Do you work as an actor in Germany? Then you have probably heard the word Vorstellungsvideo. Agents, casting directors, and acting coaches use this word a lot. It is one of the most important parts of your acting portfolio — just like your actor headshots. A good video can help you get an audition. A bad one can make casting directors skip you.
What Do These Words Mean?
There are two types of self-presentation videos for actors. Both have the same goal: to show who you are and sell you as an actor.
— “About Me” video and Vorstellungsvideo are the same thing. This video shows two things: who you are as a person, and how you act on camera. Agencies, casting directors, and directors watch it to understand you — as a person and as an actor. Then they can see which roles fit you.
— Casting “About Me” video is shorter. Actors use it for specific castings — for example, for commercials, or for the American and British market. It can also work as a fast introduction for one project. It is up to 1 minute long. It should include: your first and last name, where you live, your training, your experience, and skills you really have (not just a long list). Also mention languages or dialects you speak. If you have an agency, always say who represents you.
1. “About Me” Video and Vorstellungsvideo
Length and Technical Basics
- An About Me video or Vorstellungsvideo is usually 1–3 minutes long. This is short enough to keep the casting director’s attention. It is also long enough to show who you really are.
- You don’t need fancy editing or 4K video quality. What matters most: How do you present yourself? Do you show your full personality? Is the video interesting to watch?
- Good, clean sound is a must. No background noise.
- The location can tell a story too. A studio, your home, a park, a theatre, your favorite café — any place that says something about you.
What to Wear
- Wear solid colors in neutral tones. Avoid loud patterns or bright colors — they take attention away from you. (Exception: if one piece of clothing really shows something about who you are, wear it with confidence.)
- Your clothes should not limit your movement. They should show your body shape clearly.
- Your top and bottom should look like one outfit, not like two random pieces.
- Clean, well-kept clothes look professional.
What to Talk About
I love having a real conversation with the actor. To make this work, please prepare 5–10 questions. Choose questions that show who you are as a person. It’s great if one question can lead to a story from your life — a story that helps us understand you better. I also bring my own questions. You won’t know these in advance.
Example questions:
- What are you dreaming about right now?
- Who inspires you, and why?
- What do you regret?
- What moment split your life into a “before” and “after”?
- What makes you happy?
Answer honestly. Don’t perform, don’t wear a mask — people can always see when something is not real. Avoid clichés like “I wanted to be an actor since I was a child” or “I want to change the world with my art.” These phrases sound old and tired.
One more tip: take pauses during the interview. Don’t rush through your stories without stopping to breathe.
How to Start
I like to start with a short 5–10 second “trailer.” This means a few quick phrases that give a first impression of the actor. Or I use short video clips like a showreel, to show range and skill.
In my opinion, for a longer About Me video or Vorstellungsvideo, you don’t need to say your name out loud. I always add your name as text on screen. So you can start right away with an emotional story, or with your feelings about your life right now. But this is not a strict rule.
I always adapt my approach to each actor and their wishes. This is the most important thing.
How to End
The same idea applies here — end however feels right for you. Sometimes I ask a good closing question, like:
- “What would you tell your 12-year-old self?”
- “What would you do if you didn’t need to make money?”
- “What is your small, quiet dream?”
The key: keep it short, honest, and personal to you.
Making Your “About Me” Video Stand Out
- Choose clothing, hairstyles, and themes that reveal as much of your personality as possible.
- Film with a few different outfits and in different locations that say something about you. This shows you as a more versatile actor. (Not required, but it helps.)
- Ask people close to you: “What makes me special to you?” Try to show their answer in your video.
- Be creative. Don’t just copy someone else’s style — add your own voice. Also cut out anything that feels flat or boring.
- Film more material than you think you need. Answer questions that feel unexpected to you. This gives you strong options later, when you edit.
- Don’t rush the selection. Watch your footage. Mark your favorite moments. Then wait a few days and watch it again with fresh eyes. This helps you pick the strongest moments.
- Want to show you can play a specific role? Then show it — change your look, location, and lighting.
Examples “About Me” Video and Vorstellungsvideo
2. Casting “About Me” Video
What to Talk About
- Start with the basics: name, height, agency.
- Casting directors want to see who you really are — including small flaws that make you human, not a perfect, polished version of yourself.
- Don’t use memorized lines. Show honest motivation and passion instead — without sounding like an ad. Casting directors want to understand what drives you as an actor. They want to see how your experience and character could show up in a role.
