My d is starting to work on her prescreens and her 16 bar cut of one song is 45 seconds. The 32 bar is one minute and 11 seconds. Several schools are asking for a one minute cut or a cut no longer than 60 seconds. Should we send the 16 bar, the 32 bar, or try to come up with a third cut somehow that’s just at a minute? We are hearing conflicting things. Several people have said “oh 11 seconds over is no big deal - just send that one since there’s so much more acting and it’s better” while someone else said “if you don’t follow the rules, it’s an automatic rejection so use the 16 bar and call it good.” The 16 bar just doesn’t seem as strong since it’s so short but she’s not sure she can come up with something any better that’s closer to one minute. I’m thinking that’s probably what we need to do though but was wondering if you all agree. Thoughts/advice? Thanks so much!
If you can come up with a cut closer to 1 minute, that would be what we would do. If I have heard one piece of advice over and over, it is to do exactly as it’s written for each school. I wouldn’t send anything over.
We heard the same thing “don’t send anything over”. I would either make a new cut or stick with the 16 bar.
I agree - do your 16 bar, 45 second cut. For some of the tippy top schools, not following the directions to the letter is an easy way to cut down their list of live auditions.
Agree with @speezagmom! Follow instructions as close to the letter as possible. It’s definitely a place you can trip if you aren’t careful.
Does the prescreen length include the slate? My D has a couple where the slate puts her over a minute (1 minute 4 seconds with the slate), although the monologue or song is less than a minute.
@MTdreamin no, the slate is not part of the length.
@afterp89 Thank you- all this prescreen stuff is SO confusing!
@MTdreamin not all schools want a slate per clip. always double check requirements. BAL!! 
@MTdreamin not all schools want a slate per clip. always double check requirements. BAL!!
Some don’t say either way. When they don’t say, do you assume no?
@NYKaren Unless they specify ‘Intro’ I am assuming no intro. (Of course, I’m not really sure what ‘slate’ means…) 
@lithpool to slate is to say what you’re doing (e.g. “Hi, I’m CanadianMTgirl, and this is Right Hand Man from Something Rotten.”).
Quick update - Thanks so much for helping us decide! She filmed a new one minute version of her song today so now she should be set and we won’t have to worry about not following directions since we have 3 different versions to choose from. Hoping third times the charm!