{"id":1184,"date":"2024-01-26T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=1184"},"modified":"2026-02-24T08:53:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:53:21","slug":"improving-your-self-tapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/getting-work\/improving-your-self-tapes\/","title":{"rendered":"Technical Tips to Improve Your Self-Tape"},"content":{"rendered":"

Master lighting, settings, and backdrops with our expert guide to fixing common self-tape issues.<\/span><\/h2>\n

In all our years of providing <\/span>industry advice<\/span><\/a> and helping performers <\/span>improve their Spotlight profiles<\/span><\/a>, we\u2019ve seen a lot of self-tapes, and we\u2019ve noticed a few recurring issues actors are having while filming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide demystifies the technical side of self-taping, helping you eliminate distracting graininess, exposure issues, and ‘banding’ lines. By following these industry-standard fixes for lighting and camera settings, you\u2019ll ensure your technical quality matches your performance \u2013 making it easier for casting directors to focus on your talent rather than your file size.<\/p>\n

Why is My Self-Tape so Grainy?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lighting Issues<\/b><\/p>\n

Visual noise or graininess usually happens because there isn\u2019t enough light in the location where you\u2019re filming. The less light there is, the more the camera has to electronically boost the signal, and this is what causes the visual noise. It may not be noticeable watching the footage back on the small screen of your phone or camera, but it can be obvious when watching it on a larger screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

To fix this, it\u2019s best to introduce more light to the scene. We recommend finding somewhere brighter to film, like in front of a window on a sunny day, or if you want to invest in some lights, <\/span>softboxes<\/span><\/a> are a good option.<\/span><\/p>\n

File Compression<\/b><\/p>\n

Alternatively, the graininess could be due to attaching the video files directly to an email using your phone. By doing this, your phone will usually automatically compress the video file to reduce the file size.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can get around this by using <\/span>WeTransfer<\/span> to send the original file. The website works on most browsers \u2013 even ones on mobile devices \u2013 and there\u2019s also an app that you can download for iOS and Android.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are My Self-Tape Files so Big?<\/span><\/h3>\n

High Quality<\/b><\/p>\n

When people shoot in 4K or Ultra High Definition (UHD), it has up to four times the resolution of regular HD, and therefore the files are much bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to shoot in HD instead. The cameras used to shoot the live-action sequences of James Cameron\u2019s <\/span>Avatar<\/span><\/i> were HD, and if HD is good enough for Cameron, it\u2019s going to be good enough for your self-tape.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you introduce more light to the scene, you can shoot at a lower resolution without the graininess and your files will be smaller.<\/span><\/p>\n

High Frames per Second<\/b><\/p>\n

Sometimes people shoot at 60 frames per second but shooting your self-tape at 24, 25, or even 30 frames per second will reduce your file size. The majority of films are shot at 24 or 25 frames per second, so there isn\u2019t a need to shoot any higher.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still having difficulty with files that are too large you can convert them online using an online video converter, or by <\/span>following the instructions in this article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is My Face Overexposed?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your Background is Too Dark<\/b><\/p>\n

When using the automatic exposure settings on a camera, it will take an overall sample of the image and adjust to give an even exposure over the entire image. If your background is considerably darker than your skin tone, it will let more light in to get this even exposure, and could overexpose your face.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can fix this by trying to light the entire image evenly. Place a neutral backdrop \u2013 <\/span>like a grey bedsheet<\/span><\/a> \u2013 behind you. Ensure it\u2019s lit with the same light and sit closer to the backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve found that a neutral 18% grey backdrop helps set the automatic exposure to the perfect level, whatever your skin tone. If you\u2019re planning to re-decorate at any point in the future, Dulux Grey Steel 1 is the paint colour that\u2019s the closest match.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is My Face Underexposed?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your Background is Too Bright<\/b><\/p>\n

This will often be because there is something in the background that is brighter than your skin tone \u2013 a window or a light source, and the automatic exposure feature on your camera will try to compensate for it by darkening the image.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can fix this by trying to light the entire image evenly. Place a neutral backdrop \u2013 <\/span>like a grey bedsheet<\/span><\/a> \u2013 behind you. Ensure it\u2019s lit with the same light and sit closer to the backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we said, a neutral 18% grey backdrop helps set the automatic exposure to the perfect level, whatever your skin tone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also ways to manually adjust the exposure on your phone by using certain apps. You can find lots of blogs discussing the options for various phones through Google.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adjusting the exposure on your DSLR or mirrorless camera<\/span> can be done easily \u2013 read your camera\u2019s manual for more information about how to do this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are My Skin Tones a Funny Colour?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your Background is Coloured<\/b><\/p>\n

The automatic white balance (AWB) of the camera will try to compensate for a coloured background by adding the opposite colour to the image. This can make your skin tones look wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can fix this by self-taping in front of a non-coloured background \u2013 which is why we recommend a neutral grey backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are There Funny Lines Slowly Making Their Way Down the Screen?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Different Electrical Frequency<\/b><\/p>\n

This is called banding and is usually caused when you use certain lights on a different electrical frequency to that of your camera.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the UK our power network is an alternating current at 50Hz. The electrical signal alternates 50 times a second. In certain types of light bulbs, this causes them to dip in brightness 50 times a second which is unnoticeable to the human eye. This is why UK Television shows were historically shot and broadcast in 25 frames, (or 50 interlaced fields) per second \u2013 so that the dip in the lighting would be in sync with the shutter in the camera, and on the television with the alternating current.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the USA the electrical system runs at 60Hz (actually 59.976 hz, but we won\u2019t be picky) which is why they shoot at 24 or 30 frames per second, to synchronise with their alternating current.<\/span><\/p>\n

The way to fix banding if you\u2019re in the UK is to change the frame rate on your camera to 25 frames per second (FPS).<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in a 60Hz electrical system, change it to 30 or 24 FPS or, if you can, change the shutter speed to a value that\u2019s divisible by the frequency of the electrical system of your country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Are My Files Taking so Long to Upload?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Poor Internet Connection<\/b><\/p>\n

Often when using WiFi, the upload speeds can be directly related to the strength of the signal, and the number of different WiFi networks in the area. Interference from other electrical items in your house may also affect the performance of your WiFi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try moving your computer closer to your router, or if you can, attach your computer directly to the router using an ethernet cable. This should speed things up considerably.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using a mobile phone, you could try using 4G if you have enough availability on your data allowance. If it doesn\u2019t, then you may just have to be patient.<\/span><\/p>\n

General Self-Taping Advice:<\/span><\/h3>\n