SpotlightUK: Recent Episodes
Spotlight
Join us on this episode of The Spotlight Podcast for tax tips accountant and tax expert, Mark Carr from Streets. Mark offers his expertise as we discuss Self-Assessment deadlines, allowable expenses, and the forthcoming shift to Making Tax Digital.
Tune in to learn:
- How to register as self-employed and the steps for the Self-Assessment process.
- The difference between registering as a Sole Trader versus setting up a Limited Company, and which might be right for your income level.
- The golden rule for keeping track of your finances and Mark's advice on common mistakes.
- A detailed breakdown of allowable expenses for performers – from your Spotlight membership, travel and training to surprising claims like cosmetic work – and what you absolutely cannot claim.
- Everything you need to know about the forthcoming shift to Making Tax Digital (MTD) and how to prepare for it now.
Listen to this essential episode of The Spotlight Podcast and ensure you meet the January deadline, minimise your tax bill, and stay on the right side of HMRC.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, TV, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and take the next step in your performing career? Apply today.
In this insightful episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we sit down with Jack Sargeant, the Welsh Labour Party's Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. A strong advocate for inclusivity and Welsh industry, the Minister dives into the heart of the performing arts, offering a perspective crucial for every working actor.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and start looking for auditions today. Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Apply today.
For performers, the decisions that shape their careers often feel distant, made behind closed doors by policymakers. In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we sit down with Lord Chris Smith, the UK’s first Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and a lifelong advocate for the performing arts, to pull back the curtain on how cultural policy is made and why your voice is critical.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and start looking for auditions today. Ready to take the next step in your performing career?Apply today.
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, joins us to discuss supporting homegrown talent, the magic of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe, and how Screen Scotland and Outlander helped the screen industry boom in Scotland.
Angus talks about creating new opportunities for performers following the cancellation of iconic BBC soap River City and his priorities for culture in the year to come. He also shares his insight into the new multi-annual year funding for major cultural organisations aimed to support creatives building sustainable careers in the sector.
Whether you’re a performer, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of the arts in Scotland, this conversation offers invaluable insight into how culture and creativity are being nurtured.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and start looking for auditions today. Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Apply today.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, Business affairs consultant and professional coach Kelly Andrews joins us in the Spotlight studio to shed light on all the work agents do behind the scenes to look after their performer clients and find them work. With 30 years of experience in the industry, Kelly previously worked as an agent and was the Co-Chair of the Personal Managers’ Association (PMA).
Join us as she discusses everything you ever wanted to know about how agents operate. From researching new production rumours to maintaining relationships with casting directors, take a listen to Kelly’s insight into the working life of an agent. Plus there’s advice for establishing an effective relationship with your own agent.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out aboutour membership options and start looking for auditions today. Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Spotlight’s Managing Director Matt Hood answers your questions about Spotlight and the wider creative industry. From making the most of your Spotlight profile and new platform features to membership costs, auditions, and advice for performers, Matt covers a wide range of topics to help you navigate your performing career. Tune in for insider insights and practical tips straight from the top!
Show Notes
- How Spotlight looks and works for casting directors
- How Spotlight looks and works for agents
- Information about the membership discount for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent performers can be found under the ‘join now’ button on this page.
- The Spotlight bursary scheme
- Audition advice and tips
- Spotlight Contacts - agents listings
- Wellbeing in the Arts
- Renting Spotlight’s Voice Booth
- Full list of questions submitted
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and start looking for auditions today. Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Stefan Szwarc from 2020 Recordings offers a wealth of practical advice for actors and voice performers aspiring to break into audiobook narration.
Get an insight into the audition process, the importance of preparation and knowing your vocal instrument, and how to tailor voice reels and your Spotlight profile to help be discovered.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Join Spotlight to be discovered by casting professionals working in theatre, film, tv, voice over, commercials and more! Find out about our membership options and start looking for auditions today.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more athttps://www.spotlight.com/join-us
We’re joined in the Spotlight Voiceover Booth by Adam Bambrough, founder of Wellbeing in the Arts, to talk about mental health in the creative industries.
Spotlight has partnered with Wellbeing in the Arts to offer free mental health and wellbeing support as part of Spotlight membership for performers who are 18+ and reside in the UK and Ireland. Spotlight members can access a range of services from counselling to financial advice for free, and in this episode we talk more about what those are and how to access them. Adam also shares his own mental health journey and talks about self-care and dealing with rejection.
