Screen Test

 This blog post, written by me (Beatrice), features the screen test for our music video project in order to determine the actors/actresses that best fit our concept. This selection was done with the participation of our entire media class.

Here is the link to the class's screen test in case the video does not load → Class Screen Test

By doing this screen test, there are some advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, it was highly efficient; testing everyone at once allowed us to save time and review a large number of candidates within just one song. This approach also enabled direct comparisons between candidates, as we could observe them side by side, assessing their on-screen presence, body language, and facial expressions to determine who could best embody the star persona we envision. Additionally, this screen test allows us to see how candidates interact with each other, which is important given our music video's focus on themes of friendship. It helped us identify pairs who visually and energetically complement each other on screen. However, there were some disadvantages, such as, candidates might unintentionally adjust their style and tone to align with others, leading to less authentic performances and potentially masking their unique qualities. There’s also the risk of unequal attention when there are many candidates, which can result in varying screen time and limit some candidates’ ability to showcase their full potential. Lastly, it feels less polished due to a more cluttered, chaotic atmosphere, compared to the focused environment of individual screen tests.

Since we wanted to cast stars who naturally convey a strong sense of friendship, we chose Jasmine (the actress wearing the penguin hat) and Rachelle (the actress to her left), both of whom are also my teammates in this project. After reviewing the screen test, we noticed that they both appeared energetic and shared a connection, making them a perfect match for our music video. Their dynamic aligns with the personality and representation we want to portray. We decided to feature two actresses to enhance the sense of synergy within the video, reinforcing the themes of friendship and shared experiences. To ensure the best on-screen chemistry, we conducted an additional screen test (both individually and together) to analyze their screen presence and star persona. This helped us evaluate how they perform separately and how their energy shifts when interacting, which allows them to refine their roles in the final production.

Here are the new screen tests we have conducted, this screen test is recorded and edited by me (Beatrice) : 

Here is the link to the new screen test in case the video does not load → Jas and Ray's Screen Test

After conducting this screen test, we liked the way Jasmine and Rachelle’s energy complemented each other on screen. Jasmine has a more cheerful and expressive presence, while Rachelle appears more reserved. This portrayal aligns well with contemporary representations of friendship, which makes it highly relatable for our target audience. It also strengthens the authenticity of our star persona, as the contrasting yet complementary personalities create a natural synergy. Given this, we believe that Jasmine and Rachelle are the ideal choices for our music video, as their dynamic successfully conveys the connection and shared experiences (high school life) that we aim to represent.

Reflection : While I recognize the importance of this screen test in helping us identify potential actors or actresses who would best suit our music video, the process had its challenges. Initially, we aimed to select a well-known song for the screen test that everyone would be familiar with. However, I didn’t know the chosen song at all, so the screen test ended up being my first time hearing it. This made the experience feel very awkward, as I didn’t know the lyrics or rhythm, and navigating the performance was new for me. Additionally, my team and I realized that this initial screen test wasn’t quite sufficient in determining the right fit for our music video. Therefore, we decided to conduct a second, individual screen test to find the person who best embodies our star’s persona. After conducting additional screen tests with my teammates, we decided that my teammates, Jasmine and Rachelle would be the most suitable choices for the lead roles in our music video. As they are both directly involved in the project, they have a strong understanding of the narrative we aim to convey. Given that the music video centers around a 'friendship' theme, it is important that the on-screen chemistry feels natural and authentic. Casting real-life best friends enhances this authenticity and ensures that their interactions do not appear forced or awkward during the production process of this project. Since Jasmine and Rachelle have been close friends for a long time, we believe their dynamic will effectively bring our vision to life.