SLATE SHOTS (PART 1)
Slate shots are one of the most awkward parts of self-taping. Actors are constantly trying to solve the same impossible puzzle: how do you show full body and still let the room actually see your face clearly at the same time?
SLATE SHOTS ARE AWKWARD
Most current solutions feel clunky.
Vertical videos create giant black bars. Full-body pans feel chaotic. Wide landscape shots often place the actor so far away that the face becomes impossible to read.
A CLEANER WAY TO HANDLE SLATES
I’m a Broadway audition coach, and I’ve recently been seeing a slate-shot setup that feels dramatically cleaner and more professional than most of the common approaches.
The solution is surprisingly simple: shoot two separate videos.
STEP 1: THE FULL-BODY SHOT
First, turn the camera vertically into portrait mode and film a silent full-body shot from head to toe.
This video is purely visual. No talking. Just standing naturally, shifting weight comfortably, smiling if appropriate, and completing any requested physical asks like showing hands or turning around.
Because the frame is vertical, the actor’s entire body fits cleanly without needing awkward camera movement.
STEP 2: THE ACTUAL SLATE
Then shoot a second video horizontally in landscape mode.
This becomes the speaking slate. Frame it much closer: waist up, chest up, or fingertips-up depending on the framing request. The important part is leaving some empty space beside the actor in the frame.
This is where the actor gives the requested information naturally and conversationally:
“Hi, I’m Kyle Branzel. I’m based in New York City. I’m six-two.”
STEP 3: THE EDIT
Once both videos are filmed, mute the vertical full-body clip and layer it over the empty side of the horizontal slate video during editing.
Now both needs get fulfilled simultaneously:
The creative team can clearly see the actor’s face and personality.
The full-body visual remains visible the entire time.
No awkward pans.
No tiny face.
No wasted frame space.
WHY IT WORKS
What makes this approach feel so strong is that it solves multiple problems at once without calling attention to itself.
The framing feels modern and intentional. The actor remains visually legible. The slate feels cleaner, calmer, and easier to watch.
And most importantly, the setup helps the room actually focus on the actor instead of the mechanics of the camera work.
🥜 IN A NUTSHELL
Instead of forcing one slate shot to do everything badly, splitting the slate into two separate videos creates a cleaner, more professional self-tape presentation.
WANT TO GO FURTHER?
If you still feel awkward when you slate, check out part two to learn how to sound and feel more human.
