Articles on: Playback Mode

How do I record a self-tape audition?

šŸ“ NOTE: This article describes the self-tape workflow in Scriptation 6.0 and later, where recording is part of Playback Mode. If you're on 5.1.16 or earlier, see What is Record Mode? for the standalone Record Mode walkthrough.


šŸ“ NOTE: Record is an Industry Pro feature.


Whether you're submitting an audition, capturing a rehearsal for self-review, or working on line memorization, Scriptation can record video of you performing while it reads everyone else's lines aloud. Here's how to set up your self-tape session in Playback Mode.


Setting Up Your Self-Tape


  1. Open your script;


  1. Touch or click the Playback icon on the Top Toolbar to enter Playback Mode;



āœ… TIP: If the Playback icon isn't showing in the Top Toolbar, touch or click the plus sign on the right side to show additional icons. To pin it permanently, see More Icons and Customizing the Top Toolbar.


  1. Touch the sliders icon on the control bar to open the Playback Presets popover, and choose Rehearsal. This hides Action Lines and reads only Dialogue, so the camera captures only what matters to your performance. See What are Playback Presets? for more on each preset;


  1. Touch the Rehearse button (the theater masks icon) to open the Rehearse menu and pick the character you're playing. For the full rehearsal setup ā€” including Auto-Highlight, Cue mode, Line Reminders, and Loop ā€” see How do I set up a rehearsal?;


  1. (Optional) Customize the voices Scriptation uses for the other characters. Touch the waveform icon on the control bar to open the Voices panel ā€” see How do I use basic voices for Playback? and How do I use premium AI Voices for Playback? for full walkthroughs;


  1. Open Playback Settings by touching the gear icon in the top-right, and adjust two things for self-tape:


Display


  • Font type and Font size ā€” set these so you can comfortably read the script from camera distance;


Record


  • Video preview ā€” Off, Corner (small draggable thumbnail), or Full (preview fills the screen with the script overlaid);
  • Camera ā€” Front (default ā€” for facing yourself) or Back;
  • Slate countdown ā€” set a 0sā€“30s delay before the slate appears;
  • Record countdown ā€” set a 0sā€“15s delay before recording starts;


  1. Close Settings to return to the Playback view;


  1. On the control bar, flip the Record toggle to on. Your device's camera activates and a preview appears on screen;



  1. Press the red Record button to start. Any countdowns you've set play first, then recording begins;


  1. When you're done, press the red Record button again to stop. Your video saves to your device's Photos app.


Aaaaand.... ACTION!


āœ… TIP: If you have a corner or full Video Preview enabled, the script overlay on screen won't be captured in your saved video ā€” only your camera feed is recorded.


āœ… TIP: For the most natural-sounding scene partners, upgrade to AI Voices. For the best-sounding offline option, download Enhanced or Premium voices ā€” see Are there better Playback voices available?.


Sharing Your Self-Tape


Your recording saves directly to the Photos app, so you can share it the same way you'd share any other video.


  1. Open the Photos app on your device;
  2. Find your recording ā€” most recent videos appear at the top of Recents or under the Videos album;
  3. Tap the Share icon at the bottom-left of the screen;
  4. Choose how you'd like to send it ā€” AirDrop, Mail, Messages, or any third-party upload service (Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).


āœ… TIP: Self-tapes for auditions are often submitted as unlisted Vimeo or YouTube links. Most casting platforms accept those links directly, and they avoid file-size limits that come with email or messaging.


What's Next


How do I set up a rehearsal?

What is Playback Mode?

How do I use basic voices for Playback?

Are there better Playback voices available?

Updated on: 28/05/2026

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