Show Notes* Contact Wellbeing in the Arts * Find out more about Spotlight’s Member Assistance Programme
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry. Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators.
It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more athttps://www.spotlight.com/join-us
The Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrews MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, joins us in the Spotlight studio to discuss how cultural policies impact performers. He talks about engaging with industry professionals to help inform policy development and his role as a “constructive opposition”, raising issues that are important to our sector, supporting the government's efforts to bolster the creative industries while also challenging them to do more.
Stuart shares his enthusiasm for the performing arts, from high-profile events like Eurovision to local community productions and discusses why the availability of grassroots training is essential.
He explains the importance of finding a balance between supporting the industry and being realistic about public finances and also touches upon the significance of protecting intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence and maintaining the UK's reputation in the creative industries.
This episode is part of a series of interviews with politicians who shape policies that affect all of us working within the creative industries.
Take a listen.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators.
It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more athttps://www.spotlight.com/join-us
We’re joined by injury prevention consultant, Tome Levi, to talk about the stark findings revealed in the Impact of Injury report about the human toll and economic impact of injury for performers and crew working in film, television and theatre. The report highlights the reality of cast and crew injuries caused whilst working on production and calls on the industry to improve safety at work and create safe spaces for concerns to be voiced.
Tome talks through the key findings in the report, what can be done to challenge the operational norms of production so we can create inclusive work environments and better conditions for performers to do their jobs safely.
Show Notes* Impact of injury report
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Casting Director Kharmel Cochrane joins us to talk about her three year casting journey for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’, with a search spanning the UK, USA and Jamaica to find the 70+ cast members.
Kharmel also took questions from Spotlight members and covers topics like:
- What to expect in an audition with Kharmel Cochrane.
- Adding your skills and accents to your Spotlight profile.
- How casting directors work with agents.
- In person auditions versus self-tape.
- Advice for performers auditioning for TV, film and commercials.
Take a listen!
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Esteemed casting director Kate Rhodes James discusses her process for assembling the stellar cast we see on screen in Gladiator II. Listen to Kate answer questions from Spotlight members about the intricacies of casting a blockbuster film, self-taping and the importance of making connections through work.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Tips for making your Spotlight profile the best it can be to help casting directors discover you.
Join us as we discuss what to include on your Spotlight profile – along with expert advice on showreels, headshots, special skills and the best way to contact casting directors.
If you've just joined Spotlight and you're not sure where to start – or if you feel your profile isn't working hard enough for you – this is the episode for you.
The topics we cover include:
- Setting up your Spotlight profile
- What to write in the ‘About Me’ section
- What to include and leave out of showreels
- Selecting the best pictures to represent you
- Reaching out to casting directors and agents
- When to add a skill to your profile
- How to refresh your profile
- Returning to Spotlight after a hiatus
Take a look at the full episode transcript and discover more profile tips and advice on Spotlight.com.
Never miss an episode: subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, supporting the careers of performers since 1927.
From our beginnings as a printed directory where talent displayed their headshots, Spotlight quickly became a cornerstone of the performing arts industry.
Today, our cutting-edge software service takes our directory online and empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) takes an increasing role in the creative arts industry, we look at what a performers legal rights are and how performers can safeguard their likeness and their work.
In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast we’re joined by Tony Morris, a solicitor who has worked in the entertainment industry for many decades. A partner at entertainment and performing arts law firm Level Law, Tony specialises in contractual, commercial, and intellectual property issues. He also happens to be the author of The Filmmakers’ Legal Guide - a non-legal legal guide on how to navigate the complex legal landscape of the film industry. So we thought, who better to talk to on the subject of AI and a performer’s legal rights?
We tackle a number of topics and in the episode such as:
- Understanding copyright for performers
- Legal issues arising from AI’s use of performances to generate other work
- What you can do if your work or likeness has been used by AI without your consent
- Licensing and contract considerations if a performer works on an AI project
- How to safeguard your identity and creative work
- The ethics of AI
- What performers can do to protect themselves in an ever-changing landscape.
Show Notes:
- In response to the question: "If a performer's characteristics have been used without consent for performance cloning, what would the legal course of action be for them?" Tony would like to add that "Where an unauthorised performance is used online, the performer may issue a takedown notice to the website or hosting company and that may or may not work."
- Link to the interview mentioned with Ben Affleck's comments on AI and the film industry.
