5 Tips for Video Auditions
In our Audition 101 Series, we shared five tips for dance resumés and video reels. Next up, we're sharing five tips for video auditions.
1. Introduce yourself at the beginning of the video. You might not think this is necessary, but it helps the viewer remember your face and connect with you. Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager recommends that "dancers introduce themselves by name at the beginning so you can see their face - otherwise the video can feel very impersonal".
2. Check each website for specific requirements. Usually, companies and summer intensives post a list of what they would like to see in a video audition. This means that each video you create for an audition probably will include slightly different things. One might ask for barre exercises en pointe, while another might ask for both right and left sides of barre exercises. Each company carefully considers what they need to see in an audition video, so pay attention and show them what they requested.
3. Choose a flattering camera angle. If the camera angle is not specified on the website, film your audition from an angle that shows off your lines. As demonstrated in croisé, écarté, and épaulement, ballet is all about finding the right angle for your physique. Take a couple of minutes and experiment with camera angles before filming.
4. Use good lighting. Even in non-dance videos, lighting will determine the quality of the video. Before you start filming, double-check that the lighting looks good in the video. If you're having a hard time finding a well-lit space that doesn't appear yellow, we suggest filming during daylight hours, as natural light usually helps.
5. Submit an audition video with clean takes. In between combinations, take a moment to check the quality of each take. You want to make sure that part of your body did not leave the frame, and that the camera was steady throughout the whole video. It's better to re-film a video for a good, clean take rather than send an audition video that has shaky moments and occasionally cuts off your foot.
Have more questions or want someone to help review your video reel? The School of Ballet 5:8 offers dancer coaching sessions where an experienced professional dancer can give you feedback and advice.