We are excited to announce the launch of our Self-Tape feature on Spotlight. This will allow casting directors to request and receive Self-Tapes directly through the Spotlight website making it a far easier process for casting professionals and performers. This is currently in a Beta phase meaning that this new feature is being tested in a live environment with a small number of casting directors. We will be collecting feedback and streamlining the process before releasing it to all our casting members in the near future.
Our team has put together a comprehensive guide along with a few help videos to show how our new self-tape feature works: Self-Tape Guide for Performers
If you are experiencing technical issues, please see our Self-Tape Technical Specifications & Troubleshooting Tips advice.
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below. If this does not answer your question, please Submit a request and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
How will I know if I have received a Self-Tape request?
What will be included in the Self-Tape request?
What is the process for submitting a Self-Tape request?
How do I increase the limit of Self-Tape I am able to submit?
I have submitted my Self-Tape in error, how can I change this?
How do I know my Self-Tape has been submitted?
I am not able to submit my Self-Tape, can Spotlight upload this for me?
What if I am unable / wish not to submit for this job, what do I do?
I have submitted my Self-Tape, what happens now?
I have missed the deadline to submit my Self-Tape - what do I do?
Will there be a log of my Self-Tape requests/submissions?
Can you reuse a Self-Tape from the system?
Why does it say “Beta” next to my Self-Tape tab?
How will I know if I have received a Self-Tape request?
If you have received a self-tape request through Spotlight, an email will be sent directly to your registered email address. The emails will be sent from selftapes@messages.spotlight.com so as not to be confused with job emails which are sent from link@spotlight.com. Self-tape requests will also show from within your Spotlight account in the Jobs Feed - all requests will land in the Tape Requests tab at the top.
What will be included in the Self-Tape request?
The request and email will include the date and time that the tape/s will need to be submitted by, specific self-tape instructions along with any attachments PDFs/JPGs and the number of tapes the casting team have requested. Please ensure your tape is submitted in good time in case you encounter any technical issues.
What is the process for submitting a Self-Tape request?
- Respond to the request: This will let the casting team know that you have accepted or declined the request. There is also a free-type text box so you can include a message to the director which may be particularly beneficial if you are declining a request.
- Prepare your self-tape: Read the self-tape instructions supplied by the casting team and record your self-tape. Pay attention to the expiry date shown on the breakdown to ensure you submit in time.
- Submit your self-tape: When you are happy with your self-tape, now is the time to submit your tape to the casting team.
How do I submit my Self-Tape?
Once you have recorded your self-tape/s and are ready to submit, sign into your Spotlight account and find the self-tape request in the Tape Requests tab. Here you will be able to select the request you are ready to submit for and click the blue Submit Self-Tape button.
The submissions window will open and you can add your self-tape by selecting the file from your computer or by dragging and dropping the file into the upload area. Once uploaded - you are ready to submit.
Please note: Submissions are final and cannot be edited or deleted once submitted. Please take extra care to ensure the correct files have been uploaded.
How do I increase the limit of Self-Tape I am able to submit?
The self-tape limit is set by the casting professional who has requested the tapes and cannot be changed. You may consider stitching your tapes together if you have more tapes to submit than has been requested. Our Technical Troubleshooting FAQs might be helpful if you need to join videos together
I have submitted my Self-Tape in error, how can I change this?
All submissions are final and cannot be edited. You would need to contact the casting team if there has been a problem with your submission.
How do I know my Self-Tape has been submitted?
Once your self-tape has been submitted successfully, you will see this in the self-tape request tab - the self-tape will be marked with a green banner saying Self-tape sent.
If the tape is showing as “Processing” - this does not mean it has not been successfully uploaded - it simply means that the tape is processing on the casting directors side. As long as the status has been changed to Self-Tape sent and is showing in green, then the showreel has successfully been submitted.
I am not able to submit my Self-Tape, can Spotlight upload this for me?
Unfortunately it is not possible for Spotlight to upload a self-tape on behalf of members. If you are experiencing technical issues uploading a tape, please see our Technical Troubleshooting tips here. You can also get in touch with the casting team for further assistance. They may be able to accept a self-tape outside of Spotlight and should be able to advise further as to how this can be done.
What if I am unable / wish not to submit for this job, what do I do?
If you are unable to submit a self-tape, you can decline the request from within your account and the casting team will refrain from contacting you any further.
I have submitted my Self-Tape, what happens now?
Once your self-tape has been submitted, this is now ready to be reviewed by the casting team. If they are interested, they will send you further requests for information, further self-tapes or audition information. Keep an eye on your inbox - these messages will be sent from selftapes@messages.spotlight.com so that they are not confused with other Spotlight messages and can be prioritised.
I have missed the deadline to submit my Self-Tape - what do I do?
Once the deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to submit a self-tape for that request. The only way to submit is if the casting team resubmits a self-tape request to you.
Will there be a log of my Self-Tape requests/submissions?
All self-tape requests and submissions will be saved in your Tapes requests Tab. You can see a history of what has been sent but you cannot edit what has already been sent.
Can you reuse a Self-Tape from the system?
If you would like to reuse a self-tape that has previously been submitted, you will need to reupload the original tape. It is not currently possible to reuse a submitted self-tape through Spotlight. Once a self-tape has been submitted, the tape belongs to the casting director and cannot be downloaded, edited or deleted.
Why does it say “Beta” next to my Self-Tape tab?
As this is a new feature, this means that we are testing this feature in real time and the functionality of the feature may change following on from the feedback we receive and while we develop this feature further. Feedback can be submitted from within the self-tape page, just look out for the feedback pop up or you can submit your feedback directly through our feedback form.