The Spotlight Podcast

Kate Rhodes James on Casting 'Gladiator II'

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.

How to Make Your Spotlight Profile Stand Out

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, 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.

The Spotlight Podcast: AI and Your Performer Rights

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.

 

Thriving During and After Drama School

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.

Championing Diversity with the Diverse Squad

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.