Spotlight Self-Tape Guide for Self-Represented Performers

 

Manage self-tape requests from your Spotlight account with Spotlight Self-Tape. 

This guide is for self-represented performers. If you have an agent, please use the Spotlight Self-Tape guide for represented performers instead as the process is slightly different. 

With Spotlight Self-Tape, casting professionals can send requests to performers instantly via Spotlight. As a self-represented performer, you can now manage self-tape requests and media uploads in one place within your Spotlight account.

You’ll be notified of any Spotlight Self-Tape requests sent to you by casting directors in two ways:

  1. By email from selftapes@messages.spotlight.com.
  2. In the ‘Self-Tape request’ section of your Spotlight account. 

Use this step-by-step guide to: 

How to View Your Self-Tape Requests in Spotlight

  1. Sign into your Spotlight account.
  2. Click ‘Self-Tape requests’ in the left-hand navigation.
  3. You’ll see a list of all the self-tape requests, their expiry dates and a status indicating if the request is awaiting submission or if you’ve sent a self-tape or declined the request.

Please note, you currently can’t submit self-tapes via the Spotlight app.

How to Accept or Decline a Self-Tape Request

  1. Sign into your Spotlight account.
  2. Click ‘Self-Tape requests’ in the left-hand navigation.
  3. Click on the Self-Tape request to view all of the details such as: the breakdown, casting director details, due date, description, attachments and instructions for the self-tape.
  4. Respond to the request by clicking the ‘RESPOND TO REQUEST’ button.
  5. You have the option to accept or decline the Self-Tape request, alongside a message box where you can send a message to the casting director. It’s important to let them know if you can’t do the self-tape so they can offer the opportunity to someone else. 
  6. Click ‘SUBMIT RESPONSE’.
    • If you’ve accepted the request, you’ll now see the status has changed to ‘Awaiting submission’.
    • If you declined the request, you’ll now see the status has changed to ‘Declined’.
  7. If you’d like to adjust your message, you can click back into the request and click the ‘Edit response’ button.

Please note if the request deadline has passed, you won’t be able to submit a self-tape.

How to Send a Spotlight Self-Tape

  1. Read the instructions sent to you by the casting director and then record your self-tape.
  2. Sign into your Spotlight account.
  3. Click ‘Self-Tape requests’ in the left-hand navigation.
  4. Click on the request.
  5. Click the ‘SUBMIT SELF TAPE’ button
  6. Upload your self-tape video by clicking the ‘Click to select file or drag here’ text link.
  7. Review the video uploaded to confirm it’s the correct one. Once you’ve submitted a self-tape to the casting professional, you can’t edit or delete the video.
  8. Once you’re ready to send your self-tape, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button. 
  9. You’ll receive a second prompt asking if you’re sure you want to submit your video. Click ‘SUBMIT MEDIA’ to proceed or you can click ‘CANCEL’ to go back.

If the casting director is interested in taking you further in the casting process, they’ll contact you via your Spotlight registered email.

Please note, we’re unable to upload any tapes on your behalf. If you’re having technical difficulties, please check our Self-Tape feature FAQs.

 

Spotlight’s Self-Tape feature accepts the following file formats:

  • MP4
  • MOV
  • WEBM
  • MKV
  • AVI
  • MPEG
  • WMV
  • 3GP
  • 3G2

If you need any help, please take a look at our Spotlight Self-Tape FAQs or you can contact our team at questions@spotlight.com.

If you have any urgent queries regarding the request itself, you should contact the casting director directly using the email address found in the original request.