How to Self-Tape Without a Reader

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If you can't get someone to self-tape with you in person, you still have three workable options: bring in a reader by video call, record the other character's lines in advance, or use an app that acts as a reader. None is best for every audition. The right choice depends on how much interaction the scene needs, how soon it is due, and how many takes you expect to do.

Three options

For live interaction and feedback

1. Ask a friend or paid reader to join virtually

A virtual reader gives you another person to play off and can offer feedback between takes. If this helps you do your best work, it may be worth the scheduling effort. A video call can add a slight lag, especially in quick exchanges or overlapping dialogue. Connection issues could also arise and ruin a take. Send the sides ahead of time and do a short sound and timing check before the first take.

Simple fallback

2. Prerecord the reader lines

Record the other character's lines into a voice memo or audio editor, timing out space for your dialogue, then play the track from a second phone, tablet, or laptop while your camera records. This works well for a short, evenly paced scene, but the track cannot react to you. If you want to change a beat as you work on the scene, changing the pacing means making the recording again.

For repeated takes and easy changes

3. Use a cue-aware reader app

A cue-aware app listens while you perform and plays the next reader line after you finish yours. Unlike a fixed audio track, it can wait through a pause and follow changes in pacing. This is useful when you need to record, review, adjust, and go again without scheduling another person for every take. With OnBook, setup starts by uploading the sides you were given.

When OnBook fits

OnBook is the third kind of setup. On iPhone or iPad, you upload a PDF of your sides, choose your character, and run the scene with an on-device reader voice that responds to your cues. Once the script is prepared, cue matching runs on the device, so rehearsal does not depend on a live call or internet access. OnBook acts as the reader on a second device; it does not record the self-tape video. It is a practical fit when getting a friend or paid reader isn't possible, and especially useful if you want to practice or do many takes—it never tires.

Watch the short OnBook demo to see the reader workflow before deciding whether it suits the scene.

A simple two-device setup

  1. 01 Frame and lock the recording device before positioning the reader.
  2. 02 Place the device running OnBook close to the lens on the side that gives you the intended eyeline. Keep it out of frame.
  3. 03 Start recording, then hit play in OnBook. Use Teleprompter mode and you'll never need to memorize your lines.

Choose based on the audition

  • Use a friend or paid reader when you feel live interaction will help you do your best.
  • Use prerecorded lines when you are comfortable fitting your performance to a fixed timing.
  • Use a cue-aware app when you want more freedom to act and repeated takes without needing to coordinate a reader. With OnBook, a friend can record the reader lines ahead of time, so you get their voice with cue-aware timing.

if a cue-aware reader fits

Try the workflow with your own sides

Upload your sides and start self-taping or rehearsing with a reader you control.

OnBook

Free download. One free sides upload each month. Unlimited rehearsals and takes.

Your sides stay yours. Always.