The Casting Networks Discover contest received nearly 3,000 submissions globally, with our winners hailing from Vancouver, Phoenix, New York and Los Angeles.
We wanted to get to know our winners, and they shared their thoughts on the Casting Networks Discover contest, providing helpful self tape tips along the way.
Adult Talent Winner: Jade Rushing (Phoenix, AZ)
Tell me about your submission for the Casting Networks Discover contest. What was your process and what do you think helped you stand out?
I was very nervous to submit because I’m my toughest critic. As a spiritual person, I prayed for the confidence to truly show who I am as an individual, and I was able to express that through my reel. I decided that who I am is good enough, and chose to embrace my authentic self. Showcasing my personality—flaws and all—is what I believe made me stand out the most.
How did you go about your winning self tape for the contest? What was your approach and why did you make the choices you did?
I started out somewhat manufactured. I was nervous to be myself, so I initially portrayed an image that wasn’t very authentic. When I watched the tape back, I thought, “You know what, screw it—I’m going all in with who I really am.”
I decided to be as authentic as possible because the people I admire most in the industry are real and unapologetically themselves. I didn’t want to be chosen for a version of me that conformed to societal expectations. I wanted to be chosen for me.
I showed up with natural hair, little to no makeup, and what I thought was an amateur setup in my room. I let my personality shine through completely, talking about my insecurities and reframing them as my greatest strengths. That vulnerability, I believe, allowed my audience to truly connect with me.
How much time should someone spend creating their self tape?
This is truly up to the individual. If you can create a self tape in five minutes and it’s excellent, then it’s simply an excellent self tape. I don’t focus on the time it takes—I focus on the quality.
Sometimes we don’t realize how talented we truly are. It doesn’t always take 100 takes. In this case, I recorded myself three times, evaluated each take, and chose the most authentic version of me. My biggest advice is to just be YOU.
What’s the best piece of audition advice you have for your peers?
You’re probably going to be sick of me saying this, but BE YOU. Be authentic. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to speak how you speak, to look how you look, to dress how you dress or to smile how you smile.
All your quirks, oddities and anything else that makes you insecure are actually your superpower. You’re doing yourself a disservice by not being who you truly are. Study and rehearse where needed, but most importantly, come as you are and give it your all!
[Editor’s Note: You can watch Jade’s winning self tape here.]
Social Media Stars Winner: Paola Del Castillo (Vancouver, BC)
Tell me about your submission for the Casting Networks Discover contest. What was your process and what do you think helped you stand out?
I was very excited that they were looking for “Talent with a large social media following.” I’m just starting my acting career, but I have been a social media content creator for more than 10 years, so it was exciting to talk on my self tape about two of the things I’m passionate about.
The callback audition felt very natural to me because I was asked to prepare an improvised one-minute pitch on a product. I have experience working with brands like Mattel, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Xbox, among others, so I understand how to promote products in an organic way, bridging the gap between the brand and my audience. I think my experience, passion, creativity and authenticity helped me stand out.
How did you go about your winning self tape for the contest? What was your approach and why did you make the choices you did?
On my self tape, I had to introduce myself to casting, talk about what I do and why I think my content resonates with my followers.
Being a content creator, I didn’t think of it as an audition, but as a short video to introduce myself to new audiences. From a marketing point of view, you, as an actor or content creator, are your own brand, so I knew I had to effectively sell my brand in the few minutes I had available, being true to myself and showing what I had to offer.
How much time should someone spend creating their self tape?
Everyone has their own process and you should stick to what makes you feel more confident and better prepared. In my case, I have found that there is a sweet spot between rushing it and over-preparing. For this self tape, I took around 30 minutes to write down all my ideas and what I wanted to communicate, and then maybe 20 minutes to record.
What’s the best piece of audition advice you have for your peers?
Find what makes you feel at ease, present and connected. Bring your own unique flavor to the role and believe in yourself. Do your best and then forget about the audition. Your job is done—if it’s meant for you it will be, so don’t stress about it.
Youth Talent Winner: Claudia Peng (Los Angeles, CA)
Tell me about your submission for the Casting Networks Discover contest. What was your process and what do you think helped you stand out?
I was so excited when I heard about the [Casting Networks] Discover contest! The idea of being discovered really inspired me, and I wanted to make my submission fun and full of personality.
I think what helped me stand out is my unique combination of talents and energy. As a rhythmic gymnast, I’m both physically and mentally flexible. I’m someone who loves to stay active, embrace challenges and make people around me smile.
My friends often call me “a ball of energy,” and I tried to bring that same energy into my submission. I wanted the judges to feel like they were getting to know the real me—and I hope that’s what made my entry memorable!
How did you go about your winning self tape for the contest? What was your approach and why did you make the choices you did?
I felt really grateful, and my approach is that when I was preparing I was confident and ready for the pitch. I picked my stuffed animal [to talk about] because it’s super special to me, and I knew I could talk about it in a way that felt exciting and different. I made it like a little story, which I think helped me stand out. Plus, I just tried to be myself—confident and real!
I knew the directors would see something in me, and I’m really grateful that they did. I’m so glad that I made a choice to submit to this project and that I chose to be confident in the pitch.
How did it feel to know you were chosen?
It was AMAZING! I was so excited I literally jumped up and down. It felt really cool to know my hard work paid off and that they saw something special in me. It made me feel so proud and happy!
How much time should someone spend creating their self tape?
Not too much, but enough to feel ready. I practiced until I felt good, then spent about an hour filming and picking the best take. As someone has told me before, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Take your time.
What’s the best piece of audition advice you have for your peers?
Be yourself and have fun! The directors love you for you, so let your personality show. And don’t stress—every audition helps you get better! The way I look and perform so confidently is [that] before every audition, I will say a bunch of positive words to myself to make me feel confident, ready and hyped up.
[Editor’s Note: You can watch Claudia’s winning self tape here.]
Film Actors Winner: Bernice Wallace (New York, NY)
Tell me about your submission for the Casting Networks Discover contest. What was your process and what do you think helped you stand out?
My winning self tape was a scene I performed called In the Continuum by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter. It was a very powerful scene of a mother who tries to protect her son’s big secret that will destroy his future and career as an athlete.
I made bold choices that range from a mild motherly scold to a lion protecting her cub. It was something that makes one want to know how things are going to turn out next with more people knowing his health secret.
How much time should someone spend creating their self tape?
As long as the background is free of city noise, you shouldn’t spend more than 25 minutes on your self tapes. [Try] three very different takes and two for safety. After five takes, your energy drops and it becomes a bit robotic. You would have too many takes to review.
What’s the best piece of audition advice you have for your peers?
My audition advice to my peers is: make sure you’re relaxed, be off book, and believe in yourself in how you are telling your interpretation of the story.
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