See the episode transcript and find out more about AI and performer’s rights on Spotlight.com.
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more athttps://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Rooted in the tradition of serving the performing arts industry, Spotlight has been at the forefront of connecting performers with the world’s most successful casting professionals across film, television, and theatre since 1927. Today, our cutting-edge software service empowers performers to showcase their talents by creating dynamic profiles, making them accessible to a vast network of casting directors and independent project creators. It’s our mission to simplify the discovery of new talent and ensure the continued vibrancy of stages and screens worldwide.
Tips and advice for making the most of your time at drama school, including common mistakes students make and how to avoid them, and how to keep improving your acting skills after you graduate.
In the finals instalment of this two-part special about all things drama school, we talk to Charleen Qwaye (Fourth Monkey), Stewart Nicholls (Guildford School of Acting), Geoff Brumlik (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Helen Mackay (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Christabel Clark (MetFilm School) about:
- Top tips for how you can thrive and make the most of your time at drama school.
- Common mistakes they see actors making at drama school, and how you can avoid them.
- Recommendations on how to maintain your skills and education once you leave drama school.
- How to ease yourself into the acting industry after graduating from drama school.
- Resources to keep yourself active and engaged with the drama school community after graduating.
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
Why diversity is important in the entertainment industry, and more information about M·A·C Cosmetics’ exciting collaboration with Spotlight and the Diverse Squad.
In this episode, we speak to agents Mildred Yuan and Sara Sehdev (Core MGMT), who are also members of the PMA Diverse Squad, about:
- What the Diverse Squad is, and how they were formed.
- The difference between authentic casting and ‘tokenism’.
- What changes we need to see in the industry.
- The barriers faced by diverse performers.
- The work the Diverse Squad does to address these issues.
- Details about the 'Inclusive Complexion Edit' (in collaboration with Spotlight, M·A·C and the Diverse Squad) to incentivise the industry to provide the right colours for all actors in the make-up chair, regardless of skin tone.
- The benefits of Spotlight's 'Ethnicity or Heritage' tool.
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
What you need to know before applying for drama school, including different types of training, advice for auditioning and the importance of inclusivity.
In the first of this two-part instalment about all things drama school, we talk to Charleen Qwaye (Fourth Monkey), Stewart Nicholls (Guildford School of Acting), Geoff Brumlik (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), Helen Mackay (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Christabel Clark (MetFilm School) about:
- The difference between conservatoire training and studying at university, and the benefits of these different training styles.
- How you can know if drama school is the right path for you.
- What can be done to ensure there's more inclusivity in drama schools.
- Advice for successfully auditioning for and getting into drama school.
- Alternative routes for breaking into the industry if you don't get into drama school.
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
We explore what interactive content is, what work opportunities exist for actors in this exciting new genre and what skills are needed if you want to audition for a role in an interactive, multi-narrative film.
We’re joined by Harry Chadwick and Grace Chadwick, the sibling founders of INTERFLIX Media to talk about the gamification of cinema and their work in the world of interactive film. Together they create films and commercials with an interactive narrative and have just released their latest film featuring a 40-strong cast.
We catch up with them to find out about:
- Interactive content and what it is.
- The process of creating films with an interactive narrative.
- Opportunities for actors in the genre.
- How to get an audition.
- What the casting process looks like.
- Their new film, The Isle Tide Hotel.
Enjoy!
Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927.
Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member, you’ll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today.
How to navigate the world of performing when you don’t have an agent, and how to make the most of Spotlight as a self-represented performer.
We’re joined by Spotlight’s Customer Success Manager, Mel Brown, who has a wealth of knowledge about the performing arts industry and runs some of our career advice sessions for performers.
Mel will be chatting with us about: - How to best use Spotlight if you don’t have an agent. - How to put yourself forward for roles if you’re self-represented. - Tips to make your Spotlight profile the best it can be. - Advice for headshots, showreels and voice reels.
Creative Edinburgh's Programme Manager Zoë Alba Farrugia shares her story about what it was like being an international performer joining the British performing arts scene. The challenges she faced and how they inspired her to co-found her female-led theatre company Prickly Pear Productions.
Prickly Pear Productions champions underrepresented stories and artists so we discuss how that work comes about and the importance of telling stories that are inspired by different cultures and human experiences.
