the new players
self-tape kit
Self-taping has become an essential part of an actor’ life — and after burning through more than a few flimsy ring lights and plastic tripods, we decided to make one ourselves!
That’s how our custom self-tape kit was born. Built with high-quality, prosumer components that are durable, versatile, and made to last.
This setup is completely wireless, eliminating reaching for an outlet or messy extension cords. It packs down and is compact enough to fit in the included 22” tripod case, making it perfect for travel in a carry-on or tucking away for easy home storage.
Wherever you go, with this self-tape kit, you’ll have studio-quality lighting and audio ready to roll.
Click the images below to shop each item directly or visit our full self-tape kit storefront on Amazon.
Instructional video coming soon!
built for actors
Components
The K & F Concept 90” Tripod is a great choice for this self-tape kit because it’s lightweight but durable and collapses into a compact package for storage or traveling.
The adjustable center pole is perfect for actors of all heights and makes transitions between standing and sitting scenes a breeze!
This tripod also comes with a travel bag included which neatly fits all the addition self-tape equipment.
tripod
The SmallRig 15mm rod baseplate is used to connect the tripod to the rods that will support the LED lights.
We like this one for its price point and ease of use. It’s made of durable aluminum and allows for the user to adjust the rod distance from the camera, helping shape and direct the light on facing the actor.
baseplate
These 15mm aluminum rods are used as light supports that extend on either side of the camera.
By using these, the user can control light distance and direction.
15mm rods
15mm to coldshoe adapter
These adapters fasten onto the ends of the 15mm rods, allowing the user to connect the lights to the coldshoe mount on top.
By using these adapters, the user is able to secure the light firmly to the tripod base and adjust the light direction freely.
Be sure to buy two of these as you will need one for each light.
coldshoe plate
This coldshoe plate attaches to the top of the SmallRig baseplate shown above which allows the user to securely attach the phone mount to the tripod base.
This item comes in a pack of two but you will only need one.
*If you decide to mount a DSLR camera for recording, you will not need this mount.
The Phone Mount is what you will use to mount your phone to the tripod. We like this aluminum mount from SmallRig as it is extremely durable and won’t break numerous uses. It also flips over so actors can easily review takes without having to move the tripod, take their phone off or walk around the self-tape set up.
phone mount
There are a ton of pocket video LED lights available on the market but we chose these Ulanzi LED Pocket Lights because of their affordable price point, output power and RGB functionality. They plug in using a regular USB-C charging cable (included) and hold a charge for several hours. You can adjust the brightness and color on these lights, making them extremely versatile.
They also come with a diffuser gel that we recommend using as it helps soften the light for a more even look.
*Make sure to purchase two as you will need one for each side of the camera.
led lights
These 1/4” screw to coldshoe adapters are not necessary as the Ulanzi lights come with their own but we found the quality of the Ulanzi adapters to be quite poor and broke after a few uses.
We recommend these adapters from SmallRig to mount your lights to the coldshoes on the 15mm rods as the are high quality and very durable.
These come in a pack of two and you’ll need both – one for each light.
1/4” to coldshoe adapter
microphone
An external microphone is not required for self-tape auditions but we highly recommend investing in one as it allows the actor’s voice to be captured at a much higher quality than with the built in microphone on a phone or camera.
We recommend the Rode VideoMicro II as it has a great price and delivers high quality audio that syncs directly to the video recording device.
Rode also has a companion app that allows users to adjust audio settings to their liking.
If you’re purchasing this microphone to use with a phone, make sure to also pick up the 3.5mm to USB-C cable separately. This cable is required to use the mic’s full capabilities with an iPhone or Android device.
There are endless backdrop options on the market but we recommend something like the one pictured here. It’s large enough to cover the performers body and provides a small amount of texture to fill the background and give your audition tapes a bit of dynamic perspective.
Why Blue?
Blue backgrounds are used by casting in auditions and for self-tapes because they are a neutral, professional color that complements most skin tones and minimizes distractions, putting the focus squarely on the actor's performance.
backdrop
We also recommend a collapsible backdrop like this one pictured here.
It’s compact and when expanded remains wrinkle-free, preventing distractions and providing a clean background for the actor’s performance.
These come in endless colors but again, we recommend using a blue or grey color to draw focus to the actor’s performance.