How do I submit a self-tape on Backstage?

Backstage lets you upload self-tapes as part of your application. Keep it simple, keep it inside the platform.

To upload:

1. Click Apply on the casting.
2. In the application form, find the Upload Video or Self-Tape field.
3. Select your MP4 or MOV file (usually up to ~500MB).
4. Wait for the upload to complete before submitting the form.
5. Preview if possible.

Format rules that matter:

• Landscape orientation, 16:9. No vertical video.
• 1080p is the sweet spot — 4K is unnecessary and uploads slowly, 720p looks dated.
• Clean audio. This matters more than picture quality. A cheap lavalier mic beats a $1000 camera with built-in audio.
• Slate at the start if the breakdown asks for it — usually name, agency, city, role name.

What casting wants to see:

A clear, well-lit, one-take performance. Not a short film, not a montage, not a reel. Just the scene they asked for, shot cleanly.

Avoid:

• Linking to external hosts. Casting directors get hundreds of submissions and won't click through to Drive links.
• Oversized files that fail to upload. Compress to under 500MB.
• Submitting past the deadline. Backstage enforces deadlines hard.