Online castings have become a permanent part of the selection process in Spain. They are not a lesser substitute for the in-person audition: they are a different format with their own rules. Actors who understand those rules have a real advantage over those who show up to a video call as if it were an in-room reading.
The reality of online casting in Spain
National production companies and casting agencies use online formats mainly for: first selection rounds, castings of actors who are not in the same city, and productions on a tight budget. It is not unusual for an actor from Barcelona to do a first online test for a Madrid production, with the in-person audition only coming if they pass the filter.
The most common process is the self-tape (a recording sent in advance), but there are also live castings over Zoom, Google Meet or specialised platforms. This guide covers both formats.
Technical setup: what you can't improvise
An excellent performance ruined by poor image or audio quality won't reach the decision-makers. Technical setup is not an extra: it's the minimum required for your work to be seen.
The camera
The camera of a modern smartphone (iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S20 or equivalents onwards) is enough for an online casting. What matters is not the camera but how you use it:
- Place it at eye level, never looking up from a low table. A low angle distorts the face and gives an unflattering image.
- Rest it on a tripod or stand, never in your hand. Shaking makes it impossible to assess the performance.
- Use the rear camera for self-tapes: it has better resolution than the front one on almost every model.
- Shoot horizontally, in 16:9 format.
The audio
Bad audio is more destructive than a bad image. In online castings, the director needs to hear your voice clearly.
- Record in the quietest room you have. Close windows, turn off fans and fridges if possible.
- A basic external microphone (a €20-30 lavalier) noticeably improves the audio compared to the phone's built-in microphone.
- Avoid rooms with echo (tiles, bare walls). A bedroom with clothes is a natural recording studio.
The lighting
The simplest light that works: a large window to your side (natural side light). If you record at night or have no access to natural light, a €30-40 LED ring light placed in front of you at eye level gives professional results.
What you should avoid:
- A window behind you: your face will be in shadow.
- Ceiling light alone: it creates harsh shadows in the eyes.
- Mixing cool and warm light in the same shot.
The right framing
The standard shot for an actor's casting is the chest shot or medium close-up: the face, neck and shoulders down to the chest are visible. Leave a small space of "headroom" above the head, but not too much.
The background should be neutral and free of distractions. A plain wall, preferably in a colour that doesn't clash with your skin tone. Avoid virtual backgrounds in castings: they give an artificial look that doesn't help.
Continuity tip: If you are going to record several scenes or several takes on the same day, keep the same clothing, lighting and framing. Abrupt changes between scenes signal a lack of professionalism.
On-screen presence: acting for the camera
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Create my free profile →The biggest mistake in online castings is acting for an imaginary room. The camera captures everything: micro-gestures, breathing, the character's thoughts. What requires projection on stage requires restraint on camera.
Key points for on-screen presence:
- Look at the camera, not the screen in live video calls. Real eye contact is created by looking at the lens, even if it feels counter-intuitive.
- In self-tapes, the gaze depends on the scene: it can go slightly to the side of the camera (where the other character would be) or straight at the lens if the character is addressing the viewer.
- Reduce abrupt head movements: the camera amplifies them.
- Speak with clear vocal energy: video-call compression flattens the nuances of the voice.
Before you connect: the protocol
For a live casting video call:
- Test the connection, audio and camera 30 minutes beforehand.
- Close all unnecessary applications on the computer.
- Connect 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Have the text ready: on a sheet of paper outside the frame if you need support.
- Let the people you live with know, to avoid interruptions.
Differences with the self-tape
The self-tape gives you total control: you can repeat as many times as you want and send the best take. This is both an advantage and a trap. Actors who do 40 takes chasing the perfect one usually send something over-rehearsed that loses its freshness.
A reasonable protocol for the self-tape: 3-5 warm-up takes you don't send, and then 2-3 takes "for real". Send the second or third, not the first nor the tenth.
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