The Spotlight Podcast, brought to performers and actors from the home of casting, is here to share expert advice and personal acting stories from the world of performing arts and entertainment. In The Spotlight Podcast, we bring you conversations with inspiring casting directors, performers, actors, agents, Spotlight experts and theatre, film and television creators. We cover topics affecting the everyday work of actors and performers such as how projects are cast, making your own work, inclusion in the arts, voiceover, how young performers can navigate the industry, headshots, showreels, self-taping, auditions, agents, working rights, mental health, and lots more. Full of fascinating guests and expert tips, The Spotlight Podcast airs monthly to cover practical advice for performers and actors as you navigate the world of performing arts and entertainment. From personal acting career stories to an insider look at how casting directors, producers, agents and performers work together, join Spotlight’s content manager, Kristyn Coutts, as she chats with fascinating guests to get their expert tips and advice. 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, career advice, events, discounts and more! Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us
Episodes
Wednesday May 15, 2019
Wednesday May 15, 2019
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.
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, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!
Wednesday May 01, 2019
Wednesday May 01, 2019
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.
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, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
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 fun, practical episode with a lot of great information and some exercises you can try yourself at home.
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.
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, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!
Monday Apr 08, 2019
Monday Apr 08, 2019
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.
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, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
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.
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, career advice, events, discounts and more!
Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!