While it’s natural to walk into an audition room thinking about the material you’ve prepared, how you introduce yourself is an important part of the process. This is called your slate, and while it only makes up a small part of your audition, your introduction is the first impression you make on a casting team, so it’s essential to get it right.
Whether you’re auditioning in person, remotely, or via a self-tape, here are some tips for slaying your slate.
Also known as an indent, slating is the administrative part of the audition, where you introduce yourself before performing the sides, monologue, or action you have been asked to prepare.
Most slates involve stating your name and agent, but you may be asked to provide additional information, such as your height, location, and availability for certain dates. The exact information to include in your slate will be relayed by the casting team.
Though it sounds straightforward, slating without stumbling over your words or fidgeting (which could affect the director’s first impression of you or set you up for a bad audition) requires some thought and practice.
You can deliver your slate as either yourself or the character you are auditioning for. The theory behind slating in character is that it allows the director to immediately envisage you in the role. Casting an actor who already possesses the qualities and traits of a character can be an appealing choice for some directors.
On the other hand, directors generally want to work with pleasant people who are easy to direct. If the role you are auditioning for is that of a conceited narcissist, it may be a safer bet to slate as yourself before launching into the part.
Jo Ravenheart, one of the lead agents at Findley Ravenheart in London, advocates for always slating as yourself. “Sometimes we see recent grads trying to present a blank canvas in their slates, but you absolutely must be yourself,” she says. “It gives you a lovely opportunity to show how versatile you are by being yourself and then being your character.”
An exemption comes with accents. If you’re performing a role with an accent different to your own, then it’s useful to slate in the same accent as the role, unless you have been specifically asked by the casting team to slate in your natural accent.
Most of the time, it’s up to the actor whether to slay as themselves or their character. The most important thing is to come across as self-assured, experienced, and easy to work with whilst clearly conveying the information that has been requested.
Slating for in-person auditions
When slating in person, the casting team will show you where to stand (there is usually a helpfully taped T on the ground) and talk you through what they want from the slate. This will vary depending on the type of production you are auditioning for.
Slating for film and TV auditions
Slating for film and TV is usually fairly straightforward. Stand on your mark and look directly into the camera to state:
- Your name
- Your agent (if you don’t have one, say you are “self-represented”)
- The role you are auditioning for
You might be asked additional questions, such as your height or location. You should answer these questions by addressing the camera directly (not the person who asked them). The camera person will then pan out to get a full body shot.
Slating for commercial auditions
Slating for commercials similarly involves standing on your mark and looking directly into the camera to state:
- Your name
- Your agent (or say “self-represented”)
- Whether you have been in any conflicting commercials with competing brands
- Whether you are available for the relevant dates (recalls, fittings, travel, and shoot dates)
Again, you might be asked some additional questions, which you should also answer by addressing the camera.
You will then be asked for your “hands and profiles”:
- Hold your hands up on either side of your face, showing the fronts and the backs of both hands to the camera. Your hands may feature in advertising the product, so remember to have neat and clean nails for the slate.
- Next, turn your whole body to the left and right, allowing the camera to capture your profiles. If you have long hair, remember to push it back for these shots so your profile can be clearly seen.
- Finally, return to face the camera. The operator will typically pan out to capture a full-body shot.
Slating for theatre auditions
Slating is not common in theatre auditions because both the casting and production directors are usually in the room with you. However, if the audition is being filmed for others to watch later, you’ll be asked to slate in the same way as a film or TV audition.
Slating for self-tapes and remote auditions
With the rise of self-taping and remote auditions, it’s imperative that you record a high-quality slate at home.
Self-tapes
For self-tapes, the casting team will give you clear instructions on what to include in your slate. If you are unsure of anything, always ask them for clarification.
Start with a mid-shot (upper chest and head) filmed in landscape against a plain background. Deliver your slate to camera. Then cut to a full-body shot, also filmed in landscape, before cutting to your audition itself.
Remote auditions
If you are auditioning virtually, set yourself up somewhere where you can provide the casting team with a full-body shot. As with self-tapes, be sure to film somewhere with a plain background and set your camera to film in landscape. Ideally, you should provide the casting team with a full-body shot. If that’s not possible, many casting directors are willing to accept pre-filmed footage of a full-body shot, so make sure you have captured this in your audition outfit and have it ready to send.
While introductions aren’t the be-all and end-all of your audition, delivering a well-rehearsed slate with a confident and warm energy will set a positive tone.