What is the Takeda Technique mission?

We want to help you book in our all-self-tape world. We think auditioning is hard enough. The pandemic made it harder by forcing you to self-tape, and now it’s here to stay. We are the self-tape experts with fifteen years of self-tape experience. We were booking principal TV/Film roles more than a decade before COVID – beating out actors who were in the room. The secret is our tapes.

What is the Takeda Technique?

The Takeda Technique is a proven self-tape technique created by TV/Film actor Scott Takeda. It blends filmmaking skills and auditioning skills. Scott is a six-time Emmy-winning director, so the filmmaking skills come from his three decades of experience working behind the camera.

Are we really the Self-Tape Experts?

Yes. We’ve looked around. Most companies advertising self-tape are actually self-tape recording places. And those are great. If you want to drive to a company that will record your audition, those studios do fabulous work. However we’re different. We specialize in teaching you how to self-tape on your own, in a way that’s easy, fun and will help you book. That is all we do. It’s our mission. And remember, we’ve been booking on self-tape long before the word “self-tape” existed — and long before there were self-tape studios.

Is self-tape here to stay?

Yes. It’s written into the new SAG-AFTRA contract. And we’ve adjusted our teaching to the new rules and regulations. For example, CD’s are now providing virtual, in-person audition slots through Zoom or EcoCast Live This is just self-tape in a live setting. We’ve been teaching these live skills since 2020. Self-tape is now another tool you are going to need in your toolbox, along with memorization and improv. If you want to learn improv, you’d go to UCB or The Groundlings — with self-tape, it’s us.

The Takeda Technique started BEFORE the pandemic?

In 2009, Scott lived hundreds of miles from the nearest casting director, but wanted to work. He took a class with LA casting director Joseph Middleton and learned he could tape auditions for Los Angeles TV shows and films. Jospeh later asked Scott to tape auditions for a couple studio feature films, and Scott booked both. Scott then used the technique to book more roles in other markets like New Mexico, New York, Georgia, Vancouver and many others.

Does it really work?

Scott has booked more than 70 TV/Film roles over the past 15 years — all on self-tape. These roles include studio feature films like “Gone Girl,” Oscar-nominated films like “Dallas Buyers Club,” network shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” prestige series like “The Americans,” comedies like “Drunk History,” soap operas and even commercials.

Does the Takeda Technique work for other actors?

Yes. Very well. In the past few months, several students have booked their first costar roles. One is now recurring on a network series. Another beginning actor got her SAG-AFTRA card. A west-coast actor booked a guest star role on a New York series. We have a student who booked a stage role on Broadway. And we have several students who booked national SAG-AFTRA commercials. Find out more.

What’s the catch?

No catch. We teach you how to use filmmaking techniques to make your self-tapes stand out in a good way, giving you an advantage over others. In fact, prior to COVID, casting directors asked Scott to teach this technique because they wanted everyone’s tape to look and sound as good as his. Here’s what students have to say about the classes and the traction they are now getting with their tapes.

Why filmmaking skills?

Our film industry started in December 1895, when the first film was projected for a paying audience in Paris, France. Since then, heads of studios, networks, filmmakers and producers have perfected filmmaking skills that make actors look and sound amazing so their performance stands out. With the Takeda Technique, we teach you these filmmaking skills for the same reason. We want your audition performance to stand out, so you book.

But it’s hard, right?

It’s actually easy and fun to learn. Most filmmaking techniques are simple and make a huge difference. They allow the casting people and decision-makers to clearly hear and see your acting.

Do I need a lot of special equipment?

Everything we’ll teach you is low-to-no-cost. At its simplest, the Takeda Technique requires stuff you have around your home: a phone, a wall, maybe a sheet. If you already have equipment, we’ll teach you how to use it more effectively so all the decision-makers can see your acting talent.

I’ve got my setup. Can I move to the advanced classes?

That’s great you have a setup you like. It’s been our experience that we can still help you improve your technicals. We’ve always been able to help even the most advanced students find small improvements their setup. Those can make a positive difference in how the decision-makers perceive your performance, giving you a larger advantage. Finally all of the classes are built on the foundations we teach in the 101. When you go into the advanced classes, we want you be up-to-speed with your classmates rather than behind.

How do the classes work?

All of the classes are on Zoom, and we meet once a week for four weeks. Each class is about two and a half hours. If you are booked-out, we record the classes so you can watch at a later time. We teach you the technique through lectures and demonstrations. You will have homework every week with a practice self-tape. Your instructor will look at your tape and give you an individualized evaluation on what you are doing well, and how you can improve, including specific tips on how you can make your situation work best for you.

Anything else?

We are actors, so we understand your challenges. All of the instructors and administrators are going through the same thing you are. Bottom line: we want you to be a working actor, so let us help you book.

How do I register?

We are partnered with Talk To The Camera Studios. They are an online educational school run by a working actor who has gone through the Takeda Technique. TTTC handles the registration and all of the technical stuff. Click the link below to see the upcoming classes.