CHAPTER
14

Creating Your First Role-Play

In This Chapter

  • Finding inspiration for your role-play
  • Creating the script
  • Getting ready for your close-up
  • How ASMRtist Heather Feather got into writing role-plays

Are you ready to create your first ASMR role-play? Unlike the basic trigger videos you learned about in the last chapter, a role-play is a very different beast. A role-play is essentially a one-act production that must be planned and executed carefully in order to trigger tingles.

In order to create your role-play, all you need is a desire to write your own storyline, conduct the appropriate research, and rehearse the scene so that when the camera rolls, mistakes are minimized.

In this chapter, we give you the scoop on what it takes to craft the granddaddy of ASMR content videos. No matter if it is simple or elaborate, long or short, fantasy-based or centered around a real-life event, we help you fine-tune your creative muse and unlock your inner ASMR Shakespeare.

Getting Inspired

Role-plays are some of the most popular ASMR videos on YouTube and some of the most unique. Although they started out as experience-driven segments centered on situations already familiar to viewers, such as medical exams, suit fittings, and salon services, role-plays have grown by leaps and bounds to include fantasy-filled episodes complete with elaborate props, costumes, and a variety of special effects.

If you are a longtime tingle head, chances are you have seen a number of these popular videos and have been inspired by their creativity. However, before you break out the camera and set up the tripod in hopes of filming something worthy of Steven Spielberg, it’s important to take a step back and start small as you become comfortable with the role-play process.

The first thing you must consider when approaching your first role-play is what kind of video you plan to make. Are you best suited to present something educational, such as a cooking demonstration or a skin care session? Or do you prefer something more like a medical examination, which requires some familiarity with specific words and phrases? Will your video be heavily reliant on sounds and actions that can put your viewer in the hot seat of the experience, such as highlights or a haircut? (Chapter 11 gives you a rundown of some different types of ASMR videos.)

Regardless of what you are most comfortable with and what kind of video you have in mind, chances are there are several ASMRtists who have done something similar in the past and whose work will inspire your own content. To give you a starting point, here are a few role-play recordings to show you how the top ASMRtists started out and how they have developed their craft!

Heather Feather

ASMRrequests

TheWaterwhispers

VeniVidiVulpes

MassageASMR

Don’t be afraid to revisit some of these videos in order to get ideas and make initial lists of the props and sound effects you would like to include. No one will call you a creeper; in fact, that’s how other ASMRtists got their start as well.

TINGLE TIP

Although it can be great fun to create a completely original role-play with plenty of bells and whistles, veteran ASMRtists say that first-timers should start by modifying a tried-and-true role-play that others have successfully filmed. As you get more experienced and grow in the art form, you can create more elaborate segments.

The ASMR community is genuinely supportive of one another’s work and tends to be very welcoming of new members. Established ASMRtists love when new content creators reach out to them, and they always appreciate an opportunity to talk shop with others. It’s not uncommon for a member of the “old guard” to offer an encouraging word to a novice. They know what it is like to start out in the community and they are more than willing to mentor newbies along. Besides, even the top ASMRtists are on the lookout for new videos to sleep by, and who knows? Perhaps your video will become a favorite of theirs one day!

That being said, while it is great to have role models within the community and to find inspiration in their work, the goal is not to reinvent their wheel or to directly copy someone else’s masterpiece. Sure, there might be some overlap between your content and someone else’s video, but remember that you are an individual who has their own talents to offer the ASMR community; why strive to be a second-rate imitation of someone else?



Developing the Storyline

Contrary to what it may look like on the screen, an ASMR role-play is not a running monologue without any interaction between the viewer and content creator. In actuality, it is a two-person, one-act play that requires not only great characters, but also great character development.