In this hour-long episode, we also talk about:
- Who Creative Edinburgh are and what they do within the creative community
- The importance of the artistic community
- Opportunities for creatives in Scotland
- Creating a theatre company and making work
- Representation and opportunities for women, particularly migrant women, in the performing arts industry
- How the industry can be more inclusive and open itself up to better represent different nationalities and cultures
- The similarities and differences of actors' experiences across the world.
Voice coach Nic Redman gives tips for keeping your voice on top form over the winter and shares advice to help your vocals recover after a cold.
In the episode, we discuss tips to improve your voice over skills, goal setting and how to meet your career objectives, when to say no to work, how to start your own podcast, the future of AI and lots more.
Listeners of The Spotlight Podcast can also get a discount code to buy The VO Social's 'The Voiceover Career Planner' in the episode so be sure to listen out for that!
Find out more about the Voiceover Career Planner at https://www.thevosocial.com/the-voiceover-career-planner
We speak to theatre-maker and performer Robert Softley Gale about working in Scottish theatre and making the Arts accessible for disabled creatives and audiences.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we chat to actor and comedian Jonny Weldon about auditions, theatre, making your own work, comedy and social media.
This meditation is designed to help you feel more present and connected to what you love doing so you can bring your best self to your self-tape audition.
This 30 minute meditation is inspired by the idea of togetherness and what gets created when we come together. It’s designed to calm and soothe the nervous system and can be helpful to listen to when things in our lives (and the world) are feeling out of control.
There may have been times when things didn’t go to plan. Maybe there were some days when you felt like giving up. But you didn’t. You’re here. So in this 20-minute meditation we gently invite you to celebrate all parts of you. Because all parts of you are worthy of celebration. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This 13-minute meditation is designed to support young performers to feel more confident in themselves and their abilities. It’s designed to help them to reconnect us to the part of them that knows that anything is possible and to keep trying - even when things don’t go to plan! This meditation is suitable for ages 8+ and parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This 35-minute meditation is designed to help you to unwind and let go of the day, helping to aid a restful night’s sleep. We use a progressive muscle relaxation which is a deep relaxation technique to help release stress and tension out of the body. We recommend finding a cosy and comfortable place where you can lie down for this meditation. You may also like to have a blanket or a cover over you. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This 12-minute meditation is designed to support young performers who might be feeling a bit nervous or worried - particularly if they have an audition, self-tape or performance coming up. We spend some time relaxing the body and then we go on a short journey where we discover some very special magic clouds. This meditation is suitable for ages 8+ and parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This 25-minute meditation is themed around the idea of ‘New Beginnings’ and is designed to calm a busy mind by gently guiding you back to yourself. We get curious about how each new breath creates space for new awareness by bringing us back to the present moment. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This meditation is recommended for ages 8+ and is designed to help calm and centre young performers before an audition or self-tape. Parents and Guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This is the thirteenth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 18 minute meditation is designed to help with envy. Feelings of envy or jealousy can come up a lot when you’re an actor or performer but it’s usually just a sign that you care deeply about something. In small doses envy can actually motivate us to move towards what we want. With conscious awareness we can use this energy of envy to help us to move forward. And that’s what this meditation is all about.
This is the twelfth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. In this meditation we get curious about what choice means for you as an actor or performer. We also explore where we make choices from and how just by choosing to listen to ourselves we are much more able to honour what’s really important to us.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast with Ilayda Arden, we're talking to Tommy Jessop. Tommy is the first actor with Down Syndrome to play the lead in a primetime TV drama, he's also been in Line of Duty and is the first actor with Down Syndrome to be professionally cast as Hamlet, and become a full voting member of BAFTA.
This is the eleventh of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. In this meditation you will be guided by Presence and Impact Coach, Su Mee Tan. Some of you will know Su Mee from our regular Powerful Pause meditation sessions. In this 20 minute meditation, Su Mee invites you to connect to the full range of who you are and to get curious about who you are when you give yourself full permission to show up, and to be everything that you are. We recommend listening to this meditation with Headphones.
This is the tenth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 30 minute meditation is designed to help you to grow and expand your creativity through connecting with the breath and the body. We’ll also get curious about the range of our creativity and how this can be expanded by the connection we have with ourselves. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we speak to Aisling Groves-McKeown and Emma Read, members of the five-star, award winning, all female, improvised musical comedy: Notflix the Musical.
