Meet Jeff Pride | Actor and Owner of Self-Tapes Here

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Pride and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During the pandemic the entire audition process for actors changed. Instead of mostly in-person auditions and a few self-tapes, it became all self-tapes and Zoom. I spent some time researching cameras and lighting and set up a nice little home studio for my own auditions. There seemed to be a convergence of my fifteen years of acting experience coupled with having control over the self tape and I started booking a lot during the pandemic. My actor friends soon started asking me for help with their self-tape auditions. Eventually, I started getting calls from my friends’ agents and managers and that’s when I thought I might have a business. I wanted a straightforward, slightly humorous name for my business and decided on “Self Tapes Here.” Thankfully it’s continued to grow and now I am very busy doing something that I love: helping and working with actors.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an actor, writer, acting coach, and comedian from Little Rock, Arkansas. Reflecting on my journey, one thing I am most proud of is pursuing my dream of becoming an actor and making that dream a reality. When I moved to LA I didn’t know anyone or have a single connection. After many years of struggling though, I’m finally at a place I’ve always wanted to be. Finding a way into this business is very
difficult and it certainly was for me. However, while I was finding my way, I was voraciously and consistently studying the craft of acting. One of the greatest things about living in LA is access to some of the best teachers in the world. The advice I was given was to take classes from as many people as possible, learn what they are teaching, and add it to your tool box. It’s essential to read books, take classes, listen to podcasts, perform, do plays, do student films, try improv, and do self-tapes, even when the auditions aren’t coming in. In other words, just act and perform. Act as much as possible. When Conan O’Brien left the Tonight Show he said, “If you work really really hard, and you are kind, amazing things will happen. It’s just true.” And I agree with Conan, it’s true!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing places in LA! When friends and family come visit, I like to take them to the big tourist staples and some of the local hidden gems. First place we’re going is Venice to hit the boardwalk, the canals, Abbot Kinney and eat some incredible food at Gjelina. Then of course, we have to go to Hollywood and see the Walk of Fame, The Chinese Theatre and then get dressed up for The Magic Castle for dinner and a magic show. Then the next day we will go to LACMA, The Grove and The Farmer’s Market. Since we are already in West Hollywood, I like to take loved ones to Craig’s for dinner to hopefully spot some celebrities. It also wouldn’t be a trip to LA if we didn’t go on a hike. Griffith Park is one of my favorites, partly because the trails can take you to The Griffith Observatory where, among other things, we can see one of the light shows. For dinner, I would treat my guests to Mexican food at El Compadre on Sunset and then catch some improv at UCB, the Groundlings, or Largo if The Improvised Shakespeare Company is in town. Then it’s time to get my friends
out of here because like Benjamin Franklin famously said, “guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Just kidding it’s LA, nobody ever leaves.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is no way I would have a successful business without Audrey Moore, Jesse Lumen and The Audrey Helps Actors Podcast, which Audrey hosts and Jesse produces. When I first started Self Tapes Here, I was doing double duty. During regular business hours, I worked for a casting director running commercial auditions, but in the morning and evening, I coached actors and put them on tape for their auditions. A story I love to share about a significant turning point in my business is that I was driving to work a commercial casting session and pulled up to a stoplight at Highland and Melrose and checked my phone. I had over 200 new followers and 19 direct messages inquiring about self-tapes, I was shocked! Audrey had posted about Self Tapes Here on her Instagram page as I was driving to work and her endorsement pretty instantly made all the difference. Shortly after that, I stopped working in casting and now regularly work as an actor and help actors with their auditions and self-tapes. I am incredibly grateful to Audrey and Jesse for their support and believing in me.

Instagram: takepride_jeffpride