The type of role-play you plan to film typically determines the characters that will be featured in the segment. For example, here are the ASMRtist and viewer characters in some typical role-plays:

  • Medical exam: Doctor and patient
  • Tutoring: Instructor and student
  • Salon service: Stylist and client
  • Tarot reading: Fortune teller and answer seeker
  • Interior design: Decorator and homeowner

The list goes on and on. Once you know who your characters are, you must decide why is one seeking out the services of the other. Even though the viewer’s role has no real dialogue, you as the ASMRtist must create something to play off of during filming to make the recording process run smoothly with no hiccups in the timing. You may decide that the patient (viewer) has recently experienced a head trauma and is in need of a cranial nerve examination. Perhaps she is a new homeowner selecting draperies for their living space. Or is the viewer a member of the wedding party getting her hair styled for the big day? While a role-play is not overly plot heavy, there is nothing wrong with adding a bit of a storyline to keep the episode interesting.


Choosing the Right Setting

Once you know what storyline you want to go with, you need to consider the setting of your role-play and where you plan to film it. When seasoned ASMRtists film their role-plays, they try to choose a space that makes sense for the kind of scene they plan to record and the character they intend to portray. They know that believability is key to the success of a role-play, and it may be hard for your viewer to open up and trust the experience if they do not believe the setting.

Chances are you do not have access to a fully equipped medical office, classroom, storefront, salon, or so on, so you may have to improvise a consultation space wherever possible that goes along with the “character” you are creating. Some ASMRtists secure background images and use a green screen in order to establish an appropriate environment, but most new content creators tend to use available areas of their homes, including their bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, closet, or office space.

In addition to finding an appropriate space to film where the noise level can be kept to a minimum and lighting is adequate, it is important to consider the décor of the area in which you plan to film. While you do not have to go overboard on set design or invest in huge amounts of scenery, a few small touches can make a huge difference to the overall experience. For example, you can invoke a medical examination room with an eye chart, a few diagrams, a clear container of cotton balls, and the presence of instruments lined up neatly on a metal tray. An impromptu classroom can be created with a map, a blackboard, and a few school supplies. And what spa doesn’t include a few glowing candles for ambience? You’ll find there is a lot you can do that will offer your viewer the essence of the experience without having to stage the whole event.

TINGLE TIP

When staging and planning your first role-play, keep it simple. Do not go overboard. It is very easy to get overwhelmed creating something time-consuming and elaborate to film. However, it’s best to leave more intricate segments for when you have more experience under your belt.

Conducting Your Research

Once you have decided on your role-play and determined its setting, the next step is to study the event you plan to re-enact. Some ASMRtists research their role-plays thoroughly, while others prefer to improvise, refer to other videos, or rely on personal recollection for their video content. We feel the amount of research you conduct on your role-play is largely dependent on what the content is.

If you plan to film a makeup tutorial or a cooking demonstration, for example, there is nothing wrong with using your own technique, but a medical exam, craft how-to, or foreign language study session may require a bit more preparation to lend credibility to the final script. ASMR viewers are very sharp and know when content creators have done their homework and when they are making it up as they go along. Why not take the time to learn more about the role you plan to assume, watch the pros, and break down all of the elements in order to faithfully re-create the event? It will only make your video that much better in the long run.

Knowing the Lingo

Throughout your video, you are assuming the role of a character who looks, walks, talks, and acts a certain way, meaning dialogue is critical to your role-play’s success. When you know the proper terms for the props you intend to use or invoke the nomenclature of the field you are pretending to be an expert in, it only adds to the believability of the set-up.

Think about the last time you walked into a service-based business. Did someone from the staff greet you? What did she say? If it was a situation where an appointment is appropriate, did you tell her what time you were expected and wait for her to confirm this information on a desk calendar or on a computer? Were you asked to fill out any paperwork before proceeding, or did you merely answer some basic questions about the purpose of your visit while the individual took a few notes?

Knowing the nuances of this exchange can help put your viewers at ease and prepare them for the experience that lies ahead. While you only need to master a portion of the parlance to pull off a role-play, many of these scenarios have their own terminology, making it important that you pick up on at least a few of the key points.