This is the ninth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This slightly longer (25 minute) meditation is designed to get out of your head and into your body which is one of the key steps to feeling more calm and grounded. We also take a little bit of time to reflect on the gifts that can come from adversity and how this can expand our range. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.
This is the eighth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 15-minute meditation may be helpful to listen to after an audition to help you to develop a positive post-audition mindset.
Aitch (they/them) is an actor, singer, and trans inclusivity consultant in the performing arts. In this episode we cover some of the basic definitions and language used when talking about gender constructs and challenging them. We also discuss the importance of the arts in driving social change and what the industry can do to be more aware and inclusive when it comes to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming performers.
This is the seventh of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 12 minute guided visualisation featured in our Taming the Parrot workshop and is designed to help you to tap into the part of you that simply ‘knows’.
This is the sixth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20-minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.
This is the fifth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20-minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.
We're joined by Kevin Grogan, the triple threat performer behind the smash-hit drag queen persona, Veronica Green, from RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
This is the fourth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 10 minute Pre-Audition Meditation which is great to listen to before you're going into an audition.
This is the third of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20 minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.
If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute reignite meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Heath and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you.
We speak to Dave Hearn. Dave is an actor and co-founder of Olivier Award winning theatre company, Mischief Theatre, who you might know from their smash hits, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Play About a Bank Robbery and now, The Goes Wrong Show on the BBC. We discuss Dave's journey with Mischief Theatre, from the early days of performing in rooms above pubs, right through to the West End transfers and TV commissions that followed. We also chat about the teething pains of trying to make your own work as a performer, and how Dave kept going when he thought about giving it all up.
If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you.
We're joined by 13-year-old Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Barratt, his mum Carolyn Owlett and Casting Director Daniel Edwards CDG to talk about casting and acting for screen.
In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we focus on self-care including tips for managing anxiety and stress. We're joined by Bea Grist, Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager who shares practical self-care tips and information about you can sign up to the wellbeing programme, which is now available to members.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we chat to Jamie and Hannah from Spotlight's Membership Support Team to get their advice about the industry and how to make the most of your membership. Spotlight's membership Support team is based in the UK and Ireland and are here to give you advice and reassurance should you ever need it. Whether you have a question about agents, the casting industry or about your Spotlight membership, these are the lovely people who can help you.
We caught up with Jamie and Hannah to answer some of the most common queries they receive.
In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to playwright Ella Hickson and director Natalie Abrahami about collaboration in theatre.
Natalie and Ella have worked on hugely successful projects together including Anna at the National Theatre and the upcoming Swive (Elizabeth) at The Globe. In this podcast they chat to us about working in theatre, their continued collaboration and what they look for in actors. We also hear tips for writing or directing your own work and their advice for actors auditioning for theatre.
If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry information, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter.
On today's episode, we chat to Barely Methodical Troupe's Beren D’Amico, Louis Gift and Charlie Wheeler about their production of Bromance.
Three friends came together to create a unique circus-theatre experience. They explain how their love of physical theatre, acrobatics and dance helped them develop their piece.
We discuss the central themes of male friendship and comedy, the challenges of taking a show to the Fringe plus a regime for staying at the top of your physical and mental game during the run of a very demanding show. And yes, it might involve a spa!
If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter
On today's episode, we chat to Sadie Clark ‘Algorithms’ Isabelle Kabban ‘LOVE (Watching Madness)’ and Katie Guicciardi (‘Fox’) about their respective solo Edinburgh shows. Going it alone means doing absolutely everything yourself: writing, performing, venue research, getting the right time slot, promotion and money. When also featuring very personal stories focusing on sexuality, relationships and motherhood how do you then deal with feedback and critics? And what’s your self-care plan when the pressure is all on you?
If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out Spotlight's News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!
On today's episode, we chat to our Young Performers Consultant, Ellie Samuels, about whether or not it is ever beneficial to list more than one agent on your profile. Young Performers need an agent to sign up for Spotlight, but what could more than one agent offer, if anything? What are the pros and cons? Ellie talks us through it.
If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com or contact Ellie on ellie.samuels@spotlight.com. Find out more great advice for young performers on our website. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!
In the first of our Edinburgh special podcasts, we sat down with theatre producer Francesca Moody. Francesca has produced theatre in London, Edinburgh, on tour in the UK and internationally. She is the original producer of the multi-award-winning and Olivier nominated Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, which she has presented in Edinburgh, at Soho Theatre on UK tours and internationally in South Korea and Australia and most recently New York for DryWrite.
