Mastering the Full Body Slate: 3 Mistakes Every Actor Should Steer Clear Of

Full body slates for self-tape auditions might seem like a beast, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. As a casting director, acting teacher, and fellow working actor, I truly understand the challenges that come with mastering a full body slate.

Before we jump into discussing the three full body slate mistakes you should steer clear of, let’s talk about the importance of them from a casting director point of view.

As a casting director, we use full body slates to get a sense of your body type, height, and overall presence. For commercial casting, a lot of times we’re often casting for groups, like families, friends, and couples. So, your body type becomes a significant factor, especially when we’re aiming for a group that looks like they’d fit together. Or maybe the hero in our commercial spot is a professional basketball player who’s 6’6” and in order for our hero to be the focal point of the commercial, we’ve got to cast someone shorter.

Let’s dive into the 3 mistakes actors should steer clear of:

Ignoring the ABCs of Framing and Composition

• Placement: Get yourself smack in the center of the frame, leaving an inch above your head and make sure we can see your feet.
• Balance: Find that sweet spot in the distance from the camera. Too close, and your proportions seem out of whack. Too far, and we’ll be squinting to see your full body. Strike that balance for a clear and accurate take.
• Background Check: Go for a background that doesn’t steal your spotlight. Think solid colors or something simple – we want you front and center, not battling with distracting clutter. It’s ok if we see the wall behind you. In fact, I’d rather see an empty space behind you with a wrinkled sheet or plain wall than a circular backdrop that breaks up the framing. It’s distracting.

Skipping the Body Language and Expression Check

Let’s chat about vibes. Your body language and expressions give us a sense of your personality. Here’s a few quick tips.

• Confidence Stance: Keep eye level with the camera lens, put your shoulders back and stand up straight. Trust me, it’s a game changer.
• Chill Factor: Keep it real with your body language – no robotic moves. Just relax and let your body be natural.
• Eye Contact: Keep your eye contact steady, just like you’re having a chat over coffee. It’s all about connecting.

Brushing Off the Tech Talk

In the self tape world, tech is now king and ya gotta be tech savvy to be in the self tape audition game. A crystal-clear full body slate is like a digital handshake that says, “I’m confident and ready to book the room.”

Here’s your tech tune-up:

• Lights On: Light the scene evenly. Opt for a simple ring light that gives you even lighting and add in a little natural light or additional box light to ensure we can see you.
• Picture Perfect: Your camera’s got skills. Make sure your focus is razor-sharp. Blurriness or a dirty camera lens isn’t ideal for a professional self tape. Go for a crystal clear shot.
• Sound Sense: While visuals rule the roost, don’t snooze on sound. A quiet space is your jam. Let your voice shine, sans any background noise distractions.

Do’s and Don’ts for Mastering Your Full Body Slate:

Do’s:

• Do Shoot Horizontally and Vertically: When you slate, do it horizontally, stating your name, height, and location. Then, shoot your full body vertically. Merge both in one clip on the back end of your editing.
• Do Keep Your Full Body Slightly Cropped: Don’t overtrim the sides of your vertical slate. Those black lines are not your friends; they shrink your clip, making it less visible for casting directors.
• Do Slate With Personality or In Character:Don’t just say your name, height, and location like a robot. If you’re auditioning for a quirky scientist role, channel that energy into your slate. It’s a mini preview of your character that can make you stand out right away.
• Let Your Energy Shine: Whether you’re the life of the party or the quiet observer, let your natural energy come through in your slate. A warm smile or a confident posture can convey a lot about your presence and how you might fit a particular role.
• Stay True to the Genre: If you’re auditioning for a drama, your slate’s tone might differ from a comedy, particularly if it’s an emotionally heavy scene. Align your slate’s vibe with the genre of the project. A subtle nod to the tone can give casting directors a hint that you get the project’s essence.

Don’ts:

• Don’t Pan Your Body: A full body slate is all about one glance at your full self – no pan-and-scan because it doesn’t give us an overall view of your full body.
• Don’t Leave Empty Space: Tighten up that frame, but don’t chop off your head. Balance, remember?
• Don’t Shrug off Tech Details: In the digital world, technical quality shows that you have invested your time and that you care about how your audition looks and comes across. From lighting to sound, it all matters. Nail your tech game from the get go.

Now, let’s take a look at a full body slate done the right way and what it looks like in the same clip combined with a horizontal slate. Check out this example from a self tape audition I had for a guest star role:

In this clip, you’ll notice how I’m slating my name, height, location and that I’ll be a local hire based on the casting director’s instructions. My slate begins with a horizontal slate, introducing myself then seamlessly transitioning into the full body slate. It’s clean, confident, and captures the essence of what casting is looking for.

So there you have it, a closer look at mastering the full body slate. Remember, it’s not just about getting it perfect– it’s about showcasing your you and your personality in the best light possible.