How to create an actor's video business card
In the acting profession, a video business card is your personal ticket to casting. It allows you to present yourself to directors and casting directors before, and sometimes instead of, a live meeting. A good video business card can be a deciding factor in casting, so it's important to make it so that you can convey as much information about yourself as possible in just a few minutes. Many aspiring actors worry that they don't have enough experience to create a professional video, but what really matters is not the perfect picture, but sincerity and the ability to hold attention.
What is important to show in a video business card
Before you press the “record” button, you should think about what exactly you want to convey to the viewer. The most common mistake is to turn your business card into a long autobiography. Your video should be short, concise and as lively as possible. Start with a simple introduction: your name, age, height and other basic parameters that are important to the casting director. Speak confidently, but without too much pathos - this is not a TV interview, but an opportunity to show yourself as you are.
Then you can move on to a short monologue or improvisation. Choose a text that you are really interested in. It can be an excerpt from a play, a movie or even a poem, the main thing is to show how you work with emotion and text. If you have special skills - dancing, acrobatics, fencing - unobtrusively demonstrate them at the end of the video. But remember that the main focus should be on your face and the game.
Technical nuances of filming
Even the most sincere pitch can get lost if the video is shot in the dark or with the sound drowned out by a neighbor's drill. You don't need to rent a studio - just find a bright spot by a window and place your phone on a stable surface. Make sure the light doesn't cast harsh shadows on your face, and the background is neutral. Ideally - a monochrome wall or a calm interior without unnecessary details.
Sound is even easier: make sure the room is quiet and your voice sounds clear. If possible, use a looping microphone, but the built-in microphone of the phone will do under the right conditions.
The length of the clip should not exceed two minutes. During this time, the casting director will either get interested or move on to the next candidate. It's better to leave a sense of slight understatement than risk the video being turned off midway through.
How to send a video business card and what to do next
When the video is ready, review it several times. Pay attention to the details: is there a connection between your emotions and the text, is your speech natural, do you want to watch the video to the end. If in doubt, show the video to your friends or colleagues and ask for honest feedback.
It's best to upload the finished business card to YouTube or Vimeo with access via a link. That way you won't have to send heavy files, and the link can be attached to any email or questionnaire. It's also important to have a brief acting resume and some good photos - a video business card works better in tandem with other materials.
After submitting, don't be afraid to remind yourself. Casting directors receive dozens of submissions, and sometimes a simple reminder email can bring your video back to their attention. The key is to believe in yourself and don't be afraid to try again, even if it didn't work on the first try. A good video business card is not just a tool for finding roles, it's your chance to make yourself known and show that you're ready for the job.
