this letter. Remember understanding the text is key to help you make appropriate acting choices. You may choose any of the listed speeches, and you are free to do either a male or female speech as long as the speech actually resonates or has some meaning for you. If you decide to do a speech that does not match your gender, please speak a little about this decision.
Shakespeare speeches don’t require any particular accent, and they are generally very open to your interpretation. Try to make some decisions about who you are speaking to and why this particular speech is going to help you achieve your aims – whatever you decide they are. Try to choose the speech that has the most meaning for you, personally.
Or you can choose a contemporary speech: You should keep your speech to 1.5min in length. Anything from the 20th century or 21st century. Advice is do not go for the most disturbing material, as it is very difficult to do. Like the Shakespeare speech find something that resonates with you and can how you off at your best.
2. Sing a song, a cappella: we recommend using a musical theatre song as this medium lends itself to making an actual journey through the text. You may choose other material, but remember it is about making good acting choice, not just the quality of your singing voice. A short section of 16 bars or so will suffice.
3. Perform an original monologue written/devised by you of no more than 2 minutes in length: the subject matter is your choice but you should create a character and the material should not be directly about you. Obviously it is best if you identify with the subject matter and have an opinion on it, but we are not looking for your life story. Think about creating a credible character that has a need to say something that is engaging and truthful.
Remember all these elements are acting exercises. Find material that will show you off at your best and most confident. Know your material inside out as nerves will affect you. Try to perform the material to someone before recording your audition. This will help in understanding the performance energy needed, and again help you with nerves.
Please avoid the temptation to heavily edit your audition video – you can always re-record if something isn’t quite right, but we would like to see a natural performance from you and sometimes recording too many takes can hinder your performance.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nikki Dunster, Programme Administrator, N.Dunster@napier.ac.uk
Uploading
Can you upload to Youtube and send the link of your film/ self-tape. Please make your video Unlisted and not private. Once uploaded copy the link to send via email. Can you also edit it together so it is one video.
If you want some advice on how to upload a video to YouTube, you can watch this video.
Shakespeare speeches list
Below are the Shakespeare speeches you can choose from and more advice on recording your audition.
Female
Isabella, Measure for Measure, 2.2
“So you must be the first that gives this…. (cut Lucio and Provost Lines) ... in the less
foul profanation”
Cressida, Troilus and Cressida, 1.2
“By the same token you are a bawd … shall from mine eyes appear”
Joan La Pucelle, 1 Henry VI, 3.3
“Look on thy country … [cut Burgundy’s line] … but for profits sake?”
Helena, All’s Well That Ends Well, 3.2
“Till I have no wife … come thou home Rousillon”
Duchess of Gloucester, Richard II, 1.2
“Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper … it is despair”
Margaret 3 Henry VI, 5.4
“Great Lords, wise men … though the rough wind say no.”
Goneril, King Lear, 1.3
“By day and night he wrongs me .. [cut Oswald line] …”remember what I have said.”
Male
Bolingbroke, Richard II, 2:3
“As I was banished…inheritance of free descent.”
Young Talbot, 1 Henry VI, 4.5
“Is my name Talbot… (cut Talbot’s lines) …rather than life preserved with infamy”
Brutus, Julius Caesar 2.1
“Our course will seem too bloody…. when Caesar’s head is off”
Gratiano, The Merchant of Venice, 1.1
“Let me play the fool…this fool gudgeon, this opinion.”
Cardinal 2 Henry VI, 1.1
“So there goes our protector in a rage….he will be found a dangerous protector”
Antonio, Twelfth Night, Act V
“Orsino, noble sir…not half an hour before.”
Proteus, Two Gentlemen of Verona, 2.6
“To leave my Julia shall I be forsworn…I needs must lose myself.”
Self-taping Advice
What to film with
The first thing to think about is what to film with. You could use a camcorder or dslr camera but one of the most powerful tools to use is your smart phone. In most cases your smart phone will cope well with the lighting conditions, focus and sound.
File size
If you can look at settings for file size the 720p/ 1080p 25frams or 24frames is good quality so don’t worry about 4k as it will be too bulky to use. You will be able to set this in a dslr under movie menu set up.
Shot size/ angle
This depends on what you are shooting but a medium shot that goes from your head to your waist is a good medium. If for something more expressive then maybe a wider shot size. Get the camera level with you/the performer, not above or below (a neutral shot).
Background
Have a neutral background grey or off white would do but any colour would be fine if not distracting. Avoid things in the background (Like pictures/ posters) as they can be distracting.
Tripods
If you have a tripod then use it as it will make the shot still. You can get little holders that will connect to a tripod and you can also get mini tripod that are very cheap and put them on a table to shoot with. You don’t have to do this if as you can use anything to rest your phone against or camera and keep it in the one place. I’ve used a book and a cup before.
Lighting
Natural light is good and generally soft and flattering but angle poise lamps or just what’s in the room can work. Don’t do it with the light source behind you as you’ll be in silhouette and we won’t see your performance. Also you can use a white surface to reflect some light back into the face if the lighting is very contrasting.
Acting advice
For the screen remember that you are talking to someone just off camera not down the lens (unless talking to the viewer of the tape as yourself). You should be in the world of the scene and you should be working off the other character in the scene (whether they are there or you are having to imagine them). The character is making you need to say the next line. Remember the camera will pick up your performance (if placed in the right place) and so trust that your choices will be seen (don’t make them small, just don’t feel they have to be seen).
Uploading
Can you upload to Youtube and send the link of your film/ self-tape. Please make your video Unlisted and not private. Once uploaded copy the link to send via email.
Watch this video on how to upload.
Further reading
actinginlondon.co.uk/self-taped-auditions/
www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-self-taping-updated/