- Keep it short and emotionally direct. Don’t tell your whole life story. Too much information overloads the viewer and weakens a strong first impression. Focus on what really sells you for the roles you want.
- Avoid clichés like “I wanted to be an actor since I was a child” or “I want to change the world with my art” — they sound fake.
- If you work in commercial or model castings, articulation matters too (your speed, avoiding a flat, boring voice). So does posture (grace, confident movement, good body presence). Casting directors look at the whole picture.
How to Start
The video always starts with a personal introduction: your name, then a few more details (height, agency), and then the main content.
If you are recording for one specific project, talk about your motivation for that project. How does it connect to your own story? Why do you, as a person, want this role?
For commercial or model castings (for example, ads), it often helps to start with a smile. A smile creates instant sympathy. Products and brands rarely sell well with a cold, emotionless look.
How to End
Think of this video as a conversation. End it the way you would talk to a real person. Try: “I’d love to meet and work together,” “Nice to meet you,” or something lighter, like “Open to interesting roles — or a coffee.”
One important tip: look into the camera and hold your gaze. Don’t look away right after you finish talking.
Making Your Casting Video Stand Out
- Find the balance between honesty and professionalism. Be open and real, but not messy or unstructured — find the middle point.
- Instead of sharing a lot of personal history, give one clear, maybe unusual example of why acting excites you. Use a specific moment that really changed something for you.
- A neutral, solid-color background, neutral clothes, and a real, direct way of speaking — this is enough to let the viewer understand who you are.
Examples Casting “About Me” Video
Coming Up Next
In the next part, we’ll talk about how to film your own About Me video at home — step by step, for actors who want to make a casting self-tape by themselves, without a studio or a film crew.
Frequently Asked Questions From Actors
How long should a Vorstellungsvideo be — 30 seconds or a full 1–3 minutes?
Both formats exist, and each has a different purpose. Check the section above to see which type fits your needs.
Do I need a professional shoot and edit, or is a phone/webcam enough?
Professional filming with good sound is always the better choice. But if that’s not possible, a phone with a decent camera works too. Make sure the sound is clean and the lighting shows your face well. Choose a simple, non-distracting background — a plain wall works fine. This is the minimum standard.
What format should I use to save and send the file — email, e-Chiffre, a YouTube link?
A YouTube link is a must. Sometimes casting directors ask for the file through WeTransfer or another file-sharing tool. So always keep your Vorstellungsvideo (and your headshots) saved and ready on your phone.
Can I upload several versions of my resume with different videos for different types of work (dance vs. acting, for example)?
Yes. It’s a smart move to make a specific actor self-tape or About Me video for each type of work you apply for.
Should I wear my everyday clothes, or something that hints at a role?
Check the clothing section above — it depends on the format and purpose of your video.
Should I bring a backup outfit to an in-person casting?
Yes, always. Bring a few outfit options to a live casting. Something might get dirty, or you might be asked to read for a different role.
Should hair and makeup stay neutral, or is there room to experiment?
Neutral works well for a general self-tape. But if you’re preparing for a specific role, match your hair and accessories to that role. For longer About Me videos, I recommend changing your look between sections — this shows your range.
How much should be personal vs. professional?
A good ratio is about 60/40 — 60% personal, 40% professional. Don’t overload the video with proof that you’re a skilled actor. First, show who you are as a person.
Should I show my flaws or weaknesses to seem more authentic?
Yes. People connect with honesty — don’t be afraid of your imperfections.
How do I avoid clichés like “I’ve dreamed of being an actor since childhood”?
Talk about what really inspires or moves you, outside of acting. Be an interesting person first — a professional actor second.
Should I mention languages and accents, and how — a quick list, or a concrete example?
Always mention them. If you can switch smoothly between languages or accents, show it with a short example instead of just listing it. This makes a strong impression, especially if it’s useful for a role.
Should I open with a smile, a neutral expression, or straight into action?
See the sections above — it depends on the format (About Me video vs. commercial casting video).
How often should I update my Vorstellungsvideo?
At least once a year — twice is better. If your hairstyle or look changes a lot, a quick phone video with good sound works fine between full reshoots. One longer, fully produced video per year is usually enough.
Should I have a separate demo video for commercials vs. film/theatre?
For commercials, your type and specific skills matter most — a video under 40 seconds works well. For film and theatre, casting directors care more about who you are as a person, so the video can be longer, but not more than 3 minutes.
Does the video need to look expensive, or is a smartphone enough?
See the technical section above. Clean sound, good lighting, and honest self-presentation matter more than an expensive production.
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