Keep It or Click Delete? The Great Self-Tape Debate
How Long Should You Keep Your Child’s Self-Tape Auditions?
Spoiler: The answer isn’t “forever.” But it also isn’t “delete immediately.”
Let’s start with a truth bomb that might rattle your hard drive: the audition is the job. Whether or not your child books the role, every self-tape is a moment of performance. So, first and foremost—do your best, send it off, and let it go. That’s the mindset we aim to instill in our actors: do the work, then detach from the outcome.
Let’s unpack this topic, one archived clip at a time.
1. Keep It for One Year. That’s It.
Think of it like a digital wardrobe: if you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably don’t need it. Same goes for most self-tapes.
Casting moves fast. If you weren’t pinned or booked, the tape’s purpose has likely expired.
Projects change titles, casting, or disappear altogether.
One year gives you a window to revisit, reflect, and repurpose—without drowning in files.
Set a “spring cleaning” reminder: At the end of each year, do a quick purge. Label your best, delete the rest.
2. Save the Favorites (Strategically)
There are reasons to keep select tapes longer:
Demo Reel Gold: Sometimes a self-tape ends up being better than the final product. If your child nailed a type, character, or tone that could sell them for future roles, hang onto it.
Progress Tracking: Watching growth over time is powerful. Save a few from each year to compare confidence, technique, and range.
Highlight Archive: Create a “best of” playlist. Even if it’s just for your own nostalgia—or your child’s college acting application down the line.
3. Avoid the Digital Junk Drawer
Self-tapes are large files. Multiply that by dozens per year and suddenly you’re hoarding pixels like a squirrel hoards acorns.
Here’s how to avoid clutter:
Google Drive – 15GB free; organize by year/month/project.
Dropbox – Great for sharing tapes with reps and easy-to-navigate folders.
iCloud Drive – Seamless for Apple users (but keep an eye on that storage cap).
External SSD – If you’re the type who likes control and zero subscription fees.
Digital Asset Managers – (like Mylio or Adobe Bridge) if you’re juggling tons of footage.
Name files clearly.
Use tags like: "Chloe_Smith_CrimeDrama_2025_Scene2_BestTake.mp4"
Not: "IMG_0098.mov" (we’ve all been there).
4. NDAs and Posting Etiquette
Here’s where the “but what if it was so good?” instinct must be tamed.
If you signed an NDA, assume everything is off-limits until publicly released.
Don’t post audition tapes online unless you’ve confirmed it’s okay (especially pilots, name-brand films, or unannounced projects).
When in doubt, ask your manager or agent. A simple, “Hey, is this tape sharable yet?” can save you from stepping on a studio’s legal landmine.
Instead of posting, consider:
A private demo reel link (Vimeo, unlisted YouTube)
Clips shared directly with reps or coaches for feedback
5. Make a Yearly Compilation
Every December or January, gather your top 3–5 tapes and make a “Year in Tape” folder.
It becomes:
A growth tracker
A visual résumé
A time capsule
If your child has been acting for several years, these retrospectives can be incredibly motivating. (“Wow, I was awkward in 2021!” is a rite of passage.)
Keep your child’s self-tapes for about a year. Be intentional. Save the great ones, let go of the rest. Use cloud storage wisely. Keep NDAs in mind. And once in a while—go back and celebrate the progress.
Because whether or not your kid books the gig, the fact they showed up, prepped, and performed? That’s the real win.
FAQ
Q: Should I keep every take or just the one we submitted?
A: Only keep the final submitted version unless an alternate take offers something drastically different (comedic vs. dramatic tone, etc.).
Q: Can I use audition footage in a demo reel even if the project didn’t air?
A: Yes, but only if it’s not under NDA and doesn’t disclose sensitive story details. Blur the project title if needed.
Q: What if I want to reuse a scene for a new demo?
A: You can absolutely reuse strong material. Just double-check that it’s genre-appropriate and well lit/sounding.
Q: My child booked the role. Should we keep the audition tape?
A: Definitely. It’s a great “before and after” to show the growth from tape to performance.
Let me know if you’d like help organizing or trimming down your self-tape archive—or if you want professional feedback to help choose what to keep. I also offer self-tape strategy coaching and a class just for parents called Perfect Self Tape for Parents that walks you through lighting, tech, reader tips, and what casting really wants.
Parent Course
Get it HERE for only $89!