For example, let’s say you are planning to film a cranial nerve examination. If you were to look up this particular assessment, you would learn about the parts of the body it is designed to evaluate and what problems a physician is screening for when she conducts it. You will also learn the actual elements of the exam and become familiar with terms such as fundoscopy, visual reflexes, and olfactory nerve. This official language and knowledge can give your video some extra depth. And if you take the time to study these terms and know what they actually mean, you will not only sound like you know what you are talking about, but it can also make your viewers wonder if you are a real physician.

KEEP IN MIND

It is a good idea to add a disclaimer in your video description box to any medical role-plays that you are not a licensed clinician and that nothing you say should be taken as legitimate medical advice.

Simulating the Sounds

The trickiest part of the ASMR role-play is replicating the sounds associated with the service provided. Keep in mind, you as an ASMRtist are playing to a camera that does not have hair in need of cutting, ears in need of cleaning, or a face that needs makeup applied to it, yet you must find a way to re-create the sensations not only as they are performed but how they are heard and felt by the viewer.

To deal with this and gather more information about what will and won’t work in a role-play, you should spend a lot of time tapping, scratching, and crinkling items next to your ears. Sometimes you may use the item to re-create a noise associated with a real-life experience, while other times the sound may become the inspiration for its own storyline. On occasion, you can turn to sound samples from internet sources when the role-play warrants it (freesound.org, soundbible.com, and pdsounds.org are good sources for sound samples), but nothing is ever off limits when it comes to tickling the tympanic nerve.

For example, ASMRtist Heather Feather is constantly testing objects to understand the sounds they make and how she can use them. “The way I interact with objects is different since I became a content creator. I tap everything I touch. Everything is a potential trigger source, and I am always looking for new things to use,” she says. “My Candy Queen role-play came about when I went into a party store and saw a wall of candy and thought ‘I want to use those in a video. How do I do it?’ I am always brainstorming new ideas; it’s part of the fun.”

Are you ready to explore some of the sounds that ASMRtists use to execute their role-plays? The following are just a few suggestions for three of the most popular role-plays:

  • Salon role-play sounds: Typical sounds used by ASMRtists in these videos are a water source or spray bottle, scissors, brushes, and prop product bottles. They also have a way to evoke the sound of actually brushing someone’s hair. (This can be done by brushing a terry cloth towel or using a wig, hair extensions, or a doll styling head.)
  • Medical role-play sounds: These sounds run the gamut, but many ASMRtists include latex gloves, a small penlight, and a small spray bottle (to mimic antiseptic cleaning). Some ASMRtists will even open real adhesive bandages to heal fake wounds because the sound of the thin paper is very distinctive and pleasurable to viewers’ ears.
  • Makeover role-play sounds: These videos include a lot of bottles, jars, and container sounds. However, these role-plays are most known for brushing sounds, which are achieved simply by ASMRtists stroking their microphone gently with makeup or artistic brushes.

TINGLE TIP

Looking for an easy way to re-create a scalp massage? Rub teabags between your fingers near the microphone to mimic the familiar scratching sound.

However, no matter what kind of sound sensations you plan to re-create in your role-plays, it is important that you know how your microphone picks up sound and various noises in the area that you plan to film. No two microphones are the same, so before finalizing your special effects, do a couple of test recordings so you are aware of how your equipment captures the sound. That way, you’ll understand what you need to do in what way to record the sound you’d like to share with viewers.

Writing Your Role-Play Script

Now that you have your characters, know your basic storyline, and have done all of the research you need to execute your role-play, it is time to write the script. If you have never penned a script before, you are in for a unique experience.

Some ASMRtists prefer to improvise their segments rather than stick to any lines, but we feel if this is your first experience with a role-play or if you are planning something fairly elaborate, it may be wise to map it out in order to stay on track and keep the show running smoothly. (See Appendix D for an example of a full role-play script.)

