Slate + Ident
How to slate for a self-tape audition
A slate identifies the performer; the scene shows the acting. Keeping those jobs separate makes your submission easier to review and gives you a clean reset before stepping into character.
Turn the request into a short spoken sequence
Read the slate instructions separately from the scene instructions. Note which details are requested, whether the slate belongs before or after the scene, and whether casting wants a separate file. Do not assume a format from a previous audition carries over. An ident is another name for this introduction, particularly in UK casting contexts.
Draft only the requested information in its requested order. A simple practice version might be your name followed by a requested location or representation detail. Keep an example as a rehearsal aid rather than a universal script: some productions ask for different information, while others do not request a slate at all. Avoid adding contact details or a home address to the recording.
Treat each framing request as its own shot
A face slate, profiles, hands, and a full-body shot solve different identification tasks. Check the notice before assuming all are necessary. For a full-body image, test whether both your head and feet remain visible; move the camera or choose a suitable safe space rather than trying to squeeze into the scene's close-up framing.
Record a short technical test after each framing change. A camera moved farther away may make speech quieter, and a full-length view may reveal a distracting object outside the original crop. Use the requested orientation, avoid camera movement during a shot, and restore the scene framing and reader position before performing. Comfortable clothing that separates you from the background helps the shot remain readable.
Keep the introduction natural and the package precise
Look toward the lens when delivering identification unless the request says otherwise. Use a clear speaking voice and an unhurried pace; a slate does not need a character voice, dramatic backstory, or elaborate greeting. Finish the sentence, pause briefly, and stop recording. If a detail was inaccurate, record a clean replacement instead of including an apology or explanation in the final clip.
Label the selected slate so it cannot be confused with an acting take. If casting requests one combined video, check the order against the notice; if separate clips are requested, preserve that separation. Watch the exported result from beginning to end. Confirm names are audible, the intended shots are present, and the slate has not been accidentally attached to an unrelated scene or alternate take.
Practical checklist
- Include only the requested identification details.
- Check separate-file instructions and slate placement.
- Test profiles, hands, or full-body framing when requested.
- Reset the camera and reader for the scene.
- Review the final exported slate, not just the camera preview.
Industry references and further reading
- Spotlight: the guide to idents
An industry explanation of slates, profiles, and full-length framing. Use the actual audition request to decide which details to include.