A slate is the quick intro at the top of an audition where you state who you are before the scene. It's small, but it's the first impression — casting is deciding if they like you, not just your read.
What to say
Follow the breakdown, but a standard slate is: your name, and often your height and location. Some ask for a profile turn (slowly show each side) or to hold up your hands. Commercial slates sometimes ask an icebreaker question — keep the answer short and warm.
Tone matters more than words
Slate as your relaxed, likable self — a beat of genuine warmth and eye contact with the lens. Don't perform it; just be present and friendly. Then take a breath and shift into the character for the scene.
Framing and delivery
Slate in the same clean framing as your scene (see the self-tape guide), look into the lens, speak clearly, and keep it brief — usually well under 15 seconds unless they ask for more.
Common mistakes
Rushing and mumbling your name, a stiff or over-rehearsed delivery, slating in different framing/lighting than the scene, or dragging the icebreaker on too long. Clean, warm, brief wins.
FAQ
What do you say in a slate?
Usually your name, sometimes height and location, and any specifics the breakdown asks for (a profile turn or a short icebreaker answer). Keep it warm and brief.
Do I slate before or after the scene?
Almost always before, at the very top of the tape, unless the breakdown specifies otherwise.