Francesca is also the former Producer of British New-Writing theatre company Paines Plough where she worked on plays by the UK’s leading playwrights including Dennis Kelly, Duncan Macmillan and Kate Tempest.
In this episode, we talk about how she chooses her projects, what skills make for a good producer, and tips about taking a show to the Fringe, amongst many other things!
If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an upcoming podcast, drop us an email at questions@spotlight.com or reach out to us on Twitter.
In this episode, Christina talks to Michelle Kirby of Daisy and Dukes Agency, along with the parent of a performer she represents, Diane Zetterstrom. Diane's son Oliver is a young performer on Spotlight, exploring his passion for performing.
We chat through how parents and agents can form a good relationship, the ins and outs parents should be aware of in the industry, and how to work with the service provided by Spotlight.
If you have questions about this episode or something you'd like us to discuss in a future episode, send us an email at questions@spotlight.com.
Spotlight talks to Kickstarter's Gemma Seltzer all about how you as a creative can turn your vision into reality. Create your own work by getting the money you need, using crowdfunding.
We talk about what projects work well on crowdfunding platforms, how to make sure your project stands out, what you'll need to think about and prepare to succeed in your funding efforts, and lots more.
Gemma not only works with artists at Kickstarter, but also previously worked at Arts Council England and runs the Write and Shine early morning writing sessions.
Read more on Kickstarter at their website and check out their Creator Handbook as a great place to start with your own project funding. Gemma also mentions a great resource called A Creative Person's Guide to Thoughtful Promotion.
Got more questions you want answered in an upcoming podcast? Email us at questions@spotlight.com. Find Gemma on Twitter @gemseltz.
Today's episode is all about your rights and duties as a freelance worker! This includes all the essentials you should know about working rights in the UK, taxation, contracts, and much, much more.
Talking to Spotlight we have Alan Lean and Stephen Duncan-Rice from Equity, who give us the lowdown on everything a self-employed performer needs to navigate the (less than fun, but super important) legal stuff on the job.
Thank you to everyone who sent us their questions!
We have way more information on our website on being self-employed and on all the legal/financial things you should know as a performer.
On this big episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we discuss safety, harassment and bullying in our industry. Joining us, we have Maureen Beattie, performer and President of Equity, Wendy Spon, CDG and former Head of Casting for the National Theatre, and Ita O'Brien, Intimacy and Movement Coordinator who has recently worked on Gentleman Jack and Sex Education for Netflix.
This is such a huge topic for the industry, and we talk about a variety of layers within it - from the nature of acting as a profession, to the culture on set and in the audition room, to wider concerns around what is asked for and when, as well as the more detailed aspects of performing an intimate scene.
We want to warn listeners that some potentially triggering language is used in this podcast.
Take a look here for more information on the discussion:
Equity's Safe Spaces Campaign
Equity's Agenda for Change report
Equity's Harassment Helpline
Ita O'Brien's Intimacy on Set Guidelines
If you have questions about this podcast, drop us an email to questions@spotlight.com. For more information, take a look at our News and Advice section, and our guide to auditioning safely.
In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we're joined by casting director Verity Naughton, CDG. We talk all about young performer casting, including...
- Headshots, profiles and what you should and should not include on your CV;
- How casting works, Verity's process and what stands out to her;
- Lots of practical tips and hints for preparing for your next audition;
- What's expected in the audition room - what to wear, knowing your lines, and lots more;
- Other advice for navigating the industry more broadly.
It's a super practical episode with tonnes of advice for performers and their parents alike. For much more information for younger performers, take a look at our website.
Got more questions you want answered in an upcoming episode? Send them to questions@spotlight.com.
Happy Pride Month! In this special episode, we talk to filmmaker Simon Wegrzyn on telling LGBTQ+ stories on screen. Simon talks us through his experience as an actor and director, and we delve into some of the pressing issues facing performers who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Simon mentions his website in the podcast, as well as the resource Film Freeway. You can watch his film Hold Hands or Hide on Amazon Prime.
For more discussions about diversity and inclusivity in the industry, take a look at our website.
Spotlight talks to Equity's Addam Merali-Younger on mental health support for performers. Addam is Equity's Bullying, Harassment and Mental Health Assistant. He mans the Equity hotline, where he answers performer concerns.
