The Spotlight Podcast is for actors and performers navigating the performing arts and entertainment industry. Brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, our monthly podcast shares practical tips and expert advice for building and sustaining a successful performing career. Every episode we invite a guest to the studio to shine a spotlight on topics that affect the everyday work of actors and performers. Join us as we chat to casting directors, industry experts, performers, actors and agents about topics as varied as performer working rights, audition tips, how to make the most of your Spotlight membership through to an insider look at how projects are cast. Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Find out more at https://www.spotlight.com/join-us 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.
Episodes
Monday Jun 24, 2019
Monday Jun 24, 2019
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
For more information, take a look at our News and Advice section, and our guide to auditioning safely.
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 Jun 19, 2019
Wednesday Jun 19, 2019
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.
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 Jun 05, 2019
Wednesday Jun 05, 2019
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.
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 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!