About the creator
Hello! My name is Francesca Bindi
Francesca is an Italian Actress and Performer based in the UK and she is the Writer, Director and Lead actress in the film "Self Tape".
Since graduating with a BA in Music Theatre, she has been involved in a number of on screen roles from short films, music videos and commercials having recently starred in some commercials along side prominent UK TV figures.
Fran continues to pursue on screen work swell and stage work including musical theatre having just recently returned from an international tour of “Matilda” in Turkey.
As she is predominantly an Actress this is the first time has ever Written, produced and Directed any kind of Media other than her own audition tapes, so this is a true passion project come to life.
About the Project
"Self Tape" is a Narrative comedy short from the point of view of an Actress who has been asked to film an Audition tape.
It highlights the ups and downs and the process of what one does to prepare for the audition, within which the main character tackles all of the possible obstacles that come with doing so. It is a pretty exaggerated depiction (or maybe not depending on how self tapes go for you) on how the typical "Self Tape" day goes, but that's part of the fun!
The idea for "Self Tape" came to me in the middle of a 3 hour train journey from Southport to Milton Keynes. I was inspired by another Actresses short film work, also filmed on a phone, which I thought was incredibly clever and resourceful, that was part of a 60 second film competition and was shown at the Leighton Buzzard film festival last year.
I was planning on keeping it 5 minutes long however the more I kept writing, the more it developed into what it is now.
I decided to use my phone as both for convenience, rather than buying/renting a much better camera, but because it showcases the rough and ready nature of what most self tapes are like.
A lot of actors don't have the means to film, every audition tape on expensive equipment we just make do with what we have at hand, usually a phone, and crack on.This lends itself perfectly to the narrative of the character herself.
I have also reflected this by using the spaces in my own house keeping it as realistic and close to what the process of filming these audition tapes is like in real life.
Being on this side of things has definitely been eye opening for me as an actress, and has taught me a lot about managing these types of projects.
Even though this is extremely small scale and still just a one person project, I have enjoyed every second, from its train seat beginnings to the hours I spent editing it, and I am certain that this is the first of many of my own Films.
I Hope you all enjoy it as well!