Introduction to Self-Taping
This two-hour workshop is designed for actors who are new to self-taping, or who would benefit from clearer technical foundations and guidance. The focus is on demystifying the self-tape process and building reliable habits that support performances on camera.
When: Monday 16 March, 19:00-21:00
Where: Zoom
Fee: £15
Participants will be guided through the essential technical elements of self-taping, including framing, lighting, sound, background, camera setup and editing with an emphasis on creating a professional, industry-appropriate result using accessible equipment. We will also look at common pitfalls and how to avoid them, helping actors feel more confident and less overwhelmed by the technical demands of auditions.
Assignments will be set in advance, allowing the session to respond directly to participants’ real questions and challenges. There will be space for practical examples, discussion, and troubleshooting, with the aim of equipping actors with a clear process they can return to independently after the workshop.
MEET THE TUTOR
CRYSTAL YU
Crystal Yu is an actor, voice artist, filmmaker and international educator with a Master’s in Education, working across film, television, theatre, games and radio drama. Some of her recent TV and Film credits include Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 (Netflix), Summerwater (Channel 4), Sunrise (Lionsgate) alongside Guy Pearce, Oscar shortlisted live action short The One Note Man with Sir Ian McKellen and Jason Watkins, Doctor Who (Disney/BBC America), Good Omens (Amazon), Series Regular on Casualty (BBC). In voice, her work spans across games such as Diablo IV, Apex Legends, Skull and Bones, Duet Night Abyss, Arknights, Capes and recent BBC Radio Dramas Murder on Mars and Made in Taiwan. She brings current industry knowledge and experience directly into the classroom.
Alongside her career as a multilingual artist, she leads the Screen Acting modules at The Bridge Theatre Training Company and created Directing Actors: An Actor's Perspective for the National Film and Television School (NFTS). She also recently served as the Co–Executive Producer and Cantonese Dialect Consultant on Vera Miao’s upcoming feature Rock Springs, starring Benedict Wong, Kelly Marie Tran and Jimmy O’Yang.
Crystal is particularly attuned to the experiences of actors from multicultural and multilingual backgrounds and understands the challenges of navigating training, industry, and identity. Her teaching prioritises space for experimentation, reflection, as well as technical rigour, helping actors build confidence without losing their individuality.