If you are looking for support, take a look at Equity's mental health and wellness resources online, or call Addam on the Bullying and Harassment Helpline on 020 7670 0268, or send an email to harassment@equity.org.uk. Details about the drop in sessions at the Actor's Centre are here. You can also access wellbeing support via ArtsMinds, or the Samaritans on 116 123.
Addam also mentions the Safe Spaces Campaign, and the Affirmation being promoted by Equity for use in all rehearsals or production spaces.
Keep an eye out on our website for more mental health information and advice specifically for actors this Mental Health Awareness Week.
This episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to Kerry Ryan, founder of Write Like A Grrrl, on how to start writing. A note: it's actually triple-r, not double-r as stated in the intro!
Kerry talks to us about overcoming writing obstacles, how to practically get started, developing character and dialogue, when to get feedback, and loads more. We also answer some of your questions - thank you to everyone who sent questions in!
Read more of our best writing advice, or check out all of our advice for getting started in the entertainment industry, as well as all of our news and advice. If you want to ask a question for a future episode, drop us an email at questions@spotlight.com. Connect with us on Twitter @SpotlightUk or @christinacare.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast we talk to Nina Zendejas, an international voice coach specialising in accent and dialect, and native to the United States. Currently working as the Head of Voice at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (MT) in London, she is also a voice-over artist (represented by Wisebuddah), and freelance production coach. Nina talks to us all about experimenting and creating characters with your voice, dealing with accent changes (especially for an audition!), improving your Received Pronunciation and General American accents, and how to get the most out of your voice long term.
It's a super fun and practical episode with a lot of great information and some exercises you can try yourself at home. Take a listen!
Find more great info on voice, and for all other advice to do with mastering your acting craft and navigating the industry, take a look at our News & Advice.
This episode we are talking all about Commercial Castings. Joining us is Alex Wheeler, who works at the award-winning Martin Gibbons Casting. We talk about how commercial projects come about, the timescales behind them, some real no-nos for the audition room and even the controversial topic of 'pencilling'... Take a listen!
Find lots more about auditions on our site, and lots more advice from casting professionals.
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we talk to Sarah Thurstan, a performer and co-founder of Performance Link. She took over the company in 2000 and now runs it herself alongside acting work. Sarah talks to us about how she figured out the essential skills actors are taught that they can pass on to others, and how having a side hustle helps with security as an actor in the long run.
You can read more about Performance Link online, and see more great advice for making the most of your career in the performing arts on our site.
The PappyShow talk to us about their upcoming run at the VAULT Festival, their unique approach to theatre-making, the importance of safety, inclusivity and diversity in their work, and how to navigate an industry where creativity isn't always paid for...
This episode features Kane Husbands, Sam Hardie, Eddie-Joe Robinson, Ursula Mohan, and Aaron Gordon. They perform, create and share roles across their three shows, BOYS, GIRLS and CARE.
The PappyShow create ensemble-led devised theatre work. They offer workshops and training in physical theatre, using this to devise and create work. In their own words: "We believe that having a space to play, devise and fail improves us as performers and informs the way we approach our work."
If you're interested in seeing their fantastic work, you can book tickets here. Read more advice about making work for yourself, and more information about theatre in particular. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to the inimitable Esta Charkham. Esta has been an agent, a casting director, an actress, a TV producer and teacher for many years. Her work with young people is exceptional. In this episode of the podcast, we talk through all the different hats Esta has worn in her career, how you can use your skills across industry disciplines, the best skills to cultivate, how to give yourself the best shot at representation and in the industry more broadly, as well as the importance of passion to fuel you. It's all about having a long and happy career!
Read more advice about starting out in this tough biz, and more information for young performers specifically. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
Happy New Year! In this mini episode of the Spotlight podcast, we discuss all the essentials for any actor looking to inject some new life into their career. Spotlight's Performer Careers Consultant Emma Dyson brings her wealth of experience in guiding and advising actors in making good career choices, to help us answer this question. We cover headshots, showreels, making the most of your acting CV, setting goals and understanding your Unique Selling Point. Essential for any actor either new or returning to the industry.
Read more advice about starting out in this tough biz, and read more about Emma's one-to-one sessions here.
For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
Do you have a showreel attached to your acting profile? You need one! In this mini episode of the Spotlight podcast, we discuss what you need to include to have the best shot at getting your next acting gig. Here's what you need to know to separate our your footage and put together your showreel (or 'demo reel' as it's known in the US!).
