Nailing Your Solo Audition Video: 8 Top Tips

NBA and NFL pro cheer teams have adopted a safer way to conduct their auditions in this time of a pandemic. Some do everything virtual while others opt for a hybrid approach. But they have one thing in common: Preliminary rounds are mostly done through video submissions.

It’s quite a new concept for aspiring cheerleaders who have never auditioned before. If this is your first time to audition as well, you must understand that to succeed at the virtual audition rounds, the quality of your video should be above average. Find out more about what I mean below.

1. Set the room’s lighting to best fit your camera

If you plan to record your video submission indoors using lightbulbs, see to it that the overhead lighting accentuates your entire body. Use two additional ring bulbs on each side of your camera and point them towards you.

For those who prefer to use natural lighting, position the camera against the outdoor’s glare. If you face the camera towards any window where light enters, your video will end up looking like a silhouette dancing to music.

2. Read the directions carefully

After submitting your application, you’ll receive instructions from the squad managers regarding which cameras to use and the video format to submit your entry in. There will also be rules regarding the filters and editing of your video.

Some teams may allow them and others won’t. It’s important that you read the instructions thoroughly as not following the specified submission format could cause you to lose the judges’ favors or worse, be disqualified.

3. Eliminate extra noise as you record

Recording your audition video outdoors is good until the wind interferes with the audio. You can use fur covers for your phone or a separate microphone. Pick a place far from other forms of noise as well as you record your video. A few examples of these noises include construction activity, crying babies, passing cars, and barking dogs.

4. Position your camera right

Your camera should capture your entire body. It shouldn’t be placed too far away, near, high, or low. The best camera positioning to record a dance video is at your chest level. So it would be best that you secure a tripod for your recording device.

5. Eliminate visual distractions

You should also help the judges focus on you as they watch your submission. Minimize clutter from the backdrop if you’re recording in your home. If you’re recording outdoors, choose a background with no movement.

6. Make sure you’re alone as you record

If you don’t live alone, tell your family members or other housemates not to pass by the back and make any unnecessary noise as you record. Put your pets in their cages as well. Passing objects, people, and animals will not only distract the judges but also yourself during a recording run. That would cause you to make mistakes and do another take which would be tiring.

7. Do multiple practices and recording trials

Before you record the final video, see to it that everything is right and proper. There is no better way to achieve perfection than running multiple recording trials to capture the best sound quality, lighting, and background setup. While you’re doing trials, use the opportunity to polish the pro cheer team’s given choreography and your solo performance.

8. Relax before your final recording

In your video submission, the judges won’t only check your dancing abilities and skills, but they’ll also determine your level of confidence as they watch. To perform with poise, always start with a calm mind. Don’t rush. Take all the time you need to breathe in and out. When you’re ready, play the music and give it your all with a smile!

Virtual audition rounds aren’t that different from their in-person counterparts. Although judges won’t get to see you perform in person, they’ll still look for the same potential candidate qualities in your video. You must show them what you got by passing a clear recording that’s easy for them to focus on.

More articles for virtual auditions here:

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