A trained technician will record your rehearsal and/or audition, serve as your reader, and/or offer creative feedback upon request.

Sessions are 30 minutes and you must bring a storage device for your footage. We recommend either an SD card (UHS-I or UHS-II) or a USB 3.0 flash drive with a 32GB or 64GB capacity.

All members using our in-person facilities must be COVID-19 vaccinated and boosted and must bring a copy of their vaccination record to enter. Masks are required when inside our facilities, unless you are instructed to remove your mask by a member of staff.

If you’re feeling sick, please don’t come into our in-person labs. Instead, feel free to take advantage of our virtual services.

Please read all information and our On-Camera Lab rules before booking a session.

Our Virtual On-Camera Sessions and Tech Help Desk remain available and accessible to all SAG-AFTRA members nationwide.

Our Virtual On-Camera Sessions allow members to remotely record rehearsals and/or auditions via Zoom with a trained technician who helps troubleshoot any technical issues, serve as a reader, if necessary, and offer creative feedback upon request. Members can be provided with a Zoom recording after the session upon request. For optimal recording quality, members are encouraged to record themselves with an additional device (such as an iPhone or DSLR).

Virtual On-Camera Sessions are now available on Saturdays.

The Virtual Tech Help Desk is an additional free resource available to all SAG-AFTRA members to assist with home set-ups and answer any technical questions — from needing help with lighting, to framing the shot, to recommendations on the best equipment for your livestream callback.

To reserve a time slot, go to your Member Dashboard and select “BOOK AN ON-CAMERA LAB SESSION.” Then, choose the calendar you’re interested in and reserve an open slot. Make sure to select the appropriate calendar, as we have both in-person and online options.

You can book up to 5 days in advance. The 5-day window includes the days that the On-Camera Labs are closed. You can sign up a total of twice per week. Sessions are 30 minutes.

Keep in mind, you will not be allowed to exceed your scheduled time, so please come prepared.

The deadline to cancel is 24 hours before your session and must be done via the website booking calendar ONLY (no phone calls or email). This policy exists to accommodate as many members as possible, and late cancellations prevent us from filling those slots.

When attending the In-Person OCL in LA or NY –  Please bring 2 copies of your sides with you (printing services are not available). You are also required to bring a storage device for your footage. We recommend either an SD card (UHS-I or UHS-II) or a USB 3.0 flash drive with a 32GB or 64GB capacity.

There is no talking in the reception area of the OCL because it can disrupt the recordings. Do not plan to rehearse onsite.

If you’re feeling sick, please don’t come into our in-person labs. Instead, feel free to take advantage of our virtual services.

When recording a Virtual On-Camera Session – Email sides to ocl@sagaftra.foundation prior to your session. Your lab technician must receive sides at least one hour prior to the session starting.

You must have a stable internet connection.

Please come prepared. This means you have rehearsed your lines and you know all of the casting director’s instructions for the audition.

Be on time. The session that follows yours will promptly follow so we are unable to offer extra time.

Make sure to silence all devices and turn off notifications. Otherwise, it may ruin your best take. 

Members under 18 years old are REQUIRED to have their parent or guardian present during the recording session. There will be no recording session without a parent or guardian present.

You are responsible for uploading and submitting your audition. Our technician will not be available to assist you with editing, uploading or submitting your audition, so please familiarize yourself with these processes prior to using the lab.

If you are bringing your own reader, please provide us with their name/contact info when you book your session (we will provide a session link, if virtual session). Readers do not have to be SAG-AFTRA members, but under no circumstances will the non-members be recorded.

Your appointment is only for you. You cannot book an appointment for another member or non-member. You are expected to use the lab for the duration of your appointment.

The deadline to cancel is 24 hours before your session and must be done via the website booking calendar ONLY (no phone calls or email). If you do not cancel with at least 24 hours notice, you will be marked a “No-Show.”

Failure to show for an appointment will result in a “No-Show.” Two “No-Shows” within 60 days will restrict your ability to sign up for new appointments for 90 days.

Get all the info you need on selecting the perfect microphone for your audition. We take a look (and listen) at today’s most popular brands such as the RØDE NTG2, the Blue Snowball Mic, the BOYA BY-M1 Lav, and a typical smartphone, and give you a quick and comprehensive rundown on how each compares. Let your eyes do the watching now, and your ears will thank you later.

Get all the info you need on creating the perfect lighting setup for your audition. In this video, we compare and contrast natural light, 3-point lighting, and ring lighting, to help you achieve a soft-diffused look you can rely on in order to get consistent results.

Learn about the basic workflow of editing and uploading your footage from your smartphone. In this video, we show you tips and tricks on how to trim, color, fade; as well as offering a look at the various editing apps and programs available.

Learn how to improve your livestreaming image quality. In this video, we take a look at how to turn a common camera into a webcam, and highlight the anticipated results using various camera samples, complemented by lighting and sound.

Learn how to properly illuminate your self-tape using three-point lighting: from placing a key, to using a fill, to the multiple ways you can set up hair lighting.

Learn how to properly illuminate yourself using a two-light setup, including how to arrange your equipment to light the subject and illuminate the background for optimal balance.

Learn how to match the color temperature of all of your lights, whether you’re working in daylight or at night, to create a balanced image.

Learn how to correct your at-home setup to stop lights and/or your computer screen from reflecting off your glasses to present your best self!

Learn the ins-and-outs of the program’s versatility that can help enhance your mobile cinematography.

Discover advanced features on the Zoom Mobile App you might not have known before!

Please email the respective On-Camera Lab:

In-Person OCL in LA: auditionLA@sagaftra.foundation

In-Person OCL in NY: auditionNY@sagaftra.foundation

Virtual On-Camera Sessions: ocl@sagaftra.foundation

Need suggestions on equipment for self-tapes? Check out our list of recommended items here.