Writing for Time

Scriptwriting is unlike any other style of writing because when you write a script, you are not only writing for content, but writing for time as well. Therefore, it really helps if you have a sense of how long you would like your role-play to be. While ASMR videos run the gamut in terms of length, it can be helpful to have some parameters in place. If this is your first ASMR role-play, we recommend limiting it to 15 to 20 minutes. This not only gives you plenty of time to execute a complete storyline, but also is not so long that it feels daunting.

The key to writing for time is not only in knowing what words you want to say, but also what actions have to occur. If you have never written for time before, try this exercise: Imagine you are going to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. How do you do it? The directions are much different than the actual steps. Do you start with the bread, or does the sandwich begin when you go to the pantry to gather the ingredients and then lay them on the kitchen counter? Is the knife already present, or do you have to take it out of the drawer? How far away is the drawer?

The actual directions assume you have everything in place and can start assembling the sandwich right away, but in actuality, there is a lot of action that is not accounted for in the process and it is this action that you have to be mindful of as you map out your role-play.

Composing the Introduction

The introduction consists of the initial interaction between your two characters. For this, you begin by welcoming your viewer to the experience and inquiring about the reason for their visit. It is the segment that sets the tone for the entire video and is geared toward establishing a rapport with your viewers so they become accustomed to your voice and the setting and will feel comfortable in your “presence.”

For example, will you check their appointment in a datebook or on the computer? Will you be typing their intake information or taking it down by hand? How long should the pauses be between one question and the next? Will you stay seated the entire time, or will you get up from the chair and walk around? Remember that everything you do contributes to the overall effect and cannot be taken for granted.

An example of an introduction may include the following:

ASMRTIST

Hello there and welcome to (NAME OF BUSINESS). Do you have an appointment?

[Pause long enough for the VIEWER to answer yes.]

Great, can I get your last name?

[Pause to type in a name or check an appointment book for the correct name.]

And your first name?

[Another pause to ether type in the first name or check the book again.]

Oh here you are. I see you are scheduled for the (NAME OF SERVICE).

Penning the Consultation

The consultation is the show-and-tell portion of the role-play. It is similar to the beginning of a hypnosis session and helps the viewer relax even more fully in preparation for the sensory experience that lies ahead. During this segment, you will offer your guests an overview of what they can expect to experience and display some of the props that will be central to the performance.

For example, if you are performing a salon service, you might gently stroke the bristles of the brushes or tap the side of a shampoo bottle. If it is a medical exam, you might gently explain the upcoming procedure and conduct a general health assessment (a more in-depth Q&A than the introduction). If you are filming a tarot card reading, you might shuffle the cards and give the viewer a brief history of the deck. The ideas are endless.

While it’s perfectly okay to ad lib a lot of your dialogue, simply creating a decent outline of the consultation allows you to have a general idea of what you want to say and how you plan to say it when the time comes.

The following is a sample consultation for a salon service:

ASMRTIST

Because this is your first visit to the ASMR Hair Studio, you should know that you are in for a relaxing experience that will begin with a gentle scalp massage, a hair wash, and a trim using the most natural of products and style for your big night out on the town. Let me show you some of the tools I will use on you today.

[Hold up brushes, combs, products, and other elements while tapping, stroking, or otherwise handling them to make noises as you demonstrate their purpose.]

Putting Together the Sensory Segment

The sensory experience is the heart of the ASMR role-play. In this segment, you will center your efforts on triggering the tingles of the viewing audience. Although you might click a pen or tap on a computer during the introduction or make a few sounds throughout the consultation, the ASMR experience kicks into high gear during the sensory phase.

The sensory segment is the longest portion of the role-play video, contains the most triggers, and requires the most planning. It is a combination of voice, display, sound, and action.