Our Audio-Visual Specialist Nicholas Peel is on hand to help us out. He's watched thousands of showreels in his 11 years at Spotlight, and answers all the key questions to ensure your showreel is everything casting directors want to see (and nothing they don't want to see!).
Find out more great advice about showreels on our website. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Any other questions? Ask us on Twitter!
If you're a younger performer (or a parent of a young performer!), what are your rights on the job? What pay are you entitled to? And why do you need a licence to work?
In this episode we talk to Lucy Jones, the Child Employment Officer at the London Borough of Bromley and Secretary of the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment as well as Claire Hood, from Equity, who has been working in Recorded Media looking after ITV and PACT, as well having previously worked for the BCC/ITV. We talk about what licensing is for, what the common pitfalls are, the rights and protections performers should be aware of, and more.
Find out more great advice for young performers work on our website. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Any other questions? Ask us on Twitter! If you're a member and interested to hear more about events like our Industry Forum, please opt in to receive our communications - we have more coming for casting directors and agents.
Got an audition to prepare for? Does it require you to learn a new accent?
This is the podcast to answer your accent qualms, featuring Josh Mathieson, a voice and accent coach and director who is the Head of Voice and Co-Vice Principal at theMTA, a voice teacher at the Independent Centre for Actor Training (ICAT) and a Voice and Acting Tutor at The Centre PAC.
Josh talks to us about what accents are most tricky to master, how to approach breaking down a new accent, audition etiquette, how younger performers can prepare for accent work and auditions, and the number one accent concern we hear from our actors: mastering Received Pronunciation!
Find out more great advice on voice work on our website, including our latest video on YouTube. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Any other questions? Ask us on Twitter!
The headshot is vital for every actor. But what kind of photos make for the best first impression? In this mini-edition of the Spotlight Podcast, we discuss what makes for a good photo to include on your acting CV, what to consider when you're selecting, including the importance of professional photos, how to make your Spotlight profile the best it can be, and some of the real no-gos. Our Head of Publishing, Kate Poynton, is on hand to give us her advice.
Find out more great advice on headshots on our website. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Any other questions? Ask us on Twitter!
Performers often feel they have to wait to tell the stories they are passionate about. But in today's podcast episode, we chat to Matthew Jacobs Morgan and Laura Kirwan-Ashman, both of whom have got stuck in and made their own film work - with great results! Both have undertaken projects themselves, telling stories they are passionate about telling. Here is our discussion about all things filmmaking, including how to get started, where to get funded, finding the right people and mentorship opportunities.
Find out more great advice on making your own work and on film on our website. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Any other questions? Ask us on Twitter!
How do young performers go about finding an agent? In this mini-edition of the Spotlight Podcast, we aim to help both parents and young performers, discussing what an agent can help with, how that relationship works, what you should do to start looking and how to approach an agent that takes your fancy. Our experts Ellie Samuels and Mel Brown from Spotlight's membership team are on hand to answer today's questions.
Read more advice for young performers, and check out Ellie and Mel's one to one sessions if you want to ask more questions!
For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
Need to film a self-tape on the go? In this mini-edition of the Spotlight Podcast, you'll find just the essentials you need to ensure you don't miss out on your next acting opportunity. Hear from Spotlight's own Audio-Visual Specialist on how to get the best possible self-tape from your very own smartphone. Perfect for the jobbing actor!
Read more advice about self-taping, and check out our more detailed video on YouTube.
For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
The Edinburgh Fringe is upon us! Get in the festival mood with Spotlight's chat on innovative theatre-making with Dante or Die's Daphna Attias and Terry O'Donovan. Their site specific production User Not Found will be on at this year's Fringe in association with Traverse, and integrates technology and immersive theatre techniques to tell a new kind of story.
Read more about Dante or Die on danteordie.com
For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice
In this episode, Open Door founder and actor David Mumeni talks about the importance of inclusivity and representation in drama schools, and how the Open Door project aims to help more disadvantaged actors audition and get into training programmes.
In this episode, actor, director and writer, Andy Nyman, offers his wisdom for actors, and shares some insights from his career. His invaluable book of inspiring tips, The Golden Rules of Acting, is available to buy from all good bookstores. Andy also stars in, directed and wrote 'Ghost Stories', out in cinemas Friday 13th April!