East London
Self-tapes,sorted.
A bright, south-facing 12m² studio designed for self-tapes, readthroughs, Zoom meetings, writing and focused creative work. Professional backdrops, two tripods, TV, mirror, blackout blinds and Wi-Fi fast enough for direct uploads — and if you need someone decent to read opposite you, we'll put a professional actor in the room.
The rates.
The room & the kit
You run the session. Your phone goes on the tripod, the backdrop's behind you — take as many takes as the hour allows. Or book it as a reading room: readthroughs, Zoom meetings, writing days. Same room, same rate.
- Professional backdrops, two tripods, TV & full-length mirror
- South-facing light, blackout blinds, fast Wi-Fi for direct uploads
- Table, chairs & sofa — bring your own reader or work solo
A professional actor reads with you
Everything in the dry hire, plus a working actor from our books in the room with you — reading opposite you, off-camera, at your pace.
- Everything in the dry hire
- A real scene partner, not a flat voice down a phone
- Happy to run it a few ways before you press record
The kit.
Professional backdrops
Clean, casting-ready backgrounds so the tape looks like the brief asked for — nothing distracting behind you.
Two tripods & phone mounts
Sturdy tripods with phone cradles — your iPhone (or any phone) framed, level and steady in about a minute. Casting expects phone tapes; yours will look right.
TV & full-length mirror
Check the wardrobe in the mirror, watch takes back on the big screen — or plug in for Zoom meetings and remote sessions.
South-facing light & blackout blinds
Filled with beautiful natural light all day — and blackout roller blinds for when you want full control of the look.
Table, chairs & sofa
As comfortable for a readthrough, a writing day or focused solo work as it is for taping — a proper reading room, not just a studio.
Fast Wi-Fi for direct uploads
Send the tape to your agent before you've packed the sides away.
A quiet, private room
Tucked in a quiet corner of the building — warm up out loud, swear at take four, go again. Honesty note: it's not completely soundproof, so the occasional sound may drift in.
Bring your phone — charged, storage free — your sides, and a wardrobe option or two. We don't provide a camera or microphone (phone sound is what casting expects; mics and other add-ons are coming later). Everything else is already in the room.
A reader who can actually act.
A flat read down a phone line can sink a good tape. We keep a database of working actors who can be in the room with you — a real scene partner giving you something to play against, off-camera, take after take. Choose "with a reader" when you book and we'll match someone to your slot.
Book your hour
Dry hire or with a reader — live availability on the calendar, 7am to 11pm, paid securely online.
Turn up with phone & sides
The room's bright and ready when you arrive. Frame up on the tripod, hand your reader the scene, and go.
Shoot, watch back, send
Run it as many times as you need, check playback on the spot, and leave with the tape on your phone ready to upload.
Good to know — booking with a reader? Pop the project and scene details in the booking form so they can look at the sides before you arrive. The hour goes further when nobody's sight-reading.
Asked & answered.
Do I need to bring a camera?
No — your phone is exactly what casting expects, and on our tripod with proper lighting it looks great. We don't provide a camera or microphone (mics and other add-ons are coming later). Rather shoot on something else? Bring it along; the tripods take standard mounts.
Can I book it just to rehearse?
Absolutely — it's a lovely room to work in, air-conditioned with beautiful natural light. It's one rate whether you're taping or rehearsing, so if you don't need the kit, our other rehearsal rooms are the cheaper option.
Is it Pay What You Can?
This one isn't — it's our premium room, and £20/hr is already an introductory rate on a £25 room. PWYC regulars: mention it when you book and we'll take £2/hr off.
I've got no one to read with me.
That's what the £60 option is for — a professional actor in the room reading opposite you. Taping something solo — a monologue, an ident, an intro tape? The room works beautifully for that too.
How long should I book?
Most tapes — a couple of scenes, several takes, a watch-back — fit comfortably in an hour. Multiple scenes or a heavy script? Book two and take the pressure off.
What should I bring?
Your phone (charged, with storage free), your sides, and a wardrobe option or two. Everything else — tripods, backdrops, TV, mirror — is already in the room.