If this part of the video sounds authentic enough, viewers will be able to connect to it and trick their brain into believing that it is really happening. Not only will this bring on a wave of tingly goodness and cause them to fall into a deeper state of relaxation, it may even put them to sleep. And this is a good thing!

For example, a sensory segment of an ear cleaning exam might include the removal of earwax and may resemble the following:

ASMRTIST

Now, because I have found a significant amount of earwax impacted in your ear, I am going to use these alligator tweezers to remove it.

[Hold up tweezers to show the VIEWER and tap the ends together to demonstrate.]

Yes, this can be a bit uncomfortable, but you will feel better afterward.

[Move around to the side of the camera, as if to approach the VIEWER’S right ear. Take a household sponge and use the tweezers on it to mimic the sound of pulling earwax from the VIEWER’s ear.]

KEEP IN MIND

Be mindful of the components you will be able to successfully execute during the time allotted and which ones will sound the best to your viewer.

Scripting the Conclusion

The last portion of the ASMR role-play is the conclusion. It is the shortest segment of the video and the one that has the fewest triggers associated with it. This is where you will tie all of the loose ends together, finish the appointment, and wish the individual goodnight. While it is possible that your viewers will not even see this segment (especially if they are asleep), do not let the writing suffer at this point. Give it the same treatment that you do the rest of the role-play for continuity’s sake.

For example, a conclusion for an eye exam role-play may include the following:

ASMRTIST

I am going to write you a prescription for your new glasses, which you can take to the optometrist of your choice. After that, you are all set for another year. But be sure to call our office if you have any problems between now and your next checkup. Do you have any questions?

[Pause long enough for the VIEWER to say no.]

Okay then, it was nice to see you again. Feel free to take your time to gather your things and see yourself out. Take care.

Gathering Your Wardrobe and Props

Once you’ve written the script, you should start thinking about the clothing and props you need for your video.

Although you do not have to go out and buy a costume (unless you choose to), you will want to give some consideration to what you want to wear during your role-play. Remember that unlike traditional trigger videos that are a little more casual in nature, the role-play evokes a different kind of ASMR experience, so it is important to maintain some consistency not only in the set design and dialogue, but also in the image you convey.

We recommend that you dress comfortably during the recording of your video, but that you wear something that makes sense for your character. Typically speaking, doctors, therapists, and other clinicians do not wear pajamas to the office. By the same token, tattoo artists, boutique clerks, and hair stylists usually have their own sense of style and are not afraid to show it. While you do not have to go overboard with your look, put a little bit of thought into what you wear and dress for role-play success!

After you have picked the clothes that will help you walk the walk of your character, it is time to gather the props you need to round out the role-play experience.

Some role-plays require more tools than others. In real life, the cranial nerve examination requires approximately nine different items but can be replicated in an ASMR role-play with a minimal amount of props. And a salon service can require a fair number of tools in an ASMR role-play in order to trigger someone’s visual senses.

Some ASMR props can be found around the house (such as a penlight, cotton balls, hairbrushes, and shampoo bottles), while others can be generated from a computer (such as an eye chart, diagrams, and so on). However, still others are more technical and harder to come by, and that’s okay. Nobody expects you to have a blood pressure cuff or other piece of machinery at your fingertips. Depending on your role-play, you may be able to fake the sound you need with another item or adjust your script to work around it.

Rehearsing and Recording Your Role-Play

For some ASMRtists, rehearsing and recording a role-play can be a time-consuming process. For others, it’s a snap. We are going to assume that you are like us and fall somewhere in the middle, so in this section, we give you information on how to do a run-through and all of the final adjustments you may need to make before pressing the Record button.

Rehearsal and Final Preparations

Once you have put together your role-play, you may be a little overwhelmed by the amount of dialogue and direction involved, not to mention the props you need to use to execute the actions. Don’t be! You do not have to memorize any lines or recite them as they appear in print while you’re doing things. They are only there as a guide and to help you fill your time with an assortment of words, sounds, and actions. How closely you follow your script is completely up to you.

While some ASRMtists prefer to keep things fresh and natural and edit out any mistakes after the fact, others rehearse a lot and record take after take.

If this is your first role-play and you have limited experience with performing on camera, we recommend practicing in front of a mirror in order to become comfortable with your character, to better understand how to best handle your props, and to test the execution of any special effects.

You also probably want to test your facial expressions and vocal inflections prior to recording as well. For example, if you are a physician examining someone’s inner ear, chances are one of your eyes is closed, your mouth is probably opened, and when you talk, it may sound slow and measured. It’s the same way you speak when you are feeling around one of those hard-to-reach places in search of a lost item. Or if you are pretending to examine someone’s scalp, you’ll focus on the individual’s head, wrinkle your brow, look concentrated, stay focused on your motivation, and not look directly into the camera. All of these little nuances will help you create a better role-play experience for yourself as well as your viewer.

When you have zeroed in on the elements that you know you want to include, the words you want to say, and the things you want to do, you can edit your script as needed. It will most likely be much shorter than the one you started with because you are more comfortable and confident with the segment.

Once you’ve done that, feel free to do one last rehearsal to make any last-minute adjustments, and then get ready for your close-up, because it is time to record.

TINGLE TIP

Once you’ve rehearsed, you will then want to set up your stage, laying out all of your props in the order you plan to use them.

Recording

It is impossible to know for certain how long it will take to film your role-play. Some videos take a few minutes, some take a few hours, and some take a few days. It is largely dependent on the length and how elaborate it is. It also depends on whether you are interrupted by outside noise, if you stop for any mistakes, or whether you have technical difficulties of any kind. For example, some ASMRtists can film a 25-minute segment in 90 minutes with only a few hiccups along the way, while others prefer to refilm until it is perfect.

The important thing is to have fun with the process and grow with each video you make. Most top ASMRtists proudly display their first attempts at the role-play not only because it took a lot of work to accomplish, but it also shows how far they have come and how far you can go as a content creator!

My First Role-Play: Heather Feather

Known for her elaborate role-plays and cast of colorful characters, Heather Feather said she never actually planned to make ASMR videos, let alone become one of the top ASMRtists on YouTube. However, that all changed in 2012, when she suddenly had an overwhelming desire to record.

Like many other ASMRtists, she was motivated to give something back to the many content creators who had been helping her get to sleep at night with their videos. She rose from her couch, went into the bathroom, and filmed a 32-minute soft-spoken makeup role-play. She uploaded it to YouTube and the following day, she had six subscribers.

“I thought it was wild that anyone thought my video was worthwhile. So I kept going. I used my little point-and-shoot camera balanced on top of 7 cans of cat food. I didn’t have any fancy equipment. I didn’t even have a tripod. It was just my imagination, my memories, the camera, and me. It was the best decision I ever made,” she said.

That first video took a couple hours to make. Now, however, her videos can take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours to prep and render. One of the longest she worked on was “After the Battle,” a sci-fi suit-repair role-play that included Heather’s first experiments with elaborate visual effects. She said that episode took several months to come to fruition and that the editing alone took weeks to complete.

As her videos have gotten more complex, it is Heather’s hope that they have gotten more effective. Her goal is to have a huge variety of ways to trigger people on her channel in order to give people an escape when the world gets too loud. Heather says that ASMR videos have helped her immeasurably, and becoming a content creator was one of the best things she ever did for herself. “I would say give ASMR videos a shot … You can find a constant source of tingles, relaxation, and rest from thousands of individuals who each bring something unique to the table. Happy viewing!”

The Least You Need to Know

  • ASMR role-plays are two-person, one-act plays.
  • Some role-plays require more research than others because of the terminology (for example, medical exams).
  • When writing a role-play, you are writing for time as well as content.
  • Before filming, it helps to rehearse in order to feel more comfortable with what you’re doing and get a more final script.
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